UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

  

Current Report

Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 1, 2016

   

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

   

         
Canada   1-34370   98-1202763

(State or other jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

610 Applewood Crescent, 2nd Floor

Vaughan

Ontario L4K 0E3

Canada

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (905) 532-7510

 

Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.

(Former name or address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

  

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

  ¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

  ¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

  ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-(b))

 

  ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

  

Introductory Note

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the consummation on June 1, 2016 (the “ Closing Date ”) of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 18, 2016 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. (now named Waste Connections, Inc.), a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, Canada (the “ Registrant ”), Waste Connections, Inc. (now named Waste Connections US, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“ Waste Connections US ”), and Water Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant (“ Merger Sub ”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Registrant and Waste Connections US consummated an all-stock business combination transaction whereby Merger Sub merged with and into Waste Connections US (the “ Merger ”). The transaction will be accounted for as a reverse merger using the acquisition method of accounting. As such, Waste Connections US is the acquirer solely for accounting purposes.

 

All references herein to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars, and all references herein to “C$” are to Canadian dollars.

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

The information set forth under Item 2.03 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

 

On the Closing Date, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Waste Connections US, with Waste Connections US continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant. Immediately following the completion of the Merger, the Registrant also completed (i) a consolidation whereby every 2.076843 common shares outstanding were converted into one common share (the “ Consolidation ”) and (ii) an amalgamation with a wholly-owned subsidiary whereby its legal name was changed from Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. to Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Amalgamation ”). The information regarding the Consolidation and the Amalgamation set forth under Item 5.03 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Following the completion of the Merger, the Consolidation and the Amalgamation, on June 1, 2016, the post-Consolidation common shares of the Registrant (the “ Common Shares ”) commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) under the ticker symbol “WCN.” The common stock of Waste Connections US (the “ Waste Connections US Common Stock ”), which traded previously under the symbol “WCN,” has ceased trading on, and has been delisted from, the NYSE.

 

As a result of the Merger and the Consolidation, each outstanding share of Waste Connections US Common Stock (other than certain excepted shares as described in the Merger Agreement) was converted into the right to receive one Common Share. The aggregate amount of consideration paid to the former holders of Waste Connections US Common Stock in connection with the Merger was approximately 122,773,424 Common Shares. After giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares to former stockholders of Waste Connections US as a result of the Merger and the Consolidation, shareholders of the Registrant and stockholders of Waste Connections US, in each case as of immediately prior to the Merger and the Consolidation, owned approximately 30% and 70%, respectively, of the outstanding Common Shares immediately following the completion of the Merger and the Consolidation.

 

In connection with the Merger and the Consolidation, each Waste Connections US restricted stock unit award, deferred restricted stock unit award and warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was automatically converted into a restricted share unit award, deferred restricted share unit award or warrant, as applicable, relating to an equal number of Common Shares, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the Merger under such Waste Connections US equity award.

 

1  

 

  

The issuance of Common Shares in connection with the Merger was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-209896) (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) on March 3, 2016, amended as of April 1, 2016, April 20, 2016 and April 22, 2016 and declared effective on April 25, 2016.

 

The representations, warranties and covenants of each of the Registrant, Merger Sub and Waste Connections US contained in the Merger Agreement have been made solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement. In addition, such representations, warranties and covenants (i) have been made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement, (ii) have been qualified by confidential disclosures made by the parties in connection with the Merger Agreement, (iii) are subject to materiality qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement that may differ from what may be viewed as material by investors, (iv) were made only as of the date of the Merger Agreement or such other date as is specified in the Merger Agreement and (v) have been included in the Merger Agreement for the purpose of allocating risk between the contracting parties rather than establishing matters as facts.

 

Accordingly, the Merger Agreement is incorporated into this filing only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement, and not to provide investors with any other factual information regarding the parties or their respective businesses. Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the public disclosures by the parties. The Merger Agreement should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding the parties that is or will be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports and other documents that the parties to the Merger Agreement have filed and will file with the SEC.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement incorporated by reference as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of Registrant

 

On June 1, 2016, the Registrant entered into several financing agreements, as described herein, and terminated its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, among the Registrant, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as global agent, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent, and the other lenders and financial institutions party thereto (the “ 2015 Registrant Credit Agreement ”). Also on June 1, 2016, Waste Connections US terminated a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2015, by and among Waste Connections US, Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent and swing line lender and l/c issuer, and certain lenders and other financial institutions party thereto (the “ 2015 Waste Connections US Credit Agreement ,” and together with the 2015 Registrant Credit Agreement, the “ Prior Credit Agreements ”).

 

New Credit Agreement

 

Following the Merger, on June 1, 2016, the Registrant, as borrower, and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) with Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as global agent, the swing line lender and l/c issuer, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an l/c issuer, the lenders (the “ Lenders ”) and any other financial institutions from time to time party thereto. The Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of June 1, 2021.

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have committed to provide a $3.2 billion credit facility to the Registrant, consisting of (i) revolving advances up to an aggregate principal amount of $1.5625 billion at any one time outstanding and (ii) a term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $1.6375 billion, which term loan was fully drawn at closing. As part of the aggregate commitments under the revolving advances, the Credit Agreement provides for letters of credit to be issued at the request of the Registrant in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500 million and for swing line loans to be issued at the request of the Registrant in an aggregate amount not to exceed the lesser of $75 million and the aggregate commitments under the revolving advances. This swing line sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate commitments under the revolving advances. In addition, certain existing letters of credit in place under the Prior Credit Agreements are continued and now deemed issued under and governed by the terms of the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain specified conditions and additional deliveries, the Registrant has the option to request increases in the aggregate commitments for revolving advances and one or more additional term loans, provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such requests does not exceed $500 million and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of commitments and term loans under the credit facility does not exceeds $3.7 billion.

 

Advances are available under the Credit Agreement in U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars. Interest accrues on the term loan at a LIBOR rate or a base rate, at the Registrant’s option, plus an applicable margin. Interest accrues on revolving advances, at the Registrant’s option, (i) at a LIBOR rate or a base rate for U.S. dollar borrowings, plus an applicable margin and (ii) at the Canadian prime rate for Canadian dollar borrowings, plus an applicable margin. Canadian dollar borrowings are also available by way of bankers' acceptances or BA equivalent loans, subject to the payment of a drawing fee. The fees for letters of credit in US dollars and Canadian dollars are also based on the applicable margin. The applicable margin used in connection with interest rates and fees is based on the Registrant’s leverage ratio. The applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans, drawing fees for bankers' acceptance and BA equivalent loans and letter of credit fees ranges from 1.00% to 1.50%, and the applicable margin for base rate loans, Canadian prime rate loans and swing line loans ranges from 0.00% to 0.50%. The Registrant will also pay a fee based on its leverage ratio on the actual daily unused amount of the aggregate revolving commitments.

 

2  

 

 

The borrowings under the Credit Agreement are unsecured. Proceeds from the borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used initially to refinance indebtedness of the Registrant and its subsidiaries under the Prior Credit Agreements and for the payment of transaction fees and expenses related to the Merger, and may be used on a go forward basis (i) to finance acquisitions permitted under the Credit Agreement and (ii) for capital expenditures, working capital, letters of credit, and general corporate purposes.

 

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of default, including, among others, a change of control event of default and limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, new lines of business, mergers, transactions with affiliates and burdensome agreements. The Credit Agreement includes a financial covenant limiting, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated Total Funded Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of such date less (ii) the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of such date in excess of $50 million up to a maximum of $200 million (such that the maximum amount of reduction pursuant to this calculation does not exceed $150 million) to (b) Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement), measured for the preceding 12 months, to not more than 3.50 to 1.00 (or 3.75 to 1.00 during material acquisition periods, subject to certain limitations). The Credit Agreement also includes a financial covenant requiring the ratio of Consolidated EBIT (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to Consolidated Total Interest Expense (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, measured for the preceding 12 months, to be not less than 2.75 to 1.00. During the continuance of an event of default, the Lenders may take a number of actions, including, among others, declaring the entire amount then outstanding under the Credit Agreement to be due and payable.

 

The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2016 Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

Following the Merger, on June 1, 2016, the Registrant entered into a Master Note Purchase Agreement (as amended, restated, amended and restated, assumed, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ 2016 NPA ”) with certain accredited institutional investors pursuant to which the Registrant issued and sold to the investors $750 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes consisting of (i) $150 million of 2.39% series 2016 senior notes, tranche A due June 1, 2021, (ii) $200 million of 2.75% series 2016 senior notes, tranche B due June 1, 2023 and (iii) $400 million 3.03% series 2016 senior notes, tranche C due June 1, 2026 (collectively, the “ 2016 Notes ”) in a private placement. The 2016 Notes bear interest at fixed rates with interest payable in arrears semi-annually on the first day of June and December, commencing on December 1, 2016, and on the respective maturity dates, until the principal thereunder becomes due and payable.

 

Under the terms and conditions of the 2016 NPA, the Registrant is authorized to issue and sell notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion, inclusive of the outstanding $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2016 Notes issued and sold by the Registrant on June 1, 2016, provided that the purchasers of the 2016 Notes shall not have any obligation to purchase any additional notes issued pursuant to the 2016 NPA. The Registrant intends to use proceeds from the sale of the 2016 Notes to refinance existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

 

The 2016 Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with obligations under the Credit Agreement and the 2008 Notes (as such term is defined below).  Certain subsidiaries of the Registrant have executed a subsidiary guaranty in relation to the Registrant’s obligations under the 2016 NPA.

 

The 2016 Notes are subject to representations, warranties, covenants and events of default customary for a private placement of senior unsecured notes.  Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of the 2016 Notes may be accelerated by the holders of the 2016 Notes.  The 2016 Notes may also be prepaid by the Registrant at any time at par plus a make whole amount determined by the amount of any excess, if any, to the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments with respect to the called principal of such 2016 Notes minus the amount of such called principal, provided that the make whole shall in no event be less than zero. The discounted value is determined using market-based discount rates. In addition, the Registrant will be required to offer to prepay the 2016 Notes upon certain changes in control. The 2016 NPA also contemplates certain offers of prepayments for specified tax reasons or certain noteholder sanctions events.

 

The foregoing description of the 2016 NPA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2016 NPA attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2008 Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

Prior to the Merger, on June 1, 2016, Waste Connections US, certain subsidiaries of Waste Connections US (and, together with Waste Connections US, the “ Obligors ”) and certain holders of the 2008 Notes (as such term is defined below) entered into that certain Amendment No. 6 (the “ Sixth Amendment ”) to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2008 (the “ 2008 NPA ”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the 2008 NPA dated as of July 20, 2009 (the “ First Amendment ”), as supplemented by First Supplement to the 2008 NPA dated as of October 26, 2009 (the “ First Supplement ”), as amended by Amendment No. 2 to the 2008 NPA dated as of November 24, 2010 (the “ Second Amendment ”), as supplemented by Second Supplement to the 2008 NPA dated as of April 1, 2011 (the “ Second Supplement ”), as amended by Amendment No. 3 to the 2008 NPA dated as of October 12, 2011 (the “ Third Amendment ”), as amended by Amendment No. 4 to the 2008 NPA dated as of August 9, 2013 (the “ Fourth Amendment ”), as amended by Amendment No. 5 to the 2008 NPA dated as of February 20, 2015 (the “ Fifth Amendment ”), and as supplemented by Third Supplement to the 2008 NPA dated as of June 11, 2015 (the “ Third Supplement ”) (the 2008 NPA, as so amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to June 1, 2016, the “ Amended 2008 NPA ”). The Sixth Amendment, among other things, provides certain amendments to the Amended 2008 NPA to facilitate (i) the Merger and related transactions contemplated thereunder, (ii) the Registrant’s assumption of the Obligors’ obligations under the Assumed 2008 NPA (as such term is defined below) pursuant to the Assumption Agreement (as such term is defined below) upon the consummation of the Merger, (iii) the release of and/or reconstitution of obligations as a guaranty for certain Obligors and (iv) additional amendments to the Amended 2008 NPA (beyond those in the Sixth Amendment) which were effective upon the Registrant’s assumption of the Obligor’s obligations under the Assumed 2008 NPA pursuant to the Assumption Agreement.

 

3  

 

 

Following the Merger, on June 1, 2016, the Registrant entered into that certain Assumption and Exchange Agreement (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Assumption Agreement ”) with Waste Connections US, to and in favor of the holders of the notes issued from time to time under the Amended 2008 NPA as further amended by the Sixth Amendment (the Amended 2008 NPA as amended by the Sixth Amendment and as further modified by the Assumption Agreement, the “ Assumed 2008 NPA ”).

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Assumed 2008 NPA, as assumed by the Registrant pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, the Registrant assumed $825 million of senior unsecured notes (the “ 2008 Notes ”) consisting of (i) $175 million of 5.25% senior notes due 2019, (ii) $50 million of 4.00% senior notes due 2018, (iii) $100 million of 4.64% senior notes due 2021, (iv) $125 million of 3.09% senior notes due 2022 and (v) $375 million of 3.41% senior notes due 2025, in each case, that were sold previously in a private placement.

 

Under the terms and conditions of the Assumed 2008 NPA, the Registrant is authorized to issue and sell notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion, inclusive of the outstanding $825 million aggregate principal amount of 2008 Notes assumed by the Registrant on June 1, 2016, provided that the purchasers of the 2008 Notes shall not have any obligation to purchase any additional notes issued pursuant to the Assumed 2008 NPA.

 

The 2008 Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with obligations under the Credit Agreement and the 2016 Notes.  Certain subsidiaries of the Registrant have executed a subsidiary guaranty in relation to the Registrant’s obligations under the Assumed 2008 NPA. The subsidiaries executing a guaranty in relation to the Assumed 2008 NPA are the same set of subsidiaries that executed a guaranty in relation to the 2016 NPA and the same set of subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Credit Agreement.

 

The 2008 Notes are subject to representations, warranties, covenants and events of default customary for a private placement of senior unsecured notes.  Upon the occurrence of an event of default, payment of the 2008 Notes may be accelerated by the holders of the 2008 Notes.  The 2008 Notes may also be prepaid by the Registrant at any time at par plus a make whole amount determined in respect of the remaining scheduled payments on the 2008 Notes, using a market-based discount rate.  In addition, the Registrant will be required to offer to prepay the 2008 Notes upon certain changes in control; however, no such prepayment offer was accepted in connection with the Merger. The Assumed 2008 NPA also contemplates certain offers of prepayments for specified tax reasons or certain noteholder sanctions events.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the 2008 NPA, the First Amendment, the First Supplement, the Second Amendment, the Second Supplement, the Third Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment, the Third Supplement, the Sixth Amendment and the Assumption Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the 2008 NPA, the First Amendment, the First Supplement, the Second Amendment, the Second Supplement, the Third Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment, the Third Supplement, the Sixth Amendment and the Assumption Agreement which are attached hereto as Exhibits 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.13, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

  

Item 3.03. Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders

 

The information set forth in Item 5.03 below is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01. Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was the independent auditor that audited Waste Connections US’ financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Deloitte LLP was the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Merger. On June 1, 2016, the Closing Date, the Board of Directors of the Registrant, based upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, determined that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP would serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. Accordingly, on June 1, 2016, the Registrant dismissed Deloitte LLP and engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The reports of Deloitte LLP on the Registrant’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and during the subsequent interim periods through the date of this report, there were no “disagreements” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of SEC Regulation S-K and the instructions to Item 304) between the Registrant and Deloitte LLP on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to Deloitte LLP’s satisfaction, would have caused Deloitte LLP to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with its report. In addition, during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and during the subsequent interim periods through the date of this report, there were no “reportable events” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K).

 

4  

 

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and during the subsequent interim periods through the date of this report, neither the Registrant nor anyone on its behalf consulted with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Registrant’s consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Registrant that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP concluded was an important factor considered by the Registrant in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of SEC Regulation S-K and the instructions to Item 304) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K).

 

The Registrant provided Deloitte LLP a copy of the disclosures in this Item 4.01 and requested that Deloitte LLP provide the Registrant with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether Deloitte LLP agrees with the statements made by the Registrant in response to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K. A copy of the letter dated June 7, 2016 furnished by Deloitte LLP in response to that request is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this report.

 

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant

 

The information set forth under Item 2.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

  

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

Board of Directors

 

On June 1, 2016, John T. Dillon, James J. Forese, Jeffrey L. Keefer, Douglas W. Knight and Daniel R. Milliard resigned from their positions as directors of the Registrant. Larry S. Hughes and Susan Lee continue to serve as directors of the Registrant. Also on June 1, 2016, all five directors who served on the board of directors of Waste Connections US prior to the Merger—Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, Michael W. Harlan, William J. Razzouk, Edward E. Guillet and Robert H. Davis—were elected to the Board of Directors of the Registrant (the “ Board ”).

 

On June 1, 2016, Ronald J. Mittelstaedt was appointed Chairman of the Board, and at a meeting of the Board held on that day, the Board determined that each member of the Board, other than Mr. Mittelstaedt, is an “independent director” under the rules of the NYSE and under National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees . In addition, the Board formed an executive committee, an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and governance committee of the Board, composed of the following directors:

  

Executive Committee  

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt (Chairman) 

Michael W. Harlan 

Larry J. Hughes 

 

 

Audit Committee 

Michael W. Harlan (Chairman) 

Larry S. Hughes 

William J. Razzouk

 

 

Compensation Committee 

William J. Razzouk (Chairman) 

Edward E. "Ned" Guillet 

Susan Lee

 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee 

Edward E. "Ned" Guillet (Chairman) 

Robert H. Davis 

Michael W. Harlan 

 

Executive Officers 

 

On June 1, 2016, the following individuals were appointed as the executive officers of the Registrant:

5  

 

 

 

Name

 

Position

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt   Chief Executive Officer
Steven F. Bouck   President
Darrell W. Chambliss   Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Worthing F. Jackman   Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
David G. Eddie   Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
David M. Hall   Senior Vice President –
Sales and Marketing
James M. Little   Senior Vice President –
Engineering and Disposal
Patrick J. Shea   Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary

  

On June 1, 2016, Domenico D. Pio resigned his prior position as principal executive officer of the Registrant and William P. M. Herman resigned his prior positions as principal financial officer and principal accounting officer of the Registrant. Mr. Pio will continue with the Registrant in the capacity of President - Canada.

 

2016 Incentive Award Plan

  

At its meeting on June 1, 2016, the Board adopted the 2016 Incentive Award Plan (the “ 2016 Plan ”). The adoption of the 2016 Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Registrant at an annual and special meeting of the shareholders of the Registrant held on May 26, 2016 (the “ Shareholder Meeting ”). The 2016 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and provides that the aggregate number of Common Shares which may be issued from treasury pursuant to awards made under the 2016 Plan is 5,000,000 Common Shares. Awards under the 2016 Plan may be made to employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Registrant and its subsidiaries and may be made in the form of options, warrants, restricted shares, restricted share units, performance awards (which may be paid in cash, Common Shares, or a combination thereof), dividend equivalent awards (representing a right of the holder thereof to receive the equivalent value (which may be paid in cash or Common Shares) of dividends paid on Common Shares), and share payments (a payment in the form of Common Shares or an option or other right to purchase Common Shares as part of a bonus, defined compensation or other arrangement). Directors, but not employees or consultants, are also eligible to receive deferred share units, which represent the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in Common Shares (or a combination of cash and Common Shares), or which may at the time of grant be expressly limited to settlement only in cash and not in Common Shares. The foregoing description of the 2016 Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2016 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.13 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Assumed Waste Connections US Plans

 

As a result of the Merger and the Consolidation, each Waste Connections US restricted stock unit award, deferred restricted stock unit award and warrant outstanding immediately prior to the Merger was automatically converted into a restricted share unit award, deferred restricted share unit award or warrant, as applicable, relating to an equal number of Common Shares, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the Merger under such Waste Connections US equity award. Such conversion of Waste Connections US equity awards was approved by the shareholders of the Registrant at the Shareholder Meeting as part of the shareholders’ approval of the Merger. At its meeting on June 1, 2016, the Board approved the assumption by the Registrant of the Waste Connections US 2014 Incentive Plan Award (the “ Waste Connections US 2014 Plan ”), the Waste Connections US Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Waste Connections US 2004 Plan ”), and the Waste Connections US Consultant Incentive Plan (the “ Waste Connections US Consultant Plan ,” and, together with the Waste Connections US 2014 Plan and the Waste Connections US 2004 Plan, the “ Assumed Waste Connections US Plans ”) for the purposes of administering the Assumed Waste Connections US Plans and the awards issued thereunder. No additional awards will be made under any of the Assumed Waste Connections US Plans. Upon the vesting, expiration, exercise in accordance with their terms or other settlement of all of the awards made pursuant to an Assumed Waste Connections US Plan, such Assumed Waste Connections US Plan shall automatically terminate. The foregoing descriptions of the Assumed Waste Connections US Plans are qualified in their entirety by the complete terms and conditions of (i) the Waste Connections US 2014 Plan, (ii) the Waste Connections US 2004 Plan and (iii) the Waste Connections US Consultant Plan, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.20, 10.25 and 10.26, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain shares of Waste Connections US common stock underlying Waste Connections US restricted stock unit awards granted prior to 2015 were deferred pursuant to Waste Connections US’ non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Pursuant to the terms of that plan, holders of Waste Connections US restricted stock unit awards were permitted to elect to defer receipt of the common stock underlying their restricted stock awards. The plan did not provide for the issuance of shares of common stock of Waste Connections US from treasury. In connection with the Merger, the Registrant assumed the non-qualified deferred compensation plan for purposes of administering the Waste Connections US restricted stock unit awards that had been deferred under the plan prior to the Merger. No further deferrals of equity compensation awards will be permitted under the assumed non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

 

6  

 

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

 

On June 1, 2016, following the consummation of the Merger, the Registrant effected the Consolidation by filing Articles of Amendment with the Ontario Ministry of Government Services pursuant to which every 2.076843 common shares of the Registrant held by a shareholder were converted into one (1) common share of the Registrant. Also on June 1, 2016, immediately following the Consolidation, the Registrant effected the Amalgamation by filing a Articles of Amalgamation with the Ontario Ministry of Government Services pursuant to which the Registrant amalgamated with a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary, the effect of which was to change the legal name of the Registrant to “Waste Connections, Inc.” Both the Consolidation and the Amalgamation were approved by the shareholders of the Registrant at the Shareholder Meeting. The foregoing descriptions of the Consolidation and the Amalgamation do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of (i) the Articles of Amendment and (ii) the Articles of Amalgamation, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. 

 

 

7  

 

  

Item 9.01. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

 

a) Financial Statements of the Businesses Acquired.

 

The audited consolidated balance sheets of Waste Connections US as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows of Waste Connections US for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, and the notes related thereto, and the financial statement schedule, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated February 9, 2016, relating to the Waste Connections US financial statements and financial statement schedule, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets of Waste Connections US as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the consolidated condensed statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and the consolidated condensed statements of equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the notes related thereto, are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

8  

 

  

b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The Registrant intends to file pro forma financial information under cover of Form 8-K/A not later than 71 calendar days after the date that this Report is filed.

 

d) Exhibits.

  

Number 

 

Description 

  2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 18, 2016, by and among the Registrant, Water Merger Sub LLC, and Waste Connections, Inc. (now named Waste Connections US, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on January 20, 2016)
  3.1   Articles of Amendment dated June 1, 2016
  3.2   Articles of Amalgamation dated June 1, 2016
  3.3   By-laws of the Registrant
  3.4   Form of Common Share Certificate
  4.1   Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016
  4.2   Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016
  4.3   Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2008
  4.4   Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2009
  4.5   First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2009
  4.6   Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2010
  4.7   Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2011
  4.8   Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2011
  4.9   Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 9, 2013
  4.10   Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 20, 2015
  4.11   Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2015
  4.12   Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016
  4.13   Assumption and Exchange Agreement, dated June 1, 2016 relating to the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated July 15, 2008 as amended and supplemented through and including June 1, 2016 and as further modified by the Assumption and Exchange Agreement
  10.1   Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, effective February 13, 2012
  10.2   Amendment to Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  10.3   First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and David G. Eddie, dated as of October 1, 2005
  10.4   Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and James M. Little, dated as of September 13, 1999
  10.5   Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and James M. Little
  10.6   Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Patrick J. Shea, dated as of February 1, 2008
  10.7   Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and each of David G. Eddie and Patrick J. Shea
  10.8   Separation Benefits Plan, effective February 13, 2012
  10.9   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Steven F. Bouck, effective February 13, 2012
  10.10   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Worthing F. Jackman, effective February 13, 2012
  10.11   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Darrell W. Chambliss, effective February 13, 2012

 

9  

 

 

  10.12   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated June 1, 2016, between Waste Connections, Inc. and each of its directors and officers
  10.13   Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.14   Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (with One-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.15   Form of Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (with Three-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.16   Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement for Non-employee Directors under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.17   Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.18   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Shares of Waste Connections, Inc. under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.19   Waste Connections, Inc. Amended and Restated Share Option Plan dated July 22, 2009, as amended February 24, 2015
  10.20   Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.21   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units under Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.22   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units (with One-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.23   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units for Non-employee Directors under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.24   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.25   Waste Connections US, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan
  10.26   Waste Connections US, Inc. Consultant Incentive Plan
  16.1   Letter from Deloitte LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission
  23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  99.1   The audited consolidated balance sheets of Waste Connections US, Inc. (formerly Waste Connections, Inc.) as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows of Waste Connections US, Inc. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, and the notes related thereto, and the financial statement schedule (incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 8 and Part IV, Item 15(a) of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 9, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)
  99.2   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated February 9, 2016, relating to the Waste Connections US, Inc. financial statements and financial statement schedule (incorporated by reference to Part IV, Item 15(a) of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 9, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)
  99.3   The unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets of Waste Connections US, Inc. as of March 31, 2016, the consolidated condensed statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the consolidated condensed statements of equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the notes related thereto (incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 1 of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Period Ended March 31, 2016, filed on April 28, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)

 

 

10  

 

  

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

  

  Waste Connections, Inc.
  (Registrant)
     
  By:  

/s/ Worthing F. Jackman

      Worthing F. Jackman
      Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: June 7, 2016

 

11  

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

Number 

 

Description 

  2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 18, 2016, by and among the Registrant, Water Merger Sub LLC, and Waste Connections, Inc. (now named Waste Connections US, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on January 20, 2016)
  3.1   Articles of Amendment dated June 1, 2016
  3.2   Articles of Amalgamation dated June 1, 2016
  3.3   By-laws of the Registrant
  3.4   Form of Common Share Certificate
  4.1   Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016
  4.2   Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016
  4.3   Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2008
  4.4   Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2009
  4.5   First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2009
  4.6   Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2010
  4.7   Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2011
  4.8   Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2011
  4.9   Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 9, 2013
  4.10   Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 20, 2015
  4.11   Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2015
  4.12   Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016
  4.13   Assumption and Exchange Agreement, dated June 1, 2016 relating to the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated July 15, 2008 as amended and supplemented through and including June 1, 2016 and as further modified by the Assumption and Exchange Agreement
  10.1   Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, effective February 13, 2012
  10.2   Amendment to Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  10.3   First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and David G. Eddie, dated as of October 1, 2005
  10.4   Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and James M. Little, dated as of September 13, 1999
  10.5   Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and James M. Little
  10.6   Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Patrick J. Shea, dated as of February 1, 2008
  10.7   Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement between Waste Connections US, Inc. and each of David G. Eddie and Patrick J. Shea
  10.8   Separation Benefits Plan, effective February 13, 2012
  10.9   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Steven F. Bouck, effective February 13, 2012
  10.10   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Worthing F. Jackman, effective February 13, 2012
  10.11   Separation Benefits Plan Participation Letter Agreement by and between Waste Connections US, Inc. and Darrell W. Chambliss, effective February 13, 2012
  10.12   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated June 1, 2016, between Waste Connections, Inc. and each of its directors and officers
  10.13   Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.14   Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (with One-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.15   Form of Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (with Three-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.16   Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement for Non-employee Directors under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

 

 

 

  10.17   Form of Restricted Share Unit Agreement under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.18   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Shares of Waste Connections, Inc. under the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan
  10.19   Waste Connections, Inc. Amended and Restated Share Option Plan dated July 22, 2009, as amended February 24, 2015
  10.20   Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.21   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units under Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.22   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units (with One-Year Performance Period) under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.23   Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Units for Non-employee Directors under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.24   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock under the Waste Connections US, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
  10.25   Waste Connections US, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan
  10.26   Waste Connections US, Inc. Consultant Incentive Plan
  16.1   Letter from Deloitte LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission
  23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  99.1   The audited consolidated balance sheets of Waste Connections US, Inc. (formerly Waste Connections, Inc.) as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows of Waste Connections US, Inc. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, and the notes related thereto, and the financial statement schedule (incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 8 and Part IV, Item 15(a) of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 9, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)
  99.2   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated February 9, 2016, relating to the Waste Connections US, Inc. financial statements and financial statement schedule (incorporated by reference to Part IV, Item 15(a) of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 9, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)
  99.3   The unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets of Waste Connections US, Inc. as of March 31, 2016, the consolidated condensed statements of net income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the consolidated condensed statements of equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and the notes related thereto (incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 1 of Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Period Ended March 31, 2016, filed on April 28, 2016) (File No. 001-31507)

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

    

Exhibit 3.2

 

  

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

  

     

 

  

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

4A

 

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

 

ATTACHING TO SPECIAL SHARES

 

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of Special Shares, which shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

 

1.           VOTING

 

1.1         The holders of the Special Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Special Share held at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, other than meetings at which only the holders of another class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class.

 

1.2         The holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to vote separately as a class, and shall not be entitled to dissent, upon a proposal to amend the articles of the Corporation to:

 

1.2.1 Increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the Special Shares; or

 

1.2.2 Create a new class or series of a class of shares equal or superior to the Special Shares.

 

2.           DIVIDENDS

 

2.1         The holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to receive any dividends.

 

3.           REDEMPTION

 

3.1         The Corporation may, from time to time, upon giving notice as hereinafter provided, redeem the Special Shares where the holders of shares of participating preferred stock of IESI Corporation (“ Participating Preferred Shares ”) have given notice that they wish to exchange some or all of their Participating Preferred Shares pursuant to the amended and restated securityholders’ agreement dated October 1, 2008 among the Corporation, IESI Holdings Inc. and, IESI Corporation (the “ Securityholders’ Agreement ”). The number of Special Shares that Corporation redeems at that time will be equal to the number of Participating Preferred Shares exchanged. The Special Shares will be redeemed at a price per share equal to $0.000001 (the “ Redemption Amount ”).

 

     

 

 

4B

 

3.2         Election Notice

 

In order to effect the redemption referred to in section 3.1, the Corporation shall send to the holder of the Special Shares to be redeemed a notice in writing of the intention of the Corporation to redeem the Special Shares (the “ Redemption Notice ”), which shall be sent together with the Exchange Consideration (as defined in the Securityholders’ Agreement) pursuant to the procedure set out in the Securityholders’ Agreement. Accidental failure or omission to give the Redemption Notice to one or more holders shall not affect the validity of any redemption, but if such failure or omission is discovered, an Election Notice shall be given forthwith to such holder or holders and shall have the same force and effect as if given in due time. The Redemption Notice shall set out (i) the aggregate number of redeemed Special Shares, as applicable; (ii) the number of redeemed Special Shares, as applicable, held by the person to whom it is addressed; (iii) the Redemption Amount and the manner in which it was calculated; and (iv) the place or places in Canada at which holders of Special Shares may present and surrender the certificate or certificates representing the Special Shares for redemption.

 

3.3         Method of Redemption

 

The redemption and cancellation of the redeemed shares will be effective upon the delivery of the Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 3.2 (the “ Effective Time ”). On and after the Effective Time, the Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid to or to the order of the holders of the redeemed shares the Redemption Amount of such shares on presentation and surrender, at the registered office of the Corporation or any other place or places in Canada specified in the Redemption Notice, of the certificate or certificates representing the redeemed shares. Payment in respect of the redeemed shares shall be made by cheque payable to the respective holders thereof in lawful money of Canada at any branch in Canada of the Corporation’s bankers.

 

     

 

  

4C

 

From and after the Effective Time, the holders of the redeemed shares shall cease to be entitled to exercise any of their other rights as shareholders in respect thereof.

 

4.           LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

 

4.1         In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the holders of the Special Shares shall not be entitled to share in any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation.

 

5.           SUBDIVISION OR CONSOLIDATION

 

5.1         None of the Special Shares will be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the Common Shares are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion or the same manner.

 

6.           MODIFICATION

 

6.1         The provisions attached to the Special Shares will not be added to, changed or removed unless the addition, removal or change is first approved by the separate affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast at meetings of the holders of the shares of such class.

 

     

 

 

4D

 

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

 

ATTACHING TO PREFERRED SHARES

 

The Preferred Shares, as a class, shall be designated as Preferred Shares and shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

 

1.           DIRECTORS’ RIGHT TO ISSUE IN ONE OR MORE SERIES

 

1.1         The Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series. Before any shares of a series are issued, the board of directors of the Corporation shall fix the number of shares that will form such series and shall, subject to the limitations set out in the Articles, determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions to be attached to the Preferred Shares of such series, the whole subject to the filing with the Director (as defined in the Business Corporations Act (the “ Act ”)) of Articles of Amendment containing a description of such series including the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions determined by the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

2.           RANKING OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

 

2.1         The Preferred Shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the Preferred Shares of every other series with respect to dividends and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to a Preferred over the Common Shares of the Corporation and over any other shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs. If any cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, or declared non-cumulative dividends or amounts payable on a return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation are not paid in full in respect of any series of the Preferred Shares, the Preferred Shares of all series shall participate rateably in respect of such dividends in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such shares if all such dividends were declared and paid in full, and in respect of such return of capital in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such return of capital if all sums so payable were paid in full; provided, however, that if there are insufficient assets to satisfy in full all such claims as aforesaid, the claims of the holders of the Preferred Shares with respect to return of capital shall be paid and satisfied first and any assets remaining thereafter shall be applied towards the payment and satisfaction of claims in respect of dividends. The Preferred Shares of any series may also be given such other Preferreds not inconsistent with the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preferred Shares as a class over the Common Shares of the Corporation and over any other shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares as may be determined in the case of such series of Preferred Shares.

 

     

 

 

4E

 

3.           VOTING RIGHTS

 

3.1         Except as hereinafter referred to or as required by law or unless provision is made in the Articles relating to any series of Preferred Shares that such series is entitled to vote, the holders of the Preferred Shares as a class shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation. Except as hereinafter provided or as required by law or as provided in the Articles relating to any series of Preferred Shares, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation until such time as dividends on any Preferred Shares in an aggregate amount equal to the dividends payable thereon over a two year period have not been paid, whether or not such dividends in arrears are consecutive, whether or not such dividends have been declared and whether or not there are or were any moneys of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, and thereafter and so long as any dividends on any of the Preferred Shares remain in arrears, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected, other than separate meetings of the holders of another class or series of shares, and to elect, voting separately as a class, two directors of the Corporation. Nothing contained in these provisions shall be deemed or construed to limit the ability of the Corporation from time to time to increase or decrease the number of its directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Preferred Shares shall be entitled to notice of meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation or the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property of the Corporation other than in the ordinary course of the business of the Corporation.

 

     

 

 

4F

 

4.           AMENDMENT WITH APPROVAL OF HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

 

4.1         The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares given as hereinafter specified.

 

5.           APPROVAL OF HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES

 

5.1         The approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Preferred Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the holders of the Preferred Shares may be given in such manner as may then be required by law, subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be given by resolution signed by all the holders of the Preferred Shares or passed by the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Preferred Shares duly called for that purpose.

 

5.2         The formalities to be observed with respect to the giving of notice of any such meeting or any adjourned meeting, the quorum required therefor and the conduct thereof shall be those from time to time prescribed by the by-laws of the Corporation with respect to meetings of shareholders, or if not so prescribed, as required by the Act as in force at the time of the meeting. On every poll taken at every meeting of the holders of the Preferred Shares as a class, or at any joint meeting of the holders of two or more series of Preferred Shares, each holder of Preferred Shares entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of each $1.00 of the issue price of each Preferred Share held.

 

     

 

 

4G

 

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS

 

ATTACHING TO COMMON SHARES

 

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of Common Shares, which shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.

 

1.           VOTING

 

1.1         The holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to one vote for each Common Share held at all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, other than meetings at which only the holders of another class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class.

 

2.           DIVIDENDS

 

2.1         After payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares of the amount or amounts to which they may be entitled, the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive any dividend declared by the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

3.           LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING-UP

 

3.1         In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, after payment to the holders of the Preferred Shares of the amount or amounts to which they may be entitled, the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to share pro rata in any distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation.

 

4.           SUBDIVISION OR CONSOLIDATION

 

4.1         None of the Common Shares will be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless contemporaneously therewith the Special Shares are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion or the same manner.

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

  

SCHEDULE “A-l”

Statement of Director or Officer

Under Subsection 178(2) of

the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

 

I am the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. I have conducted such examinations of the books and records of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Amalgamating Corporations ”) as are necessary to enable me to make this statement. This Statement is made pursuant to subsection 178(2) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Act ”). In my capacity as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., I state that:

 

1. There are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

(a) each of the Amalgamating Corporations is, and the corporation continuing from the amalgamation of the Amalgamating Corporations (the “ Corporation ”) will be, able to pay its liabilities as they become due, and

 

(b) the realizable value of the Corporation’s assets will not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes.

 

2. There are reasonable grounds for believing that no creditor of the Amalgamating Corporations will be prejudiced by the amalgamation.

 

3. No creditor of either of the Amalgamating Corporations has notified either of the Amalgamating Corporations that such creditor objects to the amalgamation.

 

DATED June 1, 2016.

 

 
  Name: Patrick J. Shea
  Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

     

 

  

SCHEDULE “A-2”

Statement of Director or Officer

Under Subsection 178(2) of

the Business Corporations Act (Ontario)

 

I am a director of Waste Connections, Inc. I have conducted such examinations of the books and records of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Amalgamating Corporations ”) as are necessary to enable me to make this statement. This Statement is made pursuant to subsection 178(2) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Act ”). In my capacity as a director of Waste Connections, Inc., I state that:

 

1. There are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

(a) each of the Amalgamating Corporations is, and the corporation continuing from the amalgamation of the Amalgamating Corporations (the “ Corporation ”) will be, able to pay its liabilities as they become due, and

 

(b) the realizable value of the Corporation’s assets will not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes.

 

2. There are reasonable grounds for believing that no creditor of the Amalgamating Corporations will be prejudiced by the amalgamation.

 

3. No creditor of either of the Amalgamating Corporations has notified either of the Amalgamating Corporations that such creditor objects to the amalgamation.

 

DATED June 1, 2016.

 

 
  Name: Dan Pio
  Title: Director

 

     

 

  

SCHEDULE “B-1”

 

CERTIFIED RESOLUTIONS OF THE DIRECTORS

 

OF

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

 

(the “Corporation”)

 

In my capacity as a director of the Corporation, I hereby certify that (a) attached hereto as Exhibit “A” is a true and accurate excerpt of the resolutions of the directors of the Corporation duly passed on June 1, 2016 and (b) the resolutions are still in full force and effect, unamended as of today’s date.

 

[The Remainder of this Page is Intentionally Left Blank]

 

     

 

  

DATED June 1, 2016.

 

 
  Name: Dan Pio
  Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to the Certified Copy of The Resolutions of The Directors of Waste Connections, Inc. Authorizing the Amalgamation.]

 

     

 

  

EXHIBT “A” TO SCHEDULE “B-1”

 

“WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

 

DIRECTORS’ RESOLUTIONS

 

The undersigned, being all of the directors of WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC, (the “ Corporation ”), hereby sign the following resolutions pursuant to subsection 129(1) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Act ”):

 

WHEREAS:

 

A. The Corporation is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. (“ Progressive Waste ”); and

 

B. The Corporation wishes to amalgamate with Progressive Waste under subsection 177(1) of the Act,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

AMALGAMATION

 

1. The Corporation is authorized to amalgamate with Progressive Waste under subsection 177(1) of the Act and continue as one corporation.

 

2. Upon the endorsement of a Certificate of Amalgamation under subsection 178(4) of the Act, all shares of the Corporation, including all shares which have been issued and are outstanding, shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect of the shares.

 

3. The articles of amalgamation of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the articles of Progressive Waste, except that the name of the amalgamated corporation shall be “Waste Connections, Inc.”.

 

4. The by-laws of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the by-laws of Progressive Waste.

 

5. No securities shall be issued and no assets shall be distributed by the amalgamated corporation in connection with the amalgamation.

 

6. Any director or officer of the Corporation is authorized to execute and deliver articles of amalgamation, execute and deliver all other documents and do all acts or things as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to this resolution.”

 

     

 

  

SCHEDULE “B-2”

 

CERTIFIED RESOLUTIONS OF THE DIRECTORS

 

OF

 

PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD.

 

(the “Corporation”)

 

In my capacity as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation, I hereby certify that (a) attached hereto as Exhibit “A” is a true and accurate excerpt of the resolutions of the directors of the Corporation duly passed on June 1, 2016 and (b) the resolutions are still in full force and effect, unamended as of today’s date.

 

[The Remainder of this Page is Intentionally Left Blank]

 

     

 

  

DATED June 1, 2016.

 

 
  Name: Patrick J. Shea
  Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

[Signature Page to the Certified Copy of the Resolutions of the Directors of Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. Authorizing the Amalgamation.]

 

     

 

  

EXHIBT “A” TO SCHEDULE “B-2”

 

“PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD.

 

DIRECTORS’ RESOLUTIONS

 

The undersigned, being all of the directors of PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD. (the “ Corporation ”), hereby sign the following resolutions pursuant to subsection 129(1) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Act ”):

 

WHEREAS the Corporation wishes to amalgamate with its direct wholly-owned subsidiary, Waste Connections, Inc, (“ Waste Connections ”), under subsection 177(1) Act,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

AMALGAMATION

 

1. The Corporation is authorized to amalgamate with Waste Connections under subsection 177(1) of the Act and continue as one corporation.

 

2. Upon the endorsement of a Certificate of Amalgamation under subsection 178(4) of the Act, all shares of Waste Connections shall be cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect of the shares. None of the shares of the Corporation shall be cancelled.

 

3. The articles of amalgamation of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the articles of the Corporation, except that the name of the amalgamated corporation shall be “Waste Connections, Inc.”.

 

4. The by-laws of the amalgamated corporation shall be the same as the by-laws of the Corporation.

 

5. No securities shall be issued and no assets shall be distributed by the amalgamated corporation in connection with the amalgamation.

 

6. Any director or officer of the Corporation is authorized to execute and deliver articles of amalgamation, execute and deliver all other documents and do all acts or things as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to these resolutions.”

 

     

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

BY-LAW NO. 1 of
PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD.
(the ‘‘Corporation’’)

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

Expressions used in this By-law shall have the same meanings as corresponding expressions in the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ Act ’’).

 

2. FINANCIAL YEAR

 

Until changed by the directors, the financial year of the Corporation shall end on the last day of December in each year.

 

3. DIRECTORS

 

(a) Number . The number of directors shall be not fewer than the minimum and not more than the maximum provided in the articles. At each election of directors the number elected shall be such number as shall be determined from time to time by special resolution or, if the directors are empowered by special resolution to determine the number, by the directors.

 

(b) Quorum . A quorum of directors shall be fifty percent (50%) of the number of directors or such greater number as the directors or shareholders may from time to time determine.

 

(c) Calling of Meetings . Meetings of the directors shall be held at such time and place within or outside Ontario as the Chairman of the Board, the President or any two directors may determine. A majority of meetings of directors need not be held within Canada in any financial year.

 

(d) Notice of Meetings . Notice of the time and place of each meeting of directors shall be given to each director by telephone not less than 48 hours before the time of the meeting or by written notice not less than four days before the date of the meeting, provided that the first meeting immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected may be held without notice if a quorum is present. Meetings may be held without notice if the directors waive or are deemed to waive notice.

 

(e) Chairman . The Chairman of the Board, or in his absence the President if a director, or in his absence a director chosen by the directors at the meeting, shall be chairman of any meeting of directors.

 

(f) Voting at Meetings . At meetings of directors each director shall have one vote and questions shall be decided by a majority of votes.

 

     

 

 

4. NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

 

(a) Director Nomination Procedure . Subject only to the Act, applicable securities laws and the articles of the Corporation, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set out in this Section 4 shall be eligible for election as directors to the Board. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may only be made at an annual meeting of shareholders, or at a special meeting of shareholders called for any purpose which includes the election of directors to the Board, as follows:

 

(i) by or at the direction of the Board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting;

 

(ii) by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a valid proposal made in accordance with the provisions of the Act or a valid requisition of a shareholders’ meeting by one or more shareholders made in accordance with the provisions of the Act;

 

(iii) by any person (a ‘‘ Nominating Shareholder ’’), who: (A) is, at the close of business on the date of giving notice provided for in Section 4(b) below and on the record date for notice of such meeting, either entered in the securities register of the Corporation as a holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting and provides evidence of such beneficial ownership to the Corporation; and (B) has given Timely Notice in proper written form as set forth in this Section 4.

 

(b) Timely Notice . For a nomination made by a Nominating Shareholder to be timely (a ‘‘ Timely Notice ’’), the Nominating Shareholder’s notice must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation:

 

(i) in the case of an annual meeting (including an annual and special meeting) of shareholders, not later than the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) day before the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the first public announcement made by the Corporation of the date of the meeting (each such date being the ‘‘ Notice Date ’’) is less than fifty (50) days prior to the meeting date, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be given not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the Notice Date; and

 

(ii) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for any purpose which includes the election of directors to the Board, not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the Notice Date;

 

  - 2 -  

 

 

provided that, in either instance, if notice-and-access (as defined in National Instrument 54-101 — Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer) is used for delivery of proxy related materials in respect of a meeting described in Section 4(b)(i) or (ii), and the Notice Date in respect of the meeting is not less than fifty (50) days prior to the date of the applicable meeting, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the fortieth (40th) day before the date of the applicable meeting.

 

(c) Proper Form of Notice . To be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth or be accompanied by, as applicable:

 

(i) as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (a ‘‘ Proposed Nominee ’’):

 

(A) the name, age, business and residential address of the Proposed Nominee;

 

(B) the principal occupation, business or employment of the Proposed Nominee, both presently and within the past five years;

 

(C) whether the Proposed Nominee is a ‘‘resident Canadian’’ (as such term is defined in the Act);

 

(D) the number of securities of each class of securities of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Proposed Nominee, as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (provided such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;

 

(E) full particulars of any relationship, agreement, arrangement or understanding, including financial, compensation and indemnity related relationships, agreements, arrangements or understandings, between the Proposed Nominee and the Nominating Shareholder, or any affiliates or associates of, or any person or entity acting jointly or in concert with, the Proposed Nominee or the Nominating Shareholder, in connection with the Proposed Nominee’s nomination and election as a director; and

 

(F) any other information that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident proxy circular or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act or applicable securities law; and

 

  - 3 -  

 

 

(d) as to each Nominating Shareholder giving the notice:

 

(i) their name, business and residential address;

 

(ii) the number of securities of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Nominating Shareholder or any other person with whom the Nominating Shareholder is acting jointly or in concert with respect to the Corporation or any of its securities, as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice;

 

(iii) their interests in, or rights or obligations associated with, any agreements, arrangements or understandings, the purpose or effect of which is to alter, directly or indirectly, the person’s economic interest in a security of the Corporation or the person’s economic exposure to the Corporation;

 

(iv) full particulars of any proxy, contract, relationship, arrangement, agreement or understanding pursuant to which such person, or any of its affiliates or associates, or any person acting jointly or in concert with such person, has any interests, rights or obligations relating to the voting of any securities of the Corporation or the nomination of directors to the Board; and

 

(v) any other information that would be required to be included in a dissident proxy circular or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Act or as required by Applicable Securities Law.

 

Reference to ‘‘ Nominating Shareholder ’’ in this Section 4(d)(ii) shall be deemed to refer to each shareholder that nominates or seeks to nominate a person for election as director in the case of a nomination proposal where more than one shareholder is involved in making such nomination proposal.

 

(e) Notice to be Current to the Record Date . To be considered Timely Notice and in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice shall be promptly updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting.

 

  - 4 -  

 

 

(f) Delivery of Notice . Any notice or other document or information required to be given to the Secretary pursuant to this Section 4 may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile transmission or by email (provided that the Secretary has stipulated a facsimile number or an email address for purposes of giving notice under this Section 4) and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is given or transmitted by personal delivery to the Secretary at the address of the principal executive offices of the Corporation, or by facsimile or email transmission (provided that, in either case, receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received); provided that if such delivery or electronic transmission is made on a day which is a not a business day or later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the next following day that is a business day.

 

(g) Additional Matters .

 

(i) The chair of any meeting of shareholders of the Corporation shall have the power to determine whether any proposed nomination is made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4, and if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall not be considered at any meeting of shareholders.

 

(ii) The board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement of this Section 4.

 

(iii) Despite any other provision of this Section 4, this Section 4 shall only apply following the ratification and approval of the amendment to this By-law adopting this Section 4 by the shareholders of the Corporation.

 

(iv) For the purposes of this Section 4, ‘‘public announcement’’ means disclosure in a press release disseminated by the Corporation through a national news service in Canada, or in a document filed by the Corporation for public access under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com.

 

5. OFFICERS

 

(a) General . The directors may from time to time appoint a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as the directors may determine.

 

(b) Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall be appointed from among the directors and when present shall be chairman of meetings of directors and shareholders and shall have such other powers and duties as the directors may determine.

 

(c) President . Unless the directors otherwise determine the President shall be appointed from among the directors and shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall have general supervision of its business and affairs and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board shall be chairman of meetings of directors and shareholders when present.

 

  - 5 -  

 

 

(d) Vice-President . A Vice-President shall have such powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.

 

(e) Secretary . The Secretary shall give required notices to shareholders, directors, auditors and members of committees, act as secretary of meetings of directors and shareholders when present, keep and enter minutes of such meetings, maintain the corporate records of the Corporation, have custody of the corporate seal, if any, and shall have such other powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.

 

(f) Treasurer . The Treasurer shall keep proper accounting records in accordance with the Act, have supervision over the safekeeping of securities and the deposit and disbursement of funds of the Corporation, report as required on the financial position of the Corporation, and have such other powers and duties as the directors or the chief executive officer may determine.

 

(g) Assistants . Any of the powers and duties of an officer to whom an assistant has been appointed may be exercised and performed by such assistant unless the directors or the chief executive officer otherwise direct.

 

(h) Variation of Duties . The directors may, from time to time, vary, add to or limit the powers and duties of any officer.

 

(i) Term of Office . Each officer shall hold office until his successor is elected or appointed, provided that the directors may at any time remove any officer from office but such removal shall not affect the rights of such officer under any contract of employment with the Corporation.

 

6. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

 

(a) Indemnification of Directors and Officers . The Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or acted at the Corporation’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which the Corporation is or was a shareholder or creditor, and the heirs and legal representative of such a person to the extent permitted by the Act.

 

(b) Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person referred to in the preceding section to the extent permitted by the Act.

 

7. SHAREHOLDERS

 

(a) Quorum . A quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders shall be two persons present and each entitled to vote at the meeting and holding personally or representing as proxies, in the aggregate, twenty-five percent (25%) of the eligible vote.

 

  - 6 -  

 

 

(b) Electronic Meetings . A meeting of shareholders may be held by telephonic or electronic means and a shareholder who, through those means, votes at a meeting or establishes a communications link to a meeting shall be deemed to be present at that meeting.

 

(c) Scrutineers . The Chairman at any meeting of shareholders may appoint one or more persons (who need not be shareholders) to act as scrutineer or scrutineers at the meeting.

 

8. DIVIDENDS AND RIGHTS

 

(a) Payments of Dividends and Other Distributions . Any dividend or other distribution payable in cash to shareholders will be paid by cheque or by electronic means or by such other method as the directors may determine. The payment will be made to or to the order of each registered holder of shares in respect of which the payment is to be made. Cheques will be sent to the registered holder’s recorded address, unless the holder otherwise directs. In the case of joint holders, the payment will be made to the order of all such joint holders and, if applicable, sent to them at their recorded address, unless such joint holders otherwise direct. The sending of the cheque or the sending of the payment by electronic means or the sending of the payment by a method determined by the directors in an amount equal to the dividend or other distribution to be paid less any tax that the Corporation is required to withhold will satisfy and discharge the liability for the payment, unless payment is not made upon presentation, if applicable.

 

(b) Non-Receipt of Payment . A dividend payable in money shall be paid by cheque to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which it has been declared and mailed by prepaid ordinary mail to such registered holder at the address of such holder in the Corporation’s securities register unless such holder otherwise directs, or in such other manner prescribed by the Board to the order of each registered holder of shares of the class or series in respect of which the dividend has been declared. In the case of joint holders the cheque or other manner of payment shall, unless such joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of all of such joint holders. The sending of such payment as aforesaid, unless the same is not paid on due presentation, shall satisfy and discharge the liability for the dividend to the extent of the sum represented thereby plus the amount of any tax which the Corporation is required to and does withhold.

 

(c) Unclaimed Dividends . To the extent permitted by applicable law, any dividend unclaimed after a period of six (6) years from the date on which the same has been declared to be payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Corporation.

 

  - 7 -  

 

 

9. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

 

Deeds, transfers, assignments, agreements, proxies and other instruments may be signed on behalf of the Corporation by any two directors or by a director and an officer or by one of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President and a Vice-President together with one of the Secretary and the Treasurer or in such other manner as the directors may determine.

 

10. NOTICE

 

(a) A notice mailed to a shareholder, director, auditor or member of a committee shall be deemed to have been received on the fifth day after mailing.

 

(b) Accidental omission to give any notice to any shareholder, director, auditor or member of a committee or non-receipt of any notice or any error in a notice not affecting the substance thereof shall not invalidate any action taken at any meeting held pursuant to such notice.

 

  - 8 -  

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

Published CUSIP Number: C9716DAA2

 

REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of June 1, 2016,

 

among

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.,

 

as the Borrower,

 

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER,

 

as the Guarantors,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

ACTING THROUGH ITS CANADA BRANCH,

 

as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender

 

and an L/C Issuer,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as the U.S. Agent, and an L/C Issuer,

 

and

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

 

with

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

and

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

as the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

and

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

as Co-Syndication Agents,

 

and

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch,

PNC Bank Canada Branch,

BBVA Compass , and

U.S. Bank National Association ,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 2
       
1.01 Defined Terms. 2
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions 41
1.03 Accounting Terms 42
1.04 Rounding 42
1.05 Times of Day; Rates 43
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts 43
1.07 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents 43
1.08 Currency 43
1.09 Classification of Loans and Borrowings 44
       
ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS 44
       
2.01 The Loans. 44
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans. 46
2.03 Letters of Credit. 48
2.04 Swing Line Loans. 59
2.05 Bankers’ Acceptances 62
2.06 Prepayments 65
2.07 Termination or Reduction of the Aggregate Commitments 67
2.08 Repayment of Loans. 67
2.09 Interest. 68
2.10 Fees 68
2.11 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate. 69
2.12 Evidence of Debt 70
2.13 Payments Generally; the Agents’ Clawback 71
2.14 Sharing of Payments 73
2.15 Accordion Advances (Increases and Replacements of the Aggregate Commitments and New or Increased Term Loans). 74
2.16 [Reserved]. 77
2.17 [Reserved]. 77
2.18 Cash Collateral. 78
2.19 Defaulting Lenders. 79
       
ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY 82
       
3.01 Taxes. 82
3.02 Illegality 88
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates for a LIBOR Rate Loan 89
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans. 89
3.05 Compensation for Losses 91
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. 92
3.07 Circumstances Making Bankers’ Acceptances Unavailable 92
3.08 Survival 93
       
ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS 93
       
4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension 93

 

i
 

 

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions 96
       
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 97
       
5.01 Corporate Authority. 97
5.02 Governmental Approvals 98
5.03 Title to Properties; Leases 98
5.04 Financial Statements; Solvency. 98
5.05 No Material Changes, Etc 99
5.06 Permits, Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, Etc 100
5.07 Litigation 100
5.08 No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc 100
5.09 Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, Etc 100
5.10 Tax Status 100
5.11 No Event of Default 100
5.12 Investment Company Act 100
5.13 Absence of Financing Statements, Etc 101
5.14 ERISA Compliance. 101
5.15 Use of Proceeds. 102
5.16 Environmental Compliance 102
5.17 Transactions with Affiliates 104
5.18 Subsidiaries 104
5.19 True Copies of Charter and Other Documents 104
5.20 Disclosure 104
5.21 Capitalization 105
5.22 Permits and Licenses 105
5.23 [Reserved]. 105
5.24 OFAC. 105
5.25 Anti-Corruption Laws. 105
5.26 Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans 106
5.27 Credit Party’s Identification Numbers 106
       
ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 107
       
6.01 Punctual Payment 107
6.02 Maintenance of Offices 107
6.03 Records and Accounts 107
6.04 Financial Statements, Certificates and Information 107
6.05 Legal Existence and Conduct of Business 109
6.06 Maintenance of Properties 109
6.07 Insurance 110
6.08 Taxes 110
6.09 Inspection of Properties, Books, Etc 110
6.10 Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits 111
6.11 Environmental Indemnification 111
6.12 Further Assurances 111
6.13 Notice of Potential Claims or Litigation 111
6.14 Notice of Certain Events Concerning Insurance and Environmental Claims. 111

 

ii
 

 

6.15 Notice of Default 112
6.16 New Subsidiaries. 113
6.17 Use of Proceeds 113
6.18 Additional Notices 113
6.19 Designation of Material Subsidiaries 114
6.20 Anti-Corruption Laws. 114
6.21 Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans 114
6.22 Obligations as Senior Debt 115
       
ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS 115
       
7.01 Restrictions on Indebtedness 115
7.02 Restrictions on Liens 117
7.03 Restrictions on Investments 119
7.04 Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets; Permitted Intercompany Financings. 120
7.05 Sale and Leaseback 121
7.06 Restricted Payments and Redemptions 122
7.07 Employee Benefit Plans 122
7.08 Burdensome Agreements 123
7.09 Business Activities 124
7.10 Transactions with Affiliates 124
7.11 Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness 124
7.12 Accounting Changes 124
7.13 Use of Proceeds 125
7.14 Financial Covenants. 125
7.15 Merger Agreement 125
7.16 Sanctions 125
7.17 Anti-Corruption Laws. 126
7.18 Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans. 126
       
ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 126
       
8.01 Events of Default 126
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default 129
8.03 Application of Funds 130
       
ARTICLE IX. AGENTS 131
       
9.01 Appointment and Authorization of the Agent 131
9.02 Rights as a Lender 131
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions 131
9.04 Reliance by the Agents 132
9.05 Delegation of Duties 133
9.06 Resignation of the Agent 133
9.07 Non-Reliance on the Agents and the Other Lenders 135
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc 135
9.09 The Agents May File Proofs of Claim 135
9.10 Release of Credit Parties 136
9.11 Cash Management Agreements and Hedge Agreements 136

 

iii
 

 

ARTICLE X. CONTINUING GUARANTY 136
       
10.01 Guaranty 136
10.02 Rights of Lenders 137
10.03 Certain Waivers 137
10.04 Obligations Independent 138
10.05 Subrogation 138
10.06 Termination; Reinstatement 138
10.07 Subordination 139
10.08 Stay of Acceleration 139
10.09 Condition of Borrower 139
10.10 Keepwell 139
10.11 [Reserved]. 140
10.12 Designation of the Borrower as the Agent for the Credit Parties 140
10.13 Luxembourg Guaranty Limitation 140
       
ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS 141
       
11.01 Amendments, Etc 141
11.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications 142
11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement 145
11.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. 146
11.05 Payments Set Aside 148
11.06 Successors and Assigns. 148
11.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 154
11.08 Right of Setoff 155
11.09 Interest Rate Limitation 155
11.10 Counterparts; Effectiveness 156
11.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties 156
11.12 Severability 156
11.13 Replacement of Lenders 156
11.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. 157
11.15 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury 158
11.16 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 159
11.17 Anti-Money Laundering Legislation 159
11.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility 159
11.19 ENTIRE AGREEMENT 160
11.20 Judgment Currency 160
11.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 160
11.22 Reserved. 161
11.23 Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. 161

 

iv
 

 

SCHEDULES

 

1 List of Subsidiaries of the Borrower
2 List of Guarantors
3 List of Material Subsidiaries
1.01A Existing Letters of Credit
1.01B Covenanted Senior Debt
2.01 Commitments and Applicable Percentages
5.17 Related Party Transactions
5.27 Organizational Identification Numbers
6.07 Permitted Self-Insurance
7.01 Existing Indebtedness
7.02 Existing Liens
11.02 Global Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

 

EXHIBITS

 

A-1 Form of Committed Loan Notice
A-2 Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
A-3 Form of Term Loan Notice
A-4 Form of Drawing Notice
B-1 Form of Revolving Credit Note
B-2 Form of Swing Line Note
B-3 Form of Term Note
C Form of Compliance Certificate
D-1 Form of Assignment and Assumption
D-2 Form of Administrative Questionnaire
E Form of Instrument of Accession
F Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

 

v
 

 

REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

REVOLVING CREDIT AND TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (together with the schedules and exhibit hereto, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of June 1, 2016, among WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., an Ontario corporation (the “ Parent ” or the “ Borrower ”), the Subsidiaries party hereto as Guarantors (as defined herein) (collectively, the Guarantors together with the Borrower and each other Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof, the “ Credit Parties ”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ”, and each individually, a “ Lender ”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., ACTING THROUGH ITS CANADA BRANCH, as the global agent, the Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the U.S. agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and collectively with the Global Agent, the “ Agents ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Parent and Waste Connections US, Inc. (f/k/a Waste Connections, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“ WCN ”) have entered into a merger transaction pursuant to the Merger Agreement (defined below), in which Water Merger Sub LLC, a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary of Parent (the “ Merger Sub ”) has been merged with WCN on the Closing Date (the date upon which the Merger is consummated, the “ Merger Effective Date ”) substantially concurrently with the closing hereunder, with WCN surviving the merger, as a result of which WCN will become a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the “ Merger ”);

 

WHEREAS, immediately following consummation of the Merger, the stockholders of WCN at the time immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger own approximately 70% of the equity interests of Parent;

 

WHEREAS, WCN, certain of its subsidiaries, the U.S. Agent and certain of the lenders are parties to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, the “ Existing WCN Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which the lenders thereunder have made loans and other extensions of credit to the borrowers thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Parent, the Global Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. collateral agent and certain of the lenders are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, the “ Existing Progressive Credit Agreement ” and together with the Existing WCN Credit Agreement, the “ Existing Credit Agreements ”), pursuant to which the lenders thereunder have made loans and other extensions of credit to the borrowers thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested, among other things, that the Lenders and the Agents provide a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility, as set forth in this Agreement, and the Lenders and Agents are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

1
 

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01         Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Acceding Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(c) .

 

Accordion Advance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(a) .

 

Accordion Funding Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(e) .

 

Accordion Tranche ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b) .

 

Accountants ” means an independent accounting firm of national standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders and the Agents.

 

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or any other form approved by the Agents.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Agents ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

Aggregate Commitments ” means a collective reference to the U.S. Revolving Commitments and the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, as such collective amount may be reduced or increased pursuant to the terms hereof. The initial amount of the Aggregate Commitments on the Closing Date is U.S.$1,562,500,000.

 

AML Legislation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.17 .

 

Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation ” means, at any time, any Canadian pension minimum standards legislation (be it Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or otherwise) then applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries organized in Canada.

 

Applicable Percentage ” means (a) in respect of the Aggregate Commitments, with respect to any Revolving Lender as of any date, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 , (b) in respect of the Term Loan Facility, with respect to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term Loan Commitments represented by such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 , and (c) in respect of any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 , with respect to any Lender advancing a portion of such term loan at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the term loan represented by the principal amount of such term loan Lender’s portion of the Outstanding Amount of the term loan at such time. If the Revolving Commitments of all of the Revolving Lenders to make Committed Loans and to purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02(a) or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentages of the Revolving Lenders shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentages of the Revolving Lenders most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, Instrument of Accession or other instrument, as the case may be, pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto.

 

2
 

 

Applicable Rate ” means, in respect of the Term Loan, the Committed Loans, the L/C Fee and the Commitment Fee, from time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Agents pursuant to (i)  Section 4.01(a)(ix) for the initial period following the Closing Date (based upon which the initial Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to Level II) and (ii) thereafter, Section 6.04(c) :

 

Level   Leverage Ratio   LIBOR Rate
Loans, Drawing
Fees & L/C Fees
  Base Rate
Loans &
Canadian
Prime Rate
Loans
  Commitment
Fee
I   ≥ 3.25:1.00   1.50%   0.500%   0.200%
II   ≥ 2.50:1.00 and
< 3.25:1.00
  1.20%   0.250%   0.150%
III   ≥ 1.75:1.00 and
< 2.50:1.00
  1.10%   0.125%   0.120%
IV   < 1.75:1.00   1.00%   0.000%   0.090%

 

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is received by the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04(c) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered within ten (10) days after the time periods specified in such Section 6.04(c) , then Level I (as set forth in the table above) shall apply as of the first Business Day thereafter, subject to prospective adjustment upon actual receipt of such Compliance Certificate.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(b) .

 

Applicable Revolving Lenders ” means, (a) with respect to any U.S. Dollar Committed Loan or U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan, the U.S. Revolving Lenders and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders, and (b) with respect to any Canadian Dollar Committed Loan, Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan, Letter of Credit, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders.

 

3
 

 

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Arrangers ” means, collectively, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., in their respective capacities as co-lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.

 

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.06(b) ), and accepted by an Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D-1 or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by an Agent.

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments thereunder that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such Synthetic Lease were accounted for as a capital lease. For the avoidance of doubt, the determination of GAAP for purposes of this definition shall be subject to the terms of Section 1.03.

 

Audited Financial Statements ” means each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its then existing Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Parent and its then existing Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto and (ii) the audited consolidated balance sheet of WCN and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of WCN and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

Availability Period ” means, with respect to the Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and Swing Line Loans, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date for the Committed Loans, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.07 , (c) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Committed Loans, purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and of the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 , and (d) the date upon which the Borrower has repaid to the Agents and the Revolving Lenders (or Cash Collateralized, as applicable) the Total Revolving Outstandings and other Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations for which no claim has yet been made) with respect to the Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes, Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans hereunder on such date and has terminated the Aggregate Commitments in accordance with Section 2.07 .

 

4
 

 

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Balance Sheet Date ” means December 31, 2015.

 

BA Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of the simultaneous issuance of Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes on the same Drawing Date and having the same Contract Maturity Date made by each of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders pursuant to Section 2.05 .

 

BA Equivalent Note ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a) .

 

BA Instruments ” means, collectively, Bankers’ Acceptances, Drafts and BA Equivalent Notes and, in the singular, any one of them.

 

BA Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a) .

 

Bankers’ Acceptance ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a) .

 

Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. §101, et seq .), as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the LIBOR Rate plus 1%, and (c) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Global Agent as its “prime rate” for U.S. Dollar loans made in Canada; and if the Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Global Agent for U.S. Dollar loans made in Canada, based upon various factors including the applicable Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some U.S. Dollar loans made in Canada, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by either Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Base Rate Committed Loan ” means a Committed Loan that is a Base Rate Loan.

 

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

5
 

 

Benefit Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.11(f) .

 

BOA Canada ” means Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, and its successors.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04 .

 

Borrowing ” means a Committed Borrowing, a Term Loan Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing, a BA Borrowing or a borrowing consisting of a portion of any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 , as the context may require.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws or other governmental action of, or are in fact closed in, the state, province or territory where either the Global Agent’s Office or the U.S. Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.

 

Canadian Benefit Plan ” means an employee benefit plan, maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada, for the benefit of the employees, former employees, directors, and contractors of the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries employed or engaged in Canada including all profit sharing, incentive compensation, savings, supplemental retirement, retiring allowance, severance, deferred compensation (including stock option, share award and equity-based plans), welfare, bonus, supplementary unemployment benefit plans or arrangements and all life, health, dental and disability plans and arrangements; provided , however that “Canadian Benefit Plan” shall not include any Canadian Pension Plan, the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required to be provided under federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation or employment insurance legislation.

 

Canadian Dollar ” and “ C$ ” mean lawful money of Canada.

 

Canadian Dollar Committed Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Canadian Dollar Committed Loans of the same Type made by each of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.15 .

 

Canadian Dollar Committed Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b)(ii)(B) .

 

Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars.

 

Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan ” means a Swing Line Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars.

 

Canadian Lender ” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person and that is or is deemed to be a resident of Canada for purposes of the ITA and for purposes of the Canada-United States Tax Convention, and that is entitled to the benefits of such tax convention with regard to any amounts payable to it under the Loan Documents. For purposes of this definition, Canada and each province and territory thereof shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

6
 

 

Canadian Pension Plan ” means any plan that is a “registered pension plan” as defined in subsection 248(1) of the ITA administered by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada and required to be registered under Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation, and contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute by) the Borrower or any of such Subsidiaries.

 

Canadian Prime Rate ” means the greater of (i) the variable per annum reference rate of interest announced and adjusted by the Global Agent from time to time for Canadian Dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada, and (ii) the rate of interest per annum that is equal to the sum of (A) CDOR on the particular day for one-month bankers’ acceptances, and (B) 0.50% per annum. The rate described in clause (i) is a rate set by the Global Agent for Canadian Dollar loans made in Canada and commonly known as “prime rate” (or its equivalent analogous rate) based upon various factors including the Global Agent’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some Canadian Dollar loans made in Canada, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate announced by the Global Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Canadian Prime Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Canadian Prime Rate.

 

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP (and subject to Section 1.03), recorded as capitalized leases.

 

Cash Collateral ” has the meaning given it in the definition of “Cash Collateralize”.

 

Cash Collateralize ” means (a) to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of one or more of an L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the applicable Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support ( provided that such credit support shall only include assets directly owned by the Credit Parties and shall not include any Equity Interests), in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (i) such Agent and (ii) the applicable L/C Issuer, or (b) to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Global Agent for the benefit of the Applicable Revolving Lenders, as collateral for the Obligations in respect of Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Global Agent and Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding a majority of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Global Agent. “ Cash Collateral ” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

7
 

 

Cash Management Agreement ” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements that is entered into by an between any Credit Party and any Cash Management Bank.

 

Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that, on the Closing Date (with respect to any Cash Management Agreements existing on or as of the Closing Date so long as the Agents shall have been provided with prior notice of such Cash Management Agreement) or at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

 

CDOR ” means, for any day with respect to each Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note issued by the Borrower and purchased by a Revolving Lender on any Drawing Date, the stated average of the annual rates that appears on the Bloomberg Screen CDOR page with respect to banks named in Schedule I to the Bank Act (Canada) as of approximately 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, as of approximately 10:00 a.m. on the next preceding Business Day) for Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances issued on that day having a face amount and for a term equal or comparable to the face amount and term of such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes; provided that , if such rate does not appear on the Bloomberg Screen CDOR page at such time on such day, CDOR for such day will be the rate of interest determined by the Global Agent that is equal to the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards to the nearest basis point) of the annual discount rates of interest quoted by The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in respect of bankers’ acceptances accepted by them and having a face amount and a term equal or comparable to the face amount and term, of such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes; provided that , if CDOR shall be less than zero, then CDOR shall be deemed as zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

CFO ” means the principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrower.

 

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, or with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes party to this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, implemented or issued.

 

8
 

 

Class ” (a) when used in reference to any Committed Loan, refers to whether such Committed Loan is a U.S. Dollar Committed Loan or a Canadian Dollar Committed Loan, (b) when used in reference to any Swing Line Loan, refers to whether such Swing Line Loan is a U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan or a Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan, (c) when used in reference to any Letter of Credit, refers to whether such Letter of Credit is a U.S. Dollar Letter of Credit or a Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit, (d) when used in reference to any Revolving Commitment, refers to whether such Revolving Commitment is a U.S. Revolving Commitment or a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, and (e) when used in reference to any Revolving Lender, refers to whether such Revolving Lender is a U.S. Revolving Lender or a Multicurrency Revolving Lender.

 

Closing Date ” means the first date all the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 11.01 , which date is June 1, 2016.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Commitment ” means a Revolving Commitment or a Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require.

 

Commitment Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.10(a) hereof.

 

Committed Borrowing ” means a U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing or a Canadian Dollar Committed Borrowing.

 

Committed Loan ” means a U.S. Dollar Committed Loan or a Canadian Dollar Committed Loan.

 

Committed Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Committed Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Committed Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Committed Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or such other form as may be approved by the Agents (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agents), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq .), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

 

Conforming Amendment ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(f) .

 

Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income or profits (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes, capital Taxes imposed under any applicable Canadian law or branch profits Taxes.

 

9
 

 

Consolidated EBIT ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Consolidated Group determined in accordance with GAAP, plus, without duplication, (a) interest expense, plus (b) income taxes, plus (c) non-cash stock compensation charges, to the extent that such charges were deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, charges for stock options and restricted stock grants, plus (d) one-time, non-recurring acquisition-related transaction fees and expenses and, to extent reasonably approved by the Agents, integration costs incurred within 12 months of any acquisition to the extent such costs are expensed, plus (e) non-controlling interest expense, plus (f) non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns, writeoffs or impairments of assets, or deferred financing costs, including non-cash losses on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, plus (g) any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness, plus (h) special charges relating to the termination of a Swap Contract, plus (i) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any members of the Consolidated Group, plus (j) one-time, non-recurring charges in connection with the modification of employment agreements with certain members of senior management as approved by the Agents (with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), plus (k) non-cash accounting charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification (“ ASC ”) Topic 815 for such period minus (l) non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), and minus (m) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contact payable to any members of the Consolidated Group, minus (n) non-cash accounting gains resulting from the application of ASC Topic 815 for such period.

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period (without duplication), (a) Consolidated EBIT plus  the depreciation expense and amortization expense, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the depreciation expense and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBITDA was included under clause (c) hereof, plus (c) Consolidated EBITDA for the prior twelve (12) months of companies or business segments acquired by the Consolidated Group during the respective reporting period (without duplication); provided , that (i) the financial statements of such acquired companies or business segments have been audited for the period sought to be included by an independent accounting firm satisfactory to the Agents, or (ii) the Agents consent to such inclusion after being furnished with other acceptable financial statements; and provided further , that such acquired Consolidated EBITDA may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), as approved by the Agents. Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (c)(i) and (c)(ii) hereof, the CFO shall deliver to the Agents a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company or business segment.

 

Consolidated Group ” means the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) ” means the consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Consolidated Group after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

10
 

 

Consolidated Total Funded Debt ” means, with respect to the Consolidated Group, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments, (ii) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases, (iii) the non-contingent deferred purchase price of assets and companies (typically known as holdbacks) to the extent recognized as a liability in accordance with GAAP, but excluding short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding, but excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding; plus (b) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (a) of another Person who is not a member of the Consolidated Group Guaranteed by one or more members of the Consolidated Group.

 

Consolidated Total Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Consolidated Group during such period on all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments treated as interest under GAAP in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease and including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, but (a)  excluding (i) any amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses incurred during such period to the extent included in determining consolidated interest expense, including without limitation, non-cash amortization of deferred debt origination and issuance costs and amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income, (ii) all amounts associated with the unwinding or termination of any Swap Contract, (iii) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to any member of the Consolidated Group and (iv) to the extent included as an item of interest expense, any premium paid to prepay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.01 , and (b)  including any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any member of the Consolidated Group.

 

Contract Maturity Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b) .

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ”, “ Controls ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Covenanted Senior Debt ” means those notes identified on Schedule 1.01B hereto and all other senior Indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time which impose performance-based covenants upon the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

 

Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

 

Credit Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

11
 

 

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), and regarding PWS Luxembourg, Articles 437 ff. of the Luxembourg Commercial Code or any other insolvency proceedings pursuant to the Council Regulation (EC) N° 1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings (or once applicable, the equivalent definition for the purposes of EU Regulation No 2015/848 or any other applicable regulation in replacement of the same), controlled management ( gestion contrôlée ) within the meaning of the grand ducal regulation of 24 May 1935 on controlled management, voluntary arrangement with creditors ( concordat préventif de la faillite ) within the meaning of the law of 14 April 1886 on arrangements to prevent insolvency, as amended, suspension of payments ( sursis de paiement ) within the meaning of Articles 593 ff. of the Luxembourg Commercial Code or voluntary or compulsory winding-up pursuant to the law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended (the “ 1915 Law ”) and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, each as now and hereafter in effect, any successors to such statutes, all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, compromise or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States, Canada or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate ” means (a) with respect to any Loan, the interest rate otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, (b) with respect to the L/C Fees, the Applicable Rate used in determining the L/C Fees plus 2% per annum, (c) with respect to the Drawing Fees, the Applicable Rate used in determining the Drawing Fees plus 2% per annum, and (d) with respect to all other Obligations under this Agreement then due and payable, an interest rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate otherwise applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2% per annum.

 

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.19(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes within two (2) Business Days after the date such Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes were required to be funded hereunder, unless such Lender notifies the Agents and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the either Agent, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two (2) Business Days after the date such payment is due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Agents, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements generally in which it commits to extend credit, unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied, (c) has failed, within two (2) Business Days after written request by the Agents or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Agents and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Agents and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state, provincial, territorial or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, (iii) has consented to, approved of or acquiesced in any such proceeding or appointment, or (iv) become the subject of a Bail-in Action; provided , that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or Canada or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Agents that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.19(b) ) as of the date established therefor by the Agents in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Agents to the Borrower, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

12
 

 

Designated Jurisdiction ” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction. As of the Closing Date, Designated Jurisdictions are Iran, Sudan, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea region of Ukraine.

 

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

 

Distribution ” means (i) the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution on or in respect of any Equity Interest (other than dividends or other distributions payable solely in additional Equity Interests); (ii) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interest, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary or otherwise; or (iii) the return of equity capital by any Person to its shareholders, partners or members as such.

 

Distribution Limitation ” means the lesser of (a) U.S.$500,000,000 and (b) the maximum amount which is permitted as a dividend and stock repurchase permitted under the Master Note Purchase Agreements.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

 

Draft ” means, at any time with respect to a Bankers’ Acceptance (i) a bill of exchange, within the meaning of the Bills of Exchange Act (Canada), drawn by the Borrower, bearing such distinguishing letters and numbers as the recipient thereof may determine, which at the time of such drawing has not been completed in respect of the payee thereof; or (ii) a depository bill within the meaning of the Depository Bills and Notes Act (Canada).

 

13
 

 

Drawing ” means (i) the creation and purchase of a Bankers’ Acceptance by a Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.05 , or (ii) the purchase of a BA Equivalent Note by a Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.05 .

 

Drawing Date ” means any Business Day fixed for a Drawing pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) .

 

Drawing Fee ” means, in respect to each Bankers’ Acceptance and BA Equivalent Note, an amount equal to the Applicable Rate multiplied by the product of (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days to maturity of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, inclusive of the first day and exclusive of the last day of such term, and the denominator of which is 365 or 366, as applicable and (ii) the aggregate Face Amount of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note.

 

Drawing Notice ” means a notice of a Drawing pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-4 .

 

Drawing Price ” means, in respect of each Bankers’ Acceptance and BA Equivalent Note, the result obtained by multiplying (a) the Face Amount of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note by (b) the amount (rounded up or down to the fifth decimal place with .000005 being rounded up) determined by dividing one by the sum of one plus the product of (x) the Reference Discount Rate, and (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days to maturity of such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Note, inclusive of the first day and exclusive of the last day of such term, and the denominator of which is 365.

 

Drawing Proceeds ” means, in respect of any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note purchased by a Revolving Lender on any Drawing Date, an amount equal to (i) the Drawing Price in respect of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note minus (ii) the Drawing Fee in respect of such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Note.

 

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

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Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 11.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) ) and, in each case, that is legally entitled to deliver the IRS form(s) and other documentation described in Section 3.01(e) , as applicable, demonstrating a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to Laws in effect on the date of such assignment.

 

Environmental Laws ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.16(a) .

 

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Environmental Permit ” means any permit, certificate, registration, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

 

Equipment Leasing Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that exists or is acquired or created on or after the Closing Date for the purpose of leasing equipment to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of any class of, or other ownership or profit interests in, such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

15
 

 

ERISA Event ” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan); (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate or the treatment of a Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA or notification of a filing of a notice of intent to terminate or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) or notification of the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan; (f) any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan); (g) the determination that any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) is considered an at-risk plan within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA or notification that any Multiemployer Plan is considered a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.10 and any other “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Credit Parties) at the time the guaranty of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guaranty or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

 

16
 

 

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to or in respect of a Recipient (including any Taxes imposed or required to be withheld or deducted by a Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower under a Permitted Intercompany Financing or other intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Borrower due to any Credit Party or other Subsidiary being treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations): (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income or profits (however denominated), capital Taxes imposed under any applicable Canadian law, franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or conducting business (other than a business deemed to arise solely by virtue of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 11.13 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) , (a)(iii) or (c) , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes (including Taxes imposed on any payment made under a Permitted Intercompany Financing or other intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Borrower) attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with or arising as a result of a breach of any representation made in Section 3.01(e) , (d) any Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA, and (e) any Tax that would not have been imposed if the Recipient dealt, at the applicable time, at arm’s length with the Borrower, within the meaning of the ITA.

 

Existing Credit Agreements ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Existing Letters of Credit ” means all “Letters of Credit” (as defined in the Existing WCN Credit Agreement and the Existing Progressive Credit Agreement) and set forth on Schedule 1.01A .

 

Existing Progressive Credit Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Existing WCN Credit Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Excluded Transaction ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a) .

 

Face Amount ” means, in respect of any BA Instrument, the amount payable to the holder on its maturity.

 

Facility ” means the Revolving Credit Facility or the Term Loan Facility, as the context may require.

 

FASB ASC ” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any intergovernmental agreements with respect thereto (together with any Law implementing such agreements).

 

17
 

 

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight United States Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System of the United States, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Agents.

 

Fee Letters ” means, collectively, (a) the letter agreement, dated as of March 8, 2016, among WCN, the Agents and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, (b) the letter agreement, dated as of March 8, 2016, between WCN and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (c) the letter agreement, dated as of March 8, 2016, between WCN and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and (d) the letter agreement, dated as of March 8, 2016, between WCN and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

 

Foreign Lender ” means any Lender that is neither a Canadian Lender nor a U.S. Person.

 

FRB ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s ratable share of the outstanding L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender has agreed to purchase a risk participation pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(ii) other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s ratable share of Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender has agreed to purchase risk participations pursuant to Section 2.04(a) other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Fronting Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i) .

 

Fuel Derivatives Obligations ” means fuel price swaps, fuel price caps and fuel price collar and floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices.

 

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

 

18
 

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect and set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

Global Agent ” means BOA Canada in its capacity as Global Agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor Global Agent.

 

Global Agent’s Office ” means the Global Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02 , or such other address or account as the Global Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage ” means in respect of the Aggregate Commitments, with respect to any U.S. Revolving Lender or Multicurrency Revolving Lender, as applicable, as of any date, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of Aggregate Commitments, represented by such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 . If the Revolving Commitments of all of the Revolving Lenders to make Committed Loans and to purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02(a) or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage of any U.S. Revolving Lender or Multicurrency Revolving Lender, as applicable, shall be determined based on the Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage of such Revolving Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage of each U.S. Revolving Lender and Multicurrency Revolving Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption, Instrument of Accession or other instrument, as the case may be, pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Governmental Authority ” means any government (including the governments of the United States and Canada), parliament, legislature or any political subdivision thereof, and any regulatory body authority, instrumentality, or agency thereof, commission or board of any thereof, or any court or (without limitation to the foregoing) any other law, regulation or rule-making entity (including, without limitation, any central bank, fiscal or monetary authority or authority regulating banks), having jurisdiction in the relevant circumstances or any other governmental authority charged with the administration or enforcement of applicable Laws or any other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the Minister of the Crown, Superintendent of Financial Institutions, European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

19
 

 

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor ” means, collectively, (a) (i) the Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on Part I of Schedule 2 , which shall include, in any event, PWS Luxembourg and each Equipment Leasing Subsidiary, (ii) each Transaction Subsidiary, and (iii) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section 6.16 , and (b) with respect to (i) Obligations owing by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party (other than the Borrower) under any Hedge Agreement or any Cash Management Agreement and (ii) the payment by each Specified Credit Party of its obligations under its guaranty with respect to all Swap Obligations, the Borrower.

 

Guaranty ” means, collectively, the Guaranty made by the Guarantors under Article X in favor of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and Lenders, together with each joinder agreement delivered pursuant to Section 6.16 .

 

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Hedge Agreement ” means any Swap Contract permitted under Article VI or VII that is entered into by and between any Credit Party and any Hedge Bank.

 

Hedge Bank ” means any Person that, on the Closing Date (with respect to any Hedge Agreements existing on or as of the Closing Date so long as the Agents shall have been provided with prior notice of such Hedge Agreement) or at the time it enters into a Swap Contract permitted under Article VI or VII , is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract.

 

Holdings ” means IESI-BFC Holdings Inc., an Ontario corporation.

 

IESI ” means IESI Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

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Indebtedness ” means, as to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:

 

(a)          every obligation of such Person for money borrowed;

 

(b)          every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses;

 

(c)          every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person;

 

(d)          the net present value (using the Base Rate as the discount rate) of every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding (A) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good faith and (B) contingent purchase price obligations solely to the extent that the contingency upon which such obligation is conditioned has not yet occurred);

 

(e)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Capitalized Leases;

 

(f)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Synthetic Leases;

 

(g)          all sales by such Person of (A) accounts or general intangibles for money due or to become due, (B) chattel paper, instruments or documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (C) other receivables (collectively, “ Receivables ”), whether pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for collection and not as a financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other amounts in connection therewith; provided , however , that sales referred to in clauses (B) and (C) shall not constitute Indebtedness to the extent that such sales are non-recourse to such Person;

 

(h)          every obligation of such Person (an “equity related purchase obligation”) to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Interest of any class issued by such Person, or any rights measured by the value of such Equity Interest;

 

(i)          every net obligation of such Person under any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices;

 

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(j)          every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under applicable law; and

 

(k)          all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness at any time of determination represented by (x) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (y) any sale of Receivables shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Credit Parties) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment, and (z) any equity related purchase obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption or purchase price. For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a) , Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b) .

 

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07 .

 

Instrument of Accession ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(c) .

 

Intercompany Business Combination ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a) .

 

Intercompany Business Combination Provisions ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.04(a) .

 

Intercompany Indebtedness ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.23 .

 

Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) as to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date applicable to such Loan; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan exceeds three (3) months, the respective dates that fall every three (3) months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates, (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Loan (in each case including Swing Line Loans), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date applicable to such Loan, and (c) as to any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, the Contract Maturity Date thereof.

 

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Interest Period ” means, as to each LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), or such other date as agreed to by the Borrower and all applicable Lenders, as selected by the Borrower in a Loan Notice; provided , that:

 

(a)          any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(b)          any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(c)          no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date applicable to such Loan.

 

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (or assumption, as applicable) of capital stock or other Equity Interests, Indebtedness, assets constituting a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be calculated based on the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment and without giving effect to any currency fluctuations.

 

IRB LOC ” means any Letter of Credit providing credit support for an IRB, which may (but need not) be a so-called “direct pay” Letter of Credit.

 

IRBs ” means industrial revenue bonds, solid waste disposal bonds or similar tax-exempt bonds issued by or at the request of the Credit Parties.

 

ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

Issuer Documents ” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the L/C Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by an L/C Issuer and the Borrower or in favor of an L/C Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit.

 

ITA ” shall mean the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

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KYC Requirement Information ” means, with respect to the Borrower and each other Credit Party, such Credit Party’s tax identification number, physical address, country of principal place of business, headquarters and formation, type of legal entity and phone number.

 

Laws ” means, collectively, all Canadian federal, provincial, territorial, international, foreign, United States federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative, ministerial, departmental, judicial or arbitral judgments, orders, decisions, rulings, precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority; provided , however , that with respect to Taxes, “Laws” shall also include guidelines or administrative policies issued by any Governmental Authority, whether or not having the force of law.

 

L/C Advance ” means, with respect to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing as to which such Multicurrency Revolving Lender has agreed to purchase a risk participation pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(ii) in accordance with its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage.

 

L/C Application ” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

L/C Borrowing ” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Committed Borrowing.

 

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

L/C Expiration Date ” means the day that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect for the Committed Loans (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

 

L/C Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h) .

 

L/C Issuer ” means each of (a) BOA Canada, Bank of America or, in each case, any designated Affiliate thereof, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Canadian Branch or, in each case, any designated Affiliate thereof, and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., and, for the purposes of the Existing Letters of Credit, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and The Bank of Nova Scotia (b) any other Multicurrency Revolving Lender that is named in Schedule I to the Bank Act (Canada), has been appointed by the Borrower and has agreed to act as an L/C Issuer hereunder and has been approved by the Agents (including, for certainty, without limitation, The Toronto-Dominion Bank and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce) and (c) any other Lender that has been appointed by the Borrower, has agreed to act as an L/C Issuer and has been approved by the Agents, each in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. In addition, the issuer of any Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be an L/C Issuer hereunder solely for purposes of such Existing Letter of Credit. All singular references to the L/C Issuer shall mean any L/C Issuer, the L/C Issuer that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or all L/C Issuers, as the context may require.

 

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L/C Obligations ” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

L/C Supported IRBs ” means IRBs which are enhanced by IRB LOCs.

 

Lender ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes the Swing Line Lender. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Lender may include a Lender and such Lender’s U.S. or Canadian Affiliate or branch and any Commitment by a Lender hereunder shall be a single Commitment, whether to be advanced by such Lender or such Lender’s U.S. or Canadian Affiliate or branch.

 

Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Agents, which office may include any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or such Affiliate; provided , that such Lender, such Affiliate or such domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or such Affiliate is legally entitled to deliver the IRS form(s) and other documentation described in Section 3.01(e) , as applicable, demonstrating a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to Laws in effect on the date the Lender designates such Lending Office. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Lender shall include its applicable Lending Office.

 

Letter of Credit ” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder and shall include IRB LOCs and the Existing Letters of Credit.

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means an aggregate amount equal to the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$500,000,000, and with respect to Bank of America and BOA Canada, collectively, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$275,000,000 in the aggregate; with respect to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$75,000,000; with respect to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or any designated Affiliate thereof, collectively, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$75,000,000 in the aggregate; with respect to The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$75,000,000; and with respect to any other L/C Issuer in an amount to be determined by such L/C Issuer and the Borrower and approved by the Agents. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments. The Letter of Credit Sublimit of any L/C Issuer may be changed by agreement between such L/C Issuer and the Borrower, without the consent of any other party; provided , however, the aggregate Letter of Credit Sublimit shall not be changed without the written consent of Revolving Lenders holding over fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments.

 

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Leverage Ratio ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.14(a) .

 

LIBOR Rate ” means,

 

(a)          for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Agents, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Agents from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for U.S. Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

 

(b)          for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for U.S. Dollar deposits with a term of one (1) month commencing that day;

 

provided that, in the case of clause (a) and (b), if the LIBOR Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement; provided further that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Agents in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Agents, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Agents.

 

LIBOR Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “LIBOR Rate”.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Committed Loan, a Term Loan, a Swing Line Loan or any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 and “Loans” shall mean all of such extensions of credit collectively.

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, each BA Instrument, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.18 , the Fee Letters, each joinder agreement and related documents entered into or delivered by a Subsidiary of the Parent in connection with such Subsidiary becoming a Guarantor hereunder, and each amendment, consent and/or waiver executed in connection with any of the foregoing imposing Obligations of any kind on any Credit Party, each as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

 

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Loan Notice ” means a Committed Loan Notice, a Term Loan Notice, a Swing Line Loan Notice or a similar notice relating to any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 .

 

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in U.S. Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Master Note Purchase Agreements ” means (a) that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 15, 2008, by and among certain of the Credit Parties and certain accredited institutional investors (as amended, restated, supplemented, assumed or otherwise modified from time to time, including, without limitation, by that certain Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 1, 2016 and by that certain Assumption and Exchange Agreement dated as of June 1, 2016) and (b) that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016, by and among certain of the Credit Parties and certain accredited institutional investors (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect to any event or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding), (a) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or operations of the Credit Parties taken as a whole or (b) any impairment of the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents against any Credit Parties or any impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to either Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document. In determining whether any individual event could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that such event does not of itself have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event and all other then-existing events could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Subsidiary means, as of any date of determination, each direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) has total assets equal to or greater than 5% of consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements are available), or has revenues equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period for which financial statements are available), (b) is a Guarantor, (c) guarantees any Private Placement Notes or any other senior notes of the Borrower or, if applicable, senior notes of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or (d) is designated by the Borrower as a Material Subsidiary; provided that the Material Subsidiaries shall at all times represent not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall from time to time promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter) designate one or more of its Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to cause such term to include Subsidiaries of the Borrower that, together with the Borrower and each other Material Subsidiary, have assets equal to not less than 90% of consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter) and revenues of not less than 90% of the consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period). For the avoidance of doubt, the 90% calculation in the immediately preceding sentence shall include the Borrower’s assets and revenues only to the extent they do not duplicate the assets and revenues of its Subsidiaries and, without limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower’s Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries shall not be included in valuing the assets of the Borrower.

 

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Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (i) July 31, 2021 and (ii) June 1, 2021; provided, however, that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

 

Merger ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Merger Agreement ” means, collectively, that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 18, 2016, by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., Merger Sub, and WCN, as in effect on such date and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, but on or prior to the Closing Date, the Merger Agreement shall not have been altered, amended or otherwise changed or supplemented or any condition therein waived without prior written consent of the Lenders to the extent any such alteration, amendment or other change or waiver could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Lenders, and together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, and each of the other agreements, instruments and documents relating to the Merger and the other Merger Transactions.

 

Merger Sub ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Merger Transactions ” means the Merger and the other transactions relating thereto or contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to one hundred two percent (102%) of the Fronting Exposure of an L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (ii) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.18(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , an amount equal to one hundred two percent (102%) of the Outstanding Amount of all LC Obligations, and (iii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Agents and such L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Commitment ” means, as to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, its obligation to (a) make Committed Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b) , (b) purchase Bankers’ Acceptances or completed BA Equivalent Notes pursuant to Section 2.05 , (c) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (d) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Multicurrency Revolving Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Multicurrency Revolving Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The initial amount of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments on the Closing Date is U.S.$1,562,500,000.

 

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Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage ” means, in respect of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, with respect to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender as of any date, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments represented by such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 . If the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of all of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders to make Committed Loans and to purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02(a) or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of any Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be determined based on the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption, Instrument of Accession or other instrument, as the case may be, pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment at such time.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

Multiple Employer Plan ” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which has two or more contributing sponsors (including any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

Municipal Contracts ” means governmental permits issued to any operating company Subsidiary of the Borrower by, and franchises and contracts entered into between any operating company Subsidiary of the Borrower and, any municipal or other governmental entity, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Non BA Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a) .

 

Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

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Non-Material Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

Non-U.S. Plan ” means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America by the Borrower or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

Note ” means a Term Note, a Revolving Credit Note, a Swing Line Note or a promissory note, if executed, representing any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 , as the context may require.

 

Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Credit Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note, Cash Management Agreement, Hedge Agreement or Letter of Credit, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Credit Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that the Obligations shall exclude, with respect to any Credit Party, any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Credit Party.

 

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and including any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

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Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to or as described in Section 3.05(c) or Section 3.06 or Section 11.13 ).

 

Outstanding Amount ” means (i) with respect to Committed Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Committed Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts; (iii) with respect any Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes on any date, the Face Amount thereof; (iv) with respect to the Term Loan on any date, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan on such date; and (v) with respect to any term loan to the extent advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 , the outstanding principal amount of such term loan on such date.

 

Parent ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Participant ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d) .

 

Participant Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d) .

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under ERISA.

 

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Pension Funding Rules ” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

Pension Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by any Credit Party and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code. For greater certainty, “Pension Plan” does not include any Canadian Pension Plan.

 

Permitted Intercompany Financings ” means a series of loans or equity financings made from time to time by the Borrower in connection with any structuring of the Credit Parties to certain of its direct or indirect Transaction Subsidiaries that are Credit Parties, including subsequent reloans or reinvestments of some or all of such funds to and among other Subsidiaries that are Credit Parties, all on terms reasonably acceptable to the Agents (with such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

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Permitted Lien ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02 .

 

Permitted Receivables Transactions ” means any sale or sales of, and/or securitization of, or transfer of, any Receivables of the Credit Parties pursuant to which (a) the Receivables SPV realizes aggregate net proceeds of not more than the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$100,000,000 at any one time outstanding, including, without limitation, any revolving purchase(s) of Receivables where the maximum aggregate uncollected purchase price (exclusive of any deferred purchase price) for such Receivables at any time outstanding does not exceed the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$100,000,000, (b) the Receivables shall be transferred or sold to the Receivables SPV at fair market value or at a market discount, and shall not exceed the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$125,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time and (c) obligations arising therefrom shall be non-recourse to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables SPV).

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan ” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees. For greater certainty, “Plan” does not include any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan.

 

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04 .

 

Private Placement Notes ” means the notes issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreements.

 

Pro Forma Reference Period ” means, as of the calculation date for any pro forma covenant calculation hereunder, the most recently completed Reference Period prior to such calculation date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.04 .

 

PWS Canada ” means Progressive Waste Solutions Canada Inc. (formerly known as BFI Canada Inc.), an Ontario corporation.

 

PWS Luxembourg ” means PWS Finance Luxembourg société à responsabilité limité (private limited liability company) duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, with a share capital of USD 3.018.000,00, having its registered office at 125, avenue du Dix Septembre, L-2551 Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the R.C.S. of Luxembourg under number B 177.956.

 

Public Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.04 .

 

Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, at any time, each Credit Party with total assets exceeding U.S.$10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under §1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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Real Estate ” means all real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or sublessee) by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

Reallocation Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 .

 

Receivables ” has the meaning set forth in clause (g) of the definition of “Indebtedness”.

 

Receivables SPV ” means any one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower formed for the sole purpose of engaging in Permitted Receivables Transactions, and which engage in no business activities other than those related to Permitted Receivables Transactions.

 

Recipient ” means either Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party hereunder.

 

Reference Discount Rate ” means, for any Drawing Date in respect of Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes to be purchased pursuant to Section 2.05 , CDOR.

 

Reference Period ” means as of any date of determination, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Consolidated Group or the twelve (12) month period ending on such date, or if such date is not a fiscal quarter end date, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters or the twelve (12) month period most recently ended (in each case treated as a single accounting period).

 

Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c) .

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Release ” has the meaning specified in CERCLA; provided that in the event CERCLA is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply as of the effective date of such amendment; and provided further , to the extent that the laws of a state wherein the property lies establishes a meaning for “Release” which is broader than specified in CERCLA, such broader meaning shall apply.

 

Reportable Event ” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

 

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, a Term Loan Notice or a Loan Notice delivered in connection with any term loan advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Article II (including pursuant to Section 2.15 ), as the case may be, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, an L/C Application, (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice and (d) with respect to a Drawing, a Drawing Notice.

 

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Required Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the unused Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided , further that, the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

 

Resignation Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06(a) .

 

Responsible Officer ” means (a) the chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, CFO, chief accounting officer, vice president – finance, treasurer, manager (to the extent PWS Luxembourg is concerned) or assistant treasurer of any Credit Party, (b) solely for purposes of the delivery of the certificate referred to in Section 4.01(a)(iii) , the secretary, a manager of PWS Luxembourg or any assistant secretary of a Credit Party, and (c) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Agents or any other officer or employee of the applicable Credit Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Credit Party and the Agents. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Credit Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Credit Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Credit Party.

 

Restricted Payment ” means, in relation to the Credit Parties, any (a) Distribution or (b) derivatives or other transactions with any financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a “ Derivatives Counterparty ”) obligating the Borrower or such Subsidiary to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any Equity Interest of the Borrower or such Subsidiary; p rovided , however , that no Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any (i) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the foreclosure on (or similar exercise of secured party remedies with respect to) such Equity Interests securing indebtedness used to purchase such Equity Interests, (ii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests funded by the proceeds of “key man” life insurance policies with respect to the holder of such Equity Interests, (iii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests made in lieu of or to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the exercise or exchange of options or warrants or (iv) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares.

 

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Revaluation Date ” means (a) with respect to any Canadian Dollar Committed Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of any such Canadian Dollar Committed Loan, (ii) each date of a continuation of any such Canadian Dollar Committed Loan pursuant to Section 2.02 , and (iii) such additional dates as the Global Agent or the Swing Line Lender (with respect to any Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan) shall determine or Revolving Lenders holding over 50% of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall require; and (b) with respect to any Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of any such Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (iii) each date of any payment by any L/C Issuer under any such Canadian Dollar Letter of Credit, (iv) in the case of the Existing Letters of Credit that are Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit, the Closing Date, and (v) such additional dates as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuers shall determine or Revolving Lenders holding over 50% of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall require.

 

Revolving Commitment ” means a U.S. Revolving Commitment or Multicurrency Revolving Commitment, as applicable.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Facility ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments at such time.

 

Revolving Credit Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Lender evidencing Committed Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Revolving Lender, if executed, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 .

 

Revolving Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Revolving Commitment at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, no Revolving Lender may hold more than one Class of Revolving Commitments at any time.

 

Sanction(s) means any sanction administered or enforced by the Canadian government (including without limitation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Department of Public Safety Canada), the United States government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Laws ” means, collectively, the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and all applicable securities laws of each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the respective rules and regulations under such laws, the applicable published instruments, notices and orders of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated under any of the foregoing, and, to the extent the Borrower has any securities listed thereon, all rules, by-laws and regulations of the Toronto Stock Exchange, as each of the foregoing may be amended and in effect on any applicable date hereunder.

 

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Solvent ” and “ Solvency ” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Specified Credit Party ” means any Credit Party that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 10.10 ).

 

Spot Rate ” for a currency means the rate determined by the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender or any L/C Issuer, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided , that the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender or such L/C Issuer may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender or such L/C Issuer if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that such L/C Issuer may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer denominated in Canadian Dollars.

 

Subordinating Loan Party ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.23(a) .

 

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Subsidiary Holdco ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.16(a) .

 

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Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall include Fuel Derivatives Obligations and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

Swap Obligation ” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

SWIFT ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(f) .

 

Swing Line ” means the revolving credit facility made available by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04 .

 

Swing Line Borrowing ” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04 .

 

Swing Line Lender ” means BOA Canada, in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor Swing Line Lender hereunder.

 

Swing Line Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a) .

 

Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 or such other form as approved by the Agents (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agents), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Swing Line Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swing Line Lender evidencing Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 .

 

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Swing Line Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$75,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.

 

Synthetic Lease ” means, with respect to any Person, any (a) so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholdings), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Term Loan Lender ” means (a) at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment at such time and (b) at any time after the Closing Date, any Lender that holds Term Loans at such time.

 

Term Loan ” and “ Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01 .

 

Term Loan Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 .

 

Term Loan Commitment ” means, as to each Term Loan Lender, its obligation to make a Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 , in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term Loan Commitment”, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. As of the Closing Date, prior to any Term Loan Borrowing, the aggregate Term Loan Commitments of the Term Loan Lenders is equal to U.S.$1,637,500,000.

 

Term Loan Facility ” means (a) at any time prior to any Term Loan Borrowing on the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments at such time, and (b) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of all Term Loan Lenders outstanding at such time.

 

Term Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Term Loan Borrowing, (b) a conversion of any portion of the Term Loan from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which shall be substantially in the form as Exhibit A-3 or such other form as approved by the Agents (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Agents), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Term Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Term Loan Lender evidencing the Term Loan made by such Term Loan Lender, if executed, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 .

 

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Total Facility Amount ” means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the Aggregate Commitments plus (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Term Loan and, if applicable, any of the term loans advanced hereunder from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 , in each case as the same may be increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.15 hereof or reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof. As of the Closing Date, the Total Facility Amount is equal to U.S.$3,200,000,000.

 

Total Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and all L/C Obligations.

 

Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings ” means, at any time, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Committed Loans, Swing Line Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and L/C Obligations advanced, purchased or participated in by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders at such time, in each case solely to the extent of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ advances, purchases and participations.

 

Total Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time.

 

Total Revolving Outstandings ” means, at any time, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Committed Loans, Swing Line Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and L/C Obligations at such time.

 

Transaction Subsidiaries ” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries listed on Part II of Schedule 2 and (ii) such other Subsidiaries formed or to be used in connection with any structuring of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as designated or undesignated by the Borrower from time to time.

 

Type ” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan, a Canadian Prime Rate Loan, a LIBOR Rate Loan or a BA Borrowing.

 

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York.

 

UCP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ ICC ”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

 

U.S. Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

U.S. Agent’s Office ” means the U.S. Agent’s address located in the United States and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 11.02 , or such other address or account as the U.S. Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

U.S. Credit Party ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(i) .

 

U.S. Dollar ” and “ U.S.$ ” and “US$” each mean lawful money of the United States.

 

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U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous U.S. Dollar Committed Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the U.S. Revolving Lenders and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders (except as set forth in Section 2.01(b)(ii)(A) ) pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.14 .

 

U.S. Dollar Committed Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b)(ii)(A) .

 

U.S. Dollar Equivalent ” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Canadian Dollars or any other currency, the equivalent amount thereof in U.S. Dollars as determined by the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of U.S. Dollars with Canadian Dollars or such other currency.

 

U.S. Dollar Letter of Credit ” means a Letter of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars.

 

U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan ” means a Swing Line Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars.

 

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Revolving Commitment ” means, as to each U.S. Revolving Lender, its obligation to make U.S. Dollar Committed Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b) in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “U.S. Revolving Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such U.S. Revolving Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The initial amount of the aggregate U.S. Revolving Commitments on the Closing Date is U.S.$0.

 

U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentage ” means in respect of the U.S. Revolving Commitments, with respect to any U.S. Revolving Lender as of any date, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the U.S. Revolving Commitments represented by such U.S. Revolving Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 . If the U.S. Revolving Commitments of all of the U.S. Revolving Lenders to make U.S. Dollar Committed Loans have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02(a) or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentage of any U.S. Revolving Lender shall be determined based on the U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentage of such U.S. Revolving Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption, Instrument of Accession or other instrument, as the case may be, pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

U.S. Revolving Lender ” means, at any time, any Lender that has a U.S. Revolving Commitment at such time.

 

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U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III) .

 

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

 

WCN ” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

1.02         Other Interpretive Provisions . With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)           The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Recitals, Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Recitals, Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(b)           In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(c)           Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document

 

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(d)           For the purposes of the definitions of “Canadian Lender”, “Excluded Taxes” and “Foreign Lender”, the provisions of Article III and the provisions of Section 11.06(c) and Section 11.06(d) , (i) the term “Lender” shall be deemed to include any Lender (including, without limitation, the Swing Line Lender), L/C Issuer or BA Lender, in any Lender’s respective capacities as such, and (ii) the term “Loan” shall be deemed to include any Credit Extension.

 

1.03         Accounting Terms .

 

(a)            Generally . All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant or financial ratio (including the computation of any financial covenant and the determination of the Applicable Rate) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

(b)            Changes in GAAP . If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Credit Parties or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Agents, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided , that until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Agents and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

 

(c)            Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities . All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Borrower is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

 

1.04        Rounding . Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Consolidated Group pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

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1.05         Times of Day; Rates . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable). The Agents do not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Agents have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matters related to the rates in the definition of “LIBOR Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

 

1.06         Letter of Credit Amounts . Unless otherwise specified herein the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , however , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

1.07         Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents .

 

(a)           The Agents, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuers, as applicable, shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating U.S. Dollar Equivalent amounts of Credit Extensions denominated in Canadian Dollars and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Canadian Dollars. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by the Borrower hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than U.S. Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such U.S. Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Agents, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuers, as applicable.

 

(b)           Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Committed Borrowing, BA Borrowing, Swing Line Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in U.S. Dollars, but such Committed Borrowing, BA Borrowing, Swing Line Borrowing or Letter of Credit is denominated in Canadian Dollars, such amount shall be the relevant U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such Canadian Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest U.S. Dollar, with U.S.$0.50 being rounded upward), as determined by the Agents, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuers, as the case may be.

 

1.08         Currency . Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references to currency (without further description) are to lawful money of the United States.

 

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1.09         Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Committed Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “U.S. Dollar Committed Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Committed Loan”) or by Class, Type and Commitment (e.g., a “U.S. Dollar LIBOR Rate Committed Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Committed Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “LIBOR Rate Committed Borrowing”) or by Class, Type and Commitment (e.g., a “U.S. LIBOR Rate Committed Borrowing”).

 

ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

2.01        The Loans.

 

(a)            The Term Loan Borrowings . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make a single term loan in U.S. Dollars to the Borrower on the Closing Date (each such loan, a “Term Loan” and all such loans together, the “Term Loan” or the “Term Loans” as the context may require) in an amount not to exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Commitment, and upon the making of such term loan, the Term Loan Commitment of such Term Loan Lender shall automatically terminate. The Term Loan Borrowing shall consist of Term Loans made simultaneously by the Term Loan Lenders on the Closing Date in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans as further provided herein. The Borrower promises to pay to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable, for the account of the Term Loan Lenders, in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages, all amounts due under the Term Loan on the Maturity Date applicable to the Term Loan or such earlier date as is required hereunder.

 

(b)            The Revolving Commitments, Loans and Borrowings .

 

(i)            The Revolving Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein:

 

(A)          each U.S. Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans denominated in U.S. Dollars to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such U.S. Revolving Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment; and

 

(B)          each Multicurrency Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans denominated in U.S. Dollars and/or Canadian Dollars to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment.

 

(C)          For the avoidance of doubt, all or any portion of any Class of Revolving Commitments may be replaced by Revolving Commitments of another Class (e.g. the U.S. Revolving Commitments may be terminated and replaced with Multicurrency Revolving Commitments), as mutually agreed by the Borrower and the Agents.

 

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(ii)           Committed Loans and Committed Borrowings .

 

(A)          Each Committed Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars (each a “ U.S. Dollar Committed Loan ”) shall be made as part of a U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing consisting of U.S. Dollar Committed Loans made by the U.S. Revolving Lenders and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders ratably based upon their respective Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentages; provided , however , that after giving effect to any U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment (other than as described in Section 2.04 with respect to the Swing Line Lender); and provided , further , that to the extent that the ratable funding of any U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing would cause the Revolving Credit Exposure of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders to exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments (other than as described in Section 2.04 with respect to the Swing Line Lender), such U.S. Dollar Committed Borrowing shall be funded ratably by the U.S. Revolving Lenders and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders solely to the extent of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ aggregate Revolving Commitments and, thereafter, shall be funded ratably by the U.S. Revolving Lenders based upon their respective U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentages.

 

(B)          Each Committed Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars (each a “ Canadian Dollar Committed Loan ”) shall be made as part of a Canadian Dollar Committed Borrowing consisting of Canadian Dollar Committed Loans made by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders ratably based upon their respective Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentages; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Canadian Dollar Committed Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment (other than as described in Section 2.04 with respect to the Swing Line Lender).

 

(iii)         Within the limits of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01(b) , prepay under Section 2.06 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01(b) . U.S. Dollar Committed Loans may be Base Rate Loans and/or LIBOR Rate Loans, as further provided herein. Canadian Dollar Committed Loans may be Canadian Prime Rate Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes, as further provided herein. The Borrower promises to pay to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable, for the account of the Revolving Lenders, all amounts due under the Committed Loans on the Maturity Date applicable to Committed Loans or such earlier date as is required hereunder.

 

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All Lenders shall be qualified (either directly or through Affiliates) to lend to the Borrower in the currencies required for a Lender in its designated Class. To the extent that any U.S. Revolving Lender becomes able to lend to the Borrower in Canadian Dollars, such U.S. Revolving Lender may elect to have its U.S. Revolving Commitment converted to a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment upon no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Agents and the Borrower, which written notice shall contain a certification to this effect by the applicable U.S. Revolving Lender. The Agents and the Borrower shall determine the effective date of any reallocation (the “ Reallocation Effective Date ”) and the Agents are hereby authorized to revise Schedule 2.01 to reflect such reallocation. The Agents shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any reallocation and the Reallocation Effective Date. In addition, in connection with any reallocation, the Borrower shall, after taking into account such reallocation, prepay any Committed Loans and Cash Collateralize any Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes outstanding on the Reallocation Effective Date to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes ratable following such reallocation, provided that in the event that the Reallocation Effective Date is a day other than the last day of each applicable Interest Period, the applicable Lenders have waived any additional amounts otherwise required to be paid by the Borrower under Article III .

 

2.02         Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

 

(a)          Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Agents, which may be given by (A) telephone, or (B) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephone notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Agents of a Loan Notice. Each such Loan Notice must be received by the Agents (i) not later than 1:00 p.m. not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans or of any conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) not later than (x) 1:00 p.m. not less than one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and (y) 10:30 a.m. not less than one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Canadian Prime Rate Loans. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of U.S.$5,000,000 or a whole multiple of U.S.$1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c) , (x) each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of U.S.$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of U.S.$100,000 in excess thereof, and (y) each Borrowing of or conversion to Canadian Prime Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of C$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of C$100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Committed Borrowing, a Term Loan Borrowing, any other Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued and the currency applicable thereto, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fail to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, and (y) no Loan may be converted into or continued as a Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be repaid in the original currency of such Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

 

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(b)          Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the applicable Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its ratable share under the applicable Facility, of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the applicable Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in the preceding subsection. In the case of a Term Loan Borrowing, a Committed Borrowing or any other Borrowing (as applicable), each applicable Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the applicable Agent in immediately available funds of the requested currency at the Global Agent’s Office or the U.S. Agent’s Office, as applicable, not later than (i) in the case of any Committed Borrowing, 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice or (ii) in the case of any Term Loan Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the Closing Date (or such later time as may be agreed by the Agents). Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01 ), the Agents shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Agents either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the applicable Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Agents by the Borrower; provided , howeve r, that if, on the date a Committed Loan Notice with respect to a Committed Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding denominated in the same currency, then the proceeds of such Committed Borrowing first , shall be applied, to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second , shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

 

(c)          Except as otherwise provided herein, a LIBOR Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Loan. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as LIBOR Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

 

(d)          The applicable Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans and/or Canadian Prime Rate Loans are outstanding, the applicable Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in the applicable Agent’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

(e)          After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, unless the Agents otherwise consent, there shall not be more than fifteen (15) Interest Periods in effect with respect to all Loans.

 

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(f)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or any portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Agents, and such Lender; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this provision shall not apply to initial funding on the Closing Date.

 

2.03         Letters of Credit.

 

(a)            The Letter of Credit Commitment .

 

(i)          Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03 , (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the L/C Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars, including IRB LOCs, for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below and otherwise subject to compliance with this Section 2.03 , and (2) to honor drawings properly drawn under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in all Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (w) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (x) the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit and, in addition, with respect to the applicable L/C Issuer, the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations relating to Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit applicable to such L/C Issuer. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. This Agreement shall be the “Reimbursement Agreement” referred to in the IRB LOCs. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof and the issuer of each Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be an L/C Issuer hereunder solely for purposes of such Existing Letter of Credit.

 

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(ii)         No L/C Issuer shall issue any Letter of Credit, if:

 

(A)         subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii) , the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit (other than IRB LOCs) would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have approved such expiry date; or

 

(B)          the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the L/C Expiration Date, unless Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and the L/C Issuer have approved such expiry date (it being agreed (x) that following the L/C Expiration Date, any outstanding Letter of Credit would be required to be Cash Collateralized by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.18 and (y) any Letter of Credit which is issued with an expiry date which would occur after the L/C Expiration Date shall be Cash Collateralized by the Borrower on the date that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.18 ). The Cash Collateral obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall survive until the payment in full of all Obligations, including Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)        No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(A)         any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

 

(B)         the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(C)         except as otherwise agreed by the applicable Agent and such L/C Issuer, such requested Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than U.S.$100,000 in the case of U.S. Dollar Letters of Credit and C$100,000 in the case of Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit;

 

(D)         such requested Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars; or

 

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(E)          any Multicurrency Revolving Lender participating in such requested Letter of Credit is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate such L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iv) ) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

 

(iv)        No L/C Issuer shall amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

 

(v)         No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

 

(vi)        Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and such L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Agents in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “the Agents” as used in Article IX included such L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to an L/C Issuer.

 

(b)            Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit; Auto-Reinstatement Letters of Credit .

 

(i)          Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Agents) in the form of a L/C Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (or through such other procedures as may otherwise be approved by the applicable L/C Issuer and the applicable Agent, including electronic communications in accordance with Section 11.02(b) ). Such applicable L/C Application (other than for IRB LOCs) must be received by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Agents not later than 1:00 p.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Agents and the applicable L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be, and the timing of submission of the L/C Application with respect to an IRB LOC shall be as determined by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, the related applicable L/C Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount and denominating currency thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such L/C Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer (w) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (x) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (y) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (z) such other matters as the applicable L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the applicable L/C Issuer and the Agents such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as such L/C Issuer or the Agents may require.

 

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(ii)         Promptly after receipt of any L/C Application at the address set forth in Section 11.02 for receiving L/C Applications and related correspondence, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the applicable Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the applicable Agent received a copy of such L/C Application from the Borrower and, if not, the applicable L/C Issuer will provide the applicable Agent with a copy thereof. Unless such L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Multicurrency Revolving Lender, the Agents or the Borrower, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date (which, in the case of an IRB LOC, shall be a date satisfactory to such L/C Issuer), issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with such applicable L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the applicable L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)        If the Borrower so requests in any applicable L/C Application, the applicable L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve (12) month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve (12) month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by such L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) such L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time prior to an expiry date not later than the L/C Expiration Date; provided , however , that such L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) such L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the applicable Agent that Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the applicable Agent, any Multicurrency Revolving Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing such L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

 

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(iv)        If the Borrower so requests in any applicable L/C Application, the applicable L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue an IRB LOC that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “ Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit ”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such IRB LOC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the applicable L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “ Non-Reinstatement Deadline ”), such L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the applicable Agent that Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the applicable Agent, any Multicurrency Revolving Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied or that such reinstatement would violate the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.03(a)(i) (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing such L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.

 

(v)         Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Agents a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

(c)            Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations .

 

(i)          Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Agents thereof. Not later than 12:00 Noon on the date of any payment by the applicable L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (or, with respect to any IRB LOC, the time set forth therein) (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower shall reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer through the applicable Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing; provided , that if any payment is made by such L/C Issuer after 12:00 Noon (or, with respect to any IRB LOC, the time set forth therein) on an Honor Date, such reimbursement shall occur not later than 12:00 Noon (or, with respect to any IRB LOC, the time set forth therein) on the first Business Day occurring after such Honor Date. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer by such time, the applicable Agent shall promptly notify each Multicurrency Revolving Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount in the applicable currency, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice), and, subject to Section 2.03(c)(iii) , the Borrower’s failure to have reimbursed the applicable L/C Issuer on the Honor Date shall not be deemed a breach of this Agreement provided that such Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans is deemed to be disbursed and that the making of such Loan is otherwise permitted by this Agreement. Any notice given by the applicable L/C Issuer or either Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

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(ii)         Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available to the applicable Agent (and the Agents may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer in the applicable currency at the Global Agent’s Office or U.S. Agent’s Office, as applicable, for payments denominated in such currency in an amount equal to its ratable share of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the applicable Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii) , each Multicurrency Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Committed Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Committed Loan, as applicable, to the Borrower in such amount. The applicable Agent shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer in the applicable currency.

 

(iii)        With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s payment to the applicable Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Multicurrency Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03 .

 

(iv)        Until each Multicurrency Revolving Lender funds its Committed Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.

 

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(v)         Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Multicurrency Revolving Lender may have against such L/C Issuer, the Borrower, any other Credit Party or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Committed Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by such L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(vi)        If any Multicurrency Revolving Lender fails to make available to the applicable Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Multicurrency Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, such L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Multicurrency Revolving Lender (acting through the applicable Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by such L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Multicurrency Revolving Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid (other than interest and fees as aforesaid) shall constitute such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender (through the applicable Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)            Repayment of Participations .

 

(i)          At any time after the applicable L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Multicurrency Revolving Lender such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c) , if the applicable Agent receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by such Agent), such Agent will distribute to such Multicurrency Revolving Lender its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by such Agent.

 

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(ii)         If any payment received by an Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall pay to the applicable Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of such Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Multicurrency Revolving Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)            Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse each L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i)          any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

 

(ii)         the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), any L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(iii)        any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)        waiver by the applicable L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for such L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the applicable L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

 

(v)         honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

 

(vi)        any payment made by the applicable L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

 

(vii)       any payment by the applicable L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the applicable L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

 

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(viii)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

(f)            Role of L/C Issuer . Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender and the Borrower agrees that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, no L/C Issuer shall have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of any L/C Issuer, the Agents, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (or of the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings if the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have been terminated); (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction); or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of any L/C Issuer, the Agents, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of any L/C Issuer, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 2.03(e) ; provided , however , that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the applicable L/C Issuer, and the applicable L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or such L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with any terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and such L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. Each L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“ SWIFT ”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

 

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(g)            Applicability of ISP or UCP; Limitation of Liability . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no L/C Issuer shall be responsible to the Borrower for, and no L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall be impaired by, any action or inaction of the applicable L/C Issuer required or permitted under any Law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where such L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

 

(h)            L/C Fee . Subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03(h), the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agents for the account of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender in accordance with its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Letter of Credit, a fee for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit) (the “ L/C Fee ”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19(a)(iii)(C)(z) . For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . The L/C Fee shall be (i) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears and (ii) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of Multicurrency Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (or of the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings if the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have been terminated), while any Event of Default exists, the L/C Fees for such Letter of Credit shall accrue at the Default Rate. The L/C Fee for any Letter of Credit shall be denominated in U.S. Dollars regardless of the currency of the Letter of Credit to which it relates.

 

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(i)             Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . Subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.03(i) , the Borrower agrees to pay directly to each L/C Issuer for its own account, in U.S. Dollars, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer equal to a rate of 0.15% per annum times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit) (the “ Fronting Fee ”). The Fronting Fee shall be (i) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears, and (ii) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 . In addition, unless otherwise agreed with the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall pay directly to each L/C Issuer for its own account, in U.S. Dollars, the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the applicable L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable. The Fronting Fee for any Letter of Credit shall be denominated in U.S. Dollars or, if otherwise agreed in writing by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower, in the same currency as the Letter of Credit to which it relates.

 

(j)             Conflict with Issuer Documents . In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Documents, the terms hereof shall control. Any amendment of the Fronting Fee in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed an amendment of such Fronting Fee for all purposes and supersede all prior agreements of the parties.

 

(k)            Action Taken by Multicurrency Revolving Lenders . Subject to the last sentence of the second proviso to Section 11.01 and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.03 , the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of, or the portion of the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of determining the percentage of Multicurrency Revolving Lenders taking or approving any action under this Section 2.03 and such matters shall be determined as though such Defaulting Lenders’ Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and portion of the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings held by such Defaulting Lenders did not exist.

 

(l)             Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

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2.04         Swing Line Loans.

 

(a)            The Swing Line . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04 , to make loans in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars, at the election of the Borrower (each such loan, a “ Swing Line Loan ”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the ratable share of the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and L/C Obligations of the Revolving Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that (x) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment (other than that of the Swing Line Lender as set forth above), (y) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and (z) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04 , prepay under Section 2.06 , and reborrow under this Section 2.04 . Each U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.09(a)(iv) regarding the interest rate applicable to such Swing Line Loan. Each Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan shall be a Canadian Prime Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of any U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan, each U.S. Revolving Lender and Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender’s Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage times the amount of such U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan; provided , that to the extent that the ratable participation by the U.S. Revolving Lenders and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders in any U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan would cause the Revolving Credit Exposure of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders to exceed the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall participate ratably in such U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan solely to the extent of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders’ aggregate Revolving Commitments and, thereafter, participation in such U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan shall be divided ratably among the U.S. Revolving Lenders based upon their U.S. Revolving Commitment Percentages. Immediately upon the making of any Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage times the amount of such Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan. The Borrower promises to pay to the Swing Line Lender all amounts due under the Swing Line Loans in accordance with Section 2.08(c) or such earlier date as required hereunder.

 

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(b)           Borrowing Procedures . Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Agents, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) by a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Agents of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agents not later than 2:30 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of U.S.$500,000 in the case of U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loans and C$100,000 in the case of Swing Line Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, (ii) the requested currency, and (iii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Agents (by telephone or in writing) that the Agents have also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Agents (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Agents (including at the request of any Revolving Lender) prior to 3:30 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing of U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loans or prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing of Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loans (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) , or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 4:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained herein, the Revolving Lenders agree that the Swing Line Lender may, in consultation with the Borrower, agree to modify the borrowing procedures used in connection with the Swing Line in its discretion and without affecting any of the obligations of the Revolving Lenders.

 

(c)           Refinancing of Swing Line Loans .

 

(i)          The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Lender make a Base Rate Committed Loan (in the case of U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loans) or that each Multicurrency Revolving Lender make a Canadian Prime Rate Committed Loan (in the case of Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loans), as applicable, in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s ratable share of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Committed Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02 , without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, Canadian Prime Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Committed Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Agents. Each Revolving Lender shall make an amount equal to its ratable share of the amount specified in such Committed Loan Notice available to the applicable Agent in immediately available funds in the requested currency for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Global Agent’s Office or the U.S. Agent’s Office, as applicable, not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Committed Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Committed Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Committed Loan, as applicable, to the Borrower in such amount. The applicable Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(ii)         If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Committed Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Committed Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Lender’s payment to the applicable Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

 

(iii)        If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the applicable Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i) , the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Lender (acting through the applicable Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid (other than interest and fees as aforesaid) shall constitute such Revolving Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the applicable Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(iv)        Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Committed Loan Notice). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(d)           Repayment of Participations .

 

(i)          At any time after any Revolving Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Lender its ratable share of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Lender’s risk participation was funded) in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(ii)         If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its ratable share thereof on demand of the applicable Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The applicable Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)           Interest for Account of the Swing Line Lender . The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its Committed Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Revolving Lender’s ratable share of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of its ratable share shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

(f)           Payments Directly to the Swing Line Lender . The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

 

2.05        Bankers’ Acceptances .

 

(a)           Acceptances and Drafts . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender severally agrees, on any Business Day during the Availability Period (i) in the case of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender that is willing and able to accept Drafts (a “ BA Lender ”), to create bankers’ acceptances (“ Bankers’ Acceptances ”) by accepting Drafts and to purchase such Bankers’ Acceptances in accordance with Section 2.05(c) ; and (ii) in the case of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender that is unwilling or unable to accept Drafts (a “ Non BA Lender ”), to purchase non-interest bearing promissory notes (in form and substance acceptable to the Borrower and such Multicurrency Revolving Lender) (each, a “ BA Equivalent Note ”) in accordance with Section 2.05(c) ; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Drawing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (ii) the Total Multicurrency Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, and (iii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall not exceed such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment (other than as described in Section 2.04 with respect to the Swing Line Lender).

 

(b)           Form of Drafts . Each Draft presented by the Borrower to the Global Agent shall (i) be in a minimum amount of C$1,000,000 and in integral multiples of C$100,000 thereafter, provided that the Global Agent may, in its sole discretion, increase or decrease any Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s portion of such Draft to the nearest C$1,000; (ii) be dated the date of the Drawing; and (iii) have a Contract Maturity Date and be payable by the Borrower (in common with all other Drafts presented in connection with such Drawing) on a Business Day which occurs, at the election of the Borrower, approximately one, two, three or six months after the Drawing Date (or such other date as agreed to by the participating Lenders) and on or prior to the Maturity Date (such date being the “ Contract Maturity Date ”). The Borrower shall select the Contract Maturity Dates of Drafts so there shall be no more than ten (10) separate Contract Maturity Dates in existence at any time. Each Drawing shall consist of the creation and purchase of Bankers’ Acceptances, or the purchase of BA Equivalent Notes, on the same day, in each case for the Drawing Price, by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders in accordance with Section 2.05(c) and their respective Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentages. If the Global Agent determines that the Bankers’ Acceptances to be created and purchased or the BA Equivalent Notes to be purchased in connection with any Drawing (upon a conversion or otherwise) will not be created and purchased ratably by the Applicable Revolving Lenders in accordance with Sections 2.05(a) and 2.05(c) , then the requested Face Amount of Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes shall be reduced to such lesser amount as the Global Agent determines will permit ratable sharing and the amount by which the requested Face Amount shall have been so reduced shall be converted or continued, as the case may be, as a Canadian Prime Rate Loan to be made contemporaneously with the Drawing. The Borrower will ensure that there is delivered to each applicable BA Lender that is a member of a clearing service, and such BA Lender is hereby authorized to release, the Bankers’ Acceptance accepted by it to such clearing service upon receipt of confirmation that such clearing service holds such Bankers’ Acceptance for the account of such BA Lender.

 

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(c)            Procedure for Drawing.

 

(i)            Each Drawing shall be made on the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Global Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Global Agent not later than 12:00 noon not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Drawing. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Global Agent of a written Drawing Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each Drawing Notice (whether telephonic or in writing) shall specify (A) the Drawing Date, (B) the aggregate Face Amount of Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Notes to be accepted and purchased (or purchased, as the case may be); and (C) the Contract Maturity Date for the Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Notes.

 

(ii)           Following receipt of a Drawing Notice, the Global Agent shall promptly notify each Multicurrency Revolving Lender of the amount of its Multicurrency Revolving Commitment Percentage of the applicable Drawing. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on an applicable Drawing Date, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall complete a Bankers’ Acceptance or, in the case of a Non BA Lender, a BA Equivalent Note, in a Face Amount and for a term identical to the Face Amount and term of the Bankers’ Acceptance that such Non BA Lender would have been required to accept on such Drawing Date if it were a BA Lender, in accordance with the Drawing Notice and either (i) accept the Drafts and purchase the Bankers’ Acceptances thereby created for the Drawing Price; or (ii) purchase such BA Equivalent Note for the Drawing Price and, in each case, pay to the Global Agent the Drawing Proceeds in respect of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, as the case may be (determined in the case of a BA Equivalent Note, as if such BA Equivalent Note were a Bankers’ Acceptance). Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 , the Global Agent shall make all Drawing Proceeds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Global Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Global Agent with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Global Agent by the Borrower; provided , however , that if, on any Drawing Date, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the applicable Drawing Proceeds first , shall be applied, to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second , shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

 

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(iii)         Bankers’ Acceptances purchased by a Lender may be held by it for its own account until the Contract Maturity Date or sold by it at any time prior to that date in such Person's sole discretion.

 

(d)           Power of Attorney . The Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints each Multicurrency Revolving Lender as its attorney to sign and endorse on its behalf, manually or by facsimile or mechanical signature, any BA Instrument necessary to enable each such Multicurrency Revolving Lender to make Drawings in the manner specified in this Section 2.05 . All Bankers’ Acceptances signed or endorsed on the Borrower’s behalf by a Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be binding on the Borrower, all as if duly executed and issued by the Borrower. No Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be liable for any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable legal fees), incurred by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of arising by reason of any loss or improper use of any such BA Instruments, unless such Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall have failed to exercise the degree of care that a prudent lender would exercise in the care and custody of its own property. Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall (i) maintain a record with respect to any BA Instrument completed in accordance herewith, voided by it for any reason, purchased or accepted and purchased by it or issued in its favor hereunder, and cancelled at their respective maturities; (ii) retain such records in the manner and for the statutory periods provided in the various provincial or Canadian federal statutes and regulations which apply to such Multicurrency Revolving Lender; and (iii) provide a copy of any or all of such records at any time and from time to time upon request therefor by, and at the expense of, the Borrower. Upon request of the Borrower, a Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall cancel all BA Instruments which have been pre-signed or pre-endorsed on behalf of the Borrower and which are held by such Multicurrency Revolving Lender and are not required to make Drawings in accordance with this Section 2.05 , and shall forthwith deliver all such cancelled BA Instruments to the Borrower.

 

(e)           Payment, Conversion or Renewal of BA Instruments.

 

(i)           In connection with a Contract Maturity Date of a Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, the Borrower may (i) elect to issue a replacement Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note by giving a Drawing Notice in accordance with Section 2.05(c) ; (ii) elect to have all or a portion of the Face Amount of the Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note converted to a Canadian Prime Rate Loan by giving a Committed Loan Notice in accordance with Section 2.02 ; or (iii) pay on the Contract Maturity Date for the Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, an amount in Canadian Dollars equal to the Face Amount of the Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note (notwithstanding that a Multicurrency Revolving Lender may not be the holder of it at maturity) in accordance with Section 2.14(a) . Any such payment shall satisfy the Borrower’s obligations under the Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note to which it relates and (in the case of any Bankers’ Acceptance) such Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall then be solely responsible for the payment of the Bankers’ Acceptance.

 

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(ii)           If the Borrower fails to pay any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note when due or issue a replacement in the Face Amount of such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note pursuant to clause (i) above, the unpaid amount due and payable shall be converted to a Canadian Prime Rate Loan made by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders ratably and shall bear interest in accordance with the terms hereof. This conversion shall occur as of the applicable Contract Maturity Date and without any necessity for the Borrower to give a Committed Loan Notice.

 

2.06        Prepayments .

 

(a)          The Borrower may, upon notice to the Agents, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay the Committed Loans and the Term Loans of any Class in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Agents and be received by the Agents not later than 1:00 p.m. (x) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans and (y) one (1) Business Day prior to any date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans; (B) any such prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$5,000,000 or a whole multiple of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$1,000,000 in excess thereof; (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of U.S.$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of U.S.$500,000 in excess thereof; and (D) any prepayment of Canadian Prime Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of C$1,000,000 or a whole multiple of C$500,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify (w) the date and amount and currency of such prepayment, (x) whether the Loan to be prepaid is a Term Loan or a Committed Loan (or other Borrowing, if applicable), (y) the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and (z) if LIBOR Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Agents will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage). If such notice is given, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided , that any such notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or debt incurrences, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Agents on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Subject to Section 2.19 , each such prepayment of the Term Loan shall be applied to the Term Loan and shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages of the Term Loan. Subject to Section 2.19 , each such prepayment of the Committed Loan of any Class shall be applied to the Committed Loans outstanding in such Class on a pro rata basis among the applicable Lenders of such Class in accordance with their Applicable Percentages of the Committed Loans of such Class. The Borrower shall not be permitted to prepay any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Notes at any time; provided that the Borrower may Cash Collateralize any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Notes by depositing the full face amount of such Bankers’ Acceptance and/or BA Equivalent Notes for application to such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Notes, as the case may be, on the applicable Contract Maturity Date.

 

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(b)          The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Agents), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Agents not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of U.S.$100,000 in the case of U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loans (or such lesser amount as approved by the Swing Line Lender) and C$100,000 in the case of Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loans (or such lesser amount as approved by the Swing Line Lender). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

 

(c)          If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings (or any Class thereof) at any time exceed the Aggregate Commitments (or any Class thereof) then in effect (or 105% of the Aggregate Commitments (or any Class thereof) then in effect solely to the extent due to currency fluctuation), the Borrower shall promptly (and, in any event, within three (3) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written notice detailing such excess) prepay Committed Loans, Cash Collateralize Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to (i) such excess, to the extent Committed Loans are being prepaid, or (ii) the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect to such excess, to the extent L/C Obligations are being Cash Collateralized, or (iii) the aggregate Face Amount thereof with respect to such excess, to the extent Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes are being Cash Collateralized; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes pursuant to this clause (c) unless after the prepayment in full of the Loans, the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Commitments then in effect; provided further , however , that if it is determined on any subsequent day that any such prepaid or Cash Collateralized amount exceeds the amount of such excess, the Borrower may withdraw (by written notice to the Agents) the amount by which such excess has been reduced. The Agents may, at any time and from time to time after the initial deposit of such Cash Collateral, request that additional Cash Collateral be provided in order to protect against the results of further exchange rate fluctuations. No Default or Event of Default shall arise hereunder or under any other Loan Document as a result of currency fluctuations so long as the Borrower timely complies with the prepayment and Cash Collateral requirements set forth in this Section 2.06 .

 

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2.07        Termination or Reduction of the Aggregate Commitments . The Borrower may, upon notice to the Agents, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments (or any Class thereof); provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Agents not later than 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction (except that if no Loans are outstanding hereunder and no Letters of Credit, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes are issued and outstanding hereunder or the effectiveness of a new credit facility for the Borrower is conditioned on the termination of this Agreement, any notice of termination of the Aggregate Commitments may be received on the date of termination), (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of U.S.$5,000,000 or any whole multiple of U.S.$1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments (or any Class thereof) if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments; provided that the Borrower may terminate the Aggregate Commitments if all Loans have been paid in full, the Borrower has Cash Collateralized, or provided other support acceptable to the L/C Issuers, the BA Lenders or the Non BA Lenders that purchased BA Equivalent Notes for, all outstanding Letters of Credit, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes, and there are no outstanding L/C Borrowings and BA Borrowings, and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments (or any Class thereof), the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit (and each component sublimit thereof) and/or the Swing Line Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The Agents will promptly notify the Revolving Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments. Except as contemplated in Section 11.01 , any reduction of any Class of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Applicable Revolving Lender of such Class on a ratable basis and any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments taken as a whole shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Revolving Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

 

2.08        Repayment of Loans.

 

(a)           The Term Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Term Loan Lenders on the Maturity Date applicable to the Term Loan the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(b)          C ommitted Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Lenders on the Maturity Date applicable to Committed Loans the aggregate principal amount of all Committed Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(c)           Swing Line Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Swing Line Lender each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) on the Maturity Date applicable to Committed Loans.

 

(d)           BA Instruments . The Borrower shall repay all BA Instruments on the Contract Maturity Date thereof in accordance with Section 2.05(e)(i) .

 

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2.09        Interest.

 

(a)          Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate for LIBOR Rate Loans; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans; and (iii) each Canadian Prime Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Canadian Prime Rate Loans; (iv) each U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans or such other rate as may be agreed to from time to time by the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender; provided that after any purchase by the Lenders of a participation in any U.S. Dollar Swing Line Loan, the rate of interest on such Swing Line Loan shall not be less than the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans; and (v) each Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Canadian Prime Rate Loans; provided that after any purchase by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders of a participation in any Canadian Dollar Swing Line Loan, the rate of interest on such Swing Line Loan shall not be less than the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Canadian Prime Rate Loans.

 

(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration (including automatic acceleration) or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(ii)         If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (including any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(iii)        Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above), the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all other Obligations that are then due and payable at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(iv)        Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

(c)          Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

2.10        Fees . In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03 and subsection (c)(ii) of Section 2.05 :

 

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(a)           Commitment Fee . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agents for the account of each Revolving Lender, a commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Rate for the Commitment Fee times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans advanced by such Revolving Lender, (ii) the Outstanding Amount of all Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes purchased by such Revolving Lender and (iii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations for which such Revolving Lender is deemed to have a risk participation, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.19 . The Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Maturity Date or any earlier date on which the Revolving Commitments shall terminate. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. For purposes of computing the Commitment Fee, Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

(b)           Other Fees . The Borrower shall pay to each Arranger and the Agents for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

2.11        Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.

 

(a)          All computations of interest for LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). The computation of (i) interest on Canadian Prime Rate Loans and Base Rate Loans, (ii) Drawing Fees, and (iii) all other fees and interest, shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.13(a) , bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Agents of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(b)          If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Agents for the account of the applicable Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Agents (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law, automatically and without further action by the Agents, any Lender or any L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Agents, any Lender or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(vi) , 2.03(i) or 2.09(b) or under Article VIII . The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all Obligations hereunder.

 

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(c)           To the extent permitted by applicable law, any provision of the Interest Act (Canada) or the Judgment Interest Act (Alberta) which restricts any rate of interest set forth herein shall be inapplicable to this Agreement and is hereby waived by the Borrower.

 

(d)           The theory of deemed reinvestment shall not apply to the calculation of interest or payment of fees or other amounts hereunder, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, acceptance or other evidence of indebtedness or in any other Loan Document now or hereafter taken by either Agent or any Lender for the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement, or any other instrument referred to herein, and all interest and fees payable by the Borrower to the Lenders, shall accrue from day to day, computed as described herein in accordance with the “nominal rate” method of interest calculation.

 

(e)           Where, in this Agreement, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 365/366-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 365 or 366, as applicable. Where, in this Agreement, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 360.

 

2.12        Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)          The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Agents in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Agents and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Agents in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agents shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Agents, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Agents) a Revolving Credit Note and/or a Term Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Committed Loans and/or Term Loan, as applicable, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

(b)          In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a) above, each Lender and the Agents shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Agents and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Agents shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

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2.13        Payments Generally; the Agents’ Clawback .

 

(a)            General . All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction (subject to Section 3.01 ) for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Agents, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Global Agent’s Office or U.S. Agent’s Office, as applicable, in U.S. Dollars (or, in the case of Canadian Dollar Committed Loans (including BA Borrowings) and Canadian Dollar Letters of Credit, Canadian Dollars) and in immediately available funds not later than 12:00 Noon on the date specified herein. The applicable Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the applicable Agent after 12:00 Noon shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, any payment required to be made by a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower pursuant to the applicable Loan Documents shall be made to the U.S. Agent.

 

(b)          (i) Funding by the Lenders; Presumption by the Agents . Unless the Agents shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans or Drawing (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 Noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Agents such Lender’s share of such Borrowing or Drawing, as applicable, the Agents may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 or Section 2.15 , as applicable (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02 ) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the applicable Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the applicable Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Agents, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the applicable Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Agents in connection with the foregoing and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans, as applicable. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the applicable Agent for the same or an overlapping period, such Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing or Drawing to the applicable Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, as applicable. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Agents.

 

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(ii)          Payments by the Borrower; Presumptions by the Agents . Unless the Agents shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to either Agent for the account of the Lenders or an L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Agents may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the appropriate Lenders or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the appropriate Lenders or L/C Issuers, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the applicable Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to such Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by such Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

A notice of either Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(c)           Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent . If any Lender makes available to the Agents funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender or any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note to be purchased by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II , and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the applicable Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, such Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(d)           Obligations of the Lenders Several . The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make the Term Loans, Committed Loans and any other Loan advanced hereunder, or to purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes hereunder, from time to time, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments under Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to purchase any Bankers’ Acceptance or any BA Equivalent Note, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or purchase its Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note, as the case may be, purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c) . Nothing contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no action taken by the Lenders and/or the Global Agent pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders as a partnership, association, joint venture or other entity or like relationship.

 

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(e)           Funding Source . Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note in any particular place or manner.

 

(f)            Insufficient Funds . If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Agents to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due or designated to be paid hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due or designated to be paid hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due or designated to be paid hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.

 

2.14        Sharing of Payments .

 

(a)          If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it, resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein (taking into account, as necessary, the pricing applicable to each Lender), then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (x) notify the Agents of such fact, and (y) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes, Letters of Credit and other amounts owing them, provided that:

 

(i)          if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

 

(ii)         the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.18 , (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply), or (D) any payment of consideration for executing any amendment, waiver or consent in connection with this Agreement so long as such consideration has been offered to all consenting Lenders.

 

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Each of the Credit Parties consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

 

2.15        Accordion Advances (Increases and Replacements of the Aggregate Commitments and New or Increased Term Loans).

 

(a)            Request for Accordion Advance . Provided there exists no Default or Event of Default, upon notice to the Agents (which shall thereafter promptly notify the Lenders as set forth in this Section), and subject to the terms of this Section 2.15 , the Borrower may from time to time, without obtaining further consent from the Lenders, request (i) an increase in or replacement of the Aggregate Commitments or any Class thereof (which increase or replacement and the proceeds of any Committed Loans to be advanced thereunder may be used, in whole or in part, to prepay (or Cash Collateralize, as applicable) any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note or other Obligation then outstanding in accordance with the terms hereof), and (ii) one or more term loans (which term loan may be in the form of a new term loan tranche or an increase to the Term Loan or any other term loan advanced hereunder from time to time and then outstanding), the proceeds of which may be used, in whole or in part, to prepay (or Cash Collateralize, as applicable) any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note or other Obligation (any such term loan or increase in or replacement of the Aggregate Commitments, an “ Accordion Advance ”); provided that the aggregate amounts so requested under clauses (i) and (ii) above after the Closing Date (excluding any such amounts to the extent concurrently used to prepay term loans or replace Aggregate Commitments) shall not exceed U.S.$500,000,000; and provided , further , that, after giving effect to any such Accordion Advance, the Total Facility Amount shall not at any time exceed U.S.$3,700,000,000 in the aggregate ( minus any and all permanent reductions of the Aggregate Commitments previously effected by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.07 or prepayments of the Term Loan or any other term loan advanced hereunder from time to time and then outstanding (other than in connection with a prior term loan or replacement of the Aggregate Commitments under this Section 2.15(a) )). In no event shall any existing Lender be required to increase its Revolving Commitment or fund any portion of any Accordion Advance.

 

Any Accordion Advance will be subject to pricing and fees based on the then-current market for borrowers with similar credit profiles and ratings as mutually agreed to by the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders providing commitments for such Accordion Advance, as set forth in any applicable Conforming Amendment (defined below) or related fee letters.

 

(b)            Loan Terms and Conditions . To the extent that a new or increased term loan or a replacement of the Aggregate Commitments is requested pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (any such new or increased term loan or replacement of the Aggregate Commitments, an “ Accordion Tranche ”), such Accordion Tranche shall, in addition to compliance with the other applicable terms of this Section 2.15 , be subject to additional customary terms and conditions as are agreed among the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders participating in such Accordion Tranche, in any event including the following:

 

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(i)           Evidence of Indebtedness; Loan Accounts . Each Lender participating in such Accordion Tranche shall maintain, in accordance with its usual practice, an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from such Lender’s share of such Accordion Tranche from time to time, including the amounts of principal, interest or fees payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Agents shall maintain accounts (including the Register) in which it shall record (A) the amount of such Accordion Tranche, the amount of any Credit Extensions advanced thereunder and each Interest Period applicable thereto, (B) the amount of any principal, interest or fees due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender participating in such Accordion Tranche, and (C) both the amount of any sum received by the Agents hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof (if any). The entries made in the accounts maintained by each Lender participating in such Accordion Tranche pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided , however , that the failure of any Lender or the Agents to maintain any such accounts or note record, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) any Loans or other Credit Extensions advanced under such or the applicable Accordion Tranche made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If requested by any Lender participating in such Accordion Tranche, the Borrower shall execute a promissory note with respect to such Lender’s portion of such Accordion Tranche.

 

(ii)          Interest on any Accordion Tranche . After such Accordion Tranche has been created, (x) the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to all or any portion of any Loans or other Credit Extensions advanced under such Accordion Tranche so that, to the extent applicable, the Borrower may have the same interest rate options (and options to issue Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes) with respect to all or any portion of the Loans or other Credit Extensions advanced under such Accordion Tranche as it would be entitled to with respect to the Loans and other Credit Extensions then outstanding, and (y) the provisions of Article III of this Agreement shall also apply to Loans and other Credit Extensions advanced under such Accordion Tranche.

 

(iii)         Pari Passu Treatment of any Accordion Tranche . Any Loans or other Credit Extensions advanced under any Accordion Tranche created hereunder (A) shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security (if any) with all other Loans and (B) shall be governed by and subject to all of the provisions, terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in every respect as though such Loan or other Credit Extension was an original “Loan” or “Credit Extension” (and in the case of a replacement of the Aggregate Commitments, an original “Committed Loan”) referred to herein and will constitute an Obligation of the Borrower hereunder.

 

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(c)           Acceding Lenders . Subject to the approval of the Agents (and the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender only with respect to an increase in or replacement of the Aggregate Commitments), which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, the Borrower may invite any Lender and/or one or more other commercial banks, other financial institutions or other Persons (in each case, an “ Acceding Lender ”) to become party to this Agreement as a Lender; provided , that, with respect to any Acceding Lender intended to be a Revolving Lender under this Agreement, such Acceding Lender shall be designated a U.S. Revolving Lender or Multicurrency Revolving Lender, as applicable. Such Acceding Lender shall become a Lender hereunder by entering into an instrument of accession in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto (an “ Instrument of Accession ”) with the Borrower and the Agents and assuming thereunder the rights and obligations (as the case may be) of a Lender hereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, commitments to make Committed Loans, accept Bankers’ Acceptances and purchase BA Equivalent Notes and to participate in the risk relating to Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and/or the obligation to fund a portion of a new or increased term loan subject to the terms of this Section, and the Aggregate Commitments and/or new or increased term loan (as the case may be) shall be funded by the amount of such Acceding Lender’s interest all in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

 

(d)           Reallocation . The Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders and the Agents for any cost or expense incurred as a consequence of the reallocation of any LIBOR Rate Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes to an Acceding Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.05 hereof.

 

(e)           Effective Date and Allocations . Upon a request by the Borrower for an Accordion Advance in accordance with this Section, the Agents and the Borrower shall determine, as applicable, the effective date of any such Accordion Advance (any such date, the “ Accordion Funding Date ”) and the final allocation of any such Accordion Advance. The Agents shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders and Acceding Lenders, if any, of the final allocation of such Accordion Advance. On any Accordion Funding Date, Schedule 2.01 hereto shall be amended to reflect, as the case may be, (x) the name, address, and, as the case may be, the Revolving Commitment of the Lenders and/or the amount of the portion of the new or increased term loan advanced or to be advanced by each Term Loan Lender (and, if applicable, any Acceding Lender), (y) the amount of the Aggregate Commitments and/or any new or increased term loan (after giving effect to any Accordion Advance), and (z) the changes to the respective Applicable Percentages of the Lenders (after giving effect to any Accordion Advance).

 

(f)           Conforming Amendment . To the extent that conforming changes (including incorporating the Accordion Advances and payment and pricing provisions applicable thereto) to this Agreement must be made to effect an Accordion Advance in accordance with this Section, the Agents and the Borrower may enter into an amendment (a “ Conforming Amendment ”) effecting such changes. Any such Conforming Amendment shall not require the consent of any Person other than the participating Lenders or Acceding Lenders, as applicable, the Borrower and the Agents so long as such Conforming Amendment does not provide for new or amended covenants or events of default applicable to any Accordion Advance; provided , that upon the execution of any Conforming Amendment, the Agents shall distribute a copy thereof to all of the Lenders. If such Conforming Amendment provides for new or amended covenants or events of default applicable to any Accordion Advance, the provisions of such Conforming Amendment giving effect to such new or amended covenants or events of default shall be subject to the consent of the Required Lenders (in accordance with Section 11.01 ) calculated without giving effect to the applicable Accordion Advance.

 

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(g)           Conditions to Effectiveness of any Accordion Advance . As a condition precedent to any such Accordion Advance under this Section 2.15 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Agents (i) upon the request of any Lender, a Note (or an amendment and restatement of such Lender’s existing Note upon surrender for cancellation of such Note) evidencing such Lender’s portion of any Accordion Advance, (ii) evidence of applicable corporate authorization and other corporate documentation from the Credit Parties and the customary legal opinion of counsel to the Credit Parties (in each case, consistent with the requirements for opinions delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.01(a)(v) or as otherwise reasonably requested by the Agents), each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and such Lenders as are participating in such Accordion Advance, (iii) a certificate, dated as of any Accordion Funding Date, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, before and after giving effect to such Accordion Advance, the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 will be satisfied, (iv) a pro forma Compliance Certificate reflecting compliance with Section 7.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA previously approved in the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Accordion Advance (with such amounts adjusted as if such Accordion Advance occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period)), (v) to the extent applicable, executed counterparts to a Conforming Amendment, and (vi) payment of (A) all of the Agents’ reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Accordion Advance and (B) the fees set forth in any applicable fee letter signed by the Borrower. In addition, the Borrower shall, after taking into account the application of any Accordion Advance, if applicable, prepay any Committed Loans or the Term Loan and Cash Collateralize any Bankers’ Acceptance and BA Equivalent Notes outstanding on any Accordion Funding Date (and pay any additional amounts required under Article III of this Agreement) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Committed Loans, Term Loan, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages in respect of Committed Loans or the Term Loan arising from any nonratable increase in the Aggregate Commitments or the Term Loan. For the avoidance of doubt, all or any portion of any Class of Revolving Commitments may be replaced by Revolving Commitments of another Class (e.g. the U.S. Revolving Commitments may be terminated and replaced with Multicurrency Revolving Commitments), as mutually agreed by the Borrower and the Agents.

 

(h)           Conflicting Provisions . This Section shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.14 or 11.01 to the contrary.

 

2.16        [Reserved].

 

2.17        [Reserved].

 

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2.18        Cash Collateral.

 

(a)           Certain Credit Support Events . If (i) any L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the L/C Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(ii)(B) , Section 2.06(c) or Section 8.02(c) , or (iv) there exists a Defaulting Lender, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one (1) Business Day (in all other cases) following any request by the Agents or such L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined, in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). Upon the request of the Global Agent or Revolving Lenders holding in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments following the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes; provided that the obligation to provide Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately thereafter, and such Cash Collateral shall become due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) or the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), each as now and hereafter in effect, or any successors to such statutes or any similar Debtor Relief Law that imposes any stay on the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or upon the consummation of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law under which a stay or similar injunction is requested. The Borrower shall also provide Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.18(a) in accordance with Sections 2.05 and 2.14 in an amount necessary to satisfy the Cash Collateral requirements set forth therein or upon the occurrence of any other event requiring the Cash Collateral of Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes prior to the Contract Maturity Date thereof, and as contemplated under Section 2.06 .

 

(b)           Grant of Security Interest . The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Revolving Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.18(c) , and hereby authorizes the Global Agent to file such registration statements or make such other filings as may be necessary to perfect such interest in Cash Collateral in the relevant Canadian jurisdiction. If at any time the Global Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Agents or the L/C Issuers as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand (after the presentation of a reasonably detailed invoice) by the Agents, pay or provide to the Agents additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at the Global Agent or any Affiliate thereof. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all reasonable and customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

 

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(c)           Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.18 or Sections 2.03 , 2.07 , 2.19 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations (as identified at the time of the provision thereof) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein, and (ii) Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.18 or Sections 2.05 , 2.14 or 8.02 with respect to Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes for which it was provided.

 

(d)           Release . Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 11.06(b)(vi) )) or (ii) the good faith determination by the applicable Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided , however , that the Person providing Cash Collateral and the applicable L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

2.19        Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)           Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(i)           Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.01 .

 

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(ii)          Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by either Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by either Agent by such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.08 , shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by such Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable, hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuers or the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure, on a pro rata basis, with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.18 ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by such Agent; fifth , if so determined by the applicable Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.18 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuers or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or L/C Borrowings owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Aggregate Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iv) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.19(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii)         Certain Fees .

 

(A)         No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.10(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).

 

(B)          Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive L/C Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its ratable share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.18 .

 

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(C)         With respect to any L/C Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the applicable L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv)         Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure . All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective ratable share (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Subject to Section 11.21 , no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(v)          Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans . If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first , prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second , Cash Collateralize the applicable L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.18 .

 

(b)           Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Agents, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Agents will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the applicable Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.19(a)(iv) ), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided , that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

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ARTICLE III.         TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01        Taxes.

 

(a)            Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes .

 

(i)          Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Borrower or either Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by either Agent or such Credit Party (including any withholding or deduction imposed on any payment made under a Permitted Intercompany Financing or other intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Borrower due to any Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower being treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations), then the applicable Agent or such Credit Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

 

(ii)         If any Credit Party or either Agent shall be so required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes (including any withholding or deduction imposed on any payment made under a Permitted Intercompany Financing or other intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Borrower due to any Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower being treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations), from any payment, then (A) such Credit Party or such Agent, as applicable, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Credit Party or such Agent, as applicable, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such required withholding or the making of all such required deductions (including such deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

 

(iii)        If any Credit Party or either Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Credit Party or such Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Credit Party or such Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased (in the case of any Indemnified Taxes arising under the ITA, as a payment of additional interest) as necessary so that after such required withholding or the making of all such required deductions (including such deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01 ) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

 

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(b)           Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Credit Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the applicable Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(c)           Tax Indemnifications .

 

(i)          Without duplication of any indemnity in Section 3.01(a) , each of the Credit Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be obligated to make payment to such Recipient pursuant to this Section 3.01 in respect of penalties, interest and other similar liabilities attributable to any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes if (A) written demand therefor has not been made by such Recipient within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date on which such Recipient received written notice of the imposition of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the relevant Governmental Authority, but only to the extent such penalties, interest and other similar liabilities are attributable to such failure or delay by such Recipient in making such written demand, or (B) such penalties, interest and other similar liabilities are attributable to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Recipient or its Affiliates as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Agents), or by either Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Credit Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Agents, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Agents as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) ; provided that the Agents shall first make written demand for such amount from such Lender and such Lender shall indemnify the applicable Credit Party to the extent of any such payment by a Credit Party pursuant to this sentence with respect to Taxes described in clauses (y) and (z) of Section 3.01(c)(ii) .

 

(ii)         Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (w) the Agents and the Borrower or its Subsidiaries for any Excluded Taxes resulting from such Lender’s breach of Section 3.01(e)(ii)(E) , (x) the Agents against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Credit Party has not already indemnified the applicable Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (y) the Agents and the Credit Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Agents and the Credit Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by either Agent or a Credit Party in connection with any Loan Document and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by either Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Agents to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Agents under this clause (ii) .

 

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(d)           Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower, any other Credit Party or by either Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01 , the Borrower or such Credit Party shall deliver to the Agents (but only to the extent available to the Borrower or such Credit Party with respect to any such payment made by the Agents) the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agents.

 

(e)           Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation .

 

(i)           Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document (including any such exemption or reduction to which such Lender would be entitled if a Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person (a “ U.S. Credit Party ”) were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations) shall deliver to the Borrower (or any such U.S. Credit Party) and the Agents, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower (or any such U.S. Credit Party) or either Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower, such U.S. Credit Party or either Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower, such U.S. Credit Party or the Agents, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such U.S. Credit Party or the Agents as will enable the Borrower, such U.S. Credit Party or the Agents to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 3.01(e)(ii)(A) , (e)(ii)(B) and (e)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing in the event that the Borrower or any U.S. Credit Party is a U.S. Person,

 

(A)         any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agents on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agents), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

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(B)         any Foreign Lender and any Canadian Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Agents (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender or Canadian Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agents), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(I)         in the case of a Foreign Lender or a Canadian Lender entitled to claim the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (or which would be entitled to claim such benefits if a U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations) (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document (including due to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower being treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations), IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(II)        executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(III)       in the case of a Foreign Lender or a Canadian Lender entitled to claim the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code (or which would be entitled to claim such benefits if a U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations), (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower or such U.S. Credit Party within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or

 

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(IV)       to the extent a Foreign Lender or a Canadian Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable, in each case, establishing a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax; provided , that if the Foreign Lender or Canadian Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)         any Foreign Lender or Canadian Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Agents (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or either Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax (including any such withholding Tax that would apply if any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations) or exemption from or reduction in any non-U.S. withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Agents to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)         if a payment made to an Agent or a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Agent or Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), including if any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code or applicable Treasury regulations, such Agent or Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agents at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or either Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or either Agent as may be necessary for the Credit Parties and the Agents to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Agent or Lender has complied with such Agent’s or Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D) , “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the Closing Date, the Borrower and the Agents shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Agents to treat) the Loans and this Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

 

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(E)         each Foreign Lender and each Canadian Lender represents and warrants that, as of the date such Lender first becomes a Lender hereunder, it would be entitled to provide the documentation described in clause (B), (C) or (D) hereof with respect to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower if such U.S. Credit Party or Subsidiary were treated as or as if it were a borrower or co-borrower under the Code to the effect that such Lender is entitled to a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax (including pursuant to FATCA).

 

(iii)         Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Agents in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(iv)         Without limiting the foregoing, any U.S. Credit Party shall be permitted to rely on any documentation provided to Borrower and any Borrower shall be permitted to rely on any documentation provided to any U.S. Credit Party pursuant to this Section 3.01.

 

(f)           Treatment of Certain Refunds . Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall either Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Credit Party or with respect to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall pay to such Credit Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Credit Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that such Credit Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Credit Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to any Credit Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Credit Party or any other Person.

 

(g)           Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of either or both of the Agents or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Loans and other Obligations.

 

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3.02         Illegality . If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension , or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, U.S. Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Agents, (i) any obligation of such Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the applicable Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Agents and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. With respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, upon receipt of such notice, (w) the Borrower shall, upon demand (after presentation of a reasonably detailed invoice) from such Lender (with a copy to the Agents), at the Borrower’s option, prepay or, if applicable, convert all LIBOR Rate Loans, of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Agents without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans and (x) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, the Agents shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBOR Rate component thereof until the Agents are advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate. With respect to Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes, upon receipt of such notice, (y) the Borrower shall, upon demand (after presentation of a reasonably detailed invoice) from such Lender (with a copy to the Global Agent), convert all Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes, of such Lender to Canadian Prime Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Canadian Prime Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Global Agent without reference to the CDOR component of the Canadian Prime Rate), either on the applicable Contract Maturity Date therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes and (z) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon CDOR, the Global Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Canadian Prime Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the CDOR component thereof until the Global Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon CDOR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

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3.03         Inability to Determine Rates for a LIBOR Rate Loan . If in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof (a) either Agent determines that (i) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a)(i) above, “ Impacted Loans ”), or (b) either Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such LIBOR Rate Loan, such Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the LIBOR Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods), in each case until the Agents upon the instruction of the Required Lenders revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if either Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this section, the applicable Agent, in consultation with the Borrower and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) such Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) such Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Agents and the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Agents and the Borrower written notice thereof.

 

3.04        Increased Costs; Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

(a)           Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)          impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) );

 

(ii)         subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (e) of the definition of “Excluded Taxes” and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

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(iii)        impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes purchased by such Lender or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any BA Equivalent Note or Bankers’ Acceptance (or of maintaining its obligation to purchase any such BA Equivalent Notes or Bankers’ Acceptances), making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)           Capital Requirements . If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)           Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, together with a brief explanation for the increased costs and the basis for the calculation thereof, and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)           Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

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(e)           Reserves on LIBOR Rate Loans . The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each LIBOR Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such LIBOR Rate Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such LIBOR Rate Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least ten (10) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Agents) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days’ prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.

 

3.05         Compensation for Losses . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Agents) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender (except, in the case of Section 3.05(c) , any Defaulting Lender) for and hold such Lender (except, in the case of Section 3.05(c) , any Defaulting Lender) harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)          any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of (i) the Face Amount of any Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note on a day other than the Contract Maturity Date thereof for such Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note or (ii) any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

(b)          any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, Canadian Prime Rate Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower and/or required hereunder; or

 

(c)          any assignment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor or of any Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes other than on the Contract Maturity Date thereof, in each case as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.01 or 11.13 ;

 

including any cost or expense arising from the liquidation, or redeployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each LIBOR Rate Loan made by it at the LIBOR Rate used in determining the LIBOR Rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan was in fact so funded. This Section 3.05 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

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3.06        Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)           Designation of a Different Lending Office . Each Lender may make any Credit Extension to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Credit Extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , fails to comply with Section 3.01(e) , or gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , then at the request of the Borrower such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans or purchasing its Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04 , as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)           Replacement of Lenders . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02 , and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a) , the Borrower may replace or remove such Lender in accordance with Section 11.13 .

 

3.07        Circumstances Making Bankers’ Acceptances Unavailable . If a Lender determines in good faith, which determination shall be final, conclusive and binding upon the Borrower, and notifies the Agents and the Borrower that, by reason of circumstances affecting the money market: (i) there is no market for Bankers’ Acceptances generally or of a requested duration; (ii) the demand for Bankers’ Acceptances is insufficient to allow the sale or trading of the Bankers’ Acceptances created and purchased hereunder generally or in connection with a requested duration; or (iii) the Reference Discount Rate does not accurately reflect the cost of funds of such Lender or the discount rate which would be applicable to a sale of Bankers’ Acceptances accepted by such Lender in the market; then: (x) the right of the Borrower to request Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes of the affected duration from that Lender shall be suspended until such Lender determines that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and such Lender so notifies the Borrower; and (y) any Drawing Notice for an affected duration which is outstanding shall be cancelled and the Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes requested therein shall not be made and a Bankers’ Acceptance or BA Equivalent Note having the shortest duration available (or if none) a Canadian Prime Rate Loan shall be made in its place.

 

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3.08        Survival . All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and other Loans advanced hereunder from time to time and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, only if such Obligations accrue prior to the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of all Obligations outstanding hereunder and the resignation of one or both of the Agents.

 

ARTICLE IV.          CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

4.01        Conditions of Initial Credit Extension . The obligation of each L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder, and the effectiveness of this Agreement, are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)          the Agents’ receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or electronic copies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Credit Party, as applicable, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date or such other date reasonably acceptable to the Agents) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and each of the Lenders unless otherwise specified:

 

(i)          counterparts of this Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Agents, each Lender and the Borrower;

 

(ii)         a Note in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

 

(iii)        a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party, attaching copies of the following for each Credit Party and certifying that the same are true, correct and complete and in full force and effect, as applicable (or, with respect to its charter or similar formation documents and bylaws or similar governing document of Credit Parties other than the Borrower, Holdings, IESI, WCN and PWS Canada, certifying that the same have not been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified since the prior copy of such documents previously certified and delivered to the applicable Agent in connection with the Existing WCN Credit Agreement and Existing Progressive Credit Agreement): (A) its charter (or similar formation document), certified by the appropriate Governmental Authority as of a recent date (as such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) and all amendments and modifications thereto, (B) its bylaws (or similar governing document), (C) resolutions duly adopted by its board of directors (or similar governing body) approving each Credit Party’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is party, and (D) incumbency certificates evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer of each Credit Party authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Credit Party is a party;

 

(iv)        such documents and certifications as the Agents may reasonably require to evidence that each Credit Party is duly organized or formed, and that each such Credit Party is (A) validly existing and (B) in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization;

 

(v)         a favorable opinion of each of Latham & Watkins LLP and Bennett Jones LLP, special counsel to the Credit Parties, and other local counsel reasonably requested by the Agents, each addressed to the Agents and each Lender, covering such customary matters concerning the Credit Parties and the Loan Documents as the Agents may reasonably request and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and consistent with opinions delivered pursuant to the Existing WCN Credit Agreement;

 

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(vi)        a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Credit Parties (A) either (x) attaching copies of all material consents and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties and the validity against the Credit Parties of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and certifying that such consents and approvals are in full force and effect, or (y) certifying that no such consents or approvals are so required, and (B) certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.01(b) , (c) and (d) and Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied;

 

(vii)       copies of (A) the Audited Financial Statements, (B) the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the Balance Sheet Date, and the related pro forma consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group for the Reference Period ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and (C) financial projections and business assumptions covering the period from the Closing Date through the fiscal year of the Consolidated Group ending December 31, 2020, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents;

 

(viii)      the results of bringdown UCC searches (and the equivalent thereof in Canada) from those delivered to the Agents in connection with the Existing WCN Credit Agreement and Existing Progressive Credit Agreement and bankruptcy, judgment and tax lien searches, in each case with respect to WCN and the Borrower, indicating no Liens other than Permitted Liens and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents;

 

(ix)         a duly completed Compliance Certificate in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and the Lenders, evidencing pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Section 7.14 (using pro forma Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group for the Reference Period ended on March 31, 2016 (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA approved under the Existing Credit Agreements in the period from March 31, 2016 through the Closing Date) and pro forma Consolidated Total Funded Debt after giving effect to all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group incurred or otherwise outstanding at close of business on the day prior to the Closing Date, but including the Indebtedness anticipated to be outstanding under this Agreement and the Private Placement Notes, if applicable upon closing and funding on the Closing Date); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that the financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries used in preparing such Compliance Certificate are deemed to fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the close of business on the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended; and

 

(x)          such other customary assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Agents reasonably may require after consultation with the Borrower or WCN and as such is requested no later than 7 days prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(b)          The absence of any event or circumstance since the Balance Sheet Date that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)          The absence of any action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to impair or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or have a Material Adverse Effect. The absence of material misstatements in, or omissions from, the written materials (other than of general industry or general economic nature) previously furnished by or on behalf of the Credit Parties to the Agents for their review on or prior to the Closing Date; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Credit Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time such projected financial information was prepared and as of the date made available to the Agents or the Lenders (it being understood that such projections are not to be viewed as fact and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, and that actual results may vary significantly from such projections).

 

(d)          The absence of any default by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any material contract or agreement to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)          The Agents’ reasonable satisfaction (A) that the Audited Financial Statements of WCN fairly present the business and financial condition of WCN and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and (B) that the Audited Financial Statements of the Parent fairly present the business and financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof;

 

(f)          Arrangements completely satisfactory to the Agents for the payment at closing of all accrued fees and expenses of the Agents required to be paid on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been made (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of one U.S. counsel and one outside Canadian counsel, and if applicable, one outside counsel in other foreign jurisdictions in which any Credit Party is organized and local counsel in Canada necessary for any lien terminations for the Agents, collectively, to the extent invoiced prior to the Closing Date) and arrangements completely satisfactory to each Arranger for the payment of the fees to be paid on or prior to the Closing Date to such Arranger pursuant to its Fee Letter.

 

(g)          The Agents’ and the Lenders’ receipt of all documentation and other information reasonably required by them under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act.

 

(h)          Evidence that all loans and other obligations under the Existing WCN Credit Agreement have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, repaid in full, all commitments thereunder have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, terminated, the Existing WCN Credit Agreement has been, or concurrently with the Closing Date is being, terminated and all payoff letters shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents.

 

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(i)          Evidence that all loans and other obligations under the Existing Progressive Credit Agreement have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, repaid in full, all commitments thereunder have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, terminated, the Existing Progressive Credit Agreement has been, or concurrently with the Closing Date is being, terminated and all payoff letters, UCC-3 termination statements, financing change statements, and other security interest terminations necessary to terminate the Liens securing obligations under the Existing Progressive Credit Agreement shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents.

 

(j)          The Agents and the Lenders shall have received an amendment of the Master Note Purchase Agreements to permit, among other things, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein, and such Master Note Purchase Agreements shall not have obligors which are not Credit Parties under this Agreement and no applicable representations, covenants or defaults which are more restrictive than this Agreement (it being understood that applicable representations, covenants or defaults excludes terms and provisions that are customary only for note purchase agreements and not generally customary for senior revolving credit and term loan documents).

 

(k)          Except to the extent that it would not be materially adverse to the Lenders or is otherwise consented to in writing by the Global Agent, (w) the Merger, as consummated, and other Merger Transactions are consistent with the transactions described in the Merger Agreement, (x) the Merger and the other Merger Transactions have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and in compliance with applicable law and regulatory approvals, (y) the final terms and conditions of the Merger are, to the extent not governed by the Merger Agreement, consistent in all material respects with the Merger Agreement and (z) the Merger Agreement has not been altered, amended or otherwise changed or supplemented or any condition therein waived or consent thereunder in any manner that could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Lenders. The Agents shall have received a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying each of clauses (w) through (z) above.

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04 , for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 , each Lender or Agent that has executed and delivered (and, as applicable, released from escrow) its signature page to this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender or an Agent unless the Agents shall have received notice from such Lender or Agent prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

4.02         Conditions to all Credit Extensions . The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

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(a)          The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02 , the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.04(a) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) , respectively, of Section 6.04 .

 

(b)          No Default or Event of Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

(c)          The Agents and, if applicable, the applicable L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof and, if the Credit Extensions made on the Closing Date will include any LIBOR Rate Loans, a funding indemnity letter in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agents. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Request for Credit Extension with respect to a Credit Extension to be made on the Closing Date may be delivered on the Closing Date; provided that the Borrower has delivered to the Agents a customary funding indemnity letter at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date for any Borrowing on the Closing Date of LIBOR Rate Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes.

 

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower and the other Credit Parties represent and warrant to the Agents and the Lenders that:

 

5.01        Corporate Authority.

 

(a)           Incorporation; Good Standing . Each of the Credit Parties and each Material Subsidiary (i) is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or in current status under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate (or equivalent organizational) power to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which its property or business as presently conducted or contemplated makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to be in good standing or so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries are an EEA Financial Institution.

 

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(b)           Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (i) are within the corporate (or equivalent organizational) authority of each Credit Party, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent organizational) proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which any Credit Party is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit applicable to any Credit Party so as to materially adversely affect the assets, business or any activity of such Person and (iv) do not conflict with any provision of the Organization Documents of any Credit Party or any agreement or other instrument binding upon them including, without limitation, those documents executed and/or delivered in connection with any Covenanted Senior Debt.

 

(c)           Enforceability . The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents will result in valid and legally binding obligations of the Credit Parties enforceable against each in accordance with the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof, except as enforceability is limited by Debtor Relief Laws, and by general principles of equity relating to enforceability and except to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

5.02        Governmental Approvals . The execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not require any approval or consent of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person, other than those approvals and consents already obtained and filings already made.

 

5.03        Title to Properties; Leases . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in the Audited Financial Statements as at the Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (in each case, except pursuant to transactions otherwise permitted under Section 7.04(b) ), subject to no mortgages, capitalized leases, conditional sales agreements, title retention agreements or other Liens except Permitted Liens.

 

5.04        Financial Statements; Solvency.

 

(a)           (i) (x) There has been furnished to the Lenders the Audited Financial Statements of WCN dated the Balance Sheet Date. Said financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of WCN and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the close of business on the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of WCN and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof involving material amounts, known to the officers of the Borrower or WCN, which have not been disclosed in said financial statements and the related notes thereto or otherwise in writing to the Lenders. (y) There has been furnished to the Lenders the Audited Financial Statements of the Parent dated the Balance Sheet Date. To the knowledge of the Borrower, the Audited Financial Statements pertaining to the Parent and its Subsidiaries delivered on or prior to the Closing Date have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the close of business on the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof involving material amounts, known to the officers of the Borrower or WCN, which have not been disclosed in said financial statements and the related notes thereto or otherwise in writing to the Lenders.

 

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(ii) There has been furnished to the Lenders after the Closing Date, consolidated financial statements of the Consolidated Group furnished from time to time pursuant to Section 6.04(a) and (b) . Said financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the close of business on the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof involving material amounts, known to the officers of the Borrower, which have not been disclosed in said financial statements and the related notes thereto or otherwise in writing to the Lenders.

 

(b)          The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, and the related unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations of the Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries for the year then ended, certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly present the unaudited pro forma combined financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such date and the combined unaudited pro forma results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, in each case giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby including the Indebtedness to be incurred hereunder and the Private Placement Notes, if applicable, any repayments of Indebtedness after such date and the Merger and other Merger Transactions, all in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that (i) the Audited Financial Statements from the Balance Sheet Date for Parent and its Subsidiaries used in preparing the unaudited pro forma calculations hereunder are deemed to fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as at the close of business on the respective dates thereof and the results of operations for the respective periods then ended and (ii) the unaudited pro forma calculations to be provided hereunder shall be those included in the Form F-4 filed in connection with the Merger.

 

(c)          The Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Indebtedness to be incurred or repaid on the Closing Date and the Merger) are and will be Solvent.

 

5.05         No Material Changes, Etc . Since the Balance Sheet Date, no Material Adverse Effect has occurred with respect to the financial condition or businesses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as shown on or reflected in the balance sheets of the Borrower as of the Balance Sheet Date, or the consolidated statement of income for the four (4) fiscal quarters then ended.

 

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5.06         Permits, Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, Etc . The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries own or has been granted the right to use from the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower, all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known conflict with any rights of others, except, in each case, that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.07         Litigation . There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, tribunal or administrative agency or board which either in any individual case or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.08         No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of the Borrower’s officers or such Subsidiary’s officers has or is expected in the future to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or agreement which in the judgment of the Borrower’s officers or such Subsidiary’s officers has or is expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as otherwise reflected in adequate reserves.

 

5.09         Compliance with Other Instruments, Laws, Etc . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is violating any provision of its Organization Documents, any agreement or instrument by which any of them may be subject or by which any of them or any of their properties may be bound, or any Law, in a manner which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.10         Tax Status . The Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries have (a) made or filed (x) all U.S. federal and Canadian federal income tax returns, reports and declarations, (y) all material state, provincial, territorial and foreign income tax returns, reports and declarations, and (z) all other material tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent that the Borrower and such Material Subsidiary has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), (b) paid all Taxes that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith, and (c) set aside on their books provisions adequate for the payment of all material Taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction.

 

5.11         No Event of Default . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

5.12         Investment Company Act . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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5.13        Absence of Financing Statements, Etc . Other than Permitted Liens, there is no financing statement, security agreement, chattel mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded with any filing records, registry, or other public office, which purports to cover, affect or give notice of any present or possible future Lien on, or security interest in, any assets or property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any rights relating thereto.

 

5.14        ERISA Compliance.

 

(a)          Each Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) and, to the Credit Parties’ knowledge, each Multiemployer Plan, is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Pension Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the best knowledge of any Credit Party, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

 

(b)          There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)          (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and no Credit Party nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) each of the Credit Parties and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is sixty percent (60%) or higher and none of the Credit Parties nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below sixty percent (60%) as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) none of the Credit Parties nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) none of the Credit Parties nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) and, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, there has been no notification to the Credit Parties that a Multiemployer Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof or by the PBGC, and, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Multiemployer Plan.

 

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5.15        Use of Proceeds.

 

(a)            General . The proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely as follows: (a) to the extent applicable, to refinance Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Credit Agreements on the Closing Date; (b) to finance acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 7.04 ; and (c) for capital expenditures, working capital, payment of transaction fees and expenses related to the Merger, Letters of Credit, and general corporate purposes; provided that the Borrower shall not directly or indirectly use any proceeds of the Loans to acquire any Person if the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Person to be acquired has not approved such acquisition (it being acknowledged that the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps, in each case, to the extent not constituting an acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, shall not be subject to such board (or equivalent governing body) approval).

 

(b)            Sanctions . No Credit Extension, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate any applicable Sanctions.

 

(c)            Regulations U and X . The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of their important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Consolidated Group) subject to any restriction on sale, pledge, or disposal under this Agreement or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(f) will be margin stock.

 

5.16        Environmental Compliance . The Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries have taken all commercially reasonably necessary steps to investigate the past and present condition and usage of the Real Estate and the operations conducted thereon and, based upon such diligent investigation, have determined that:

 

(a)          neither the Borrower, nor its Material Subsidiaries, nor any operator of any Real Estate, nor any operations thereon, is in violation, or alleged violation, of any judgment, decree, order, law, permit, license, rule or regulation pertaining to environmental matters, including without limitation, those arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, CERCLA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any and all Canadian federal, United States federal, state, local, provincial, territorial or foreign law, statutes, regulations, ordinances, Rules, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to health, safety, waste transportation or disposal, pollution or the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions or discharges to public or private wastewater systems (the “ Environmental Laws ”), which violation would have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(b)          neither the Borrower nor any of its Material Subsidiaries has received written notice from any third party, including any Governmental Authority, (i) that any one of them has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“ EPA ”) as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA with respect to a site listed on the National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 Appendix B; (ii) that any hazardous waste, as defined by 42 U.S.C. §6903(5), any hazardous substances as defined by 42 U.S.C. §9601(14), any pollutant or contaminant as defined by 42 U.S.C. §9601(33), or any other Hazardous Materials which any one of them has generated, transported or disposed of has been found at any site at which a Governmental Authority has conducted or has ordered that the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries conduct a remedial investigation, removal or other response action pursuant to any Environmental Law; or (iii) that any one of them is or will be named party to any claim, action, cause of action, complaint or legal or administrative proceeding (in each case, contingent or otherwise) arising out of any third party’s incurrence of costs, expenses, losses or damages of any kind whatsoever in connection with the release of Hazardous Materials, which notice (or any related proceeding or other action) would have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)          except where it would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no portion of the Real Estate has been used for the handling, processing, storage or disposal of Hazardous Materials and no underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous Materials is located on any portion of the Real Estate; (ii) in the course of any activities conducted by the Borrower or its Material Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries, by any other operators of the Real Estate, no Hazardous Materials have been generated or are being used on the Real Estate; (iii) there have been no unpermitted Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials on, upon, into or from the Real Estate; (iv) to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials on, upon, into or from any real property in the vicinity of any of the Real Estate which, through soil or groundwater contamination, may have come to be located on the Real Estate; and (v) any Hazardous Materials that have been generated on any of the Real Estate that are regulated as hazardous have been transported offsite only by carriers having an identification number issued by the EPA (or the equivalent thereof in any foreign jurisdiction), and treated or disposed of only by treatment or disposal facilities maintaining valid permits as required under applicable Environmental Laws, which transporters and facilities have been and are, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, operating in compliance with such permits and applicable Environmental Laws; and

 

(d)          except where it would not have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is required under any applicable Environmental Law to perform Hazardous Materials site assessments, or remove or remediate Hazardous Materials, or provide notice to any Governmental Authority or record or deliver to other Persons an environmental disclosure document or statement by virtue of the transactions set forth herein and contemplated hereby, or as a condition to the effectiveness of any other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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5.17         Transactions with Affiliates . Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.17 or filings made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Exchange Act prior to the Closing Date, except for transactions permitted under Section 7.10 and except for arm’s length transactions pursuant to which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon terms no less favorable than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries could obtain from third parties, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is presently a party to any transaction with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

 

5.18         Subsidiaries . Schedule 1 (as updated from time to time pursuant to Section 6.16 ) sets forth a complete and accurate list of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, including the name of each Subsidiary and its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. Each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1 is directly or indirectly wholly owned by the Borrower (except as noted in such Schedule). The Borrower has good and marketable title to all of the Equity Interests it purports to own of each such Subsidiary, and each Subsidiary of the Borrower has good and marketable title to all of the Equity Interests it purports to own of such Subsidiary, free and clear in each case of any Lien. All such Equity Interests have been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Schedule 2 (as updated from time to time pursuant to Section 6.16 ), sets forth the Guarantors. Schedule 3 (as updated from time to time in accordance with Section 6.19 ), sets forth the Material Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 2 sets forth each Subsidiary that (i) has (a) revenues equal to or greater than U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S$100,000,000 or (b) total assets greater than U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S$250,000,000 and (ii) is a Transaction Subsidiary, and each such Subsidiary is a Guarantor as of such date.

 

5.19         True Copies of Charter and Other Documents . Each of the Credit Parties has furnished the Agents copies, in each case true and complete as of the Closing Date, of its Organization Documents, including any amendments thereto.

 

5.20         Disclosure . Neither this Agreement, nor any of the other Loan Documents, nor any written document or information (other than of a general industry or general economic nature) furnished by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection therewith contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the case of any written document or information not furnished by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein not misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which materially adversely affects, or which is reasonably likely in the future to materially adversely affect, the business, assets, or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, exclusive of effects resulting from changes in general economic conditions, legal standards or regulatory conditions; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time such projected financial information was prepared and as of the date made available to the Agents or the Lenders (it being understood that such projections are not to be viewed as fact and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, and that actual results may vary significantly from such projections).

 

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5.21         Capitalization . As of the Closing Date, the authorized Equity Interests of the Borrower consist of an unlimited number of common shares, an unlimited number of special shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series, of which approximately 175,409,455 common shares were outstanding as of such date, and no special shares or preferred shares were issued and outstanding as of such date.  All of such outstanding shares are fully paid and non-assessable. 

 

5.22         Permits and Licenses . All permits and licenses (other than those the absence of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect) required for the construction, ownership and operation of the landfills, solid waste facilities, and solid waste collection, transfer, hauling, recycling and disposal operations owned or operated by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have been obtained and remain in full force and effect and are not subject to any appeals or further proceedings or to any unsatisfied conditions that may allow material modification or revocation. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, the holder of such licenses or permits is in violation of any such licenses or permits, except for any violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.23         [Reserved].

 

5.24         OFAC.  Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by, any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority, (iii) a Person designated by the Canadian government on any list set out in the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism or the Criminal Code (Canada) with which a Canadian Person cannot deal with or otherwise engage in business transactions, or (iv) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

 

5.25         Anti-Corruption Laws.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have established procedures and controls which each reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable provisions of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

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5.26        Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans .

 

(a)           The most recent actuarial report prepared and filed with a Canadian Governmental Authority for each Canadian Pension Plan administered by a Credit Party, that (i) has a “defined benefit provision”, as that term is defined in the ITA; and (ii) is not a “multi-employer pension plan”, as that term is defined in the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 or equivalent provincial legislation, has been disclosed prior to the Closing Date, along with any more recently prepared cost certificate(s).

 

(b)           The funding obligation of each Credit Party that is required to contribute to a Canadian Pension Plan that is a “multi-employer pension plan”, as that term is defined in the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 or equivalent provincial legislation, is limited to a fixed amount set out in one or more collective bargaining agreements and/or other agreements (other than interest, damages and costs that may arise under the terms of those agreements in the event of any delinquent contributions).

 

(c)           All employer and employee contributions and premiums required to be remitted or paid to, or in respect of, the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required under federal Canadian, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation and employment insurance legislation have been remitted or paid in compliance with applicable Laws and regulations except that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)           No Canadian Pension Plan that has a “defined benefit provision”, as that term is defined in the ITA, and that is administered by a Credit Party: (a) has been terminated or is in the process of being terminated, in whole or in part (other than the distribution of surplus assets attributable to a previous partial wind up under a Canadian Pension Plan); or (b) is subject to a Canadian Governmental Authority’s order or notice of intended decision proposing to order a termination, in whole or in part. To the knowledge of the Credit Parties, there are no circumstances existing that could reasonably be considered to cause a Canadian Governmental Authority to order, or propose to order, such plan’s termination, in whole or in part.

 

5.27         Credit Party’s Identification Numbers . As of the Closing Date, or as of such later date the Credit Parties updated such information pursuant to Section 6.16 or Section 6.18 , each U.S. Credit Party’s true and correct state-issued organizational identification number and U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 5.27 . As of the Closing Date, or as of such later date the Credit Parties updated such information pursuant to Section 6.16 or Section 6.18 , true and correct organizational identification number and tax business number for each Credit Party organized in Canada is set forth on Schedule 5.27 .

 

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ARTICLE VI.          AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder and this Agreement has not been terminated, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder (other than contingent indemnity obligations with respect to then unasserted claims) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding:

 

6.01         Punctual Payment . The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, all L/C Obligations, fees and other amounts provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such other Loan Documents.

 

6.02         Maintenance of Offices . The Borrower will maintain its principal executive offices at 3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110, The Woodlands, TX 77380 or such other place in Canada or the United States as the Borrower shall designate upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Agents, or such shorter time as the Agents may agree. Upon request of the Agents from time to time after the Closing Date, the Credit Parties shall promptly provide the Agents with the principal place of business of each Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

6.03         Records and Accounts . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) keep true and accurate records and books of account in which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties, contingencies, and other reserves, and (iii) at all times engage the Accountants as the independent certified public accountants of the Borrower.

 

6.04         Financial Statements, Certificates and Information . The Borrower will deliver to the Agents and any Lender upon request of such Lender (made through the Agents):

 

(a)          within five (5) days after the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined by applicable Securities Laws) with respect to each fiscal year (and in any event within one hundred (100) days after the end of such fiscal year), the consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such year, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group, each setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all such financial statements to be in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of the Accountants, which report and opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Consolidated Group and shall not be subject to any qualification as to going concern or the scope of the audit;

 

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(b)          within five (5) days after the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Borrower’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined by applicable Securities Laws) with respect to each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (and in any event within 55 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter), copies of the consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such quarter, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, with a certification by the CFO that the consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Consolidated Group as at the close of business on the date thereof and the results of operations for the period then ended;

 

(c)          simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a Compliance Certificate (i) certified by the CFO that the Consolidated Group is in compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 7.14 as of the end of the applicable period, setting forth in reasonable detail computations evidencing such compliance, (ii) attaching a summary of all intercompany Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or outstanding under, any Permitted Intercompany Financing and any material documents, instruments or notices executed and/or delivered in connection therewith and (iii) attaching, if applicable, an updated Schedule 1 , Schedule 2 and Schedule 5.27 for all necessary amendments to such schedules; provided , that if the Borrower shall at the time of issuance of such certificate or at any other time obtain knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, the Borrower shall include in such certificate or otherwise deliver forthwith to the Lenders a certificate specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Borrower propose to take with respect thereto;

 

(d)          contemporaneously with, or promptly following, the filing or mailing thereof, copies of all material of a financial nature filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or the Canadian equivalent thereof) or sent to the stockholders of the Borrower; and

 

(e)          from time to time, such other financial data and other information (including accountants’ management letters and a copy of the Borrower’s annual budget and projections for any fiscal year) as the Lenders may reasonably request.

 

The Borrower shall be deemed to have delivered reports and other information referred to in clauses (a) , (b) , and (d) of this Section 6.04 when (A) such reports or other information have been posted on the Internet website of the Securities and Exchange Commission ( http://www.sec.gov ) (or, if applicable, the Canadian equivalent thereof) or on Borrower’s Internet website as previously identified to the Agents and Lenders and (B) the Borrower has notified the Agents by electronic mail of such posting.

 

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Each of the Credit Parties hereby acknowledges that (a) the Agents and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on, IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Agents , the Arrangers, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or their securities for purposes of United States Federal, Canadian Federal, provincial, territorial and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.07 ); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Agents and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

6.05         Legal Existence and Conduct of Business . Except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.04 , the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, legal rights and franchises; effect and maintain its foreign qualifications, licensing, domestication or authorization except as terminated by the Borrower’s or its Material Subsidiaries’ board of directors (or similar governing body) in the exercise of its reasonable judgment and except where the failure of the Borrower or its Material Subsidiaries to remain so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and shall not become obligated under any contract or binding arrangement which, at the time it was entered into would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily in the businesses conducted by it on the Closing Date and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 7.03 and 7.04 .

 

6.06         Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of their businesses to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Borrower and its Material Subsidiaries may be necessary so that the businesses carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided , however , that nothing in this section shall prevent the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, desirable in the conduct of their business and which does not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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6.07         Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, funds or underwriters insurance of the kinds, covering the risks (other than risks arising out of or in any way connected with personal liability of any officers and directors thereof) and in the relative proportionate amounts typically carried by reasonable and prudent companies conducting businesses similar to that of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. In addition, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries will furnish from time to time, upon the Agents’ request, a summary of the insurance coverage, which summary shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and, if requested by the Agents, will furnish to the Agents certificates evidencing such insurance and, with respect to the certificate evidencing liability insurance, naming the Agents as the certificate holder thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to maintain self-insurance programs of the kinds, covering the risks and in the relative amounts as more particularly described on Schedule 6.07 .

 

6.08         Taxes . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before any material penalty accrues thereon, all Taxes (other than Taxes which in the aggregate are not material to the business or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary on an individual basis or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any material part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for labor, materials, or supplies, which if unpaid might by law become a Lien or charge upon any material portion of its property, unless such Lien is a Permitted Lien; provided , however , that any such Tax or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and provided further , that the Borrower or such Subsidiary will pay all such Taxes or claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any Lien which may have attached as security therefor.

 

6.09         Inspection of Properties, Books, Etc . The Borrower will, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit the Agents or any other designated representative of the Lenders (including any Lender), upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Credit Parties, to examine their books of account (and to make copies thereof and extracts therefrom (in each case, subject to compliance with confidentiality agreements and applicable copyright laws)), and to discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by, their officers, all at such reasonable times and intervals as the Lenders or the Agents may reasonably request; provided , however , prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall not be required to pay the expenses associated with more than one such visitation and inspection by the Agents or any other designated representative of the Lenders (including any Lender) during any calendar year; provided , further , however , that when an Event of Default exists the Agents or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

 

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6.10         Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits . The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) comply with the provisions of their Organization Documents, (ii) comply with the provisions of all agreements and instruments by which they or any of their properties may be bound; and (iii) comply with all applicable Laws (including Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits) except, in the case of subsections (i) (solely for non-compliance with the provisions of its Organization Documents by a Person other than the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary), (ii) and (iii) , where noncompliance with such Organization Documents, applicable agreements, instruments and Laws would not have a Material Adverse Effect. If at any time while any Credit Extension is outstanding or any Lender, any L/C Issuer or either Agent has any obligation to make Credit Extensions hereunder, any authorization, consent, approval, permit or license from any Governmental Authority shall become necessary or required in order that the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary may fulfill any of their obligations hereunder, the Borrower will immediately take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the power of the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary to obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the Lenders with evidence thereof.

 

6.11         Environmental Indemnification . The Borrower and each of the Credit Parties, each on its own behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, jointly and severally covenant and agree that it will indemnify and hold the Agents and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the Agents or the Lenders (including all costs of legal representation) relating to (a) any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials on the Real Estate; (b) any violation of any Environmental Laws with respect to conditions at the Real Estate or the operations conducted thereon; (c) the investigation or remediation of offsite locations at which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or its predecessors are alleged to have directly or indirectly disposed of Hazardous Materials; or (d) any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. It is expressly acknowledged by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that this covenant of indemnification shall include claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the Agents or the Lenders based upon the Agents’ or the Lenders’ negligence (but not gross negligence or willful misconduct, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment), and this covenant shall survive any foreclosure or any modification, release or discharge of the Loan Documents or the payment of the Loans and shall inure to the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

6.12         Further Assurances . The Borrower and the other Credit Parties will cooperate with the Agents and the Lenders and execute such further instruments and documents as the Lenders or the Agents shall reasonably request to carry out to the Lenders’ satisfaction the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

6.13         Notice of Potential Claims or Litigation . The Borrower will deliver to the Lenders, within thirty (30) days of receipt thereof, written notice of the initiation of any action, claim, complaint, or any other notice of dispute or potential litigation (including without limitation any alleged violation of any Environmental Law or any dispute, litigation, investigation or proceeding between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority), wherein the potential liability could reasonably be expected to be in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000, together with a copy of each such notice received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

6.14         Notice of Certain Events Concerning Insurance and Environmental Claims.

 

(a)           The Borrower will provide the Lenders with written notice as to any material cancellation or material change in any insurance of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s receipt of any written notice of such cancellation or change by any of their insurers.

 

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(b)          The Borrower will promptly notify the Lenders in writing of any of the following events:

 

(i)          upon obtaining knowledge of any violation of any Environmental Law regarding the Real Estate or the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations which could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000; (ii) upon obtaining knowledge of any potential or known Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Materials at, from, or into the Real Estate which it reports or is reportable in writing to any Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000; (iii) upon receipt of any notice of violation of any Environmental Laws or of any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, including a notice or claim of liability or potential responsibility from any third party (including without limitation any Governmental Authority) and including notice of any formal inquiry, proceeding, demand, investigation or other action with regard to (A) operation of the Real Estate, (B) contamination on, from or into the Real Estate, or (C) investigation or remediation of offsite locations at which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its predecessors is alleged to have directly or indirectly disposed of Hazardous Materials, which violation or Release in any such case could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (iv) upon obtaining knowledge that any material expense or loss has been incurred by such Governmental Authority in connection with the assessment, containment, removal or remediation of any Hazardous Materials with respect to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have liability in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000 or for which a Lien for a like amount could reasonably be expected to be imposed on the Real Estate.

 

6.15         Notice of Default . The Borrower will promptly notify the Lenders in writing of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default. If any Person shall give any notice or take any other action in respect of a claimed default (whether or not constituting an Event of Default) under this Agreement or any other note, evidence of Indebtedness, indenture or other obligation evidencing Indebtedness in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$20,000,000 as to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or obligor, whether as principal or surety, the Borrower shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the Lenders, describing the notice or action and the nature of the claimed default.

 

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6.16         New Subsidiaries.

 

(a)           (i) Any newly-created, designated or acquired Transaction Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder on or before the twentieth (20th) Business Day after the end of the fiscal quarter in which such Subsidiary was created, designated or acquired, (ii) (x) any newly-created or acquired Subsidiary of the Borrower which is, or any Subsidiary of the Borrower which as a result of any merger, amalgamation or consolidation shall become or be, a direct or indirect holder of any Equity Interest of a Credit Party (and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a holding company (a “ Subsidiary Holdco ”) to the extent necessary so that all Subsidiary Holdcos which are Guarantors are holders of the equity interests in operating Subsidiaries that represent not less than 90% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter) and revenues of not less than 90% of the consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period)), or (y) any Subsidiary which is not already a Credit Party and which is the surviving entity of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation, with a Credit Party (other than the Borrower), shall become a Guarantor hereunder on or prior to the date such Subsidiary shall become or be a direct or indirect holder of any Equity Interest of a Credit Party or such merger amalgamation or consolidation is consummated or (iii) any Subsidiary that guarantees the Private Placement Notes or other senior notes of the Borrower or, if applicable, senior notes of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, shall become a Guarantor hereunder on or prior to the date such Subsidiary guarantees the Private Placement Notes or other senior other senior notes of the Borrower or, if applicable, senior notes of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries. A Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by (x) signing a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, providing that such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder, and (y) providing such other documentation as the Agents may reasonably request, including, without limitation, (i) KYC Requirement Information with respect to such Subsidiary, (ii) applicable documentation with respect to the conditions specified in Section 4.01(a) , clauses (iii) through (iv) , (iii) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect with respect to such new Subsidiary, together with insurance binders or other satisfactory certificates of insurance, (iv) the results of UCC searches (and the equivalent thereof in all applicable Canadian jurisdictions) with respect to such Subsidiary indicating no Liens other than Permitted Liens and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents, and (v) unless waived by the Agents in their reasonable discretion, an opinion of in-house or third party counsel (as required by the Agents) to the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, with respect to (x) each such Subsidiary that is organized under Canadian (including federal, provincial or territorial) law, California, Delaware and/or New York law or as otherwise required by the Agents, and (y) such joinder agreement and related documentation. The Agents are hereby authorized by the parties to amend Schedule 1 , Schedule 2 , Schedule 3 and Schedule 5.27 to include such new Subsidiary or to otherwise reflect updated information provided by the Borrower to the Agents from time to time in a Compliance Certificate and the KYC Requirement Information in respect thereof as to any Subsidiary that is a Credit Party, as applicable.

 

(b)          The Borrower shall at all times directly or indirectly own all of the Equity Interests of each of the Credit Parties (other than the Borrower).

 

6.17         Use of Proceeds . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries will use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions solely for the purposes set forth in Section 5.15 .

 

6.18         Additional Notices . The Borrower will promptly notify the Agents in writing of (a) any material change by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in accounting policies, financial reporting practices (subject to Section 7.12 ) or attestation reports concerning internal controls pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, (b) the occurrence of any ERISA Event and (c) a change in any Credit Party’s organizational identification number, U.S. taxpayer identification number and tax business number set forth on Schedule 5.27 , and in such event, the Agents are hereby authorized by the parties to amend Schedule 5.27 to reflect such change.

 

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6.19         Designation of Material Subsidiaries . Concurrently with the delivery of a Compliance Certificate, the Borrower shall from time to time designate one or more Subsidiaries as a Material Subsidiary in order to remain in compliance with the Material Subsidiary conditions, as set forth in the definition thereof. Upon such designation, the Agents are hereby authorized by the parties to amend Schedule 3 to include such new designated Material Subsidiaries.

 

6.20         Anti-Corruption Laws . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions, and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

6.21         Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans .

 

(a)           For each existing, or hereafter adopted, Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan administered by the Borrower or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries organized in Canada, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries organized in Canada will comply with and perform in all material respects all of their material obligations under and in respect of such Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, including under any funding agreements and all applicable Laws and regulations (including any funding, investment and administration obligations).

 

(b)           The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries organized in Canada will withhold, pay or remit all material employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable Laws.

 

(c)           The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries organized in Canada will deliver to the Agents (i) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any material claim direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada may receive from any applicable Canadian Governmental Authority or other claimant, except for regular claims for benefits, with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan that can reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability in excess of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000; (ii) notification within thirty (30) days of receipt of an actuarial report or accounting disclosure report that discloses any increases having a cost to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada in excess of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000 in the aggregate, in respect of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, and (iii) subject to Section 7.18 , notification within thirty (30) days of the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan that has a “defined benefit provision” as that term is defined in the ITA, or the commencement of contributions to any such plan to which any participating Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada thereof was not previously contributing that can be expected to give rise to an annual liability in excess of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000.

 

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(d)          The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries organized in Canada will withhold, pay or remit all material employer and employee contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of the Canada or Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation, and employment insurance legislation in compliance with applicable Laws and regulations.

 

6.22         Obligations as Senior Debt . To the extent applicable, the Obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder constitute “senior debt” (or a similar term) under the Private Placement Notes and other Covenanted Senior Debt and supplemental indentures thereto.

 

ARTICLE VII.         NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder (other than contingent indemnity obligations with respect to then unasserted claims) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding:

 

7.01         Restrictions on Indebtedness . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness other than:

 

(a)           Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.01 , including any renewals, extensions, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount thereof (plus all accrued interest on such Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith, the amount of which may be included in the principal amount of any refinancing) is not increased;

 

(b)           incurrence of guaranty, suretyship or indemnification obligations in connection with the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ performance of services for their respective customers in the ordinary course of their businesses;

 

(c)           so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom (including that the Borrower would not violate the covenants set forth in Section 7.14 as a result thereof), Indebtedness of one Credit Party or any one Subsidiary of the Borrower to another Credit Party or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, which intercompany Indebtedness shall, in each case, be (x) unsecured, (y) subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with Section 11.23 , and (z) in the case of any Permitted Intercompany Financing, subject to the requirements set forth in Section 7.04(c) ;

 

(d)           Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the acquisition or lease of any equipment or other property by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Synthetic Lease, Capitalized Lease or other lease arrangement or purchase money financing;

 

(e)           Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to bonds for vehicle permits, facility or building permits, tipping or disposal fees, solid waste collections, solid waste transportation, closure and post-closure obligations relating to any landfill owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(f)          Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Swap Contracts (including Fuel Derivatives Obligations) entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(g)          Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit of Persons acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided , that such letters of credit shall be retired immediately or replaced by Letters of Credit under this Agreement as soon as possible but in any event not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the closing of any such acquisition;

 

(h)          Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of IRBs; provided , that (i) such Indebtedness may be secured only to the extent such IRBs are L/C Supported IRBs and (ii) after taking into account all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (h) , the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA previously approved in the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness (with such amounts adjusted as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(i)          other secured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than as permitted under other subsections hereof), not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(j)          other unsecured Indebtedness of the Credit Parties; provided , that, at the time of incurrence thereof, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA previously approved in the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness (with such amounts adjusted as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(k)          other unsecured Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Credit Party, not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(l)          the Obligations;

 

(m)          Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables SPV in a Permitted Receivables Transaction; and

 

(n)          Indebtedness in respect of the Private Placement Notes as of the Closing Date;

 

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provided , in each case that no Subsidiary shall issue, Guarantee or incur any Indebtedness under any Private Placement Note or any other senior notes of the Borrower or, if applicable, senior notes of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, unless such Subsidiary is also a Guarantor.

 

7.02         Restrictions on Liens . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien of any kind upon any property or assets of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; or sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles or chattel paper, with or without recourse, except as follows (the “ Permitted Liens ”):

 

(a)           Liens (i) to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges or (ii) on properties to secure claims for labor, material or supplies, in each case, in respect of obligations not overdue or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided that, if the obligation with respect to which any such Lien arises is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, such obligation may remain unpaid during the pendency of such proceedings as long as the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary shall have set aside on their books adequate reserves with respect thereto);

 

(b)           deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment or performance of, or the provision of services by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to a customer, workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security obligations other than any Lien imposed by ERISA and not permitted pursuant to Section 7.07 ;

 

(c)           Liens in respect of judgments or awards (i) which have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review and in respect of which the Borrower or such Subsidiary maintains adequate reserves or (ii) that secure judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(i) ;

 

(d)           Liens of carriers, warehousemen, repairmen, landlords, mechanics and materialmen, and other like Liens, in existence less than one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not overdue; provided , that such Liens may continue to exist for a period of more than one hundred twenty (120) days if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested by the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto as required by GAAP; and provided further , that the Borrower or such Subsidiary will pay any such claim forthwith upon commencement of proceedings to foreclose any such Lien;

 

(e)           encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlord’s or lessor’s Liens under leases to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party, and other minor Liens none of which in the opinion of the Borrower or such Subsidiary interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(f)            Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01(d) incurred in connection with the lease or acquisition of property or fixed assets or industrial bond financings; provided , that such Liens shall encumber only the property or assets so acquired or financed and shall not exceed the purchase price thereof;

 

(g)          Liens, whether created by contract, law, regulation or ordinance, securing Indebtedness permitted by Sections 7.01(b) , (e) , or (g) ; provided , that any security granted therefor is limited to (i) rights to payment under, and use of equipment or related assets to perform, the contracts to which such guaranty, suretyship or bond obligations relate or is otherwise on terms (including subordination terms) reasonably acceptable to the Global Agent, (ii) Liens arising under the laws of suretyship and (iii) similar Liens granted in favor of municipalities or other governmental entities pursuant to any Municipal Contract; provided, that such Liens (A) encumber only the containers, bins, carts and vehicles used in connection with such Municipal Contract and (B) are promptly released as soon as such release is not prohibited under the terms of such Municipal Contract;

 

(h)           Liens listed on Schedule 7.02 hereto;

 

(i)            Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01(h) in the form of L/C Supported IRBs;

 

(j)            Liens securing deposits made on account of liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;

 

(k)           (i) Liens granted to a Receivables SPV in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction and securing Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 in connection therewith and (ii) Liens of a Receivables SPV securing Indebtedness of such Receivables SPV permitted by Section 7.01(m) ; provided , in the case of clause (i) and (ii), that such Liens attach only to the accounts receivable which are the subject of such Indebtedness and to the Equity Interests of the Receivables SPV;

 

(l)            Liens granted in connection with secured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 7.01(a) or (i) ;

 

(m)          Liens granted to secure Indebtedness and other liabilities and obligations under any Covenanted Senior Debt so long as the Obligations are simultaneously secured on a pari passu basis pursuant to customary documentation reasonably acceptable to the Agents;

 

(n)          [reserved];

 

(o)          good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders and contracts, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations and deposits to secure surety or appeal bonds or import duties or other obligations and arrangements described in Section 7.01(e) , in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(p)          Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository institution;

 

(q)          any Liens related to a sale and leaseback transaction permitted pursuant to Section 7.05 ; and

 

(r)           any Lien on cash or cash equivalents arising from any escrow or cash collateral account for the benefit of any Hedge Bank or other Swap Contract counterparty in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.01(f) with respect to a Subsidiary of the Borrower who is not a Credit Party.

 

7.03         Restrictions on Investments . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Investments other than:

 

(a)           ordinary course Investments made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time in cash and cash equivalents;

 

(b)           subject to Sections 7.01(c) , 7.03(d) (solely in respect of the proviso thereof) and 7.04(c) , Investments in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)           Investments consisting of guarantees by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.01 ; and

 

(d)           other Investments so long as (i) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA previously approved in the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Investment (with such amounts adjusted as if such Investment occurred on the first day of the Pro Forma Reference Period)), (ii) at the time of such Investment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (iii) to the extent such proposed Investment constitutes a transaction described in Section 7.04(a) , the Borrower and its Subsidiaries comply with the additional requirements set forth in such Section 7.04(a) ; provided , that the aggregate amount of all Investments in non-wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower shall not exceed 10.0% of consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements); provided, further, that the aggregate amount of all Investments in any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and in related businesses shall not exceed U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S$200,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

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7.04       Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets; Permitted Intercompany Financings.

 

   (a)          The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, become a party to any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or effect any asset acquisition or Equity Interest acquisition (other than, in each case (i) the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps, (ii) the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (iii) any Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Borrower or with any one or more Subsidiaries (an “ Intercompany Business Combination ”); provided that (A) if any transaction shall be between the Borrower and a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, (B) if any transaction shall be between a Credit Party (other than the Borrower) and a Subsidiary (including a Subsidiary that is a Credit Party), a Credit Party that is a constituent party to such transaction shall be (x) the continuing or surviving Person and (y) a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, unless such other survivor shall be or become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and becomes a Credit Party pursuant to Section 6.16 and (C) if any transaction shall be between a Subsidiary and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (iv) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect Dispositions permitted under Section 7.04(b) (such transactions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), an “ Excluded Transaction ”)), and except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.04(a) . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries may purchase or otherwise acquire assets or the Equity Interests of any other Person (without limiting any Excluded Transaction) including any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect such purchase or acquisition; provided , that any Intercompany Business Combination must in all cases comply with clause (iii) above (the “ Intercompany Business Combination Provisions ”); and provided , further , that:

 

(i)          the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA previously approved in the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition (with such amounts adjusted as if such acquisition occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(ii)         at the time of such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such acquisition will not otherwise create a Default or an Event of Default hereunder;

 

(iii)        to the extent the Borrower and the Subsidiaries use, directly or indirectly, any proceeds of the Loans in connection with such acquisition, such use of proceeds is in accordance with Section 5.15 ; and

 

(iv)        to the extent such acquisition involves a change of control, such change of control is in accordance with Section 8.01(l) .

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this clause (a) with respect to any transaction that may be otherwise permitted by this clause (a) , (i) the Borrower shall not consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity, and (ii) no Credit Party (other than the Borrower) shall consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity unless (A) any such other survivor shall be or become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and becomes a Credit Party pursuant to Section 6.16 , or (B) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is to effect a Disposition permitted under Section 7.04(b) .

 

(b)          Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall effect any Disposition of assets, other than, in each case subject, if applicable, to compliance with the Intercompany Business Combination Provisions of Section 7.04(a) : (i) the sale of inventory, the licensing of intellectual property and the Disposition of obsolete or surplus assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (ii) a Disposition of assets from (A) one Credit Party to any other Credit Party or (B) a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Credit Party to another Subsidiary of the Borrower or to the Borrower, (iii) the sale or exchange of routes and related assets which, in the business judgment of the Borrower does not, and will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than 12.5% of the value of the consolidated total assets of the Consolidated Group (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements) over the term of this Agreement transferred in connection with an asset sale or swap, which sale or swap, in the business judgment of the Borrower, will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (v) the sale, lease, assignment, transfer or other Disposition of Receivables in connection with any Permitted Receivables Transaction and (vi) any sale and leaseback transaction permitted by Section 7.05 .

 

(c)          The Borrower and its Subsidiaries may engage in Permitted Intercompany Financings with Transaction Subsidiaries; provided , that (x) the Permitted Intercompany Financings are consummated on terms acceptable to the Agents with such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned (y) [reserved] and (z) the structure of and documentation evidencing the Permitted Intercompany Financings shall be satisfactory in all respects to the Agents with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, and, if requested, the Credit Parties shall provide the Agents with copies of any and all documentation evidencing such Permitted Intercompany Financing. In addition, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agents all loan documents as may be requested by either Agent in connection with such Permitted Intercompany Financings, including without limitation documentation necessary to evidence that, no Default shall exist or result from the consummation of such Permitted Intercompany Financing.

 

7.05         Sale and Leaseback . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall sell or transfer any property owned by either the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in order then or thereafter to lease such property or lease other property which the Borrower or such Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, except, in each case, where a Disposition is not prohibited under Section 7.04(b) and the Indebtedness arising therefrom is not prohibited under Section 7.01(i) .

 

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7.06         Restricted Payments and Redemptions . The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payments ( provided , however , that neither the exercise of common stock purchase warrants or options to purchase common stock on a “cashless” exercise basis under the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans shall constitute a purchase or redemption of Equity Interests), except that (a) (i) any Credit Party may make any Restricted Payment to another Credit Party and (ii) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower, any other Credit Party and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made, (b) the Borrower may make any Restricted Payment so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would be created by the making of such Restricted Payment ( provided , that if as of the end of any fiscal quarter in any fiscal year (and after giving effect to any Indebtedness incurred to finance such Restricted Payment, if any), the Consolidated Group have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, as determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered to the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04 , the Borrower shall not make Restricted Payments in excess of the Distribution Limitation in the aggregate in such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04 ; provided further , that if (x) the Borrower shall be prohibited from making Restricted Payments in excess of the Distribution Limitation in the aggregate in any fiscal year as a result of the application of the foregoing Leverage Ratio and (y) the Borrower shall have previously made Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount greater than or equal to the Distribution Limitation during such fiscal year, the Borrower shall not be deemed to be in violation of this Section 7.06 as a result of such pre-existing Restricted Payments but shall not make any additional Restricted Payments for the remainder of such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the Agents pursuant to Section 6.04 ) and (c) the Borrower may make cash payments to its employees and non-employee directors pursuant to one or more profit sharing, equity incentive or other benefit plan.

 

7.07         Employee Benefit Plans . Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate will:

 

(a)           engage in any “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise incur any excise taxes under Sections 4971, 4975, 4980B or 4980D of the Code which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(b)           fail to satisfy the Pension Funding Rules with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or fail to meet or seek any waiver of the minimum funding standards or incur any funding shortfall (within the meaning of Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA or Sections 430 and 436 of the Code) with respect to any such Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

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(c)           fail to contribute to any Pension Plan to an extent which, or terminate any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) in a manner which, could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien securing material obligations (and in any event obligations in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) on any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 303(k) or Section 4068 of ERISA or Section 430(k) of the Code; or

 

(d)           post any security pursuant to Section 436(f) of the Code or fail to meet the minimum required contribution payment obligations under Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(e)           permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit liabilities (within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA) of all Pension Plans (other than any Multiemployer Plans) exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Pension Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

(f)           incur any withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA with respect to any Multiemployer Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000) for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

7.08         Burdensome Agreements . Except as required by any Municipal Contract, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement, enforceable under applicable law, which directly or indirectly prohibits the Borrower or such Subsidiary from (a) making Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any other Credit Party or otherwise transferring property to or investing in the Borrower or any other Credit Party, except for any such agreement or arrangement in effect at the time such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such agreement or arrangement was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) Guaranteeing the Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Credit Party or (c) creating or incurring any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest or Lien in favor of the Agents for the benefit of the Lenders and the Agents under the Loan Documents other than customary anti-assignment provisions in leases and licensing agreements entered into by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, in each case other than (A) any restriction with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the Disposition of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary permitted under the terms of this Agreement pending the closing of such Disposition, (B) any restriction in the form of customary provisions with respect to Disposition of Investments held by the Borrower or a Subsidiary and permitted under the terms of this Agreement, (C) restrictions on specific assets which assets are the subject of purchase money security interests to the extent permitted under Section 7.02 solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness, (D) restrictions on any Receivables SPV or the Equity Interests, securities or other obligations thereof pursuant to customary documentation entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction, (E) any restriction pursuant to an agreement governing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01 , including customary subordination provisions, (F) customary anti-assignment provisions contained in leases, licensing agreements and permits issued by Governmental Authorities, in each case entered into by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, and (G) in connection with restrictions imposed by applicable Laws.

 

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7.09         Business Activities . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will engage directly or indirectly (whether through Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Merger Transactions) and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 7.03 and 7.04 .

 

7.10         Transactions with Affiliates . Except with respect to the Permitted Intercompany Financings, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will engage in any transaction with any non-Subsidiary Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an arm’s-length basis in the ordinary course of business.

 

7.11         Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) prepay, redeem or repurchase any Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.01 (other than the Obligations) unless no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would be created thereby and (ii) amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of (a) any Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 7.01 in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Required Lenders, except for any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof permitted by Section 7.01 and (b) the Master Note Purchase Agreements in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Required Lenders.

 

7.12         Accounting Changes . Subject also to Section 1.03(b) , neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will make any change in its accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.

 

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7.13         Use of Proceeds . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose; provided , that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may use the proceeds of Loans advanced hereunder to purchase stock of the Borrower as permitted under Section 7.06 so long such stock is retired upon the consummation of the applicable repurchase.

 

7.14         Financial Covenants.

 

(a)            Leverage Ratio . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall permit, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of (i) (x) Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding on such date less (y) the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of such date in excess of U.S.$50,000,000 up to a maximum of U.S.$200,000,000 (such that the maximum amount of reduction pursuant to this subclause (y) does not exceed U.S.$150,000,000) to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date (the “ Leverage Ratio ”), to exceed 3.50:1.00; provided that in the event of an acquisition permitted under Section 7.03 and Section 7.04 having an aggregate purchase price equal to U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$200,000,000 or greater which would result in a pro forma Leverage Ratio (after taking into account all existing Consolidated Total Funded Debt and all Consolidated Total Funded Debt to be incurred, assumed or repaid in connection with such acquisition) of 3.00:1.00 or higher, then, at the election of the Borrower, the foregoing 3.50:1.00 ratio shall be deemed to be 3.75:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such acquisition occurs and the three immediately following fiscal quarters and the maximum permitted Leverage Ratio will thereafter revert to 3.50:1.00. The Borrower may utilize this deemed Leverage Ratio increase no more than once in any four fiscal quarter period.

 

(b)            Interest Coverage Ratio . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Total Interest Expense, in each case for the Reference Period ending on such date, to be less than 2.75:1.00.

 

7.15         Merger Agreement . The Merger Agreement shall not have been altered, amended or otherwise changed or supplemented or any condition therein waived without prior written consent of the Required Lenders to the extent any such alteration, amendment or other change or waiver could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Lenders.

 

7.16         Sanctions . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity to fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Agents, L/C Issuers, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

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7.17         Anti-Corruption Laws.   Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

7.18         Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans.

 

(a)          Without the prior written consent of the Global Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada shall have any liability in respect of a new “multi-employer pension plan,” as that term is defined in Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (Canada) or equivalent provincial legislation, if such liabilities would exceed the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(b)          Without the prior written consent of the Global Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada shall establish, adopt or agree to contribute to any new Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA) or acquire any Person who sponsors, maintains, administers, or is or may be required to contribute to a Canadian Pension Plan with a defined benefit provision, if the hypothetical wind up deficit in respect of the Canadian Pension Plans is estimated to exceed the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000 in the aggregate; or

 

(c)          Without the prior written consent of the Global Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries organized in Canada shall take any action to effect the full or partial termination, or to cause any Canadian Governmental Authority to order the full or partial termination, of any Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA), if such full or partial termination is estimated to give rise to a wind up deficit in excess of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

ARTICLE VIII.         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01         Events of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a)           the Credit Parties fail to pay any principal of the Loans or any L/C Obligation when the same shall become due and payable, whether at the Maturity Date, or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;

 

(b)           the Credit Parties fail to pay any interest or fees or other amounts owing under the Loan Documents within five (5) Business Days after the same shall become due and payable whether at the Maturity Date or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for payment;

 

(c)           the Credit Parties fail to comply with the covenants contained in Sections 6.05 , 6.13 , 6.14 , 6.15 , 6.17 , or Article VII ;

 

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(d)           the Credit Parties fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents (other than those specified in subsections (a) , (b) and (c) above) within thirty (30) days after the earlier of: (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) written notice of such failure having been given to the Borrower by either Agent or any Lender;

 

(e)           any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement proves to have been false in any material respect upon the date when made or repeated;

 

(f)            the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries fails to pay at maturity, or within any applicable period of grace, any and all obligations for borrowed money (other than the Obligations) or any guaranty with respect thereto in an aggregate amount greater than U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$50,000,000 or fails to observe or perform any term, covenant or agreement contained in any agreement by which it is bound, evidencing or securing borrowed money in an aggregate amount greater than U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$50,000,000 for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice if required) the holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued thereunder to accelerate the maturity thereof or require such obligations to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed in an amount greater than U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$50,000,000 prior to its stated maturity, unless the same shall have been waived by the holder(s) thereof;

 

(g)           the Borrower, any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding;

 

(h)          (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy;

 

(i)            there remains in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and unstayed, for more than forty-five (45) days, whether or not consecutive, any final judgment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, with other outstanding final judgments against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, exceeds in the aggregate U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000 after taking into account any undisputed insurance coverage;

 

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(j)            (i) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000, or (ii) the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period (or any period during which (x) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to contest its obligations to make such payment without incurring any liability (other than interest) or penalty and (y) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is contesting such obligation in good faith and by appropriate proceedings), any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$35,000,000, or (iii) if (x) the aggregate present value of accrued benefit liabilities under all funded Non-U.S. Plans exceeds the aggregate current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plans allocable to such liabilities, (y) the Borrower or any Subsidiary fails to administer or maintain a Non-U.S. Plan in compliance with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations or court orders or any Non-U.S. Plan is involuntarily terminated or wound up, in either case giving rise to a liability in excess of U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$10,000,000, or (z) the Borrower or any Subsidiary becomes subject to the imposition of a material financial penalty (which for this purpose shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans and any such event or events described in clause (iii) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(k)           any of the Loan Documents is cancelled, terminated, revoked or rescinded, in each case other than in accordance with the terms thereof or with the express prior written agreement, consent or approval of the Lenders, or any action at law, suit in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind any of the Loan Documents is commenced by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any stockholder of the Borrower who is an officer or director of the Borrower, or any court or any other governmental or regulatory authority or agency of competent jurisdiction makes a determination that, or issues a judgment, order, decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of the Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with the terms thereof;

 

(l)           (i) the Borrower at any time legally or beneficially owns less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interests of each of the Credit Parties (directly or indirectly), or (ii) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act) has acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors of the Borrower; or, during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the Borrower on the first day of such period cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors unless such new directors were approved by a majority of the directors who were directors on the first day of such period; provided , however , that any such change of control described in this clause (ii) resulting from an acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation permitted under Section 7.04 shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default hereunder provided that such change of control does not involve any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act) acquiring beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors of the Borrower;

 

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(m)          the occurrence of a “Change of Control” under and as defined in any documents executed and/or delivered in connection any Covenanted Senior Debt.

 

8.02         Remedies Upon Event of Default . If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Agents shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders:

 

(a)          declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and purchase Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and any obligation of any L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

 

(b)          declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Credit Parties;

 

(c)          require that the Credit Parties Cash Collateralize the Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and

 

(d)          exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers any other right or remedy available under any other Loan Document, at law, in equity, under any other instrument, document or agreement or otherwise;

 

provided , however , that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada) or the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), each as now and hereafter in effect, or any successors to such statutes or any similar Debtor Relief Law that imposes any stay on the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or upon the consummation of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law under which a stay or similar injunction is requested, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of any L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Credit Parties to Cash Collateralize the Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes or L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Agents, any L/C Issuer or any Lender.

 

The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law, in equity, under any other instrument, document or agreement or otherwise, whether now existing or hereafter arising.

 

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8.03         Application of Funds . After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 10.12 and 2.18 , be applied by the Agents in the following order:

 

First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Agents and amounts payable under Article III ) payable to the Agents in their capacity as such;

 

Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest, Drawing Fees and L/C Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel to the respective Lenders and the respective L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III ), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid L/C Fees, Drawing Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth , ratably (a) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Obligations then owing under Hedge Agreements and Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them, and (b) to the Global Agent for the account of the Applicable Revolving Lenders, to Cash Collateralize all Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes;

 

Fifth , to the applicable Agent for the account of applicable L/C Issuers, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Credit Parties pursuant to Sections 2.06(c) and 2.18 ; and

 

Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.18 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Amounts used to Cash Collateralize the Outstanding Amount of all Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes shall be applied to the repayment of such Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes on the Contract Maturity Date thereof in accordance with Section 2.05(e)(i) . If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes have either been fully repaid or Cash Collateralized, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Cash Management Agreements and Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Agents have not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Agents may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to the Credit Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Agents pursuant to the terms of Article IX hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

ARTICLE IX.          AGENTS

 

9.01         Appointment and Authorization of the Agents . (a) Each of the Lenders and each L/C Issuer hereby (i) irrevocably appoints (x) BOA Canada to act on its behalf as the Global Agent, and (y) Bank of America to act on its behalf as the U.S. Agent, in each case hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) authorizes each of the Global Agent and the U.S. Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Global Agent and the U.S. Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Global Agent, the U.S. Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, and no Credit Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties

 

9.02         Rights as a Lender . Any Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “the Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

9.03         Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent:

 

(a)           shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(b)          shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(c)          shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity; and

 

(d)          shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 8.02 and 11.01 ) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice describing such Default is given in writing to such Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an L/C Issuer. No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Global Agent or the U.S. Agent, as applicable.

 

9.04         Reliance by the Agents . Each of the Agents shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each of the Agents also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, each of the Agents may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such L/C Issuer unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each of the Agents may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Credit Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

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9.05         Delegation of Duties . Each of the Agents may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each of the Agents and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Agents and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Agents. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that such Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

9.06         Resignation of the Agents .

 

(a)          Either Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in United States and Canada, or an Affiliate or branch of any such bank with an office in the United States and Canada. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “ Resignation Effective Date ”), then the retiring Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b)          If the Person serving as either Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “ Removal Effective Date ”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

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(c)          With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by such Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Global Agent or U.S. Agent, as applicable, is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Global Agent or U.S. Agent, as applicable, is appointed as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Global Agent or U.S. Agent, as applicable, hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the applicable retiring (or removed) Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(h) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the applicable retiring or removed Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the applicable retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After any retiring or removed Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while such retiring or removed Agent was acting as Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Agent.

 

(d)          Any resignation by BOA Canada as Global Agent or Bank of America as U.S. Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute their respective resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If BOA Canada resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Loans, as applicable, or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) . If BOA Canada resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c) . If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans, as applicable, or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) . Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to BOA Canada or Bank of America, as applicable, to effectively assume the obligations of BOA Canada or Bank of America, respectively, with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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9.07         Non-Reliance on the Agents and the Other Lenders . Each Lender and each L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

9.08         No Other Duties, Etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender holding a title listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Global Agent, U.S. Agent, a Lender or an L/C Issuer hereunder.

 

9.09         The Agents May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, each of the Agents (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether either Agent shall have made any demand on the Credit Parties) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise;

 

(a)          to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Agents (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Agents and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Agents under Sections 2.03(h) and (i) , 2.10 and 11.04 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)          to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each L/C Issuer to make such payments to either Agent and, in the event that either Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and each L/C Issuer, to pay to such Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due such Agent under Sections 2.10 and 11.04 . Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize either Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize either Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

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9.10         Release of Credit Parties . The Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuers irrevocably authorize the Agents to release any Credit Party (other than the Borrower) from its obligations under the Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder or, in the case of a Transaction Subsidiary, such Transaction Subsidiary both (x) ceases to be a Transaction Subsidiary and (y) is not also listed on Part I of Schedule 2. Upon request by the Agents at any time, subject to the provisions of Section 11.01(g) , the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Agents’ authority to release any Credit Party from its obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to this Section 9.10 .

 

9.11         Cash Management Agreements and Hedge Agreements . No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 8.03, the Guaranty by virtue of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Agents shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Cash Management Agreements and Hedge Agreements unless the Agents have received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Agents may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE X.           CONTINUING GUARANTY

 

10.01       Guaranty . Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all of the Obligations, whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, damages, costs, expenses or otherwise, of the Credit Parties to the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders, and whether arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document, any Cash Management Agreement or any Hedge Agreement (including all renewals, extensions, amendments, refinancings and other modifications thereof and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders in connection with the collection or enforcement thereof pursuant to Sections 11.04(a) and 11.04(b) ). Subject to Section 2.12 , the Agents’ books and records showing the amount of the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon the Guarantors, and conclusive (absent manifest error) for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Obligations. The obligations of each of the Guarantors under the provisions of this Article X constitute full recourse obligations of each of such Guarantors, enforceable against each such Guarantor to the full extent of its properties and assets. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor (if any), or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense (other than defense of payment) to the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty, and each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each applicable Guarantor hereunder at any time shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount (i) that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code), or any comparable provision of any federal, provincial, territorial or state or any other Debtor Relief Law, or, (ii) for PWS Luxembourg, that would not render its obligation unenforceable as not being justified by the corporate benefit thereof.

 

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10.02       Rights of Lenders . Each of the Guarantors consents and agrees that the Borrower and the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security (if any given) for the payment of this Guaranty or any Obligations; (c) apply such security (if any given) and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Guarantors consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

 

10.03       Certain Waivers . Each of the Guarantors waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other Guarantor (in each case, other than defense of payment), or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Agent, any L/C Issuer, any Hedge Bank, any Cash Management Bank and any Lender) of the liability of the Borrower; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder consistent with applicable Law; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrower, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Agent, any L/C Issuer, any Hedge Bank, any Cash Management Bank and any Lender whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter (if any) held by any Agent, any L/C Issuer, any Hedge Bank, any Cash Management Bank and any Lender; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses (other than defense of payment) or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each of the Credit Parties expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Obligations.

 

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10.04       Obligations Independent . The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder are not merely as surety and are joint and several obligations with each of the other Guarantors (without preferences or distinction among them) and are independent of the Obligations and the obligations of any other Guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against any Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other person or entity is joined as a party and without first making any claim against the Borrower or any other Guarantor.

 

10.05       Subrogation . No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been paid and performed in full and the Commitments and the Facilities are terminated. If any amounts are paid to any Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders to reduce the amount of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured. If, for any reason, any of the trusts expressed to be created in this Section should fail or be unenforceable, the affected Guarantor will promptly pay or distribute the amounts equal to that receipt or recovery to the the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders for application in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

10.06       Termination; Reinstatement . This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of all Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until all Obligations and any other amounts payable under this Guaranty, in each case, other than contingent obligations (it being acknowledged for this purpose that obligations under a Hedge Agreement or a Cash Management Agreement are not contingent liabilities) that survive payment in full of all principal, interest and fees under this Agreement are paid in full in cash and the Commitments and the Facilities with respect to the Obligations are terminated, whereupon this guaranty shall terminate automatically without further action required whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Guarantor is made, or any of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of the Guarantors under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Guaranty.

 

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10.07       Subordination . In accordance with Section 11.23 , each of the Guarantors hereby subordinates the payment of all obligations and indebtedness of the Borrower and each other Guarantor owing to such Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including but not limited to any obligation of the Borrower to such Guarantor as subrogee of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders or resulting from such Guarantor performance under this Guaranty, to the payment in full in cash of all Obligations, to the extent not prohibited under applicable Law. If the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders so request during the continuance of an Event of Default, any such obligation or indebtedness of the Borrower and each other Guarantor to any Guarantor shall be enforced and performance received by such Guarantor as trustee for the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the Agents for application to the Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty.

 

10.08       Stay of Acceleration . If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against any Guarantor or the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by such Guarantor immediately upon written demand by the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders.

 

10.09       Condition of Borrower . Each of the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower and any other Guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower and any such other Guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders at any time, to disclose to such Guarantor any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or any other Guarantor (such Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).

 

10.10       Keepwell . Each Credit Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty hereunder, in each case, by any Specified Credit Party, becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Credit Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Credit Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Credit Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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10.11       [Reserved].

 

10.12       Designation of the Borrower as the Agent for the Credit Parties . For purposes of this Agreement, on and after the Closing Date, each Credit Party (other than the Borrower) hereby designates the Borrower as the agent and representative of each Guarantor for all purposes hereunder (including with respect to any notices, demands, communications or requests under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents) and the Borrower hereby accepts each such appointment. The Agents and each Lender may regard any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document from the Borrower as a notice or communication from all the Credit Parties, and may give any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to any Credit Party or the Credit Parties hereunder to the Borrower on behalf of such Credit Party or the Credit Parties. Each Credit Party agrees that each notice, election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking expressly made on its behalf by the Borrower shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Credit Party and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Credit Party to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Credit Party.

 

10.13       Luxembourg Guaranty Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article X, the aggregate maximum amount payable by PWS Luxembourg in respect of the aggregate amount of its guaranty obligations under this Article X shall not include any obligation which, if incurred, would constitute an abuse of assets as defined by article 171-1 of the 1915 Law, and shall be limited at any time to an amount (the “ Amount ”) not exceeding the aggregate of:

 

(a) the aggregate of all principal amounts (if any) borrowed directly or indirectly by or made available by whatever means to PWS Luxembourg from one or more other members of the Consolidated Group that have been financed by a borrowing under the Existing Progressive Credit Agreement and/or this Agreement, plus

 

(b) 90 percent of PWS Luxembourg’s net assets ( capitaux propres ) and the subordinated debt ( dettes subordonnées ) owed by PWS Luxembourg to its shareholders (excluding however any amounts taken into account under (a) above) (the “ Luxembourg Subordinated Debt ”), as determined by article 34 of the Luxembourg law of December 19, 2002 on the Register of Commerce and Companies, on accounting and on annual accounts of the companies (the “ 2002 Law ”) at the date of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE XI.          MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.01       Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Credit Parties or the applicable Credit Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Agents, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a)           waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01(a) without the written consent of each Lender except that, in the sole discretion of the Agents, only a waiver by the Agents shall be required with respect to immaterial matters or items noted in any post-closing letter made available to the Lenders with respect to which the Credit Parties have given assurances satisfactory to the Agents that such items shall be delivered promptly following the Closing Date;

 

(b)           extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or any Term Loan Commitment after the initial funding thereof on the Closing Date) without the written consent of such Lender;

 

(c)           postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments, if any) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that any vote to rescind acceleration of amounts owing with respect to the Loans and other Obligations under the Loan Documents shall only require the approval of the Required Lenders);

 

(d)           reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 11.01 with respect to the Fee Letters) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby except that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to pay interest or L/C Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee;

 

(e)           change Section 2.14 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(f)           change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(g)           except as provided in Section 9.10 , release the Borrower or all or substantially all of the other Credit Parties from their Obligations under the Loan Documents or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender; or

 

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(h)           release all or substantially all of any collateral hereafter securing all or any portion of the Obligations without the written consent of each Lender, subject to customary Lien release exceptions as may be provided in the documentation pursuant to which any such collateral is obtained;

 

and, provided further , that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by an L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the applicable Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of such Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) each Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto; and (v) in no event shall any condition set forth in Section 4.02 as to any Credit Extension under the Revolving Credit Facility be waived without the written consent of Revolving Lenders holding over fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Revolving Commitments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender, and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 11.01 to the contrary but subject to Section 2.15 (including those matters that may be addressed in a Conforming Amendment without the requirement for additional consents pursuant to Section 2.15 ), this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Agents and the Credit Parties (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Agents and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

 

11.02       Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.

 

(a)            Notices Generally . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

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(i)          if to the Borrower or any other Credit Party, either Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02 ; and

 

(ii)         if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Credit Parties), as may be updated pursuant to Section 11.02(d) .

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient), with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment. Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b) .

 

(b)           Electronic Communications . Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agents, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuers pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable has notified the Agents that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Agents, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuers or any Credit Party may each, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by them, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Agents otherwise prescribe, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided , that for both clauses (i) and (ii) , if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, e-mail or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

 

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(c)           The Platform . THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall either Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to any Credit Party, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Credit Parties’ or either Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided , however , that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to any Credit Party, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

(d)           Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Credit Parties, the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender may change its respective address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Credit Parties, the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Agents from time to time to ensure that the Agents have on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal, Canadian Federal, state, provincial and territorial securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Credit Parties or their securities for purposes of United States Federal, Canadian Federal, state, provincial and territorial securities laws.

 

(e)           Reliance by the Agents, L/C Issuers and the Lenders . The Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic notices, Committed Loan Notices, L/C Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Credit Parties shall indemnify the Agents, each L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Credit Parties, except in the case of any of the foregoing Persons who are seeking indemnification hereunder, to the extent such reliance resulted from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with either Agent may be recorded by such Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

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11.03       No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement . No failure by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Agents in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of the Agents, all of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Agents from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender or either Agent from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.14 ), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Credit Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Global Agent or U.S. Agent, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to such Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) , (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.14 , any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

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11.04       Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)           Costs and Expenses . The Credit Parties shall pay following the receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Agents and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one U.S. counsel and one outside Canadian counsel, and one outside counsel in Luxembourg and each other foreign jurisdictions in which any Credit Party is located and additional local counsel in Canada necessary for any Lien termination required by the Agents, for the Agents and their respective Affiliates, collectively), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, due diligence, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by each L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by either Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for either Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that for any individual enforcement action or series or related actions, the Credit Parties shall not be required to pay legal fees, charges and disbursements of more than one primary outside U.S. counsel and one primary outside Canadian counsel, and one outside counsel in Luxembourg and each other foreign jurisdiction in which any Credit Party is located and in addition to any reasonably necessary local outside counsel for the Agents, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers collectively, unless the representation of all such Persons by one counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, in which case the Credit Parties shall also be required to pay the legal fees, charges and disbursements of additional outside counsel to such conflicted Persons), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made, Bankers’ Acceptances or BA Equivalent Notes purchased or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

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(b)           Indemnification by the Credit Parties . The Credit Parties shall indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Arranger, each Lender and each L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including settlement costs and the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee; provided that for any individual claim or series or related claims, this indemnity shall only apply to the legal fees, charges and disbursements of one primary outside U.S. counsel and one primary outside Canadian counsel, and one outside counsel in Luxembourg and each other foreign jurisdiction in which any Credit Parties is located and in addition to any reasonably necessary local outside counsel for all Indemnitees, unless the representation of all Indemnitees by one counsel would be inappropriate due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, in which case this indemnity shall also apply to the legal fees, charges and disbursements of additional outside counsel to such conflicted Indemnitees), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including any Credit Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Agents (and any sub-agent thereof) and their respective Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note, or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Credit Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE ; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Credit Party against such Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations (if any) hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or any other Credit Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting or duplicating the provisions of Section 3.01(c) , this Section 11.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)           Reimbursement by the Lenders . To the extent that the Credit Parties for any reason fail to pay any amount required under subsection (a ) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to either Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing (and without limiting their obligation to do so), each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought); provided , that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against either Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.13(d) .

 

(d)           Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Credit Parties shall not assert, and hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(e)            Payments . All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.

 

(f)            Survival . The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(e) shall survive the resignation of either Agent, an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

 

11.05       Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Credit Parties is made to either Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender, or either Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such Agent, such L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and each L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to such Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by such Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

11.06       Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)            Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agents, the L/C Issuers and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (e) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b)           Assignments by the Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b) , participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           Minimum Amounts .

 

(A)         In the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such Assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)         In any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agents or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than U.S.$5,000,000 unless each of the Agents and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consent (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(ii)          Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Revolving Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;

 

(iii)         Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)         The consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless they object thereto by written notice to the Agents within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B)         The consent of the Agents (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and

 

(C)         The consent of the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Commitments.

 

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(iv)         Assignment and Assumption . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agents an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of U.S.$3,500; provided , however, that, the Agents may, in their sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Agents an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(v)          No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made (A) to any Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B) , (C) to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person), or (D) to any Person who is not qualified to lend to the Borrower in the currencies required of Lenders in the applicable Class.

 

(vi)         Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Agents in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Agents, the applicable pro rata share of Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to either Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

(vii)        Assignments Among Classes . Subject to Section 11.06(b)(iii)(A) , the Global Agent or U.S. Agent may reallocate the Revolving Commitments among Classes in connection with any assignment of the Revolving Commitment of any Revolving Lender of one Class to a Revolving Lender of another Class; provided , that such assignment, and the reallocation of Loans and risk participations of any Class in connection therewith, shall not cause the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Lender to exceed its Revolving Commitment. In such event, each Agent is hereby authorized by the parties to update Schedule 2.01 as applicable, to include reflect all such assignments.

 

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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Agents pursuant to clause (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits and subject to the obligations of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 , 3.05 , and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c)           Register . The Agents, acting solely for this purpose as agents of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Global Agent’s Office and U.S. Agent’s Office, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by each of the Borrower, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a consent for a material or substantive change to the Loan Documents is pending, any Lender may request and receive from the Agents a copy of the Register. Upon its receipt of and, if required, consent to, a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Eligible Assignee, such Eligible Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 3.01 (unless such assignee is already a Lender), together with the fee payable under Section 11.06(b)(iii) , the Agents will, on the effective date thereof, record the Assignment and Assumption on the Register.

 

(d)           Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Agents, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries), in each case, that is legally entitled to deliver the IRS form(s) and other documentation described in Section 3.01(e) , as applicable (as if it were a Lender), demonstrating a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to Laws in effect on the date on which such Person acquires the participation (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided , that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, either Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 11.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.

 

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Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 11.01 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits and subject to the obligations of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements, required representations, and limitations in such Sections) and shall be subject to the mitigation obligations and replacement pursuant to Section 3.06 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided , that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.01, 3.06 and 11.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04 , with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation, which Change in Law would have entitled the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation to receive such greater payment. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided , that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.14 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided , that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agents (in their capacity as Agents) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(e)           Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(f)           Resignation as L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender after Assignment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America, BOA Canada and any other L/C Issuer assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Committed Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances and BA Equivalent Notes pursuant to Section 11.06(b) , Bank of America, BOA Canada, and any other L/C Issuer may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) in the case of BOA Canada, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender, as applicable. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America, BOA Canada and any other L/C Issuer as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America, BOA Canada and any other L/C Issuer resign as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans, as applicable, or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If BOA Canada resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans, as applicable, or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c) . Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America, BOA Canada and any other L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America, BOA Canada and any other L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

(g)          The parties hereby agree that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may, without notice to the Borrower, assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement.

 

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11.07       Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality . Each of the Agents, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 11.07 , (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by any Governmental Authority, purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Acceding Lender under Section 2.15(c) or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to either Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. In addition, the Agents and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments. For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary relating to the Credit Parties, any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to either Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Credit Parties or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential (other than Information provided under Sections 6.04 , 6.13 , 6.14 , 6.15 , 6.18 or 7.14 (i.e., such Information provided under such sections does not need to be labeled confidential to be treated as confidential)). Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Agents, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers acknowledge that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States, Federal, Canadian Federal, state, provincial and territorial securities laws.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically prohibited by applicable Law or court order, each of the Agents, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and each of their respective Affiliates shall, prior to disclosure thereof, notify the Borrower of any request for disclosure of any such non-public information by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of such Agent, such Lender, such L/C Issuer or such Affiliate by such Governmental Authority) or pursuant to legal process.

 

The provisions of this Section 11.07 do not apply to any proceedings between the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.08       Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after giving prior written notice to the Agents, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Credit Parties or any of them against any and all of the obligations of such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such L/C Issuer different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided , that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Global Agent or U.S. Agent, as applicable, for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.19 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Agents, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Agents a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Agents promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

11.09       Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law including, but not limited to, the Criminal Code (Canada) (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If the Agents or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Agents or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

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11.10       Counterparts; Effectiveness . This Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Except as provided in Section 4.01 or as provided in the applicable Loan Document, this Agreement or such other Loan Documents shall become effective when they shall have been executed by the Agents and when the Agents shall have received counterparts hereof or thereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement and any other Loan Document by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

11.11       Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by each Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by either Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that either Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan, Bankers’ Acceptance, BA Equivalent Note or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

11.12       Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.12 , if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Agents, the L/C Issuers or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

11.13       Replacement of Lenders . If the Borrower is entitled to replace or remove a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06 , or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace or remove a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Agents, terminate the Commitment, and repay the Loans on a non-pro rata basis, of such Lender and/or require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.06 ), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04 ) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided , that:

 

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(a)           the Borrower or assignee Lender shall have paid to the Agents the assignment fee specified in Section 11.06(b)(iv) unless such assignment fee is waived by the Agents in their sole discretion pursuant to Section 11.06(b)(iv) ;

 

(b)           such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, BA Equivalent Notes and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 ) from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)           in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

(d)          such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

 

(e)           in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

11.14      Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(a)           GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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(b)           SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY PARTY HERETO MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(c)           WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)           SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

11.15       Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

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11.16       Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents . The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Loan Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Agents, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Agents are under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Agents pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

11.17       Anti-Money Laundering Legislation . Each Lender that is subject to the AML Legislation (as hereinafter defined) and the Agents (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) and the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) (collectively, the “ AML Legislation ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes the name and address of each of the Credit Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or the Agents, as applicable, to identify the Credit Parties in accordance with the AML Legislation. The Credit Parties shall, promptly following a request by either Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that such Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the AML Legislation.

 

11.18       No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Credit Parties acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Credit Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Agents, the Arrangers and the Lenders on the other hand, (B) each of the Credit Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Credit Parties is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each Agent, each Arranger and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for any of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Agents nor any Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Agents, the Arrangers, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Credit Parties and their Affiliates, and none of the Agents, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Credit Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that they may have against either Agent, any Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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11.19       ENTIRE AGREEMENT . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

11.20       Judgment Currency . If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Agents could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of each Credit Party in respect of any such sum due from it to the Agents or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Agents or any Lender from such Credit Party in the Agreement Currency, such Credit Party agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Agents or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Agents or any Lender in such currency, the Agents or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Credit Party (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

11.21       Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)          the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

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(b)          the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)          a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)         a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)        the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

11.22       Reserved.

 

11.23       Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.   (a) Each of the Borrower and each other Credit Party, for itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries (each such Credit Party and Subsidiary, a “ Subordinating Loan Party ”), covenants and agrees, in their respective capacities as issuers or holders of any principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any company), fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees and any other sum chargeable to any Subordinating Loan Party or due in respect of the aggregate unpaid amount of all advances, indebtedness, loans, payables and other extensions of credit and obligations made by a Subordinating Loan Party to another Subordinating Loan Party as holder (the “ Intercompany Indebtedness ”), that the payment of any Intercompany Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Section 11.23 , to the payment in full of all Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Cash Management Agreements and Hedge Agreements) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Agents and the applicable L/C Issuer shall have been made) (the “ Discharge of the Senior Obligations ”), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (1) as to any Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Loan Party may make and receive any (x) payments of principal and interest, including, without limitation, prepayments of principal, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Permitted Intercompany Financings to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 11.23 and (2) as to Intercompany Indebtedness other than Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Loan Party may make and receive any (x) regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest as and when due, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 11.23 provided , that in the event that any Subordinating Loan Party receives any payment of any such Intercompany Indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Subordinating Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Agents (provided that, in the event that the Private Placement Notes or other senior unsecured Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01 has the same obligation, the Borrower shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable Agent and to the holders of such Private Placement Notes or other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such Private Placement Notes or other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)).

 

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(b)           Each of the Subordinating Loan Parties, for itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries, by its acceptance of any Intercompany Indebtedness, (i) authorizes the Agents to demand specific performance of the terms of this Section 11.23 at any time when any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness shall have failed to comply with any provisions of this Section 11.23 which are applicable to it and (ii) irrevocably waives to the extent permitted under applicable law any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

 

(c)           Upon any distribution of assets of any Subordinating Loan Party in any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise): (i) the Agents and the Lenders shall first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the Obligations before any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness is entitled to receive any payment on account of such Indebtedness, (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Loan Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any such holder would be entitled except for the provisions of this subsection 11.23(c) , shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution directly to the applicable Agent, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Obligations remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provisions therefor to such Agent, for itself and the other Lenders, (iii) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 11.23(c) , any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Loan Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by any such holder on account of Intercompany Indebtedness before the Discharge of the Senior Obligations, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for and shall be paid over to the applicable Agent, for application to the payment of the Obligations, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to such Agent ( provided that, in the event that the Private Placement Notes or other senior unsecured Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01 has the same obligation, the Borrower shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable Agent and to the holders of such Private Placement Notes or other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such Private Placement Notes or other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)), and (iv) no right of the Agents to enforce the subordination provisions herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Subordinating Loan Party. If, for any reason, any of the trusts expressed to be created in this Section 11.23(c)(iii) should fail or be unenforceable, the affected Subordinating Loan Party will promptly pay or distribute any such payment or distribution of assets to the applicable Agent, for application to the payment of the Obligations for application in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

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(d)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing subordination shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Guarantor is made, or any of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders exercises its right of setoff, in respect of the Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Agents, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks and the Lenders in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER: WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
   
  By /s/ Worthing Jackman
    Name: Worthing Jackman
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

GUARANTORS: COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE,  INC.
  ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
  GOD BLESS THE USA, INCORPORATED
  HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.
  NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
  R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC
  R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.
  R360 ES HOLDINGS, INC.
  R360 WILLISTON BASIN, LLC
  ROCK RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH DAKOTA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
     
  By /s/ Worthing Jackman
    Name: Worthing Jackman
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS US, INC.
  CONSOLIDATED WASTE INDUSTRIES, INC.
  GOLD RIVER HOLDINGS, LLC
  IESI AR LANDFILL CORPORATION
  IESI CORPORATION
  IESI DE LP CORPORATION
  IESI LA LANDFILL CORPORATION
  IESI MD CORPORATION
  IESI MO LANDFILL CORPORATION
  IESI NY CORPORATION
  IESI PA CORPORATION
  IESI PA BETHLEHEM LANDFILL CORPORATION
  IESI PA BLUE RIDGE LANDFILL CORPORATION
  IESI TX GP CORPORATION
  IESI TX LANDFILL LP
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS OF AR, INC.
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS OF FL, INC.
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS OF LA, INC.
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS OF MO, INC.
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS OF TX, INC.
  ROLL-OFF EXPRESS, INC.
  SENECA MEADOWS, INC.
  SUTTER STREET HOLDINGS, LLC
  THE RECYCLING FOUNDATION, INC.
  WASTE SERVICES, INC.
  WSI LLC
  1755869 ALBERTA ULC
  IESI-BFC HOLDINGS INC.
  PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS CANADA INC.
  WASTE CONNECTIONS HOLDINGS LTD.
   
  By /s/ Worthing Jackman
    Name: Worthing Jackman
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  PWS Finance Luxembourg , a Luxembourg société à responsabilité limité , with a share capital of USD 3.018.000,00, having its registered office at 125, avenue du Dix Septembre, L-2551 Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg under number B 177.956
   
  By /s/ Loreto Grimalid
    Name: Loreto Grimaldi
    Title: Type A Manager

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

    

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A ., acting through its canada branch ,
    as Global Agent, Lender, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer
         
    By: /s/ Medina Sales de Andrade  
      Name: Medina Sales de Andrade  
      Title:   Vice President  

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A .,  
  as U.S. Agent and L/C Issuer  
       
       
  By: /s/ Michael Contreras  
    Name: Michael Contreras  
    Title:   Vice President  

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A ., acting through
its canada branch
,
as a Lender
       
       
  By: /s/ Medina Sales de Andrade  
    Name: Medina Sales de Andrade  
    Title:   Vice President  

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as a Lender         
and as L/C issuer
 
       
       
  By: /s/ John Kushnerick  
    Name: John Kushnerick  
    Title:   Executive Director  
       

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Michael N. Tam  
    Name: Michael N. Tam  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK,  
  NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,  
  CANADIAN BRANCH,  
  as a Lender and L/C Issuer  
       
       
  By: /s/ Nick Christopoulos  
    Name: Nick Christopoulos  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD., as a L/C Issuer  
       
       
  By: /s/ Susan Swerdloff  
    Name: Susan Swerdloff  
    Title:   Managing Director  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. , as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Susan Swerdloff  
    Name: Susan Swerdloff  
    Title:   Managing Director  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Andrew R. Campbell  
    Name: Andrew R. Campbell  
    Title:   Authorized Signatory  
       
       
  By: /s/ Zhen Ma  
    Name: Zhen Ma  
    Title:   Authorized Signatory  
       

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  PNC Bank Canada Branch, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Nazmin Adatia  
    Name: Nazmin Adatia  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  COMPASS BANK d/b/a BBVA COMPASS, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Raj Nambiar  
    Name: Raj Nambiar  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, acting through its Canada branch, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ John Rehob  
    Name: John Rehob  
    Title:   Principal Officer & Vice President  
       
       
  By: /s/ Kara P. Van Duzee  
    Name: Kara P. Van Duzee  
    Title:   Vice President  
       

 

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  Fifth Third Bank, acting through its Canadian Branch,  
  as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Mauro Spagnolo  
    Name: Mauro Spagnolo  
    Title:   Canadian Principal Officer  

 

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

 

  The Toronto-Dominion Bank , as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Savo Bozic  
    Name: Savo Bozic  
    Title:   Authorized Signatory  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  Branch Banking & Trust Company, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Matt McCain  
    Name: Matt McCain  
    Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  The Bank of Nova Scotia,   as a Lender and L/C Issuer  
       
       
  By: /s/ Mauricio Saishio  
    Name: Mauricio Saishio  
    Title:   Director  
       

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Jason Upham  
    Name: Jason Upham  
    Title:   Assistant Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

 

  ZB, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, as a Lender  
       
       
  By: /s/ Kelly Nash  
    Name: Kelly Nash  
    Title:   Vice President  

 

 

 

(Signature Page to Waste Connections Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement – 2016)

 

 

  

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF COMMITTED LOAN NOTICE

 

Date: ___________, _____

To: Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent
Bank of America, N.A., as U.S. Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

¨   A Committed Borrowing   ¨ A conversion or continuation of Committed Loans

 

  1. On                                        (a Business Day).
     
  2. In the amount of $                      .

 

  3. Denominated in (select one):   ¨   U.S. Dollars
        ¨   Canadian Dollars
         
  4. Comprised of (choose one)   ¨   Base Rate Loan (US$ only)
        ¨   Canadian Prime Rate Loan (C$ only)
        ¨   LIBOR Rate Loan (US$ only)
         
  5. [For LIBOR Rate Loans:  with an Interest Period of ___ months.]

 

The Committed Borrowing, if any, requested herein complies with the provisos set forth in Sections 2.01(b)(ii)(A) and 2.01(b)(ii)(B) of the Agreement, as applicable.

 

[The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.] 1

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

1 [Not to be included in a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans or Continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans.]

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Committed Loan Notice

 

 

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
     
  By:  
     
  Name:  
     
  Title:  

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Committed Loan Notice

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF swing line loan NOTICE

 

Date: ___________, _____

To: Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent
Bank of America, N.A., as U.S. Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:

 

  1. On                                        (a Business Day).
     
  2. In the amount of $                      .

 

  3. Denominated in (select one):   ¨   U.S. Dollars
        ¨   Canadian Dollars

 

The Swing Line Borrowing requested herein complies with the requirements of the provisos (x) and (y) to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Exhibit A-2

Form of Swing Line Loan Notice

 

 

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
  By:  
     
  Name:  
     
  Title:  

 

Exhibit A-2

Form of Swing Line Loan Notice

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-3

 

FORM OF Term LOAN NOTICE

 

Date: ___________, _____

To: Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent
Bank of America, N.A., as U.S. Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

¨   A Term Loan Borrowing 2   ¨ A conversion or continuation of Term Loans

 

  1. On                                        (a Business Day).
     
  2. In the amount of $                      .
         
  3. Comprised of (choose one)   ¨   Base Rate Loan
        ¨   LIBOR Rate Loan
         
  4. [For LIBOR Rate Loans:  with an Interest Period of        months.]

 

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

2 [For use only on the Closing Date.]

 

Exhibit A-3

Form of Term Loan Notice

 

 

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
  By:  
     
  Name:  
     
  Title:  

 

Exhibit A-3

Form of Term Loan Notice

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A-4

 

FORM OF DRAWING NOTICE

 

 

Date: ___________, _____

To: Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer.

 

  The undersigned hereby requests a Drawing:
     
  1. On                                        (a Business Day).
     
  2. In the amount of C$                      .
     
  3. With a Contract Maturity Date of                             .

 

The Drawing requested herein complies with the requirements of the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.05(a) of the Agreement.

 

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be satisfied on and as of the date of the Drawing Date.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Exhibit A-4

Form of Drawing Notice

 

 

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Exhibit A-4

Form of Drawing Notice

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

form of revolving credit NOTE

 

$                      _________, 20__

 

New York, New York

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to _____________________ or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Committed Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Committed Loan made by the Lender from the date of such Committed Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.04(f) of the Agreement with respect to Swing Line Loans or under the last sentence of Section 2.13(a) , all payments of principal and interest under this Revolving Credit Note shall be made to the Global Agent for the account of the Lender in the applicable currency in immediately available funds at the Global Agent’s Office as more fully set forth in the Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Revolving Credit Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Revolving Credit Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Committed Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Revolving Credit Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Committed Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Revolving Credit Note.

 

THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Exhibit B-1

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower hereto has caused this Revolving Credit Note to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., an Ontario corporation
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Exhibit B-1

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

 

 

 

LoanS AND PAYMENTS with respect thereto

 

Date   Type of Loan
Made
  Amount of
Loan Made
  End of
Interest
Period
  Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date
  Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date
  Notation
Made By
 
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           

 

Exhibit B-1

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

form of swing line NOTE

 

$                      _________, 20__

 

New York, New York

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, or registered assigns (the “ Swing Line Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Swing Line Loan from time to time made by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower under that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan made by the Swing Line Lender from the date of such Swing Line Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. Except for payment referred to in the last sentence of Section 2.13(a) , all payments of principal and interest under this Swing Line Note shall be made to the Swing Line Lender in the applicable currency in immediately available funds at the Lending Office as more fully set forth in the Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Swing Line Note is one of the Swing Line Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Swing Line Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Swing Line Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Swing Line Lender may also attach schedules to this Swing Line Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swing Line Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Swing Line Note.

 

THIS SWING LINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Exhibit B-2

Form of Swing Line Note

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower hereto has caused this Swing Line Note to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., an Ontario corporation
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Exhibit B-2

Form of Swing Line Note

 

 

 

 

LoanS AND PAYMENTS with respect thereto

 

Date   Amount of
Loan Made
  Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date
  Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date
  Notation Made
By
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

Exhibit B-2

Form of Swing Line Note

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B-3

 

form of term NOTE

 

$                      _________, 20__

 

New York, New York

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”) hereby promises to pay to _____________________ or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of the Term Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan made by the Lender from the date of such Term Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. Except for payments referred to in the last sentence of Section 2.13(a) , all payments of principal and interest under this Term Note shall be made to the Global Agent for the account of the Lender in U.S. Dollars in immediately available funds at the Global Agent’s Office as more fully set forth in the Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Term Note is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Term Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. The Term Loan made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Term Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Term Loan and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Term Note.

 

THIS TERM NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank .]

 

Exhibit B-3

Form of Term Note

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower hereto has caused this Term Note to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., an Ontario corporation
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Exhibit B-3

Form of Term Note

 

 

 

 

Loan AND PAYMENTS with respect thereto

 

Date   Amount of
Loan Made
  Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date
  Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date
  Notation
Made By
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 

 

Exhibit B-3

Form of Term Note

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date: [                           ]

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent
Bank of America, N.A., as U.S. Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

The undersigned hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, and that, as such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate to the Global Agent on the behalf of the Borrower and that:

 

1.         Accompanying this certificate are the [audited] [unaudited] financial statements required by Section 6.04[(a)] [(b)] of the Agreement for the [fiscal year] [fiscal quarter] of the Consolidated Group ended as of the above date. [Such consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present [in all material respects] 3 the consolidated financial condition of the Consolidated Group as at the close of business on such date and the results of operations for the period then ended.] 4

 

2.         The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Consolidated Group during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

 

3.         A review of the activities of the Consolidated Group during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Consolidated Group performed and observed all of its Obligations under the Loan Documents[, and to the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, the Consolidated Group performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and no Default has occurred and is continuing]. 5

 

3 Include in Closing Date Compliance Certificate and quarterly Compliance Certificates.

4 Include in quarterly Compliance Certificate only.

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

4.         Set forth on Annex A attached hereto is a description of all changes to the information included in [ Schedule 1 (Subsidiaries)] [ Schedule 2 (Guarantors)] [ Schedule 5.27 (Organizational Identification Numbers)] to the Agreement as may be necessary for such Schedule[s] to be accurate and complete [and of all changes to the information included in Schedule 3 (Material Subsidiaries), as may be necessary for the Borrower to remain in compliance with the Material Subsidiary conditions, as set forth in the definition thereof].

 

5.         Set forth on Annex B attached hereto is a summary of all intercompany Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or outstanding under, any Permitted Intercompany Financing and any material documents, instruments or notices executed and/or delivered in connection therewith.

 

6.         The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in Article V of the Agreement, and any representations and warranties of the Credit Parties that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection with the Loan Documents, are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Compliance Certificate, the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.04(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) , as applicable, of Section 6.04 of the Agreement, including the statements in connection with which this Compliance Certificate is delivered .

 

7.         The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 1 (Subsidiaries), Schedule 2 (Guarantors), Schedule 3 (Material Subsidiaries), and Schedule 5.27 (Organizational Identification Numbers) attached hereto are true and accurate [on and as of the date of this Compliance Certificate] [on a pro forma basis as of the Balance Sheet Date] 6 .

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank .]

 

5 Address any Defaults or Events of Default in this paragraph.

6 For certificate delivered on the Closing Date.

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has executed this Compliance Certificate as of                 ,            .

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
  By:  
     
  Name:  
     
  Title:  Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.    
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement Compliance Certificate    
(All Figures To Be Rounded to the Nearest $1,000)    
       
 For the Fiscal Quarter/Year ended [______________, 20__] (the "Statement Date")
       
7.14(a) Leverage Ratio   As of Statement Date
Ratio of Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding ( less cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of the Statement Date in excess of $50,000,000 up to a maximum of $200,000,000 (such that the maximum amount of this reduction does not exceed $150,000,000)) to Consolidated EBITDA    

 

1.a. Indebtedness relating to the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments   $___________________
       
b. Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Leases or Synthetic Leases   $___________________
       
c. Indebtedness relating to the non-contingent  deferred  purchase price of assets and companies (excluding short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business)   $___________________
       
d. Indebtedness relating to any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding (excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding)   $___________________
       
e. Guarantees by members of the Consolidated Group of Indebtedness of the type referred to in Lines 1(a), (b), (c), and (d) of another Person who is not a member of the Consolidated Group   $___________________
       
f. The sum of Lines 1(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) equals:   $___________________
       
2. Consolidated Total Funded Debt    
       
  Line 1(f), less cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of the Statement Date in excess of $50,000,000 up to a maximum of $200,000,000 (such that the maximum amount of reduction pursuant to this line does not exceed $150,000,000):   $___________________
       
  to the result of, without duplication:    
       
3. Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Consolidated Group   $___________________

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

4. Interest expense   $___________________
       
5. Income taxes   $___________________
       
6. Non-cash compensation charges, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP   $___________________
       
7. One-time, non-recurring acquisition-related transaction fees and expenses and, to the extent reasonably approved by the Agents, integration costs incurred within 12 months of any acquisition to the extent such costs are expensed   $___________________
       
8. Non-controlling interest expense   $___________________
       
9. Non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns,  writeoffs or impairments of assets, or deferred financing costs, including non-cash losses on sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business   $___________________
       
10. Any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness   $___________________
       
11. Special charges relating to termination of a Swap Contract   $___________________
       
12. Any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any member of the Consolidated Group   $___________________
       
13. One-time, non-recurring charges in connection with the modification of employment agreements with certain members of senior management as approved by the Agents   $___________________
       
14. non-cash accounting charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815   $___________________
       
15. Non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit)   $___________________
       
16. Any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to any member of the Consolidated Group   $___________________
       
17. non-cash accounting gains resulting from the application of ASC Topic 815 for such period   $___________________
       
18. Consolidated EBIT    
  (Result of (i) the sum of Lines 3 through 14, minus (ii) the sum of Lines 15 through 17)   $___________________

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

  plus:    
       
19. Depreciation and amortization expense to the extent that such was deducted in determining Consolidated Net    
  Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP   $___________________
       
20. Depreciation and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBITDA was included under Line 21 below   $___________________
       
21. Consolidated EBITDA for the prior twelve (12) months of companies or business segments acquired by the Consolidated Group during the respective reporting period (without duplication) 7   $___________________
       
  total equals:    
       
22. Consolidated EBITDA    
  (Sum of Lines 18 through 21)   $___________________
       
23. Leverage Ratio    
  (Ratio of Line 2 to Line 21)    
  Maximum Permitted under the Agreement:  3.50 to 1.00 8   ___________________

 

7 For such acquisitions, the CFO shall deliver to the Agents a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company or business segment and attaching the financial statements of such acquired companies or business segments audited for the period sought to be included in Consolidated EBITDA by an independent accounting firm satisfactory to the Agents, or the Agents shall have consented to inclusion of such acquired Consolidated EBITDA after being furnished with such other financial statements acceptable to the Agents. Such acquired Consolidated EBITDA may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), as approved by the Agents.

 

8 In the event of an acquisition permitted under Section 7.03 and Section 7.04 of the Agreement having an aggregate purchase price equal to U.S. Dollar Equivalent of U.S.$200,000,000 or greater which would result in a pro forma Leverage Ratio (after taking into account all existing Consolidated Total Funded Debt and all Consolidated Total Funded Debt to be incurred, assumed or repaid in connection with such acquisition) of 3.00:1.00 or higher, then, at the election of the Borrower, the foregoing 3.50:1.00 ratio shall be deemed to be 3.75:1.00 for the fiscal quarter in which such acquisition occurs and the three immediately following fiscal quarters and the maximum permitted Leverage Ratio will thereafter revert to 3.50:1.00). The Borrower may utilize this deemed Leverage Ratio increase no more than once in any four fiscal quarter period.

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

7.14(b) Interest Coverage Ratio    
Ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Total Interest Expense   As of Statement Date
       
24. Consolidated EBIT (from Line 18 above)   $___________________
       
25. Consolidated Total Interest Expense   $___________________
       
26. Interest Coverage Ratio    
  (Ratio of Line 24 to Line 25)   ___________________
  Minimum Permitted under the Agreement:  2.75 to 1.00    

 

Exhibit C

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D-1

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (this “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each] Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “ Assignor ”) and [the][each] Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “ Assignee ”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees] hereunder are several and not joint.] Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Global Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount and equal to the percentage interest identified below of the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, the Letters of Credit and the Swing Line Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “ Assigned Interest ”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

1. Assignor[s] :   ______________________________
       
      ______________________________
  [Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]
       
2. Assignee[s] :   ______________________________

 

Exhibit D-1

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

 

      ______________________________
  [for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [ identify Lender ]]
       
3. Borrower :   Waste Connections, Inc.
       
4. Agents : Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as U.S. Agent
       
5. Credit Agreement : Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

6. Assigned Interest[s] :

 

                        Aggregate     Amount of       Percentage          
                        Amount of     Commitment/       Assigned of          
                  Facility      Commitment/Loans     Loans       Commitment/       CUSIP   
  Assignor[s]       Assignee[s]       Assigned     for all Lenders     Assigned       Loans       Number  
                                                 
                      $   $       %        
                      $   $       %        
                      $   $       %        

 

[7. Trade Date :   __________________]

 

Effective Date: __________________, 20__ [TO BE INSERTED BY GLOBAL AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

Exhibit D-1

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

  ASSIGNOR
  [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
     
  By:  
    Title:
     
  ASSIGNEE
  [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
     
  By:
    Title:

 

[Consented to and] 9 Accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent

 

By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
[Consented to and] 10 Accepted:  
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as U.S. Agent  
     
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
[Consented to:] 11  
     
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower  
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

9            To be added only if the consent of the Global Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

10          To be added only if the consent of the U.S. Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

11          To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties ( e.g. Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

Exhibit D-1

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.          Representations and Warranties .

 

1.1.       Assignor . [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2.       Assignee . [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06(b)(iii) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vii) it acknowledges the representation it is required to make under Section 3.01(e)(ii)(E) of the Credit Agreement, and (viii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee (including IRS Form(s) and other documentation described in Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement); and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

Exhibit D-1

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

 

2.          Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Agents shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.          General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

Exhibit D-1

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D-2

 

FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

 

[See Attached]

 

Exhibit D-2

Form of Administrative Questionnaire

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION

 

Dated as of ________ __, 20__

 

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Borrower ”), certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the terms of Section 2.15(c) of the Agreement, the Borrower, the Agents and ________________ (the “ Acceding Lender ”) hereby agree as follows:

 

1.              Subject to the terms and conditions of this Instrument of Accession (the “ Accession Agreement ”), the Acceding Lender hereby agrees to assume, without recourse to the Lenders or the Agents, on the Effective Date (as defined below), [a [U.S.][Multicurrency] Revolving Commitment of [U.S.$/C$] ____________, as a [U.S. Revolving Lender/Multicurrency Revolving Lender,] and/or [a portion of the Term Loan equal to $____________] in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement. Upon such assumption, the Aggregate Commitments and/or the Term Loans (as the case may be) shall be automatically increased by the amount of such assumption. The Acceding Lender, if not a Lender party to the Agreement immediately prior to giving effect to this Accession Agreement, hereby agrees to be bound by, and hereby requests the agreement of the Borrower and the Agents that the Acceding Lender shall be entitled to the benefits of, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Agreement as if such Acceding Lender had been one of the lending institutions originally executing the Agreement as a “Lender”; provided that nothing herein shall be construed as making the Acceding Lender liable to the Borrower or the other Lenders in respect of any acts or omissions of any party to the Agreement or in respect of any other event occurring prior to the Effective Date (as defined below) of this Accession Agreement.

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

2.              The Acceding Lender (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Accession Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements of an assignee under Section 11.06(b) of the Agreement, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of its Revolving Commitment and/or portion of the Term Loan, as applicable, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by its Revolving Commitment and/or portion of the Term Loan, as applicable, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make its Revolving Commitment, and/or extend its portion of the Term Loan, as applicable, is experienced in extending loans of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Accession Agreement and to make its Revolving Commitment and/or extend its portion of the Term Loan, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Accession Agreement and to make its Revolving Commitment and/or extend its portion of the Term Loan, (vii) it acknowledges the representation it is required to make under Section 3.01(e)(ii)(E) of the Credit Agreement, and (viii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Acceding Lender (including IRS Form(s) and other documentation described in Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement); and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

3.              The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agents and the Lenders, including the Acceding Lender, that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Accession Agreement and the increase contemplated hereby (a) are within the corporate (or equivalent organizational) authority of the Borrower, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent organizational) proceedings, (c) do not conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which the Borrower is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit applicable to the Borrower so as to materially adversely affect the assets, business or any activity of the Borrower and (d) do not conflict with any provision of the Organization Documents of the Borrower, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Accession Agreement and the increase contemplated hereby will result in the valid and legally binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, except as enforceability is limited by Debtor Relief Laws, and by general principles of equity relating to enforceability and except to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and (iii) a true, correct and complete copy of all corporate (or equivalent organizational) action undertaken by the Borrower in connection with the authorization of the increase effected by this Accession Agreement has previously been provided to the Agents or is attached hereto as Exhibit A , (iv) the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties contained in Article V of the Agreement or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, were true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties were true and correct in all respects) when made and are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects) on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent already qualified by materiality which such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Paragraph 3 , the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.04(a) and (b) of the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.04 of the Agreement, and (v) at and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

4.              The effective date for this Accession Agreement shall be [________ __, 20___] (the “ Effective Date ”). Following the execution of this Accession Agreement by the Borrower and the Acceding Lender, it will be delivered to the Agents for acceptance, in the case the Acceding Lender was not a Lender party to the Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date of this Accession Agreement, and recordation. Upon acceptance by the Agents, if required, and recordation by the Agents, Schedule 2.01 to the Agreement shall thereupon be replaced as of the Effective Date by the Schedule 2.01 annexed hereto. The Agents shall thereafter notify the other Lenders of the revised Schedule 2.01 and the arrangements proposed to ensure that the outstanding amount of Committed Loans and/or the portion of the Term Loan made by each Lender will correspond to its respective Applicable Percentage after giving effect to the accession contemplated hereby.

 

5.              Upon such acceptance, from and after the Effective Date, the Borrower shall make all payments in respect of the Acceding Lender’s Revolving Commitment, including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts, to the Agents for the account of the Acceding Lender.

 

6.               THIS ACCESSION AGREEMENT SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

7.              This Accession Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which shall together constitute but one and the same agreement.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound, each of the undersigned has caused this Accession Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officer thereunto duly authorized, to take effect as of the date first above written.

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
  Acting through its Canada branch, as Global Agent
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
  as U.S. Agent
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  [INSERT NAME OF ACCEDING LENDER]
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., as the Borrower
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

(i) Attach updated Schedule 2.01 reflecting

 

[U.S.] [Multicurrency] Revolving Commitments, Term Loan Commitment, Applicable Percentage (Term Loan), [U.S.][Multicurrency] Revolving Commitment Percentage[, Global U.S. Dollar Funding Percentage]

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Borrower’s resolutions authorizing increase (if not already provided to the Global Agent)

 

Exhibit E

Form of Instrument of Accession

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-1

 

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders or Canadian Lenders That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Agents and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on an IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable). By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Agents, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Agents with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]  
By:      
  Name:    
  Title:      

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit F-1

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-2

 

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors , the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Agents and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on an IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable). By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform its participating Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]  
By:      
  Name:    
  Title:    

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit F-2

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-3

 

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform its participating Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]  
By:      
  Name:    
  Title:    

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit F-3

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT F-4

 

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders or Canadian Lenders That Are Treated As Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto as Guarantors , the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the Global Agent, the Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer (acting in its capacity as the global agent, the “ Global Agent ”), and Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. Agent and an L/C Issuer (in its capacity as the U.S. agent, the “ U.S. Agent ” and together with the Global Agent, collectively, the “ Agents ”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any U.S. Credit Party or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a U.S. Person as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Agents and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable) from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Agents, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Agents with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]  
By:      
  Name:    
  Title:    

Date: ________ __, 20[ ]

 

Exhibit F-4

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

 

  

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. 

 

 

 

Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

Dated as of June 1, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Section   Heading   Page
         
Section 1. Authorization of Notes   1
         
Section 1.1.   Authorization of Series 2016 Notes   1
Section 1.2.   Additional Series of Notes   1
         
Section 2. Sale and Purchase of Series 2016 Notes   2
         
Section 3. Closing   3
         
Section 4. Conditions to Closing   3
         
Section 4.1.   Representations and Warranties   3
Section 4.2.   Performance; No Default   3
Section 4.3.   Compliance Certificates   4
Section 4.4.   Opinions of Counsel   4
Section 4.5.   Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc   4
Section 4.6.   Sale of Other Series 2016 Notes   4
Section 4.7.   Payment of Special Counsel Fees   4
Section 4.8.   Private Placement Number   5
Section 4.9.   Changes in Corporate Structure   5
Section 4.10.   Funding Instructions   5
Section 4.11.   Proceedings and Documents   5
Section 4.12.   Bank Credit Agreement   5
Section 4.13.   Subsidiary Guaranties   5
Section 4.14.   Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes   6
         
Section 5. Representations and Warranties of the Company   6
         
Section 5.1.   Organization; Power and Authority   6
Section 5.2.   Authorization, Etc   7
Section 5.3.   Disclosure   7
Section 5.4.   Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries   8
Section 5.5.   Financial Statements; Material Liabilities   8
Section 5.6.   Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc   8
Section 5.7.   Governmental Authorizations, Etc   9
Section 5.8.   Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders   9
Section 5.9.   Taxes   9
Section 5.10.   Title to Property; Leases   10
Section 5.11.   Licenses, Permits, Etc   10
Section 5.12.   Compliance with ERISA   10
Section 5.13.   Private Offering by the Company   11
Section 5.14.   Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations   11
Section 5.15.   Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens   12
Section 5.16.   Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc   12

  - i -  

 

 

Section 5.17.   Status under Certain Statutes   13
Section 5.18.   Environmental Matters   13
Section 5.19.   Ranking of Obligations   13
         
Section 6. Representations of the Purchasers   14
         
Section 6.1.   Purchase for Investment   14
Section 6.2.   Source of Funds   15
Section 6.3.   Tax Matters   17
         
Section 7. Information as to Company   17
         
Section 7.1.   Financial and Business Information   17
Section 7.2.   Officer’s Certificate   20
Section 7.3.   Visitation   21
Section 7.4.   Electronic Delivery   21
Section 7.5.   Limitation on Disclosure Obligation.   22
         
Section 8. Payment and Prepayment of the Series 2016 Notes   23
         
Section 8.1.   Maturity   23
Section 8.2.   Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount   23
Section 8.3.   Prepayment for Tax Reasons   23
Section 8.4.   Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event   25
Section  8.5.   Allocation of Partial Prepayments   26
Section 8.6.   Maturity; Surrender, Etc   26
Section 8.7.   Purchase of Notes   26
Section 8.8.   Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2016 Notes   27
Section 8.9.   Payments Due on Non-Business Days   28
Section 8.10.   Change in Control   28
         
Section 9. Affirmative Covenants   30
         
Section 9.1.   Punctual Payment   30
Section 9.2.   Records and Accounts   30
Section 9.3.   Legal Existence and Conduct of Business   31
Section 9.4.   Maintenance of Properties   31
Section 9.5.   Insurance   31
Section 9.6.   Taxes   31
Section 9.7.   Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits   32
Section 9.8.   Environmental Indemnification   32
Section 9.9.   Additional Notices   33
Section 9.10.   Designation of Material Subsidiaries   33
Section 9.11.   Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans   33
Section 9.12.   Notes to Rank Pari Passu   34
Section 9.13.   Subsidiary Guarantors   34

 

  - ii -  

 

 

Section 10. Negative Covenants   35
         
Section 10.1.   Restrictions on Indebtedness   35
Section 10.2   Restrictions on Liens   37
Section 10.3.   Restrictions on Investments   39
Section 10.4.   Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets   40
Section 10.4.1.   Mergers, Amalgamations, Consolidations and Acquisitions   40
Section 10.4.2.   Disposition of Assets   42
Section 10.4.3.   Permitted Intercompany Financings   42
Section 10.5.   Sale and Leaseback   42
Section 10.6.   Restricted Payments and Redemptions   42
Section 10.7.   Employee Benefit Plans   43
Section 10.8.   Negative Pledges   44
Section 10.9.   Business Activities   45
Section 10.10.   Transactions with Affiliates   45
Section 10.11.   Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness   45
Section 10.12.   Accounting Changes   45
Section 10.13.   Leverage Ratio   45
Section 10.14.   Interest Coverage Ratio   46
Section 10.15.   Economic Sanctions   46
Section 10.16.   Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans   46
         
Section 11. Events of Default   47
         
Section 12. Remedies on Default, Etc.   50
         
Section 12.1.   Acceleration   50
Section 12.2.   Other Remedies   50
Section 12.3.   Rescission   51
Section 12.4.   No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc   51
         
Section 13. Tax Indemnification; FATCA Information   51
       
Section 14. Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes   56
         
Section 14.1.   Registration of Notes   56
Section 14.2.   Transfer and Exchange of Notes   56
Section 14.3.   Replacement of Notes   57
         
Section 15. Payments on Notes   57
         
Section 15.1.   Place of Payment   57
Section 15.2.   Home Office Payment   57
         
Section 16. Expenses, Etc.   58
         
Section 16.1.   Transaction Expenses   58
Section 16.2.   Certain Taxes   59

 

  - iii -  

 

 

Section 16.3.   Survival   59
         
Section 17. Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement   59
         
Section 18. Amendment and Waiver   60
         
Section 18.1.   Requirements   60
Section 18.2.   Solicitation of Holders of Notes   60
Section 18.3.   Binding Effect, Etc   61
Section 18.4.   Notes Held by the Company, Etc   61
         
Section 19. Notices; English Language   61
       
Section 20. Reproduction of Documents   62
       
Section 21. Confidential Information   63
         
Section 22. Substitution of Purchaser   64
         
Section 23. Miscellaneous   64
         
Section 23.1.   Successors and Assigns   64
Section 23.2.   Accounting Terms   65
Section 23.3.   Severability   65
Section 23.4.   Construction, Etc   65
Section 23.5.   Counterparts   66
Section 23.6.   Governing Law   66
Section 23.7.   Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial   66
Section 23.8.   Obligation to Make Payment in Dollars   67
Section 23.9.   Interest Act (Canada)   68
Section 23.10.   Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness   68
         
Signature     71

 

  - iv -  

 

 

Schedule A Information Relating to Purchasers
     
Schedule B Defined Terms
     
Schedule 4.9 Changes in Corporate Structure
     
Schedule 5.3 Disclosure Materials
     
Schedule 5.4 Subsidiaries of the Company; Subsidiary Guarantors
     
Schedule 5.5 Financial Statements
     
Schedule 5.7 Governmental Authorizations
     
Schedule 5.15 Existing Indebtedness
     
Schedule 9.10 Material Subsidiaries
     
Schedule 10.2 Existing Liens
     
Exhibit 1( a) Form of 2.39% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche A, due June 1, 2021
     
Exhibit 1( b) Form of 2.75% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche B, due June 1, 2023
     
Exhibit 1( c) Form of 3.03% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche C, due June 1, 2026
     
Exhibit 4.4(a) Form of Opinion of U.S. Special Counsel and Canadian Special Counsel for the Company
     
Exhibit 4.4(b) Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Purchasers
     
Exhibit 7.2(a) Form of Covenant Compliance Certificate
     
Exhibit S Form of Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

  - v -  

 

  

Waste Connections, Inc.
3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110

The Woodlands, TX 77380

 

$150,000,000 2.39% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche A, due June 1, 2021

$200,000,000 2.75% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche B, due June 1, 2023

$400,000,000 3.03% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche C, due June 1, 2026

 

Dated as of June 1, 2016

 

To Each of the Purchasers Listed in

Schedule A Hereto:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Waste Connections, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario (the “Company” ) agrees with each of the Purchasers as follows:

 

Section 1.          Authorization of Notes.

 

Section 1.1.          Authorization of Series 2016 Notes . The Company will authorize the issue and sale of (a) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.39% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche A, due June 1, 2021 (the “Tranche 2016A Notes” ), (b) $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.75% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche B, due June 1, 2023 (the “Tranche 2016B Notes” ), and (c) $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.03% Series 2016 Senior Notes, Tranche C, due June 1, 2026 (the “Tranche 2016C Notes” and, collectively with the Tranche 2016A Notes and Tranche 2016B Notes, the “Series 2016 Notes” ). The Series 2016 Notes described above, together with each series of Additional Notes that may from time to time be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof, are collectively referred to as the “Notes” (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14). The Tranche 2016A Notes, the Tranche 2016B Notes and the Tranche 2016C Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1(a), Exhibit 1(b) and Exhibit 1(c), respectively. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a “Schedule” or an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.2.          Additional Series of Notes . The Company may, from time to time, in its sole discretion but subject to the terms hereof, issue and sell one or more additional series of its senior unsecured promissory notes under the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to a supplement (a “Supplement” ) substantially in the form of Exhibit S, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Series 2016 Notes plus Notes of all series issued and outstanding at any one time pursuant to all Supplements in accordance with the terms of this Section 1.2 shall not exceed $1,500,000,000. Each additional series of Notes (the “Additional Notes” ) issued pursuant to a Supplement shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(i)           each series of Additional Notes, when so issued, shall be differentiated from all previous series by sequential chronological and alphabetical designation inscribed thereon;

 

(ii)         each series of Additional Notes shall be dated the date of issue, bear interest at such rate or rates, mature on such date or dates, be subject to such mandatory and optional prepayments on the dates and at the premiums, if any, have such additional or different conditions precedent to closing, such representations and warranties and such additional covenants and additional events of default (including covenants and/or events of default which are similar in structure to existing covenants and/or events of default and are more restrictive) as shall be specified in the Supplement under which such Additional Notes are issued and upon execution of any such Supplement, this Agreement shall be amended (a) to reflect such additional covenants and such additional events of default without further action on the part of the holders of the Notes outstanding under this Agreement, provided, that any such additional covenants and additional events of default shall not reduce or diminish any existing covenants or events of default, but shall inure to the benefit of all holders of Notes so long as any Additional Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement remain outstanding, and (b) to reflect such representations and warranties as are contained in such Supplement for the benefit of the holders of such Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 17;

 

(iii)        each series of Additional Notes issued under this Agreement shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 1 to Exhibit S hereto with such variations, omissions and insertions as are necessary or permitted hereunder;

 

(iv)        the minimum principal amount of any series of Notes issued under a Supplement shall be $10,000,000, and the minimum denomination shall be $100,000 except as may be necessary to evidence the outstanding amount of any Note originally issued in a denomination of $100,000 or more;

 

(v)         all Additional Notes shall mature more than one year after the issuance thereof and shall rank pari passu with all other outstanding Notes; and

 

(vi)        no Additional Notes shall be issued hereunder if, at the time of issuance thereof or after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

It is specifically acknowledged and agreed that the Purchasers of the Series 2016 Notes, or any other holder of Notes shall not have any obligation to purchase any Additional Notes.

 

Section 2.          Sale and Purchase of Series 2016 Notes.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2016 Notes in the principal amount and the tranche specified opposite such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 3.          Closing.

 

The sale and purchase of the Series 2016 Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler, LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 at such time that is not more than two hours following the closing of the Merger Transactions, at a closing (the “Closing” ) on June 1, 2016 unless another Business Day on or prior to August 5, 2016 or place is agreed in writing by the Company and the Purchasers. At the Closing, the Company will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2016 Notes of the tranche to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Series 2016 Note of such tranche (or such greater number of Series 2016 Notes of such tranche in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Company or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Company in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10. If, at the Closing, the Company shall fail to tender any Series 2016 Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

 

Section 4.          Conditions to Closing.

 

Each Purchaser’s obligation to purchase and pay for the Series 2016 Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions (except that the conditions set forth in Section 4.14 shall not be applicable to the Series 2016 Notes):

 

Section 4.1.          Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement shall be correct at the time of the Closing.

 

Section 4.2.          Performance; No Default . The Company shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to or at the Closing. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing, before and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Series 2016 Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 4.3.          Compliance Certificates .

 

(a)           Officer’s Certificate . The Company shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.

 

(b)           Secretary’s or Director’s Certificate . The Company shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director or another appropriate Person, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Series 2016 Notes and this Agreement and (ii) the Company’s organizational documents as then in effect.

 

Section 4.4.          Opinions of Counsel . Such Purchaser shall have received customary opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing from (a)(i) Latham & Watkins LLP, U.S. special counsel for the Company and (ii) Bennett Jones LLP, Canadian special counsel for the Company, covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser may reasonably request as a result of any change in law between the date hereof and the date of the Closing (and the Company hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler, LLP, the Purchasers’ special counsel in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.5.          Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc . On the date of the Closing such Purchaser’s purchase of Series 2016 Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested in writing by such Purchaser at least three Business Days prior to Closing, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.

 

Section 4.6.          Sale of Other Series 2016 Notes . Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Company shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Series 2016 Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.

 

Section 4.7.          Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting the provisions of Section 16.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 4.8.          Private Placement Number . A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each tranche of the Series 2016 Notes.

 

Section 4.9.          Changes in Corporate Structure . Except with respect to the Merger Transactions and except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9, the Company shall not have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity (other than an entity that was a Subsidiary of the Company prior to such merger, consolidation or succession), at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.

 

Section 4.10.         Funding Instructions . At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a responsible officer on letterhead of WCN confirming (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank’s ABA number/Swift Code/IBAN and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Series 2016 Notes is to be deposited.

 

Section 4.11.         Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser or its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.12.         Bank Credit Agreement . The Company shall have provided to the Purchasers a true, correct and complete copy of the Bank Credit Agreement, and such Bank Credit Agreement shall be in full force and effect substantially concurrently with the Closing.

 

Section 4.13         Subsidiary Guaranties. As to each Subsidiary which on the date hereof had delivered a Guaranty pursuant to or is a borrower under any Material Credit Facility, the Company will cause each such Subsidiary to, at the Closing, (a) enter into a Subsidiary Guaranty and (b) deliver the following to each Purchaser:

 

(i)          an executed counterpart of such Subsidiary Guaranty;

 

(ii)         a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis , as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6 and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary and such Subsidiary Guaranty rather than the Company);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii)        all such documents as may be reasonably and customarily requested by the Purchasers to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Subsidiary Guaranty and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations thereunder; and

 

(iv)        an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers covering such matters relating to such Subsidiary and such Subsidiary Guaranty as the Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.14.         Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes. The obligations of the Additional Purchasers, if any, to purchase any Additional Notes shall be subject to the following conditions precedent, in addition to the conditions specified in the Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Notes may be issued:

 

(a)           Compliance Certificate . A duly authorized Senior Financial Officer shall execute and deliver to each Additional Purchaser and each holder of Notes an Officer’s Certificate dated the date of issue of such series of Additional Notes stating that such officer has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement (including any Supplements hereto) and setting forth the information and computations (in sufficient detail) required in order to establish whether the Company is in compliance with the requirements of Sections 10.13 and 10.14 (as set forth on Exhibit 7.2(a) hereto) on such date.

 

(b)           Execution and Delivery of Supplement. The Company and each such Additional Purchaser shall execute and deliver a Supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit S hereto.

 

(c)           Representations of Additional Purchasers . Each Additional Purchaser shall have confirmed in the Supplement that the representations set forth in Section 6 are true with respect to such Additional Purchaser on and as of the date of issue of the Additional Notes.

 

(d)           Closing Conditions .           The closing conditions set forth in Section 4 shall have been updated and performed as of the date of issuance of each series of Additional Notes (irrespective of whether such closing conditions initially apply only to the Series 2016 Notes).

 

Section 5.          Representations and Warranties of the Company.

 

The Company represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:

 

Section 5.1.          Organization; Power and Authority . The Company (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or in current status under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate power to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation (or similar business entity) and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which its property or business as presently conducted or contemplated makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to be in good standing or so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has the corporate (or equivalent organizational) authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Series 2016 Notes.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.2.          Authorization, Etc . This Agreement and the Series 2016 Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Series 2016 Note will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, debtor relief laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (b) to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.

 

Section 5.3.          Disclosure . WCN, through its agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Offering Memorandum, dated April 2016 (the “Memorandum” ), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business of WCN and its Subsidiaries prior to giving effect to the Merger Transactions. This Agreement, the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of WCN or the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3 (in each case, as supplemented from time to time prior to the Closing), and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 (this Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements (in each case, other than of a general industry or general economic nature) delivered to each Purchaser or posted to IntraLinks® prior to the Closing being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the date and circumstances under which they were made; provided that, with respect to any projected financial information, WCN and the Company, as applicable, represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time such projected financial information was prepared and as of the date made available to the Purchasers (it being understood that such projections are not to be viewed as fact and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, and that actual results may vary significantly from such projections). Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2015 there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of WCN or any Subsidiary except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to WCN or the Company that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.4.          Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries . (a) Schedule 5.4 contains (except as noted therein) a complete and accurate list of the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization and whether such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 5.4 is directly or indirectly wholly owned by the Company (except as noted in such Schedule). The Company has good and marketable title to all of the Equity Interests it purports to own of each such Subsidiary, and each Subsidiary of the Company has good and marketable title to all of the Equity Interests it purports to own of such Subsidiary, free and clear in each case of any Lien. All such Equity Interests have been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(b)          Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and each Material Subsidiary (i) is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or in current status under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate (or equivalent organizational) power to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which its property or business as presently conducted or contemplated makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to be in good standing or so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect

 

(c)          No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the 2008 NPA, the Bank Credit Agreement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5.          Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Section 5.6.          Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc . The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Series 2016 Notes will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Company or any Subsidiary under the Bank Credit Agreement, 2008 NPA, any Municipal Contracts (in the case of the Municipal Contracts, as would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) or any agreement listed on Schedule 5.15, or an applicable corporate charter, memorandum of association, articles of association, regulations or by-laws or shareholders agreement, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.7.          Governmental Authorizations, Etc . Except for those already obtained and registrations, filings or recordings already made, each of which is listed on Schedule 5.7, no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Series 2016 Notes, including any thereof required in connection with the obtaining of Dollars to make payments under this Agreement or the Series 2016 Notes and the payment of such Dollars to Persons resident in the United States of America. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in Canada of this Agreement or the Series 2016 Notes that any thereof or any other document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any Governmental Authority, or that any such agreement or document be stamped with any stamp, registration or similar transaction tax.

 

Section 5.8.          Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders . (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) in default under any term of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) in violation of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or (iii) in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, the USA Patriot Act or any of the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), in each case, in a manner in which default or violation would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.9.          Taxes . (a) The Company and its Material Subsidiaries have (a) made or filed (x) all Material U.S. federal and Canadian federal income tax returns, reports and declarations, (y) all Material state, provincial, territorial and foreign income tax returns, reports and declarations, and (z) all other Material tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent that the Company and such Material Subsidiaries have set aside on their books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), (b) paid all taxes that are Material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith, and (c) set aside on their books provisions adequate for the payment of all Material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any Material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)          The Company is permitted to make all payments of interest or principal on the Notes beneficially held by any holder which is not resident in Canada (each, a “Non-Canadian Holder” ) for the purposes of the ITA free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Taxes imposed, assessed, levied, or collected by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of Canada or any political subdivision thereof, except for any such Tax arising out of circumstances described in clause (i) – (vii) of Section 13(b).

 

Section 5.10.         Title to Property; Leases . The Company and its Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5 or purported to have been acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary after said date (except, in each case, as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under this Agreement), subject to no mortgages, capitalized leases, conditional sales agreements, title retention agreements or other Liens except Permitted Liens.

 

Section 5.11.         Licenses, Permits, Etc . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or has been granted the right to use from the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company, all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known conflict with any rights of others, except, in each case, that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.12.         Compliance with ERISA . (a) The Company and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans) in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to section 430(k) of the Code or to any such penalty or excise tax provisions under the Code or federal law or section 4068 of ERISA or by the granting of a security interest in connection with the amendment of a Plan, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.

 

(b)          Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or has maintained a Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans) that is or was subject to the “minimum funding standards” under section 302 of ERISA or that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

(c)          The Company and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred (i) withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material or (ii) any obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Non-U.S. Plan that individually or in the aggregate are Material.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(d)          The expected postretirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material.

 

(e)          The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Series 2016 Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax would be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Company to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Series 2016 Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.

 

(f)          All Non-U.S. Plans have been established, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, except where failure so to comply could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All premiums, contributions and any other amounts required by applicable Non-U.S. Plan documents or applicable laws to be paid or accrued by the Company and its Subsidiaries have been paid or accrued as required, except where failure so to pay or accrue could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.13.         Private Offering by the Company . Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2016 Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 60 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2016 Notes at a private sale for investment. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2016 Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction, including the jurisdiction of organization of the Company.

 

Section 5.14.         Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Company will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2016 Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2016 Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Consolidated Group and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.15.         Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens (a) Except as described therein and except for intercompany Indebtedness, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding material Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of June 1, 2016, since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.

 

(c)          Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or any other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15.

 

Section 5.16.         Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc . (a) Neither the Company nor any Controlled Entity (i) is a Blocked Person, (ii) has been notified that its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (iii) is a target of sanctions that have been imposed by the United Nations or the European Union.

 

(b)          Neither the Company nor any Controlled Entity (i) has violated, been found in violation of, or been charged or convicted under, any applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws or (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for possible violation of any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(c)          No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder:

 

(i)          constitutes or will constitute funds obtained on behalf of any Blocked Person or will otherwise be used by the Company or any Controlled Entity, directly or indirectly, (A) in connection with any investment in, or any transactions or dealings with, any Blocked Person, (B) for any purpose that, to the Company’s knowledge, would cause any Purchaser to be in violation of any applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws or (C) otherwise in violation of any applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(ii)         will be used, directly or indirectly, in violation of, or, to the Company’s knowledge, cause any Purchaser to be in violation of, any applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws; or

 

(iii)        will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of making any improper payments, including bribes, to any Governmental Official or commercial counterparty in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in each case which would be in violation of, or, to the Company’s knowledge, cause any Purchaser to be in violation of, any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(d)          The Company has established procedures and controls which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that the Company and each Controlled Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

Section 5.17.         Status under Certain Statutes . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) subject to any accounting or cost allocation requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended, or (iii) a “public utility” as defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended.

 

Section 5.18.         Environmental Matters . (a) Neither the Company nor any Material Subsidiary has knowledge of any claim or has received any written notice of any claim, and no proceeding has been instituted asserting any claim against the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any of their respective real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them, alleging any damage to the environment or violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          Neither the Company nor any Material Subsidiary has knowledge of any facts which would give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)          Neither the Company nor any Material Subsidiary has stored any Hazardous Materials on real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or has disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner contrary to any Environmental Laws in each case in any manner that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)          All buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or operated by the Company and its Material Subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.19.         Ranking of Obligations . The Company’s payment obligations under this Agreement and the Notes will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu , without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Company.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 6.          Representations of the Purchasers.

 

Section 6.1.          Purchase for Investment . (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Series 2016 Notes (i) for its own account or (ii) for one or more separate accounts owned or maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds that are “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act), in each case for which it is exercising investment discretion in managing investments of such pension or trust funds, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser’s or their property shall at all times be within such Purchaser’s or their control. Such Purchaser is a Qualified Institutional Buyer. Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) understands that the Series 2016 Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or qualified for distribution pursuant to a prospectus under applicable Securities Laws in Canada and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, qualified for distribution pursuant to a prospectus under applicable Securities Laws in Canada or if an exemption from registration or a prospectus requirement under applicable Securities Laws in Canada is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration or prospectus nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Company is not required to register or qualify for distribution the Series 2016 Notes in any jurisdiction. Each Purchaser’s (and each such pension’s, trust fund’s or other Person’s) financial position is such that it can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the Series 2016 Notes. Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) can afford to suffer the complete loss of its investment in the Series 2016 Notes. Each Purchaser’s (and each such other Person’s) knowledge and experience in financial and business matters (or the knowledge and experience of such Purchaser’s or such other Person’s investment advisor) is such that it (or such investment advisor) is capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Series 2016 Notes. Each Purchaser is familiar with the existing and proposed business, operations, management, properties and financial condition of the Company, as described in the public filings of the Company made with the SEC relating to the Company, including the Registration on Form F-4 filed with the SEC relating to the Merger Transactions.

 

(b)          Each Purchaser is familiar with the existing and proposed business, operations, management, properties and financial condition of the Company, as described in the Memorandum. Each Purchaser that is purchasing the Series 2016 Notes on the date of the Closing shall not be a resident of Canada. Each Purchaser further represents that it (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and received answers concerning the existing and proposed business, operations, management, properties and financial condition of the Company and the terms and conditions of the sale of the Series 2016 Notes. Each Purchaser acknowledges that no representations, express or implied, have been or are being made with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Series 2016 Notes or otherwise, other than those expressly set forth herein or contemplated hereby.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)          Each Purchaser agrees to the imprinting of a legend on the Series 2016 Notes to the following effect:

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN CANADA, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD TO, PURCHASED BY OR RESOLD TO, A RESIDENT OF CANADA.”

 

Section 6.2.          Source of Funds . Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source” ) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Series 2016 Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder:

 

(a)          the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption ( “PTE” ) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the NAIC (the “NAIC Annual Statement” )) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile, and the purchase is not part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding designed to benefit a “party in interest” (as that term is defined in ERISA section 3(14)) within the meaning of PTE 95-60; or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)          the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account, and the Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations otherwise meet the requirements for a “Guaranteed Benefit Policy” as defined in ERISA section 401(b)(2); or

 

(c)          the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38, no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund, and the insurance company or bank agrees to maintain records and make such records available as required under PTE 90-1 Part III(b) and (c) or PTE 91-38 Part III(b) and (c); or

 

(d)          the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption” )) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in the Company that would cause the QPAM and the Company to be “related” within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d);or

 

(e)          the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption” )) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(f)          the Source is a governmental plan and there is no applicable law that prohibits or limits that plan’s purchase of Series 2016 Notes pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

(g)          the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or

 

(h)          the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan or Individual Retirement Account, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

 

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

Section 6.3.          Tax Matters . (a) Each Purchaser and each holder that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code hereby represents that, as of the date of this Agreement or the date such holder becomes a holder of a Series 2016 Note, as applicable, (i) it qualifies for a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments of interest pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party; (ii) it could claim the portfolio interest exemption (with respect to payments of interest on the Series 2016 Notes if the Series 2016 Notes were treated as issued by a Subsidiary that is a United States person) and is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; or (iii) such Purchaser’s interest from the Series 2016 Notes will be effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States, and, in each case, such Purchaser thereby qualifies for a complete exemption from any U.S. withholding taxes (other than taxes imposed under FATCA, which shall be addressed under Section 6.3(b) below).

 

(b)          Each Purchaser and each holder represents that, as of the date of this Agreement or the date such holder becomes a holder of a Series 2016 Note, as applicable, in regard to payments of interest and principal on the Series 2016 Notes (if the Series 2016 Notes were treated as if they were issued by a Subsidiary that is a United States person), it (and any intermediary through which it will hold its Series 2016 Notes) qualifies for a complete exemption from any taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Section 7.          Information as to Company.

 

Section 7.1.          Financial and Business Information . The Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor (and for purposes of this Agreement the information required by this Section 7.1 shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery of such information in the English language or the date of delivery of an English translation thereof):

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(a)           Quarterly Statements — within 5 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined in applicable Securities Laws) (the “Form 10-Q” ) promptly after the same are available and in any event within 55 days after the end of such fiscal quarter in each fiscal year of the Company, other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year, duplicate copies of,

 

(i)          a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such quarter, and

 

(ii)         consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,

 

all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, provided that, the filing with the SEC within the time specified above (or pursuant to any requests for extension under applicable Securities Laws) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(a);

 

(b)           Annual Statements — within 5 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined in applicable Securities Law) (the “Form 10-K” ) and in any event within 100 days after the end of such fiscal year of the Company, duplicate copies of

 

(i)          a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such year, and

 

(ii)         consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group for such year,

 

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (which shall not be subject to any qualification as to going concern or the scope of the audit) of independent public accountants of recognized international standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon, provided that, the filing with the SEC within the time specified above (or pursuant to any requests for extension under applicable Securities Laws) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)           SEC and Other Reports — except for filings referred to in Section 7.1(a) and (b) above, promptly upon their becoming available, and to the extent applicable, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report, circular, notice, proxy statement or similar document sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to its public securities holders generally, (ii) any information sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to the agents and/or the lenders under the Bank Credit Agreement (x) pursuant to Sections 6.04, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 and 6.18 (or any replacement section) of the Bank Credit Agreement (excluding information sent to such creditors in the ordinary course of administration of a credit facility, such as by way of example only and without limitation, information relating to pricing and borrowing availability) and (y) relating to any actions of the Company or any Subsidiary permitted under this Agreement by virtue of the fact that such actions are permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement (including with respect to the calculation of the financial covenants in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 and compliance with Sections 9 and 10), and (iii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such holder), and each prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC or any similar Governmental Authority or securities exchange and of all press releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or any Subsidiary to the public concerning developments that are Material, provided that, the filing with the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(c);

 

(d)           Notice of Default or Event of Default — promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(e)           Employee Benefit Matters — promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that the Company or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto:

 

(i)          with respect to any Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans), any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof; or

 

(ii)         the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans), or the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan; or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii)        any event, transaction or condition that would result in the incurrence of any liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(iv)        receipt of notice of the imposition of a Material financial penalty, (which for this purpose, “financial penalty” shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans;

 

(f)           Notices from Governmental Authority — promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Company or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)           Requested Information — with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or relating to the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of Notes, including information readily available to the Company explaining the Company’s financial statements if such information has been requested by the SVO in order to assign or maintain a designation of the Notes; and

 

(h)           Supplements — promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution and delivery of any Supplement, a copy thereof.

 

Section 7.2.          Officer’s Certificate . Each set of financial statements delivered or made available to a holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (a “Compliance Certificate” ) (which, in the case of Electronic Delivery of any such financial statements, shall be by separate concurrent delivery of such certificate to each holder of Notes):

 

(a)           Covenant Compliance — setting forth the information (including detailed calculations) required in order to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 10.13 and 10.14, and any other financial covenant added pursuant to any Supplement, during the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence) substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 7.2(a);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)           Event of Default — certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including, without limitation, any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and

 

(c)           Subsidiary Guarantors – setting forth a list of all Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13 is a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of Senior Financial Officer.

 

Section 7.3.          Visitation . The Company shall permit the representatives of each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

 

(a)           No Default — if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Company and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company’s officers at reasonable times during normal business hours; and

 

(b)           Default — if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Company to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account and to make copies and extracts therefrom (in each case, subject to compliance with confidentiality agreements and applicable copyright laws), and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested during normal business hours.

 

Section 7.4.          Electronic Delivery . Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Officer’s Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Company satisfies any of the following requirements with respect thereto:

 

(i)          such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each holder of a Note by e-mail;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(ii)         the Company shall have timely filed (or if the Company requests an extension for filing under applicable Securities Law, within the grace period permitted by such applicable Securities Law) such Form 10–Q or Form 10–K, satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b), as the case may be, with the SEC on EDGAR (or the Canadian equivalent thereof) and shall have made such form and the related Officer’s Certificate (with respect to such Section 7.1(a) and Section 7.1(b)) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.wasteconnections.com as of the date of this Agreement;

 

(iii)        such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Officer’s Certificate(s) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 are timely posted by or on behalf of the Company on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access or made available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.wasteconnections.com as of the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iv)        the Company shall have filed any of the items referred to in Section 7.1(c) with the SEC on EDGAR (or the Canadian equivalent thereof) and shall have made such items available on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access ;

 

provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Officer’s Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than (i) customary limitations on reliance for items prepared by an agent or professional advisor of the Company and (ii) confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 21 of this Agreement); provided further , that in the case of clause (ii), the Company shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 19, of such posting or availability in connection with each delivery; provided further, that upon request of any holder to receive paper copies of such forms, financial statements, other information and Officer’s Certificates or to receive them by e-mail, the Company will promptly e-mail them or deliver (or cause to be delivered) such paper copies, as the case may be, to such holder.

 

Section 7.5.          Limitation on Disclosure Obligation . The Company shall not be required to disclose the following information pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i)(x), Section 7.1(e), Section 7.1(f), Section 7.1(g) or Section 7.3:

 

(a)          information that the Company determines after consultation with counsel qualified to advise on such matters that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 21, it would be prohibited from disclosing by applicable law or regulations without making public disclosure thereof; or

 

(b)          information that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 21, the Company is prohibited from disclosing by the terms of an obligation of confidentiality contained in any agreement with any non-Affiliate binding upon the Company and not entered into in contemplation of this clause (b), provided that, except with respect to any such confidentiality obligation running in favor of a Governmental Authority, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consent from the party in whose favor the obligation of confidentiality was made to permit the disclosure of the relevant information.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Promptly after determining that the Company is not permitted to disclose any information as a result of the limitations described in this Section 7.5, the Company will provide each of the holders with an Officer’s Certificate describing generally the requested information that the Company is prohibited from disclosing pursuant to this Section 7.5 and the circumstances under which the Company is not permitted to disclose such information.

 

Section 8.          Payment and Prepayment of the Series 2016 Notes.

 

Section 8.1.          Maturity . As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of each tranche of Series 2016 Note shall become due and payable on the respective Maturity Date thereof.

 

Section 8.2.          Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount . The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date) determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than ten days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 18. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section  8.5), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.

 

Section 8.3.          Prepayment for Tax Reasons . (a) If at any time as a result of a Change in Tax Law (as defined below) the Company is or becomes obligated to make any Additional Payments (as defined below) in respect of any payment on account of any of the Notes, the Company may give the holders of all affected Notes irrevocable written notice (each, a “Tax Prepayment Notice” ) of the prepayment of such affected Notes on a specified prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice) and the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of the Company to make any Additional Payments and the amount thereof and stating that all of the affected Notes shall be prepaid on the date of such prepayment at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount, except in the case of an affected Note if the holder of such Note shall, by written notice given to the Company no more than 20 days after receipt of the Tax Prepayment Notice, reject such prepayment of such Note (each, a “Rejection Notice” ). The form of Rejection Notice shall also accompany the Tax Prepayment Notice and shall state with respect to each Note covered thereby that execution and delivery thereof by the holder of such Note shall operate as a permanent waiver of such holder’s right to receive the Additional Payments arising as a result of the circumstances described in the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of all future payments on such Note (but not of such holder’s right to receive any Additional Payments that arise out of circumstances not described in the Tax Prepayment Notice or which exceed the amount of the Additional Payment described in the Tax Prepayment Notice), which waiver shall be binding upon all subsequent transferees of such Note. The Tax Prepayment Notice having been given as aforesaid to each holder of the affected Notes, the principal amount of such Notes together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment shall become due and payable on such prepayment date, except in the case of Notes the holders of which shall timely give a Rejection Notice as aforesaid.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)          No prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall affect the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Payments in respect of any payment made on or prior to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Section 8.3, any holder of more than one affected Note may act separately with respect to each affected Note so held (with the effect that a holder of more than one affected Note may accept such offer with respect to one or more affected Notes so held and reject such offer with respect to one or more other affected Notes so held).

 

(c)          The Company may not offer to prepay or prepay Notes pursuant to this Section 8.3 (i) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, (ii) until the Company shall have taken commercially reasonable steps to mitigate the requirement to make the related Additional Payments or (iii) if the obligation to make such Additional Payments directly results or resulted from actions taken by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than actions required to be taken under applicable law), and any Tax Prepayment Notice given pursuant to this Section 8.3 shall certify to the foregoing and describe such mitigation steps, if any.

 

(d)          For purposes of this Section 8.3: “Additional Payments” means additional amounts (including any related indemnity) required to be paid to a holder of any Note pursuant to Section 13 by reason of a Change in Tax Law; and a “Change in Tax Law” means (individually or collectively with one or more prior changes) (i) an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation of Canada or any other Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Closing, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation after the date of the Closing which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets the opinion and certification requirements described below or (ii) in the case of any other jurisdiction that becomes a Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Closing an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation of such jurisdiction, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation, in any case after such jurisdiction shall have become a Taxing Jurisdiction, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets such opinion and certification requirements. No such amendment or change shall constitute a Change in Tax Law unless the same would in the opinion of the Company (which shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of the Company, which shall be delivered to all holders of the Notes prior to or concurrently with the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of such Change in Tax Law) affect the deduction or require the withholding of any Tax imposed by such Taxing Jurisdiction on any payment payable on the Notes.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 8.4.          Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event . (a) Upon the Company’s receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred (which notice shall refer specifically to this Section 8.4(a) and describe in reasonable detail such Noteholder Sanctions Event), the Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, make an offer (the “Sanctions Prepayment Offer” ) to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by such Affected Noteholder (the “Affected Notes” ), together with interest thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company with respect to each Affected Note but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto, which prepayment shall be on a Business Day not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of the Sanctions Prepayment Offer (the “Sanctions Prepayment Date” ). Such Sanctions Prepayment Offer shall provide that such Affected Noteholder notify the Company in writing by a stated date (the “Sanctions Prepayment Response Date” ), which date is not later than 10 Business Days prior to the stated Sanctions Prepayment Date, of its acceptance or rejection of such prepayment offer. If such Affected Noteholder does not notify the Company as provided above, then the holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer.

 

(b)          Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 8.4, the Company shall prepay on the Sanctions Prepayment Date the entire unpaid principal amount of the Affected Notes held by such Affected Noteholder who has accepted (or has been deemed to have accepted) such prepayment offer (in accordance with subparagraph (a)), together with interest thereon to the Sanctions Prepayment Date with respect to each such Affected Note, but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto.

 

(c)          If a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred but the Company and/or its Controlled Entities have taken such action(s) in relation to their activities so as to remedy such Noteholder Sanctions Event (with the effect that a Noteholder Sanctions Event no longer exists, as reasonably determined by such Affected Noteholder) prior to the Sanctions Prepayment Date, then the Company shall no longer be obliged or permitted to prepay such Affected Notes in relation to such Noteholder Sanctions Event. If the Company and/or its Controlled Entities shall undertake any actions to remedy any such Noteholder Sanctions Event, the Company shall keep the holders reasonably and timely informed of such actions and the results thereof.

 

(d)          If any Affected Noteholder that has given written notice to the Company of its acceptance of (or has been deemed to have accepted) the Company’s prepayment offer in accordance with subparagraph (a) also gives notice to the Company prior to the relevant Sanctions Prepayment Date that it has determined (in its sole discretion) that it requires clearance from any Governmental Authority in order to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4, the principal amount of each Note held by such Affected Noteholder, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of prepayment, shall become due and payable on the later to occur of (but in no event later than the Maturity Date of the relevant Note) (i) such Sanctions Prepayment Date and (ii) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Affected Noteholder gives notice to the Company that it is entitled to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4 (which may include payment to an escrow account designated by such Affected Noteholder to be held in escrow for the benefit of such Affected Noteholder until such Affected Noteholder obtains such clearance from such Governmental Authority), and in any event, any such delay in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be deemed to give rise to any Default or Event of Default.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(e)          Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days, after the Company’s receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event shall have occurred with respect to such Affected Noteholder, the Company shall forward a copy of such notice to each other holder of Notes.

 

(f)          The Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, give written notice to the holders after the Company or any Controlled Entity having been notified that (i) its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (ii) it is in violation of, or is subject to the imposition of sanctions under, any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, in each case which notice shall describe the facts and circumstances thereof and set forth the action, if any, that the Company or a Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(g)          The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4 shall be in addition to any rights or remedies available to any holder of Notes that may arise under this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Noteholder Sanctions Event; provided , that, if the Notes shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 as a result of the events, conditions or actions of the Company or its Controlled Entities that gave rise to a Noteholder Sanctions Event, the remedies set forth in Section 12 shall control.

 

Section 8.5.          Allocation of Partial Prepayments . In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment. All regularly scheduled partial prepayments made with respect to any series of Additional Notes pursuant to any Supplement shall be allocated as provided therein.

 

Section 8.6.          Maturity; Surrender, Etc . In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

 

Section 8.7.          Purchase of Notes . The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (i) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including any Supplement hereto) and the Notes, and (ii) pursuant to a written offer to purchase any outstanding Notes made by the Company or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of the Notes upon the same terms and conditions. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 8.8.          Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2016 Notes . “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2016 Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2016 Note minus the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2016 Note, the principal of such Series 2016 Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2016 Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Series 2016 Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2016 Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by the “Ask Yield(s)” reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities ( “Reported” ) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities Reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the “Ask Yield(s)” Reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note.

 

If such yields are not Reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then “Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2016 Note.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2016 Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Series 2016 Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1.

 

Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2016 Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

Section 8.9.          Payments Due on Non-Business Days . Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.2 that notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

 

Section 8.10.         Change in Control . (a)  Notice of Change in Control or Control Event. The Company will, within 15 Business Days after any Responsible Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change in Control or Control Event, give written notice of such Change in Control or Control Event to each holder of Notes unless notice in respect of such Change in Control (or the Change in Control contemplated by such Control Event) shall have been given pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.10. If a Change in Control has occurred, such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes of each Series as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.10 and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.10.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)           Condition to Company Action. The Company will not take any action, directly or indirectly, that consummates or finalizes a Change in Control unless (i) at least 15 Business Days prior to such action it shall have given to each holder of Notes written notice containing and constituting an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.10, accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.10, and (ii) contemporaneously with such action, it prepays all Notes required to be prepaid in accordance with this Section 8.10.

 

(c)           Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 8.10 shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.10, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, “holder” in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date specified in such offer (the “Proposed Prepayment Date” ). If such Proposed Prepayment Date is in connection with an offer contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this Section 8.10, such date shall be not less than 20 days and not more than 30 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the 20th day after the date of such offer).

 

(d)           Acceptance; Rejection. A holder of Notes may accept or reject the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.10 by causing a notice of such acceptance or rejection to be delivered to the Company at least 5 Business Days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.

 

(e)           Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date). The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date except as provided in subparagraph (f) of this Section 8.10.

 

(f)           Deferral Pending Change in Control. The obligation of the Company to prepay Notes pursuant to the offers required by subparagraph (b) and accepted in accordance with subparagraph (d) of this Section 8.10 is subject to the occurrence of the Change in Control in respect of which such offers and acceptances shall have been made. In the event that such Change in Control does not occur on the Proposed Prepayment Date in respect thereof, the prepayment shall be deferred until and shall be made on the date on which such Change in Control occurs. The Company shall keep each holder of Notes reasonably and timely informed of (i) any such deferral of the date of prepayment, (ii) the date on which such Change in Control and the prepayment are expected to occur, and (iii) any determination by the Company that efforts to effect such Change in Control have ceased or been abandoned (in which case the offers and acceptances made pursuant to this Section 8.10 in respect of such Change in Control shall be deemed rescinded).

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(g)           Officer’s Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Company and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.10; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.10 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date or proposed date of the Change in Control.

 

(h)           Effect on Required Payments. The amount of each payment of the principal of the Notes made pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall be applied against and reduce each of the then remaining principal payments, if any, due pursuant to any Supplement by a percentage equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so paid divided by the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding immediately prior to such payment.

 

(i)           “Control Event” Defined. “Control Event” means:

 

(A)         the execution by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates of any agreement with respect to any proposed transaction or event or series of transactions or events which, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Change in Control,

 

(B)         the execution of any written agreement which, when fully performed by the parties thereto, would result in a Change in Control, or

 

(C)         the acceptance by the requisite number of holders of any written offer by any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) to the holders of the common stock of the Company, which would result in a Change in Control.

 

Section 9.          Affirmative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 9.1.          Punctual Payment . The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Notes, fees and other amounts provided for in this Agreement and the Notes, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes.

 

Section 9.2.          Records and Accounts . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) keep true and accurate records and books of account in which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties, contingencies, and other reserves, and (iii) at all times engage an independent accounting firm of national standing pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement as the independent certified public accountants of the Company.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 9.3.          Legal Existence and Conduct of Business . Except as otherwise permitted by Section 10.4, the Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, legal rights and franchises; effect and maintain its foreign qualifications, licensing, domestication or authorization except as terminated by the Company’s or its Material Subsidiaries’ board of directors (or similar governing body) in the exercise of its reasonable judgment and except where the failure of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries to remain so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and shall not become obligated under any contract or binding arrangement which, at the time it was entered into would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily in the businesses conducted by it on the date of the Closing and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 10.3 and 10.4.

 

Section 9.4.          Maintenance of Properties . The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of their businesses to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries may be necessary so that the businesses carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company or such Subsidiary, desirable in the conduct of their business and which does not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 9.5.          Insurance . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, funds or underwriters insurance of the kinds, covering the risks (other than risks arising out of or in any way connected with personal liability of any officers and directors thereof) and in the relative proportionate amounts typically carried by reasonable and prudent companies conducting businesses similar to that of the Company and its Subsidiaries. In addition, the Company and its Subsidiaries will furnish from time to time, upon the request of the Required Holders, a summary of the insurance coverage, which summary shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders (it being understood that any such summary of the insurance coverage delivered pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders) and, if requested by the Required Holders, will furnish to the Required Holders certificates evidencing such insurance. If the agents under the Bank Credit Agreement require that any certificate evidencing liability insurance name the agents as the certificate holder thereunder, the Company shall cause any such certificate to also name the holders as the certificate holder thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to maintain self-insurance programs to the extent permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 9.6.          Taxes . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before any Material penalty accrues thereon, all Taxes (other than Taxes which in the aggregate are not Material to the business or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary on an individual basis or of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any Material part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for labor, materials, or supplies, which if unpaid might by law become a Lien or charge upon any Material portion of its property, unless such Lien is a Permitted Lien; provided , however , that any such Tax or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and provided further , that the Company or such Subsidiary will pay all such Taxes or claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any Lien which may have attached as security therefor.

 

Section 9.7.          Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) comply with the provisions of their Organization Documents, (ii) comply with the provisions of all agreements and instruments by which they or any of their properties may be bound; and (iii) comply with all applicable laws (including Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits) except, in the case of subsections (i) (solely for non-compliance with the provisions of its Organization Documents by a Person other than the Company or a Material Subsidiary), (ii) and (iii), where noncompliance with such Organization Documents, applicable agreements, instruments and laws would not have a Material Adverse Effect. If at any time while any Note is outstanding, any authorization, consent, approval, permit or license from any Governmental Authority shall become necessary or required in order that the Company or any Material Subsidiary may fulfill any of their obligations hereunder, the Company will immediately take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the power of the Company or such Material Subsidiary to obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the Lenders with evidence thereof.

 

Section 9.8.          Environmental Indemnification. The Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, jointly and severally covenant and agree that it will indemnify and hold the holders harmless from and against any and all claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the holders (including all costs of legal representation) relating to (a) any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials on the Real Estate; (b) any violation of any Environmental Laws with respect to conditions at the Real Estate or the operations conducted thereon; (c) the investigation or remediation of offsite locations at which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or its predecessors are alleged to have directly or indirectly disposed of Hazardous Materials; or (d) any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. It is expressly acknowledged by the Company and its Subsidiaries that this covenant of indemnification shall include claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the holders based upon the holders’ negligence (but not gross negligence or willful misconduct, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment), and this covenant shall survive any foreclosure or any modification, release or discharge of the Notes and this Agreement or the payment of the Notes and shall inure to the benefit of the holders and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

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Section 9.9.          Additional Notices. The Company will promptly notify the holders in writing of any material change by the Company or any Subsidiary in accounting policies, financial reporting practices (subject to Section 10.12) or attestation reports concerning internal controls pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Section 9.10.         Designation of Material Subsidiaries. Concurrently with the delivery of a Compliance Certificate, the Company shall from time to time designate one or more Subsidiaries as a Material Subsidiary in order to remain in compliance with the Material Subsidiary conditions, as set forth in the definition thereof. Upon such designation, Schedule 9.10 shall be deemed amended to include such new designated Material Subsidiaries.

 

Section 9.11.         Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans. (a) For each existing, or hereafter adopted, Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan administered by the Company or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries, the Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, comply with and perform in all material respects all of their material obligations under and in respect of such Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, including under any funding agreements and all applicable laws and regulations (including any funding, investment and administration obligations).

 

(b)          The Company will, and will cause each of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, withhold, pay or remit all Material employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws.

 

(c)          The Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, deliver to the holders (i) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any material claim, direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary may receive from any applicable Canadian Governmental Authority or other claimant, except for regular claims for benefits with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan that can reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency); (ii) notification within 30 days of receipt of an actuarial report or accounting disclosure report that discloses any increases having a cost to the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate, in respect of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, and (iii) subject to Section 10.16, notification within thirty (30) days of the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan that has a “defined benefit provision” as that term is defined in the ITA, or the commencement of contributions to any such plan to which the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary participating thereof was not previously contributing that can be expected to give rise to an annual liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency).

 

(d)          The Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, withhold, pay or remit all material employer and employee contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of the Canadian Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation, and employment insurance legislation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

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Section 9.12.         Notes to Rank Pari Passu. The Notes and all other obligations under this Agreement of the Company are and at all times shall remain direct and unsecured obligations of the Company ranking pari passu as against the assets of the Company with all other Notes from time to time issued and outstanding hereunder without any preference among themselves, and at least pari passu with all Indebtedness outstanding under any Material Credit Facility and all other present and future unsecured Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of the Company which is not expressed to be subordinate or junior in rank to any other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company, except to the extent that any Material Credit Facility becomes secured, then the Notes shall also become secured and shall rank at least pari passu therewith. The Company will ensure that the payment obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty will at all times rank at least pari passu , without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Section 9.13.         Subsidiary Guarantors. (a) The Company will cause each of its Subsidiaries that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility to concurrently therewith:

 

(i)          enter into an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders providing for the guaranty by such Subsidiary, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiary Guarantors, of (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the Company thereunder and (y) the performance, observance and discharge by the Company of each and every covenant, agreement, and duties required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it (a “Subsidiary Guaranty” ); and

 

(ii)         deliver the following to each holder of a Note:

 

(A)         an executed counterpart of such Subsidiary Guaranty;

 

(B)         a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor to the same effect, mutatis mutandis , as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6 and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary and such Subsidiary Guaranty);

 

(C)         all documents as may be reasonably and customarily requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary Guarantor and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor of the execution and delivery of such Subsidiary Guaranty and the performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations thereunder; and

 

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(D)         an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such customary matters relating to such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guaranty as the Required Holders may reasonably request and consistent with those opinions delivered pursuant to Section 4.13(b)(iv).

 

(b)          At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantor may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under its Subsidiary Guaranty and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution and delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Subsidiary Guarantor is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Credit Facility, then such Subsidiary Guarantor has been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty) under such Material Credit Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under such Subsidiary Guaranty, (iv) if in connection with such Subsidiary Guarantor being released and discharged under any Material Credit Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness, in its capacity as a holder of such Indebtedness, under such Material Credit Facility for such release, other than the repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this condition shall not apply to customary and usual fees paid in connection with (x) the termination and replacement of a Material Credit Facility or (y) the amendments to the 2008 NPA in connection with the Merger Transactions and, in each case, out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith), and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). In the event of any such release, for purposes of Section 10.1(k), all Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred concurrently with such release.

 

(c)          The Company shall at all times, directly or indirectly, own 100% of the equity interest of each Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Section 10.         Negative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 10.1.          Restrictions on Indebtedness. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness other than:

 

(a)          Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Bank Credit Agreement and the 2008 NPA (either on an unsecured basis or on a secured basis if the Notes are equally and ratably secured pari passu therewith);

 

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(b)          Indebtedness existing on the date of the Closing and set forth on Schedule 5.15, including any renewals, extensions, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount thereof (plus all accrued interest on such Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith, the amount of which may be included in the principal amount of any refinancing) is not increased;

 

(c)          incurrence of guaranty, suretyship or indemnification obligations in connection with the performance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of services for their respective customers in the ordinary course of their businesses;

 

(d)          so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom (including that the Company would not violate the covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 as a result thereof), Indebtedness of one of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any one Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary of the Company, which intercompany Indebtedness shall, in each case, be (x) unsecured, (y) subordinate to the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Notes in accordance with Section 23.10, and (z) in the case of any Permitted Intercompany Financing, subject to the requirements set forth in Section 10.4.3;

 

(e)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the acquisition or lease of any equipment or other property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Synthetic Lease, Capitalized Lease or other lease arrangement or purchase money financing;

 

(f)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to bonds for vehicle permits, facility or building permits, tipping or disposal fees, solid waste collections, solid waste transportation, closure and post-closure obligations relating to any landfill owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(g)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Swap Contracts (including Fuel Derivatives Obligations) entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(h)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit of Persons acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(i)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of IRBs; provided, that (a) such Indebtedness may be secured only to the extent such IRBs are L/C Supported IRBs and (b) after taking into account all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (i), the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness (with such amounts adjusted as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

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(j)          other secured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than as permitted under other subsections hereof), not in excess of $20,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(k)          other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that, at the time of incurrence thereof, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 determined on a pro forma basis (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness) (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds thereof) as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period, and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(j) and this Section 10.1(k) shall not at any time exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth;

 

(l)          Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Agreement and the Notes; and

 

(m)          Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables SPV in a Permitted Receivables Transaction.

 

Section 10.2         Restrictions on Liens. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien of any kind upon any property or assets of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles or chattel paper, with or without recourse, except as follows (the “Permitted Liens” ):

 

(a)          Liens (i) to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges or (ii) on properties to secure claims for labor, material or supplies, in each case, in respect of obligations not overdue or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided that, if the obligation with respect to which any such Lien arises is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, such obligation may remain unpaid during the pendency of such proceedings as long as the Company or its applicable Subsidiary shall have set aside on their books adequate reserves with respect thereto);

 

(b)          deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment or performance of, or the provision of services by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to a customer, workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security obligations other than any Lien imposed by ERISA and not permitted pursuant to Section 10.7;

 

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(c)          Liens in respect of judgments or awards (i) which have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the Company or its applicable Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review and in respect of which the Company or such Subsidiary maintains adequate reserves or (ii) that secure judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11(i);

 

(d)          Liens of carriers, warehousemen, repairmen, landlords, mechanics and materialmen, and other like Liens, in existence less than 120 days from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not overdue, provided that such Liens may continue to exist for a period of more than 120 days if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto as required by GAAP and provided further that the Company or such Subsidiary will pay any such claim forthwith upon commencement of proceedings to foreclose any such Lien;

 

(e)          encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlord’s or lessor’s Liens under leases to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, and other minor Liens none of which in the opinion of the Company or such Subsidiary interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary, which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(e) incurred in connection with the lease or acquisition of property or fixed assets or industrial bond financings, provided that such Liens shall encumber only the property or assets so acquired or financed and shall not exceed the purchase price thereof;

 

(g)          Liens, whether created by contract, law, regulation or ordinance, securing Indebtedness permitted by Sections 10.1(c), (f) or (h); provided that any security granted therefor is limited to (i) rights to payment under, and use of equipment or related assets to perform, the contracts to which such guaranty, suretyship or bond obligations relate or is otherwise on terms (including subordination terms) permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, (ii) Liens arising under the laws of suretyship and (iii) similar Liens granted in favor of municipalities or other governmental entities pursuant to any Municipal Contract; provided, that such Liens (A) encumber only the containers, bins, carts and vehicles used in connection with such Municipal Contract and (B) are promptly released as soon as such release is not prohibited under the terms of such Municipal Contract;

 

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(h)          Liens listed on Schedule 10.2 hereto;

 

(i)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(i) in the form of L/C Supported IRBs;

 

(j)          Liens securing deposits made on account of liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;

 

(k)          (i) Liens granted to a Receivables SPV in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction and securing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries existing as of the date of the Closing and listed on Schedule 5.15 in connection therewith and (ii) Liens of a Receivables SPV securing Indebtedness of such Receivables SPV permitted by Section 10.1(m); provided, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), that such Liens attach only to the accounts receivable which are the subject of such Indebtedness and to the Equity Interests of the Receivables SPV;

 

(l)          Liens granted in connection with secured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 10.1(a) or (b); provided that no such Liens may secure any Indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility unless effective provision is made whereby the Notes will be equally and ratably secured with any and all such Indebtedness thereby secured pursuant to customary documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders;

 

(m)          good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders and contracts, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations and deposits to secure surety or appeal bonds or import duties or other obligations and arrangements described in Section 10.1(f), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)          Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository institution;

 

(o)          any Liens related to a sale and leaseback transaction permitted pursuant to Section 10.5;

 

(p)          any Lien on cash or cash equivalents arising from any escrow or cash collateral account for the benefit of any hedge bank or other swap counterparty in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(g) with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(q)          any cash collateral required to be delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

Section 10.3.          Restrictions on Investments. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Investments other than:

 

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(a)          ordinary course Investments made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time in cash and cash equivalents;

 

(b)          subject to Sections 10.1(d), 10.3(d)(solely in respect of the proviso thereof) and 10.4.3, Investments in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)          Investments consisting of guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1; and

 

(d)          other Investments so long as (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 hereof, determined on a pro forma basis (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Investment (with such amounts adjusted as if such Investment occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period), (ii) at the time of such Investment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (iii) to the extent such proposed Investment constitutes a transaction described in Section 10.4.1, the Company and its Subsidiaries comply with the additional requirements set forth in such Section 10.4.1; provided , that the aggregate amount of all Investments in non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Company shall not exceed 10% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.1 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements); provided, further, that the aggregate amount of all Investments of any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries on the date of the Closing and in related businesses shall not exceed $200,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) at any time outstanding.

 

Section 10.4.          Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.

 

Section 10.4.1.          Mergers, Amalgamations, Consolidations and Acquisitions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, become a party to any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or effect any asset acquisition or Equity Interest acquisition (other than, in each case, (i) the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps; (ii) the Merger Transactions, (iii) any Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Company or with any one or more Subsidiaries (an “Intercompany Business Combination” ); provided that (A) if any transaction shall be between the Company and a Subsidiary, the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person; (B) if any transaction shall be between a Subsidiary Guarantor and a Subsidiary (including a Subsidiary Guarantor), a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a constituent party to such transaction shall be (x) the continuing or surviving Person and (y) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, unless such other survivor shall be or become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company and becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13; and (C) if any transaction shall be between a Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person; or (iv) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect dispositions, sales, leases or other transfers permitted under Section 10.4.2 (such transactions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), an “Excluded Transaction” )), and except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.4.1. The Company and its Subsidiaries may purchase or otherwise acquire assets or the Equity Interests of any other Person (without limiting any Excluded Transaction) including any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect such purchase or acquisition; provided , that any Intercompany Business Combination must in all cases comply with clause (iii) above (the “Intercompany Business Combination Provisions” ); and provided further , that:

 

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(i)          the Company and its Subsidiaries are in pro forma compliance with all of the financial covenants in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition (with such amounts adjusted as if such acquisition occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(ii)         at the time of such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such acquisition will not otherwise create a Default or an Event of Default hereunder;

 

(iii)        to the extent the Company and its Subsidiaries use, directly or indirectly, any proceeds of the issuance of the Notes in connection with such acquisition, the Company or any Subsidiary shall not acquire any Person if the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Person to be acquired has not approved such acquisition (it being acknowledged that the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps, in each case, to the extent not constituting an acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, shall not be subject to such board (or equivalent governing body) approval); and

 

(iv)        to the extent such acquisition involves a Change in Control, such Change in Control is in accordance with Section 8.10.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 10.4.1 with respect to any transaction that may be otherwise permitted by this Section 10.4.1, (a) the Company shall not consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity, and (b) no Subsidiary Guarantor shall consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity unless (i) any such other survivor shall be or become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company and shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13, or (ii) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is to effect a disposition permitted under Section 10.4.2.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 10.4.2.          Disposition of Assets. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall effect any disposition of assets, other than, in each case subject, if applicable, to compliance with the Intercompany Business Combination Provisions of Section 10.4.1: (a) the sale of inventory, the licensing of intellectual property and the disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of obsolete or surplus assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (b) a disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of assets from (i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Subsidiary of the Company or to the Company, (c) the sale or exchange of routes and related assets which in the business judgment of the Company does not, and will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than 12.5% of the value of the consolidated total assets of the Consolidated Group (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.1 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements) over the term of this Agreement transferred in connection with an asset sale or swap, which sale or swap in the business judgment of the Company will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (e) the sale, lease, assignment, transfer or other disposition of Receivables in connection with any Permitted Receivables Transaction, and (f) any sale and leaseback transaction permitted by Section 10.5.

 

Section 10.4.3.          Permitted Intercompany Financings. The Company and its Subsidiaries may engage in Permitted Intercompany Financings with Transaction Subsidiaries; provided , that (x) the Permitted Intercompany Financings are consummated on terms permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement; and (y) the structure of and documentation evidencing the Permitted Intercompany Financings shall be permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, and, if requested, the Company shall provide the holders with copies of any and all documentation evidencing such Permitted Intercompany Financing. In addition, the Company shall deliver to the holders copies of all loan documents delivered to the agents under the Bank Credit Agreement in connection with such Permitted Intercompany Financings, including, without limitation, documentation necessary to evidence that no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result from the consummation of such Permitted Intercompany Financing.

 

Section 10.5.          Sale and Leaseback. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall sell or transfer any property owned by either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in order then or thereafter to lease such property or lease other property which the Company or such Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred unless permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, except, in each case, where a disposition, sale, lease or other transfer is not prohibited under Section 10.4.2 and the Indebtedness arising therefrom is not prohibited under Section 10.1(j).

 

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Section 10.6.          Restricted Payments and Redemptions. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payments ( provided, however, that neither the exercise of common stock purchase warrants or options to purchase common stock on a “cashless” exercise basis under the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans shall constitute a purchase or redemption of Equity Interests), except that (a)(i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may make any Restricted Payment to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company and (ii) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made, (b) the Company may make any Restricted Payment so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would be created by the making of such Restricted Payment ( provided, that if as of the end of any fiscal quarter in any fiscal year (and after giving effect to any Indebtedness incurred to finance such Restricted Payment, if any), the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, as determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a), the Company shall not make Restricted Payments in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate in such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof; provided further, that if (x) the Company shall be prohibited from making Restricted Payments in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year as a result of the application of the foregoing Leverage Ratio and (y) the Company shall have previously made Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount greater than or equal to $500,000,000 during such fiscal year, the Company shall not be deemed to be in violation of this Section 10.6 as a result of such pre-existing Restricted Payments but shall not make any additional Restricted Payments for the remainder of such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof), and (c) the Company may make cash payments to its employees and non-employee directors pursuant to one or more profit sharing, equity incentive or other benefit plan.

 

Section 10.7.          Employee Benefit Plans. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate will:

 

(a)          engage in any “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise incur any excise taxes under Sections 4971, 4975, 4980B or 4980D of the Code which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(b)          fail to satisfy the Pension Funding Rules with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or fail to meet or seek any waiver of the minimum funding standards or incur any funding shortfall (within the meaning of Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA or Sections 430 and 436 of the Code) with respect to any such Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

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(c)          fail to contribute to any Pension Plan to an extent which, or terminate any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) in a manner which, could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien securing material obligations (and in any event obligations in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) on any assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 303(k) or Section 4068 of ERISA or Section 430(k) of the Code; or

 

(d)          post any security pursuant to Section 436(f) of the Code or fail to meet the minimum required contribution payment obligations under Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(e)          permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit liability (within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA) of all Pension Plans (other than any Multiemployer Plans) exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Pension Plans with assets in excess of benefit liabilities which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(f)          incur any withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA with respect to any Multiemployer Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Section 10.8.          Burdensome Agreements. Except as required by any Municipal Contract, the 2008 NPA or the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement, enforceable under applicable law, which directly or indirectly prohibits the Company or such Subsidiary from (a) making Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Subsidiary or otherwise transferring property to or investing in the Company or any other Subsidiary, except for any such agreement or arrangement in effect at the time such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Company, so long as such agreement or arrangement was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary of the Company, (b) guaranteeing the Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary or (c) creating or incurring any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest or Lien in favor of an agent for the benefit of the holders other than customary anti-assignment provisions in leases and licensing agreements entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, in each case other than (A) any restriction with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary permitted under the terms of this Agreement pending the closing of such disposition, sale, lease or other transfer, (B) any restriction in the form of customary provisions with respect to disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of Investments held by the Company or a Subsidiary and permitted under the terms of this Agreement, (C) restrictions on specific assets which assets are the subject of purchase money security interests to the extent permitted under Section 10.2 solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness, (D) restrictions on any Receivables SPV or the Equity Interests, securities or other obligations thereof pursuant to customary documentation entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction, (E) any restriction pursuant to an agreement governing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1, including customary subordination provisions, (F) customary anti-assignment provisions contained in leases, licensing agreements and permits issued by Governmental Authorities, in each case entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, and (G) in connection with restrictions imposed by applicable laws.

 

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Section 10.9.          Business Activities. The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries on the date of the Closing (after giving effect to the Merger Transactions) and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 10.3 and 10.4.

 

Section 10.10.         Transactions with Affiliates. Except with respect to the Permitted Intercompany Financings, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will engage in any transaction with any non-Subsidiary Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an arm’s-length basis in the ordinary course of business.

 

Section 10.11.         Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) prepay, redeem or repurchase any Indebtedness incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 10.1 (other than the obligations in respect of this Agreement and the Notes) hereof unless no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would be created thereby, or (b) amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of (i) any Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 5.15 in a manner materially adverse to the holders without the consent of the Required Holders, except for any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof permitted by Section 10.1, and (ii) the Bank Credit Agreement in a manner materially adverse to the holders without the consent of the Required Holders.

 

Section 10.12.         Accounting Changes. The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any change in its accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.

 

Section 10.13.         Leverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of (i)(x) Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding on such date less (y) the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of such date in excess of $50,000,000 up to a maximum of $200,000,000 (such that the maximum amount of reduction pursuant to this subclause (y) does not exceed $150,000,000) to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date (the “Leverage Ratio” ), to exceed 3.75:1.00.

 

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Section 10.14.         Interest Coverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Total Interest Expense, in each case for the Reference Period ending on such date, to be less than 2.75:1.00.

 

Section 10.15.         Economic Sanctions . The Company will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or controlled by a Blocked Person), own or control a Blocked Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction would be in violation of, or could result in the imposition of sanctions under, any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws applicable to the Company or such Controlled Entity, except, in the case of this clause (b), to the extent that such violation or sanctions, if imposed, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 10.16.         Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans . (a) Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, have any liability in respect of a new “multi-employer pension plan,” as that term is defined in Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (Canada) or equivalent provincial legislation, if such liabilities would exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

(b)          Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Canadian Subsidiaries to, establish, adopt or agree to contribute to any new Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA) or acquire any Person who sponsors, maintains, administers, or is or may be required to contribute to a Canadian Pension Plan with a defined benefit provision, if the hypothetical wind up deficit in respect of the Canadian Pension Plan is estimated to exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

(c)          Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, take any action to effect the full or partial termination, or to cause any Canadian Governmental Authority to order the full or partial termination, of any Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA), if such full or partial termination is estimated to give rise to a wind up deficit in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 11.         Events of Default.

 

An “Event of Default” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a)          the Company defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or

 

(b)          the Company defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note, any LIBOR Breakage Amount or any amount payable pursuant to Section 13 for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

 

(c)          the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Section 7.1(d) or Section 10 or any covenant in a Supplement which provides that it shall have the benefit of this paragraph (c); or

 

(d)          the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or in any Supplement (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or

 

(e)          any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of the Company or by any officer of the Company in this Agreement (including any Supplement) or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

 

(f)          (i) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount greater than $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) ( “Threshold Indebtedness” ) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Threshold Indebtedness or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such Threshold Indebtedness or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Threshold Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Threshold Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than (A) the passage of time, (B) the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into equity interests, (C) any event that would also give rise to an offer of prepayment or repayment of the Notes under this Agreement in connection with a Change in Control, (D) any Designated Prepayment Event or (E) a repayment right resulting from a “due-on-sale” provision in any mortgage), (x) the Company or any Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Subsidiary so to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness; provided that, notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, the occurrence of any Change of Control under any other note purchase agreement or any Designated Prepayment Event shall not be an Event of Default under this clause (f); or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(g)          the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, debtor relief laws or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, or any such petition shall be filed against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary and such petition shall not be dismissed or stayed within 60 days; or

 

(h)          any event occurs with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary which under the laws of any jurisdiction is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g); or

 

(i)          a final judgment or judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) (excluding judgments in which an insurer has acknowledged in writing that it is liable for such judgment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Company and any Subsidiary and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, satisfied, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged, stayed or satisfied within 60 days after the expiration of such stay after taking into account any undisputed insurance coverage; or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(j)          any Subsidiary Guarantor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in any Subsidiary Guaranty and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(j); or

 

(k)          any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor in any Subsidiary Guaranty or any writing furnished in connection with such Subsidiary Guaranty proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

 

(l)          any Subsidiary Guaranty shall cease to be in full force and effect (except if released in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement), any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Subsidiary Guaranty, or the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under any Subsidiary Guaranty are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guaranty; or

 

(m)          the Company at any time legally or beneficially owns less than 100% of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary Guarantor (directly or indirectly); or

 

(n)          if (i) any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans), determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $35,000,000, or the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan requiring aggregate annual payments exceeding $5,000,000, (iv) the aggregate present value of accrued benefit liabilities under all funded Non-U.S. Plans exceeds the aggregate current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plans allocable to such liabilities, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (vi) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, or is a participant in a Multiemployer Plan at the time of a termination thereof, (vii) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder, (viii) the Company or any Subsidiary fails to administer or maintain a Non-U.S. Plan in compliance with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations or court orders or any Non-U.S. Plan is involuntarily terminated or wound up, in either case giving rise to a liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency), or (ix) the Company or any Subsidiary becomes subject to the imposition of a Material financial penalty (which for this purpose shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (ix) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Section 11(n), the terms “employee benefit plan” and “employee welfare benefit plan” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

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Section 12.         Remedies on Default, Etc.

 

Section 12.1.          Acceleration . (a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Company described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

(b)          If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

 

(c)          If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.

 

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount and LIBOR Breakage Amount determined in respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Company acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Company (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Company in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.

 

Section 12.2.          Other Remedies . If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note or Subsidiary Guaranty, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

 

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Section 12.3.          Rescission . At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, on any Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 18, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 12.4.          No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc . No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement, any Subsidiary Guaranty or any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 16, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements and any Registration Duty.

 

Section 13.         Tax Indemnification; FATCA Information.

 

(a)          All payments whatsoever under this Agreement and the Notes will be made by the Company in lawful currency of the United States of America free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future Taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction (other than the United States or any political subdivision thereof) in which (i) the Company is then incorporated or resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or (ii) through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company (or, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (hereinafter a “Taxing Jurisdiction” ), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.

 

 

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(b)          If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by the Company under this Agreement or the Notes, the Company will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder of a Note such additional amounts, as additional interest on the Notes as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Notes after such deduction, withholding or payment (including any required deduction or withholding of Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:

 

(i)          any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder or beneficial owner (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder or beneficial owner, if such holder or beneficial owner is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder or beneficial owner to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof, including such holder or beneficial owner (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident or national thereof, having been organized under the laws thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein;

 

(ii)         any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder or beneficial owner (following a written request by, or by an agent of, the Company) in the accurate filing with the Company or the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder or beneficial owner to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms would not (in such holder’s reasonable judgment) result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of, or an agent of, the Company no later than 30 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof);

 

(iii)         any Tax imposed under FATCA;

 

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(iv) any Tax which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or with respect to the Notes;

 

(v) any Taxes that are imposed or withheld as a result of the presentation of the Notes for payment more than 30 days after the relevant payment is first made available for payment to the holder or beneficial owners (except to the extent the holder would have been entitled to additional amounts had the note been presented on the last day of such 30 day period);

 

(vi) any Tax that would not have been imposed if the holder dealt, at the applicable time, at “arm’s length” with the Company, and is not a “specified shareholder” of the Company or a person who does not deal at arm's length, with such a specified shareholder, all within the meaning of the ITA; or

 

(vii)       any combination of clauses (i) and (vi) above;

 

provided further that in no event shall the Company be obligated to pay such additional amounts to any holder (i) not resident in the United States of America or in any other jurisdiction in which an original Purchaser is resident for tax purposes on the date of the Closing in excess of the amounts that the Company would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America or such other jurisdiction, as applicable, for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between the United States of America or such other jurisdiction and the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or (ii) registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and the Company shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.

 

(c)          By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b)(ii) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly and accurately complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by, or by an agent of, the Company all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by the Company (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, “Forms” ) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the jurisdiction of the holder and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide the Company and, if applicable, its agent with such information with respect to such holder as the Company may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms or comply with any backup withholding and information withholding requirements, provided that nothing in this Section 13(c) shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided further that each such holder shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to the Company and, if applicable, its agent or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority, whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.

 

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(d)          On or before the date of the Closing, the Company will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in Canada pursuant to Section 13(b)(ii), if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note the Company will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.

 

(e)          If any payment is made by the Company to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by the Company pursuant to this Section 13, then, if such holder at its sole discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund, relief, remission or repayment of such Taxes, such holder shall, without unreasonable delay, reimburse to the Company such amount as such holder shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in Section 13(b)(ii)) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.

 

(f)          The Company will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by the Company of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Agreement or the Notes, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of the Company, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.

 

(g)          If the Company is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which the Company would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 13, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then the Company will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by the Company) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

 

(h)          If the Company makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note, including for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to Section 13(g) and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from the Company (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by the Company, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(i)          The obligations of the Company under this Section 13 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 13 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.

 

(j)          (i) Each holder that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code hereby agrees to deliver to the Company, on or before the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, either a completed and signed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or other successor form, together with applicable attachments), as may be applicable to it, as required in order to claim the applicable U.S. withholding exemption.

 

(ii)         Each holder that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, agrees to deliver to the Company, on or before the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 (or other successor form) certifying that such holder is completely exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.

 

(iii)        Each holder agrees to deliver, on or before the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, the applicable tax form or documentation as required in order to claim an exemption from any taxes imposed under FATCA (including, solely for this purpose, any amendments after the date hereof).

 

(iv)        If the holder is not the beneficial owner of the Notes, the representations in Section 6.3 and the covenants set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above shall apply with respect to the beneficial owners. The holders shall collect the tax documentation described above in clauses (i) through (iii) from the beneficial owners and, if the holder is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30), forward the beneficial owner tax documentation to the Company along with a completed and signed IRS Form W-8IMY (or other successor form) and, if the holder is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30), submit a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 for such holder.

 

(v)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to pay any additional amounts or any indemnity or other payment under this Section 13 or otherwise to or for the account of any holders or beneficial owners for any Taxes resulting from a holder’s or beneficial owner’s breach of Section 6.3 or this Section 13(j), (ii) the holders and beneficial owners hereby severally agree to indemnify the Company (to the extent permitted by applicable law) for any such Taxes imposed on or collected from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including any such Taxes imposed or collected with respect to any intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Company) resulting from such breach, and (iii) the Company shall be entitled to treat the Notes as issued directly by a Subsidiary that is a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes and make any deduction or withholding of U.S. federal income tax accordingly and on the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to this Section 13(j).

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(vi)        For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the references to “Purchaser” in Section 6.3 and references to “holder” in this Section 13(j) shall be read interchangeably and (ii) the terms “holder” and “beneficial owner” in Section 6.3 or this Section 13(j) shall be in reference to both the holders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any nominees) and beneficial owners of the Notes as of the date of Closing and any subsequent holders and beneficial owners, respectively.

 

Section 14.         Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes.

 

Section 14.1.          Registration of Notes . The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register (or a copy thereof if such register is maintained by an agent of the Company) for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes (including pursuant to Section 22). The name and address (including e-mail address, if applicable) of each holder of one or more Notes, the principal amount and stated interest owing to each holder of the Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address (including e-mail address, if applicable) of, and the principal amount and stated interest of the Notes owing to, each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall (or shall cause its agent to) give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes. No service charge will be imposed on any holder of a Note for any exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment by the relevant holder of sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with such registration of transfer or exchange to a Person other than the Company or its Affiliates.

 

Section 14.2.          Transfer and Exchange of Notes . Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iv)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof) within ten Business Days thereafter the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company’s expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches) as requested by the holder thereof in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1(a), Exhibit 1(b) or Exhibit 1(c) hereto or Exhibit 1 of the appropriate Supplement, as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.2 and 6.3, and the Company shall not be obligated to register any Note in the name of any transferee who cannot make the representations set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.2 and 6.3 or with respect to any transfer that would result in a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA.

 

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Section 14.3.          Replacement of Notes . Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 19(a)(iv)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

 

(a)          in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

 

(b)          in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

 

within ten Business Days thereafter the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches), dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

Section 15.         Payments on Notes.

 

Section 15.1.          Place of Payment . Subject to Section 15.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount or LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.

 

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Section 15.2.          Home Office Payment . So long as any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Purchaser’s nominee or such Additional Purchaser’s nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 15.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount or LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A hereto, or, in the case of any Additional Purchaser’s Schedule A attached to any Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Purchaser is a party, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 15.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Person’s nominee, such Person will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches) pursuant to Section 14.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 15.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 15.2.

 

Section 16.         Expenses, Etc.

 

Section 16.1.          Transaction Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company will pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees of one special counsel for the Purchasers and any Additional Purchasers, as a group, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including, without limitation: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any Supplement) and by the Notes and any Subsidiary Guaranty and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO, provided that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $4,000 for each series or tranche of Notes. The Company will pay, and will save each Purchaser, each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes). If required by the NAIC, the Company shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). For the avoidance of doubt, costs and expenses shall include any Registration Duty. This Section 16.1 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages or similar charges arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

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Section 16.2.          Certain Taxes. The Company agrees to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement (including any Supplement) or any Subsidiary Guaranty or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or Canada or any other jurisdiction of organization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantors or any other jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement (including any Supplement) or any Subsidiary Guaranty or of any of the Notes, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Company pursuant to this Section 16, except in each case for any such taxes or fees arising out of a transfer or assignment of the Notes (or any other interest with respect thereto) by or on behalf of any Purchaser, and will save each Purchaser and each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Company hereunder.

 

Section 16.3.          Survival . The obligations of the Company under this Section 16 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, any Supplement, any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement or any Supplement.

 

Section 17.         Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.

 

All representations and warranties contained herein or in any Supplement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Supplement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Company under this Agreement, provided, that the representations and warranties contained in any Supplement shall only be made for the benefit of the Additional Purchasers which are party to such Supplement and the holders of the Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement, including subsequent holders of any Note issued pursuant to such Supplement, and shall not require the consent of the holders of existing Notes. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement (including every Supplement), the Notes and any Subsidiary Guaranty embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Purchasers and the Additional Purchasers and the Company and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

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Section 18.         Amendment and Waiver.

 

Section 18.1.          Requirements . (a) This Agreement (including any Supplement) and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders, except that:

 

(i)          no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 22 hereof or the corresponding provision of any Supplement, or any defined term (as it is used in any such Section or such corresponding provision of any Supplement), will be effective as to any Purchaser or holder of Notes unless consented to by such Purchaser or such holder of Notes in writing, and

 

(ii)         no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, or in the case of clause (B), such Purchaser as applicable, (A) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on the Notes, (B) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver or the principal amount of the Notes that the Purchasers are required to purchase pursuant to Section 2 upon the satisfaction of the conditions to Closing that appear in Section 4 or in any Supplement, as applicable, or (C) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 13, 18, 21 or 23.8 (or any corresponding provision in a Supplement).

 

(b)           Supplements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may enter into any Supplement providing for the issuance of one or more series of Additional Notes consistent with Sections 1.2 and 4.14 hereof without obtaining the consent of any holder of any other series of Notes.

 

(c)           Waiver of Offers. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, any rejection of an offer (or other waiver) by a holder of a Note under this Agreement may be made in advance of such offer being made if rejected in a writing signed by such holder.

 

Section 18.2.          Solicitation of Holders of Notes .

 

(a)           Solicitation . The Company will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof, any Supplement, of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 18 or any Subsidiary Guaranty to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

 

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(b)           Payment . The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of a Note as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of any Subsidiary Guaranty or any Note unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

 

(c)           Consent in Contemplation of Transfer . Any consent given pursuant to this Section 18 or any Subsidiary Guaranty by a holder of Notes that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Notes to (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate or (iii) any other Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such other Person acquiring, making a tender offer for or merging with the Company and/or any of its Affiliates, in each case in connection with such consent, shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.

 

Section 18.3.          Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 18 or any Subsidiary Guaranty applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note or Subsidiary Guaranty shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note.

 

Section 18.4.          Notes Held by the Company, Etc . Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement, any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

Section 19.         Notices; English Language.

 

(a)          Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (x) by telecopy or other electronic transmission, (y) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid) or (z) by an internationally recognized commercial delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

 

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(i)          if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,

 

(ii)         if to an Additional Purchaser or its nominee, to such Additional Purchaser or its nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A to any Supplement, or at such other address as such Additional Purchaser or its nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing;

 

(iii)        if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing; or

 

(iv)        if the Company, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

 

Notices under this Section 19 will be deemed given only when actually received.

 

(b)          Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.

 

(c)          This Agreement and the Notes have been prepared and signed in English and the parties hereto agree that the English version hereof and thereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in Canada or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.

 

Section 20.         Reproduction of Documents.

 

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing or by any Additional Purchaser (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital or other similar process and such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 20 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 21.         Confidential Information.

 

For the purposes of this Section 21, “Confidential Information” means information delivered to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure; (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser or any Person acting on such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s behalf, provided that such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser does not have any actual knowledge that such source is bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary or is otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser by contract or legal obligation; (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary; or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its auditors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 21, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 21), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 21), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s Notes, this Agreement or any Subsidiary Guaranty and to the extent the Company has been given prior written notice (to the extent legally permissible) and the opportunity to object to such disclosure. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 21 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company embodying the provisions of this Section 21.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser, Additional Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from this Section 21, Section 21 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser, Additional Purchaser or such holder and the Company, Section 21 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.

 

Section 22.         Substitution of Purchaser.

 

Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser. In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by the Company of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Affiliate as a “Purchaser” or an “Additional Purchaser” in this Agreement (other than in this Section 22), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser, and such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.

 

Section 23.         Miscellaneous.

 

Section 23.1.          Successors and Assigns . All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement (including all covenants and other agreements contained in any Supplement) by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 23.2.          Accounting Terms . (a) Generally. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of “Indebtedness” ), any election by the Company to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 –  Fair Value Option , International Accounting Standard 39 –  Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.

 

(b)           Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in this Agreement, and either the Company or the Required Holders shall so request, the holders and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Holders); provided , that until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Company shall provide to the holders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

 

(c)           Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Company is required to consolidate pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

 

Section 23.3.          Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 23.4.          Construction, Etc . Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14, (b) subject to Section 23.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules, Exhibits and Supplements attached to this Agreement shall be deemed to be a part hereof.

 

Section 23.5.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

 

Section 23.6.          Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

Section 23.7.          Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)          The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.

 

(c)          The Company consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 23.7(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (or any substantially similar form of mail) postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, or delivering a copy thereof in the manner for delivery of notices specified in Section 19, to Waste Connections US, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of any process in the United States. The Company agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

 

(d)          Nothing in this Section 23.7 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 

(e)           The parties hereto hereby waive trial by jury in any action brought on or with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Section 23.8.          Obligation to Make Payment in Dollars. Any payment on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under the Notes in Dollars which is made to or for the account of any holder in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the realization of any security or the liquidation of the Company, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of the Company under this Agreement or the Notes only to the extent of the amount of Dollars which such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of Dollars that could be so purchased is less than the amount of Dollars originally due to such holder, the Company agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency. This indemnity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term “London Banking Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 23.9.          Interest Act (Canada) . (a) To the extent permitted under applicable law, any provision of the Interest Act (Canada) or the Judgment Interest Act (Alberta) which restricts any rate of interest set forth herein shall be inapplicable to this Agreement and is hereby waived by the Company.

 

(b)          The theory of deemed reinvestment shall not apply to the calculation of interest or payment of fees or other amounts hereunder, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, acceptance or other evidence of indebtedness or in any other agreement relating to the Notes now or hereafter taken by any holder for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, or any other instrument referred to herein, and all interest and fees payable by the Company to the holders, shall accrue from day to day, computed as described herein or in the Notes in accordance with the “nominal rate” method of interest calculation.

 

(c)          Where, in this Agreement or in the Notes, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 365/366-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 365 or 366, as applicable. Where, in this Agreement, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 360.

 

Section 23.10.         Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness . (a) The Company, for itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries (each, a “Subordinating Note Party” ), covenants and agrees, in their respective capacities as issuers or holders of any principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any company), fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees and any other sum chargeable to any Subordinating Note Party or due in respect of the aggregate unpaid amount of all advances, indebtedness, loans, payables and other extensions of credit and obligations made by a Subordinating Note Party to another Subordinating Note Party as holder (the “Intercompany Indebtedness” ), that the payment of any Intercompany Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Section 23.10, to the payment in full of all obligations under this Agreement, any Subsidiary Guaranty and the Notes (collectively, the “Obligations” ), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of the Notes. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (1) as to any Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Note Party may make and receive any (x) payments of principal and interest, including, without limitation, prepayments of principal, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Permitted Intercompany Financings to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 23.10 and (2) as to Intercompany Indebtedness other than Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Note Party may make and receive any (x) regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest as and when due, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 23.10;  provided , that in the event that any Subordinating Note Party receives any payment of any such Intercompany Indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Subordinating Note Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the holders of Notes ( provided that, in the event that any other holder of senior Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement has the same right to receive such payments, the Company shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable agent and to the holders of such other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)).

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)          Each of the Subordinating Note Parties, for itself and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, by its acceptance of any Intercompany Indebtedness, (i) authorizes the Required Holders to demand specific performance of the terms of this Section 23.10 at any time when any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness shall have failed to comply with any provisions of this Section 23.10 which are applicable to it and (ii) irrevocably waives to the extent permitted under applicable law any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

 

(c)          Upon any distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party in any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise): (i) the holders of the Notes shall first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the Obligations before any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness is entitled to receive any payment on account of such Intercompany Indebtedness; (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any such holder of Intercompany Indebtedness would be entitled except for the provisions of this Section 23.10(c), shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution directly to the holders of the Notes, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Obligations remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provisions therefor to the holders of the Notes; (iii) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 23.10(c), any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by any such holder of Intercompany Indebtedness on account of Intercompany Indebtedness before the discharge of the Obligations, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for and shall be paid over to the holders of the Notes, for application to the payment of the Obligations, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to such holders of the Notes ( provided that, in the event that any other holder of senior Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement has the same right to receive such payments, the Company shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable agent and holders of such other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)), and (iv) no right of the holders of the Notes to enforce the subordination provisions herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Subordinating Note Party. If, for any reason, any of the trusts expressed to be created in this Section 23.10(c)(iii) should fail or be unenforceable, the affected Subordinating Note Party will promptly pay or distribute any such payment or distribution of assets to the holders of the Notes for application to the payment of the Obligations in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

  

(d)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing subordination shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is made and such payment or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the holders of the Notes in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any debtor relief law or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

* * * * *

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company. 

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  Waste connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation
     
  By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
    Name:  Worthing Jackman
    Title:  Chief Financial Officer

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

 

 

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

 

General America Life Insurance Company

by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its Investment Manager

 

MetLife Insurance Company USA

by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its Investment Manager

 

 

By /s/ John A. Wills
  Name: John A. Wills
  Title: Managing Director

 

 

MetLife Insurance K.K.

by MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC, Its Investment Manager

 

 

By /s/ C. Scott Inglis
  Name: C. Scott Inglis
  Title: Managing Director

 

 

Erie Family Life Insurance Company

by MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC, Its Investment Manager

 

Lincoln Benefit Life Company

by MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC, Its Investment Manager

 

 

By /s/ C. Scott Inglis
  Name: C. Scott Inglis
Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

New York Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By /s/ A. Post Howland
  Name: A. Post Howland
  Title: Vice President

 

 

New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation

 

By: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Managing Director

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, a banking corporation organized under the laws of New York, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee under that certain Trust Agreement dated as of July 1st, 2015 between New York Life Insurance Company, as Grantor, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), as Beneficiary, John Nancock Life Insurance Company of New York, as Beneficiary, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee

 

By: New York Life Insurance Company, its attorney-in-fact

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Managing Director

 

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation Institutionally Owned Life Insurance Separate Account (BOLI 30C)

 

By: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Managing Director

 

 

New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation Institutionally Owned Life Insurance Separate Account (BOLI 3)

 

By: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Managing Director

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

 

By: Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company, LLC,
its investment adviser

 

 

By /s/ David A. Barras
  Name: David A. Barras
  Title: Managing Director

 

 

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for its Group Annuity Separate Account

 

 

 

By /s/ David A. Barras
  Name: David A. Barras
  HIts Authorized Representative

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

Reliastar Life Insurance Company

Voya Insurance and Annuity Company

Security Life of Denver Insurance Company

Reliasar Life Insurance Company of New York

 

By: Voya Investment Management LLC, as Agent

 

 

By: /s/ Paul Aronson
Name: Paul Aronson
Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

NN Life Insurance Company Ltd.

 

By: Voya Investment Management LLC, as Attorney in fact

 

 

By: /s/ Paul Aronson
Name: Paul Aronson
Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

AETNA 401(K) Master Trust

 

United Technologies Corporation Employee Savings Plan Master Trust

 

By: Voya Investment Management Co. LLC, as Agent

 

 

By: /s/ Paul Aronson
Name: Paul Aronson
Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Principal Life Insurance Company

 

By: Principal Global Investors, LLC
  a Delaware limited liability company,
  its authorized signatory

 

 

By: /s/ Colin Pennycooke
Name: Colin Pennycooke
Title: Counsel

 

 

By: /s/ Anne R. Cook
Name: Anne R. Cook
Title: Counsel

 

Principal Life Insurance Company, on behalf of one or more separate accounts

 

By: Principal Global Investors, LLC
  a Delaware limited liability company,
  its authorized signatory

 

 

By: /s/ Colin Pennycooke
Name: Colin Pennycooke
Title: Counsel

 

 

By: /s/ Anne R. Cook
Name: Anne R. Cook
Title: Counsel

 

Symetra Life Insurance Company,
a Washington corporation

 

By: Principal Global Investors, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
its authorized signatory

 

 

By: /s/ Colin Pennycooke
Name: Colin Pennycooke
Title: Counsel

 

 

By: /s/ Anne R. Cook
Name: Anne R. Cook
Title: Counsel

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Hartford Life Insurance Company

Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois

Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company

Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company

Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company

Hartford Casualty Insurance Company

Separate Account B, a separate account of Hartford Life Insurance Company

 

By: Hartford Investment Management Company, Their Agent and Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

By: /s/ John Knox
Name: John Knox
Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

- 78

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company

 

By: Delaware Investment Advisers, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact

 

By: /s/ Alex Alston
Name: Alex Alston
Title: Vice President

 

 

Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York

 

By: Delaware Investment Advisers, a series of Delaware Management Business Trust, Attorney in Fact

 

 

By: /s/ Alex Alston
Name: Alex Alston
Title: Vice President

 

 

- 79

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

State Farm Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
Name: Julie Hoyer
Title: Investment Executive – Fixed Income

 

By: /s/ Jeffrey Attwood
Name: Jeffrey Attwood
Title: Investment Professional – Fixed Income

 

 

 

State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
Name: Julie Hoyer
Title: Investment Executive – Fixed Income

 

By: /s/ Jeffrey Attwood
Name: Jeffrey Attwood
Title: Investment Professional – Fixed Income

 

 

- 80

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York

 

By: Ameritas Investment Partners Inc., as Agent

 

 

By: /s/ Tina Udell
Name: Tina Udell
Title: Vice President & Managing Director

 

- 81

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

AXA Equitable life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Amy Judd
Name: Amy Judd
Title: Investment Officer

 

MONY Life Insurance Company of America

 

 

 

By: /s/ Amy Judd
Name: Amy Judd
Title: Investment Officer

 

- 82

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

RiverSource Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Kirk M. Moore
Name: Kirk M. Moore
Title: Vice President – Investments

 

 

RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York

 

 

 

By: /s/ Kirk M. Moore
Name: Kirk M. Moore
Title: Vice President – Investments

 

- 83

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

American United Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ David M. Weisenburger
Name: David M. Weisenburger
Title: V.P., Fixed Income Securities

 

 

The State Life Insurance Company

By: American United Life Insurance Company
Its: Agent

 

 

By: /s/ David M. Weisenburger
Name: David M. Weisenburger
Title: V.P., Fixed Income Securities

 

 

- 84

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

 

 

 

By: /s/ Edward Brennan
Name: Edward Brennan
Title: Senior Director

 

- 85

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Connecticut General Life Insurance Company

 

By: Cigna Investments, Inc. (authorized agent)

 

 

 

By: /s/ Elisabeth Piker
Name: Elisabeth Piker
Title: Managing Director

 

 

Life Insurance Company of North America

 

By: Cigna Investments, Inc. (authorized agent)

 

 

 

By: /s/ Elisabeth Piker
Name: Elisabeth Piker
Title: Managing Director

 

- 86

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

 

By: PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact, on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company

 

 

By: /s/ Luke S. Stifflear
Name: Luke S. Stifflear
Title: Sr. Managing Director

 

 

Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York

 

By: PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact, on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York

 

 

By: /s/ Luke S. Stifflear
Name: Luke S. Stifflear
Title: Sr. Managing Director

 

 

- 87

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ David Divine
Name: David Divine
Title: Senior Portfolio Manager

 

- 88

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date hereof.

 

American Republic Insurance Company

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.

Gleaner Life Insurance Society

 

By: Advantus Capital Management Inc.

 

 

By: /s/ John Leiviska
Name: John Leiviska
Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

- 89

 

  

D efined Terms

 

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:

 

“2008 NPA” means the Master Note Purchase Agreement among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries and the purchasers named therein, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended, restated, assumed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Additional Notes” is defined in Section 1.2.

 

“Additional Purchasers” means purchasers of Additional Notes.

 

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means for each Interest Period with respect to any Floating Rate Note a rate per annum equal to the rate set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes is issued.

 

“Affected Noteholder” is defined within the definition of “Noteholder Sanctions Event.”

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of any other Person under Rule 144(a) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof, if such other Person were issuing securities.

 

“Agreement” means this Master Note Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, assumed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.

 

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA Patriot Act.

 

“Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation” means, at any time, any Canadian pension minimum standards legislation (be it Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or otherwise) then applicable to the Company and its Canadian Subsidiaries.

 

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments thereunder that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such Synthetic Lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

Schedule B

(to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

Audited Financial Statements ” means each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its then existing Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its then existing Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto and (ii) the audited consolidated balance sheet of WCN and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of WCN and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

“Bank Credit Agreement” means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, by and among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the global agent, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof, which constitute the primary bank credit facility of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by OFAC, (ii) a Person, entity, organization, country or regime that is blocked or a target of sanctions that have been imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws or (iii) a Person that is beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any Person, entity, organization, country or regime described in clause (i) or (ii).

 

“Business Day” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.6 only (and any other comparable Section set forth in a Supplement), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Toronto, Ontario, Canada are required or authorized to be closed or are in fact closed.

 

“Canadian Benefit Plan” means an employee benefit plan, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries, for the benefit of the employees, former employees, directors, and contractors of the Company or any of such Canadian Subsidiaries employed or engaged in Canada including all profit sharing, incentive compensation, savings, supplemental retirement, retiring allowance, severance, deferred compensation (including stock option, share award and equity-based plans), welfare, bonus, supplementary unemployment benefit plans or arrangements and all life, health, dental and disability plans and arrangements; provided , however that “Canadian Benefit Plan” shall not include the Canadian Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required to be provided under federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation or employment insurance legislation.

 

“Canadian Pension Plan” means any plan that is a “registered pension plan” as defined in subsection 248(1) of the ITA administered by the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary and required to be registered under any Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation, and contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute by) the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary.

 

  B- 2  

 

 

“Canadian Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is organized in Canada.

 

“Capitalized Lease” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP (and subject to Section 23.2), recorded as capitalized leases.

 

“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

“Change in Control” means (a) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Exchange Act) has acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) of more than 50% (by number of shares) of the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Company or (b) as such similar concept is defined in any other note purchase agreement to which the Company is party.

 

“Closing” is defined in Section 3.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

 

“Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, or any permitted successor.

 

“Compliance Certificate” is defined in Section 7.2.

 

“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 20.

 

“Consolidated” or “consolidated”  means, with reference to any term defined herein, shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes” or Consolidated EBIT ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Consolidated Group determined in accordance with GAAP, plus , without duplication, (a) interest expense, plus (b) income taxes, plus (c) non-cash stock compensation charges, to the extent that such charges were deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, charges for stock options and restricted stock grants, plus (d) one-time, non-recurring acquisition related transaction fees and expenses and, to the extent permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, integration costs incurred within 12 months of any acquisition to the extent such costs are expensed, plus (e) non-controlling interest expense, plus (f) non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns, writeoffs or impairments of, assets or deferred financing costs, including non-cash losses on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, plus (g) any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness, plus (h) special charges relating to the termination of a Swap Contract, plus (i) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any members of the Consolidated Group, plus (j) one-time, non-recurring charges in connection with the modification of employment agreements with certain members of senior management to the extent included in the calculation of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes under the Bank Credit Agreement, plus (k) non-cash accounting charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification ( “ASC” ) Topic 815 for such period, minus (l) non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), and minus (m) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contact payable to any members of the Consolidated Group, minus (n) non-cash accounting gains resulting from the application of ASC Topic 815 for such period.

 

  B- 3  

 

 

“Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization” or “Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period (without duplication), (a) Consolidated EBIT plus the depreciation expense and amortization expense, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the depreciation expense and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBITDA was included under clause (c) hereof, plus (c) Consolidated EBITDA for the prior twelve (12) months of companies or business segments acquired by the Consolidated Group during the respective reporting period (without duplication) provided, that (i) the financial statements of such acquired companies or business segments have been audited for the period sought to be included by an independent accounting firm of recognized national standing or any other accounting firm permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, or (ii) such inclusion is permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, and provided further that such acquired Consolidated EBITDA may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), to the extent such expenses are included in the calculation of “Consolidated EBITDA” under and as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement. Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (c)(i) and (c)(ii) above, a Senior Financial Officer of the Company shall deliver to the holders a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation (in form and substance substantially similar to that delivered by the Company under the Bank Credit Agreement) certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company or business segment.

 

Consolidated Group ” means the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

“Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit)” means the consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Consolidated Group after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean the consolidated stockholder’s equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as defined according to GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Total Funded Debt” means,   with respect to the Consolidated Group, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments, (ii) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases, (iii) the non-contingent deferred purchase price of assets and companies (typically known as holdbacks) to the extent recognized as a liability in accordance with GAAP, but excluding short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding, but excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding; plus (b) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (a) of another Person who is not a member of the Consolidated Group guaranteed by one or more members of the Consolidated Group.

 

  B- 4  

 

 

Consolidated Total Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Consolidated Group during such period on all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments treated as interest under GAAP in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease and including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, but (a)  excluding (i) any amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses incurred during such period to the extent included in determining consolidated interest expense, including without limitation, non-cash amortization of deferred debt origination and issuance costs and amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income, (ii) all amounts associated with the unwinding or termination of any Swap Contract, (iii) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to any member of the Consolidated Group and (iv) to the extent included as an item of interest expense, any premium paid to prepay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, and (b)  including any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any member of the Consolidated Group.

 

“Controlled Entity” means (i) any of the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of their or the Company’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (ii) if the Company has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means (1) with respect to each tranche of the Series 2016 Notes that per annum rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2016 Notes and (ii) 2% above the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate and (2) with respect to any other series of Notes, the Default Rate as defined in such series of Notes.

 

“Designated Prepayment Event” means the occurrence of a change in tax law or a sanctions event, the effect of which is to permit the holder of any Threshold Indebtedness to require the Company or any Subsidiary to prepay or repay such Indebtedness.

 

  B- 5  

 

 

“Distribution” means the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution on or in respect of any Equity Interest (other than dividends or other distributions payable solely in additional Equity Interests); the purchase, redemption, or other retirement of any shares of any class of Equity Interest, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary or otherwise; the return of equity capital by any Person to its shareholders, partners or members as such.

 

“Dollars” , “U.S. Dollars” or “$” means lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“EDGAR” means the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.

 

“Electronic Delivery” means filing information with the SEC such that such information is publicly available.

 

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to Hazardous Materials.

 

“Environmental Permit” means any permit, certificate, registration, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

 

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of any class of, or other ownership or profit interests in, such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Company under section 414 of the Code.

 

“Event of Default” is defined in Section 11.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

  B- 6  

 

 

“Excluded Transaction” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

“FATCA” means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of the Closing (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“Floating Rate Note” means any Note issued under this Agreement with a floating interest rate and not a fixed interest rate.

 

“Form 10-K” is defined in Section 7.1(b).

 

“Form 10-Q” is defined in Section 7.1(a).

 

“Fuel Derivative Obligations” means fuel price swaps, fuel price caps and fuel price collar and floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices.

 

“GAAP” means those generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect and set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

“Governmental Authority” means

 

(a)          the government of

 

(i)          the United States of America or Canada or any state or other political subdivision of either, or

 

(ii)         any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or

 

(b)          any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

 

“Governmental Official” means any governmental official or employee, employee of any government-owned or government-controlled entity, political party, any official of a political party, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization or anyone else acting in an official capacity.

 

  B- 7  

 

 

“Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation) obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:

 

(a)          to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;

 

(b)          to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;

 

(c)          to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or

 

(d)          otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor. The amount of any Guaranty shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law, including, but not limited to, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances.

 

“holder” means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1.

 

“Indebtedness” means as to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:

 

(a)          every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,

 

  B- 8  

 

 

(b)          every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,

 

(c)          every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person,

 

(d)          the net present value (using the “Base Rate” (as such term is defined in the Bank Credit Agreement) as the discount rate) of every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding (A) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good faith and (B) contingent purchase price obligations solely to the extent that the contingency upon which such obligation is conditioned has not yet occurred),

 

(e)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Capitalized Leases,

 

(f)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Synthetic Leases,

 

(g)          all sales by such Person of (A) accounts or general intangibles for money due or to become due, (B) chattel paper, instruments or documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (C) other receivables (collectively, “Receivables” ), whether pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for collection and not as a financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other amounts in connection therewith, provided, however, that sales referred to in clauses (B) and (C) shall not constitute Indebtedness to the extent that such sales are non-recourse to such Person;

 

(h)          every obligation of such Person (an “equity related purchase obligation”) to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Interest of any class issued by such Person, or any rights measured by the value of such Equity Interest,

 

(i)          every net obligation of such Person under any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices,

 

(j)          every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under applicable law, and

 

  B- 9  

 

 

(k)          every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guaranteeing, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (j) (the “primary obligation”) of another Person (the “primary obligor”), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person (A) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such primary obligation, (B) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the payment of such primary obligation, or (C) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such primary obligation.

 

The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness at any time of determination represented by (x) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (y) any sale of Receivables shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment, and (z) any equity related purchase obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption or purchase price. For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

 

“INHAM Exemption” is defined in Section 6.2(e).

 

“Institutional Investor” means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than $2,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.

 

“Intercompany Business Combination” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

“Intercompany Business Combination Provisions” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the dates set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes are issued.

 

  B- 10  

 

 

“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the period commencing on the issuance date of such Floating Rate Note and continuing up to, but not including, the first Interest Payment Date and, thereafter, the period commencing on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date and continuing up to, but not including, the next Interest Payment Date.

 

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (or assumption, as applicable) of capital stock or other Equity Interests, Indebtedness, assets constituting a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guaranty or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be calculated based on the Dollar equivalent of the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment and without giving effect to any currency fluctuations.

 

“IRB Letters of Credit” means letters of credit issued under the Bank Credit Agreement in respect of IRBs.

 

“IRBs” means industrial revenue bonds or solid waste disposal bonds or similar tax-exempt bonds issued by or at the request of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

“knowledge” means, with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer.

 

“L/C Supported IRBs” means IRBs enhanced by IRB Letters of Credit.

 

“Leverage Ratio” is defined in Section 10.13.

 

“LIBOR” shall mean, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) for deposits in U.S. Dollars for a three (3) month period which appears on the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service Page BBAM-1 (or if such page is not available, the Reuters Screen LIBO Page) as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the date two Business Days before the commencement of such Interest Period.

 

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“LIBOR Breakage Amount” shall mean any loss, cost or expense (other than lost profits) actually incurred by any holder of a Floating Rate Note as a result of any payment or prepayment of any Floating Rate Note on a day other than a regularly scheduled Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Note or at the scheduled maturity (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration or otherwise), and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained, provided that any such loss, cost or expense shall be limited to the time period from the date of such prepayment through the earlier of (i) the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the maturity date of the Notes. Each holder shall determine the LIBOR Breakage Amount with respect to the principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes then being paid or prepaid (or required to be paid or prepaid) by written notice to the Company that issued such Floating Rate Note setting forth such determination in reasonable detail not less than two Business Days prior to the date of prepayment in the case of any prepayment pursuant to Section 8.2 and not less than one Business Day in the case of any payment required by Section 12.1. Each such determination shall be presumptively correct absent manifest error.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Make-Whole Amount” is defined in Section 8.6 for the Series 2016 Notes and, in connection with each other series of Notes, the make - whole, breakage or other amounts provided for in the Supplement in respect of such other series of Notes.

 

“Material” means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect to any event or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding), (a) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or operations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors taken as a whole or (b) any impairment of the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes against the Company or any Subsidiary Guaranty against any Subsidiary Guarantor or any impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to any holder under this Agreement, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty. In determining whether any individual event could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that such event does not of itself have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event and all other then-existing events could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

“Material Credit Facility” means, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries,

 

(a)          the Bank Credit Agreement;

 

(b)          any private placement document, either now existing or existing in the future, pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary has issued senior notes; and

 

  B- 12  

 

 

(c)          any other agreement(s) creating or evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money from third parties entered into on or after the date of this Agreement by the Company or any Subsidiary, or in respect of which the Company or any Subsidiary is an obligor or otherwise provides a guarantee or other credit support ( “Credit Facility” ), in a principal amount outstanding or available for borrowing equal to or greater than $500,000,000 (or the equivalent of such amount in the relevant currency of payment, determined as of the date of the closing of such facility based on the exchange rate of such other currency); provided that, in no event shall any intercompany financing arrangement between the Company and its Subsidiaries be considered a Material Credit Facility .

 

Material Subsidiary means, as of any date of determination, each direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company that (a) has total assets equal to or greater than 5% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements are available), or has revenues equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period for which financial statements are available), (b) is a Subsidiary Guarantor, (c) guarantees any private placement notes or other senior notes of the Company or, if applicable, senior notes of its Subsidiaries or (d) is designated by the Company as a Material Subsidiary; provided that the Material Subsidiaries shall at all times represent not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company shall from time to time promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter) designate one or more of its Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to cause such term to include Subsidiaries of the Company that, together with the Company and each other Material Subsidiary, have assets equal to not less than 90% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter) and revenues of not less than 90% of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period). For the avoidance of doubt, the 90% calculation in the immediately preceding sentence shall include the Company’s assets and revenues only to the extent they do not duplicate the assets and revenues of its Subsidiaries and, without limitation of the foregoing, the Company’s Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries shall not be included in valuing the assets of the Company. Schedule 9.10 contains a list of each Material Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement.

 

“Maturity Date” is defined in the first paragraph of each Note.

 

“Memorandum” is defined in Section 5.3.

 

“Merger” means the merger transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement ” means, collectively, that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 18, 2016, by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., Merger Sub, and WCN, as in effect on such date and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, but on or prior to the Closing.

 

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Merger Sub ” means a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to giving effect to the Merger Transactions.

 

Merger Transactions ” means the Merger and the other transactions relating thereto or contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

 

“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Company or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

“Municipal Contracts” means governmental permits issued to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by, and franchises and contracts entered into between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, any municipal or other governmental entity, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto.

 

“Non-Canadian Holder” is defined in Section 5.9(b).

 

“Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, the sum of all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries (including all guaranties of Indebtedness) that are not Subsidiary Guarantors under this Agreement and the Notes.

 

“Non-U.S. Plan” means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America by the Company or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of the Company or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

“Noteholder Sanctions Event” means, with respect to any Purchaser or any holder of a Note (an “Affected Noteholder” ), such holder or any of its affiliates, respectively, being in violation of or subject to sanctions (a) under any U.S. Economic Sanctions as a result of the Company or any Controlled Entity becoming a Blocked Person or, directly or indirectly, having any investment in or engaging in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Blocked Person or (b) under any similar laws, regulations or orders adopted by any State within the United States as a result of the name of the Company or any Controlled Entity appearing on a State Sanctions List.

 

“Notes” is defined in Section 1.

 

  B- 14  

 

 

Obligations ” is defined in Section 23.10.

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

OFAC Sanctions Program ” means any economic or trade sanction that OFAC is responsible for administering and enforcing. A list of OFAC Sanctions Programs may be found at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of the Company whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

 

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and including any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.

 

“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Section 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Company and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code. For greater certainty, “Pension Plan” does not include any Canadian Pension Plan.

 

“Permitted Intercompany Financings” means a series of loans or equity financings made from time to time by the Company in connection with any structuring of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to certain of its direct or indirect Transaction Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors including subsequent reloans or reinvestments of some or all of such funds to and among other Subsidiary Guarantors, all on terms permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

  B- 15  

 

 

“Permitted Liens”  see Section 10.2.

 

“Permitted Receivables Transactions”  means any sale or sales of, and/or securitization of, or transfer of, any Receivables of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to which (a) the Receivables SPV realizes aggregate net proceeds of not more than $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) at any one time outstanding, including, without limitation, any revolving purchase(s) of Receivables where the maximum aggregate uncollected purchase price (exclusive of any deferred purchase price) for such Receivables at any time outstanding does not exceed $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency), (b) the Receivables shall be transferred or sold to the Receivables SPV at fair market value or at a market discount, and shall not exceed $125,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate at any one time and (c) obligations arising therefrom shall be non-recourse to the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables SPV).

 

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability. For greater certainty, “Plan” does not include any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan.

 

“Preferred Stock” means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person.

 

“Pro Forma Reference Period” means, as of the calculation date for any pro forma covenant calculation hereunder, the most recently completed Reference Period prior to such calculation date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.

 

“PTE” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

“Purchaser” means each of the purchasers that has executed and delivered this Agreement to the Company and such Purchaser’s successors and permitted assigns (so long as any such assignment complies with Section 14.2), provided, however, that any Purchaser of a Note that ceases to be the registered holder or a beneficial owner (through a nominee) of such Note as the result of a transfer thereof pursuant to Section 14.2 shall cease to be included within the meaning of “Purchaser” of such Note for the purposes of this Agreement upon such transfer.

 

“QPAM Exemption” is defined in Section 6.2(d).

 

“Qualified Institutional Buyer” means any Person who is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.

 

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“Real Estate” means all real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or sublessee) by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Receivables SPV” means any one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company formed for the sole purpose of engaging in Permitted Receivables Transactions, and which engage in no business activities other than those related to Permitted Receivables Transactions.

 

“Reference Period”  means as of any date of determination, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Consolidated Group or the twelve (12) month period ending on such date, or if such date is not a fiscal quarter end date, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters or the twelve (12) month period most recently ended (in each case treated as a single accounting period).

 

“Registration Duty” means any registration duty or similar amount payable pursuant to any provision of law of Canada in connection with the use in a judicial proceeding of this Agreement, the Notes or any other agreement or document related hereto or thereto or the transactions contemplated herein or therein.

 

“Related Fund” means , with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (i) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (ii) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.

 

“Release” has the meaning specified in CERCLA; provided that in the event CERCLA is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply as of the effective date of such amendment; and provided further , to the extent that the laws of a state wherein the property lies establishes a meaning for “Release” which is broader than specified in CERCLA, such broader meaning shall apply.

 

“Required Holders” means at any time on or after the Closing, the holders of at least 51% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates).

 

“Responsible Officer” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.

 

“Restricted Payment” means, in relation to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, any (a) Distribution or (b) derivatives or other transactions with any financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a “Derivatives Counterparty” ) obligating the Company or such Subsidiary to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any Equity Interest of the Company or such Subsidiary; provided, however, that no Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any (i) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the foreclosure on (or similar exercise of secured party remedies with respect to) such Equity Interests securing Indebtedness used to purchase such Equity Interests, (ii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests funded by the proceeds of “key man” life insurance policies with respect to the holder of such Equity Interests, (iii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests made in lieu of or to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the exercise or exchange of options or warrants or (iv) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares.

 

  B- 17  

 

 

“Reuters Screen LIBO Page” means the display designated as the “LIBO” page on the Reuters Monitory Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the LIBO page on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Banker’s Association Interest Settlement Rates for U.S. Dollar deposits).

 

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto.

 

“Securities” or “Security” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

Securities Laws ” means, collectively, the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and all applicable securities laws of each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the respective rules and regulations under such laws, the applicable published instruments, notices and orders of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated under any of the foregoing, and, to the extent the Company has any securities listed thereon, all rules, by-laws and regulations of the Toronto Stock Exchange, as each of the foregoing may be amended and in effect on any applicable date hereunder.

 

“Senior Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, vice president – finance, treasurer, any assistant treasurer or comptroller of the Company.

 

“series” means any series of Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement hereto.

 

“Series 2016 Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.

 

“Source” is defined in Section 6.2.

 

  B- 18  

 

 

“State Sanctions List” means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” mean each Subsidiary that has executed and delivered a Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

“Subsidiary Guaranty” is defined in Section 9.13(a).

 

“Supplement” is defined in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

“SVO” means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC or any successor to such Office.

 

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall include fuel derivatives obligations (including obligations in respect of fuel price swaps, fuel price caps and fuel price collar and floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices) and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement” ), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.

 

  B- 19  

 

 

“Synthetic Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any (a) so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

“Tax” means any tax (whether income, documentary, sales, stamp, registration, issue, capital, property, excise or otherwise), duty, assessment, levy, impost, fee, compulsory loan, charge or withholding imposed by a Governmental Authority.

 

“Taxing Jurisdiction” is defined in Section 13(a).

 

“Threshold Indebtedness” is defined in Section 11(f).

 

“tranche” means any tranche of any series of Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement hereto.

 

“Tranche 2016A Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.

 

“Tranche 2016B Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.

 

“Tranche 2016C Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.

 

“Transaction Subsidiaries” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries listed on Part II of Schedule 5.4 and (ii) such other Subsidiaries formed or to be used in connection with any structuring of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as designated or undesignated by the Company from time to time.

 

“United States Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“USA Patriot Act” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws” means those laws, executive orders, enabling legislation or regulations administered and enforced by the United States pursuant to which comprehensive economic sanctions have been imposed on any Person, entity, organization, country or regime, including the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Iran Sanctions Act, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act and any other OFAC Sanctions Program.

 

  B- 20  

 

 

WCN” means Waste Connections US, Inc. (f/k/a Waste Connections, Inc.), a Delaware corporation.

 

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary one hundred percent of all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly - Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

 

  B- 21  

 

 

[ Form of Tranche 2016A Note ]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN CANADA, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD TO, PURCHASED BY OR RESOLD TO, A RESIDENT OF CANADA.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

 

2.39% Senior Note, Series 2016, Tranche A, due June 1, 2021

 

No. [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN[______________]

 

For Value Received , the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Ontario, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on June 1, 2021 (the “Maturity Date” ), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.39% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of June and December in each year, commencing with the June 1 or December 1 next succeeding the date hereof, and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.39% or (ii) 2.0% above the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

Exhibit 1( a)
(to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.2 and 6.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
     
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

  

  1(a)- 2  

 

 

[ Form of Tranche 2016B Note ]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN CANADA, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD TO, PURCHASED BY OR RESOLD TO, A RESIDENT OF CANADA.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

 

2.75% Senior Note, Series 2016, Tranche B, due June 1, 2023

 

No. [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN[______________]

 

For Value Received , the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Ontario, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on June 1, 2023 (the “Maturity Date” ), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 2.75% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of June and December in each year, commencing with the June 1 or December 1 next succeeding the date hereof, and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 4.75% or (ii) 2.0% above the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

E xhibit 1(b)

(to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.2 and 6.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
     
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

  

  1(b)- 2  

 

 

[ Form of Tranche 2016C Note ]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN CANADA, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD TO, PURCHASED BY OR RESOLD TO, A RESIDENT OF CANADA.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

 

3.03% Senior Note, Series 2016, Tranche C, due June 1, 2026

 

No. [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN[______________]

 

For Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Ontario, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on June 1, 2026 (the “Maturity Date” ), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.03% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of June and December in each year, commencing with the June 1 or December 1 next succeeding the date hereof, and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.03% or (ii) 2.0% above the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

Exhibit 1(c )
(to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 1, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.2 and 6.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
     
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

 

  1(c)- 2  

 


Exhibit 4.3
 

 
Waste Connections, Inc.
And
its Subsidiaries


$175,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015




______________

Master Note Purchase Agreement

______________


 
Dated July 15, 2008
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 
 
T ABLE   OF   C ONTENTS
 
     
S ECTION
H EADING
P AGE
     
S ECTION 1.
A UTHORIZATION OF N OTES
1
Section 1.1.
Authorization of Series 2008A Notes
1
Section 1.2.
Additional Series of Notes
1
     
S ECTION 2.
S ALE AND P URCHASE OF S ERIES 2008A   N OTES
2
Section 2.1.
Notes
2
Section 2.2.
Release of Obligors
3
     
S ECTION 3.
C LOSING
3
     
S ECTION 4.
C ONDITIONS TO C LOSING
3
Section 4.1.
Representations and Warranties
3
Section 4.2.
Performance; No Default
4
Section 4.3.
Compliance Certificates
4
Section 4.4.
Opinions of Counsel
4
Section 4.5.
Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc
4
Section 4.6.
Sale of Other Series 2008A Notes
5
Section 4.7.
Payment of Special Counsel Fees
5
Section 4.8.
Private Placement Number
5
Section 4.9.
Changes in Corporate Structure
5
Section 4.10.
Funding Instructions
5
Section 4.11.
Proceedings and Documents
5
Section 4.12.
Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes
6
     
S ECTION 5.
R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE O BLIGORS
6
Section 5.1.
Organization; Power and Authority
6
Section 5.2.
Authorization, Etc
7
Section 5.3.
Disclosure
7
Section 5.4.
Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates
  7
Section 5.5.
Financial Statements; Material Liabilities
8
Section 5.6.
Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc
8
Section 5.7.
Governmental Authorizations, Etc
8
Section 5.8.
Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders
8
Section 5.9.
Taxes
9
Section 5.10.
Title to Property; Leases
9
Section 5.11.
Licenses, Permits, Etc
9
Section 5.12.
Compliance with ERISA
10
Section 5.13.
Private Offering by the Obligors
10
Section 5.14.
Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations
11
 
- i -


Section 5.15.
Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens
11
Section 5.16.
Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc
11
Section 5.17.
Status under Certain Statutes
12
Section 5.18.
Environmental Matters
12
     
S ECTION 6.
R EPRESENTATIONS OF THE P URCHASERS
13
Section 6.1.
Purchase for Investment
13
Section 6.2.
Source of Funds
14
     
S ECTION 7.
I NFORMATION AS TO O BLIGORS
15
Section 7.1.
Financial and Business Information
15
Section 7.2.
Officer’s Certificate
18
Section 7.3.
Visitation
19
     
S ECTION 8.
P AYMENT AND P REPAYMENT OF THE S ERIES 2008A   N OTES
19
Section 8.1.
Maturity
19
Section 8.2.
Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount
19
Section 8.3.
Allocation of Partial Prepayments
19
Section 8.4.
Maturity; Surrender, Etc
20
Section 8.5.
Purchase of Notes
20
Section 8.6.
Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2008A Notes
20
Section 8.7.
Change in Control
22
     
S ECTION 9.
A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS
23
Section 9.1.
Compliance with Law
23
Section 9.2.
Insurance
24
Section 9.3.
Maintenance of Properties
24
Section 9.4.
Payment of Taxes and Claims
24
Section 9.5.
Corporate Existence, Etc
24
Section 9.6.
Books and Records
25
Section 9.7.
Notes to Rank Pari Passu
25
Section 9.8.
New Obligors
25
Section 9.9.
Limitation on Excluded Subsidiaries
26
     
S ECTION 10.
N EGATIVE C OVENANTS
26
Section 10.1.
Restrictions on Indebtedness
26
Section 10.2
Restrictions on Liens
27
Section 10.3.
Restrictions on Investments
29
Section 10.4.
Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets
29
Section 10.4.1.
Mergers and Acquisitions
29
Section 10.4.2.
Disposition of Assets
30
Section 10.5.
Sale and Leaseback
31
Section 10.6.
Restricted Payments and Redemptions
31
Section 10.7.
Employee Benefit Plans
32
 
- ii -


Section 10.8.
Negative Pledges
32
Section 10.9.
Business Activities
32
Section 10.10.
Transactions with Affiliates
33
Section 10.11.
Prepayments of Indebtedness
33
Section 10.12.
Accounting Changes
33
Section 10.13.
Leverage Ratio
33
Section 10.14.
Interest Coverage Ratio
33
Section 10.15.
Terrorism Sanctions Regulations
33
     
S ECTION 11.
E VENTS OF D EFAULT
34
     
S ECTION 12.
R EMEDIES ON D EFAULT ,   E TC
36
Section 12.1.
Acceleration
36
Section 12.2.
Other Remedies
36
Section 12.3.
Rescission
37
Section 12.4.
No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc
37
     
S ECTION 13.
R EGISTRATION ;   E XCHANGE ;   S UBSTITUTION OF N OTES
37
Section 13.1.
Registration of Notes
37
Section 13.2.
Transfer and Exchange of Notes
38
Section 13.3.
Replacement of Notes
38
     
S ECTION 14.
P AYMENTS ON N OTES
39
Section 14.1.
Place of Payment
39
Section 14.2.
Home Office Payment
39
     
S ECTION 15.
E XPENSES ,   E TC .
39
Section 15.1.
Transaction Expenses
39
Section 15.2.
Survival
40
     
S ECTION 16.
S URVIVAL OF R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES ;   E NTIRE
 
 
A GREEMENT
40
     
S ECTION 17.
A MENDMENT AND W AIVER
40
Section 17.1.
Requirements
40
Section 17.2.
Solicitation of Holders of Notes
41
Section 17.3.
Binding Effect, Etc
42
Section 17.4.
Notes Held by Obligors, Etc
42
     
S ECTION 18.
N OTICES
42
     
S ECTION 19.
R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS
43
 
- iii -


S ECTION 20.
C ONFIDENTIAL I NFORMATION
43
     
S ECTION 21.
S UBSTITUTION OF P URCHASER
44
     
S ECTION 22.
M ISCELLANEOUS
45
Section 22.1.
Successors and Assigns
45
Section 22.2.
Payments Due on Non-Business Days
45
Section 22.3.
Accounting Terms
45
Section 22.4.
Severability
45
Section 22.5.
Construction, Etc
45
Section 22.6.
Counterparts
46
Section 22.7.
Governing Law
46
Section 22.8.
Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial
46
     
Signature
 
48
     
 
- iv -

 
S CHEDULE A
Information Relating to Purchasers
     
S CHEDULE B
Defined Terms
     
S CHEDULE 4.9
Changes in Corporate Structure
     
S CHEDULE 5.3
Disclosure Materials
     
S CHEDULE 5.4
Subsidiaries of the Company and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock
     
S CHEDULE 5.5
Financial Statements
     
S CHEDULE 5.15
Existing Indebtedness
     
S CHEDULE 10.2
Existing Liens
     
E XHIBIT 1
Form of 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015
     
E XHIBIT 4.4(a)
Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors
     
E XHIBIT 4.4(b)
Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Purchasers
     
E XHIBIT 7.2(a)
Covenant Compliance Certificates
     
Exhibit 9.8
Form of Joinder Agreement and Affirmation
     
E XHIBIT S
Form of Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement
     
 
- v -

 
Waste Connections, Inc.
35 Iron Point Circle, Suite 200
Folsom, California 95360

$175,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015


July 15, 2008


To Each of the Purchasers Listed in
Schedule A Hereto:
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and its Subsidiaries party hereto (the Company   and such Subsidiaries are each an “Obligor” and, collectively, the “Obligors” ), jointly and severally agree with each of the purchasers whose names appear at the end hereof (each, a “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Purchasers” ) as follows:
 
SECTION 1. 
Authorization of notes
 
     Section 1.1.       Authorization of Series 2008A Notes .  The Obligors will authorize the issue and sale of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015 (the “Series 2008A Notes” ).  The Series 2008A Notes described above, together with each series of Additional Notes that may from time to time be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof, are collectively referred to as the “Notes” (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13).  The Series 2008A Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1.  Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a “Schedule” or an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.
 
     Section 1.2.      Additional Series of Notes .  The Obligors may, from time to time, in their sole discretion but subject to the terms hereof, issue and sell one or more additional series of their senior unsecured promissory notes under the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to a supplement (a “Supplement” ) substantially in the form of Exhibit S,   provided that the aggregate principal amount of Series 2008A Notes plus Notes of all series issued and outstanding at any one time pursuant to all Supplements in accordance with the terms of this Section 1.2 shall not exceed $500,000,000.  Each additional series of Notes (the “Additional Notes” ) issued pursuant to a Supplement shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
 
     (i)      each series of Additional Notes, when so issued, shall be differentiated from all previous series by sequential chronological and alphabetical designation inscribed thereon;
 

 
Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (ii)      each series of Additional Notes shall be dated the date of issue, bear interest at such rate or rates, mature on such date or dates, be subject to such mandatory and optional prepayments on the dates and at the premiums, if any, have such additional or different conditions precedent to closing, such representations and warranties and such additional covenants and additional events of default (including covenants and/or events of default which are similar in structure to existing covenants and/or events of default and are more restrictive) as shall be specified in the Supplement under which such Additional Notes are issued and upon execution of any such Supplement, this Agreement shall be amended (a) to reflect such additional covenants and such additional events of default without further action on the part of the holders of the Notes outstanding under this Agreement, provided, that any such additional covenants and additional events of default shall not reduce or diminish any existing covenants or events of default, but shall inure to the benefit of all holders of Notes so long as any Additional Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement remain outstanding, and (b) to reflect such representations and warranties as are contained in such Supplement for the benefit of the holders of such Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 16;
 
     (iii)      each series of Additional Notes issued under this Agreement shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 1 to Exhibit S hereto with such variations, omissions and insertions as are necessary or permitted hereunder;
 
     (iv)      the minimum principal amount of any series of Notes issued under a Supplement shall be $10,000,000, and the minimum denomination shall be $100,000 except as may be necessary to evidence the outstanding amount of any Note originally issued in a denomination of $100,000 or more;
 
     (v)      all Additional Notes shall mature more than one year after the issuance thereof and shall rank pari passu with all other outstanding Notes; and
 
     (vi)      no Additional Notes shall be issued hereunder if, at the time of issuance thereof or after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
 
It is specifically acknowledged and agreed that the Purchasers of the Series 2008A Notes, or any other holder of Notes shall not have any obligation to purchase any Additional Notes.
 
SECTION 2.
Sale and purchase of series 2008a notes
 
     Section 2.1.       Notes .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Obligors will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2008A Notes in the principal amount specified opposite such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof.  The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.  The Series 2008A Notes and each other series of Notes issued hereunder are each herein sometimes referred to as Notes of a “series”.
 
- 2 -

 
Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 2.2.       Release of Obligors .  If the Company sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of another Obligor to any Person (other than an Affiliate), the holders of the Notes agree to discharge and release such Obligor from this Agreement on the written request of the Company; provided that at the time of such release and discharge, the Company shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the holders of the Notes stating that no Default or Event of Default exists.  
 
SECTION 3.
Closing
 
The execution and delivery of this Agreement will be made at the offices of Chapman and Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 on July 15, 2008.  The sale and purchase of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler, LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 at 10:00 a.m. Central time, at a closing (the “ Closing ”) on October 1, 2008. At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Series 2008A Note (or such greater number of Series 2008A Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or their order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10.  If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender any Series 2008A Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.
 
SECTION 4.
Conditions to closing
 
Each Purchaser’s obligation to purchase and pay for the Series 2008A Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions (except that the conditions set forth in Section 4.12 shall not be applicable to the Series 2008A Notes):
 
     Section 4.1.      Representations and Warranties .  The representations and warranties of the Obligors in this Agreement shall be correct when made and at the time of the Closing.
 
     Section 4.2.       Performance; No Default .  The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Obligors prior to or at the Closing and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Series 2008A Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by the covenants contained in Section 10 had such covenants applied since such date.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 4.3.       Compliance Certificates .
 
               (a) Officer’s Certificate .  Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.
 
               (b) Secretary’s Certificate .  Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Series 2008A Notes and this Agreement.
 
     S ection 4.4.       Opinions of Counsel .  Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Shartsis Friese LLP, counsel for the Obligors, covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser may reasonably request as a result of any change in law between the date hereof and the date of the Closing   (and the Obligors hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler, LLP, the Purchasers’ special counsel in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.
 
     Section 4.5.       Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc .  On the date of the Closing such Purchaser’s purchase of Series 2008A Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof.  If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.
 
     Section 4.6.       Sale of Other Series 2008A Notes .  Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.
 
     Section 4.7.      Payment of Special Counsel Fees.   Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Obligors shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable fees, reasonable charges and reasonable disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Obligors at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 4.8.       Private Placement Number .  A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for the Series 2008A Notes.
 
     Section 4.9.       Changes in Corporate Structure .  No Obligor shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity (other than an entity that was a Subsidiary of any Obligor prior to such merger, consolidation or succession), at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9.
 
     Section 4.10.       Funding Instructions .  At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Obligors confirming (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank’s ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Series 2008A Notes is to be deposited.
 
     Section 4.11.      Proceedings and Documents .  All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.
 
     Section 4.12.      Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes. The obligations of the Additional Purchasers, if any, to purchase any Additional Notes shall be subject to the following conditions precedent, in addition to the conditions specified in the Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Notes may be issued:
 
     (a)      Compliance Certificate .  A duly authorized Senior Financial Officer shall execute and deliver to each Additional Purchaser and each holder of Notes an Officer’s Certificate dated the date of issue of such series of Additional Notes stating that such officer has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement (including any Supplements hereto) and setting forth the information and computations (in sufficient detail) required in order to establish whether the Obligors is in compliance with the requirements of 10.13 and 10.14 (as set forth on Exhibit 7.2(a) hereto) on such date.
 
     (b)       Execution and Delivery of Supplement.   The Obligors and each such Additional Purchaser shall execute and deliver a Supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit S hereto.
 
     (c)      Representations of Additional Purchasers .  Each Additional Purchaser shall have confirmed in the Supplement that the representations set forth in Section 6 are true with respect to such Additional Purchaser on and as of the date of issue of the Additional Notes.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (d)       Closing Conditions .The closing conditions set forth in Section 4 shall have been updated and performed as of the date of issuance of each series of Additional Notes (irrespective of whether such closing conditions initially apply only to the Series 2008A Notes).
 
SECTION 5.
Representations and warranties of the obligors.
 
Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:
 
     Section 5.1.       Organization; Power and Authority .  Each Obligor is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Obligor has the corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof.
 
     Section 5.2.      Authorization, Etc .  This Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) action on the part of each Obligor, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Series 2008A Note will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor enforceable against each Obligor in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (b) to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
 
     Section 5.3.      Disclosure .  The Obligors, through their agents, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, have delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum, dated May, 2008 (the “Memorandum” ), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.  This Agreement, the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3, and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 (this Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser or posted to IntraLinks® prior to June 11, 2008 being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.  Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2007 there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Obligors except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There is no fact known to any Obligor that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
     
 
     Section 5.4.      Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates . Schedule 5.4 contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers.  Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
 
               (b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4).
 
               (c) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.
 
     Section 5.5.       Financial Statements; Material Liabilities .  The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5.  All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).  The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 
     Section 5.6.       Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc .  The execution, delivery and performance by each Obligor of this Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of any Obligor or any Subsidiary under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other agreement or instrument to which any Obligor or any Subsidiary is bound or by which any Obligor or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to any Obligor or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to any Obligor or any Subsidiary.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 5.7.       Governmental Authorizations, Etc .  No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by any Obligor of this Agreement or the Series 2008A Notes.
 
     Section 5.8.       Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders .   (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened against any Obligor or any property of any Obligor in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
               (b) None of the Obligors is in default under any term of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or is in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws or the USA Patriot Act) of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     Section 5.9.      Taxes .   The Obligors have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction (unless, and only to the extent that, such Obligor has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which any Obligor or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.  None of the Obligors knows of any basis for any other tax or assessment that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of Federal, state or other taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate.  The Federal income tax liabilities of Obligors have been finally determined (whether by reason of completed audits or the statute of limitations having run) for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
 
     Section 5.10.      Title to Property; Leases .  The Obligors have good and sufficient title to their respective properties that individually or in the aggregate are Material, including all such properties reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5 or purported to have been acquired by the Obligors after said date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by this Agreement.  All leases that individually or in the aggregate are Material are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 5.11.        Licenses, Permits, Etc .  ( a) Each Obligor owns or possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that individually or in the aggregate are Material, without known conflict with the rights of others.
 
               (b) To the knowledge of the Company, no product of any Obligor infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person.
 
               (c) To the knowledge of the Company, there is no Material violation by any Person of any right of any Obligor with respect to any patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by any Obligor.
 
     Section 5.12.       Compliance with ERISA .   (a) Each Obligor and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans) in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the Obligors nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or to section 401(a)(29) or 412 of the Code or section 4068 of ERISA, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.
 
               (b) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or has maintained a Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans) that is or was subject to the “minimum funding standards” under section 302 of ERISA or that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA.
 
               (c) None of the Obligors and their ERISA Affiliates have incurred withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multi-employer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material.
 
               (d) The expected post-retirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material.
 
               (e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will not constitute any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax would be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code.  The representation by the Obligors to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds used to pay the purchase price of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 5.13.       Private Offering by the Obligors .  None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2008A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than 40 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2008A Notes at a private sale for investment.  None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2008A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
 
     Section 5.14.      Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations .  The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2008A Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and general corporate purposes.  No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve any Obligor in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220).  Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and none of the Obligors has any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets.  As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buy­ing or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.
 
     Section 5.15.       Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens   (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries as of May 31, 2008 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors.  None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor, that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
               (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.
 
               (c) None of the Obligors is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of any Obligor, except the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 5.16.      Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc .   (a)  Neither the sale of the Series 2008A Notes by any Obligor hereunder nor its use of the proceeds thereof will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.  
 
               (b) None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary (i) is a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, engages in any dealings or transactions with any such Person.  The Obligors and their Subsidiaries are in compliance, in all material respects, with the USA Patriot Act, to the extent applicable.
 
               (c) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, assuming in all cases that such Act applies to the Obligors.
 
     Section 5.17.       Status under Certain Statutes .  None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary is (i) required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) subject to any accounting or cost allocation requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended, or (iii) a “public utility” as defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended
 
     Section 5.18.      Environmental Matters .  ( a) None of the Obligors has knowledge of any claim or has received any notice of any claim, and no proceeding has been instituted raising any claim against any Obligor or any of their respective real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or other assets, alleging any damage to the environment or violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     (b) None of the Obligors has knowledge of any facts which would give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     (c) None of the Obligors has stored any Hazardous Materials on real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or has disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner contrary to any Environmental Laws in each case in any manner that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (d) All buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or operated by any Obligor are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
SECTION 6. 
Representations of the purchasers
 
     Section 6.1.       Purchase for Investment . (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes (i) for its own account or (ii) for one or more separate accounts owned by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds that are “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act), in each case for which it is exercising investment discretion in managing investments of such pension or trust funds, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser’s property shall at all times be within such Purchaser’s control.  Such Purchaser is a Qualified Institutional Buyer.  Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Company is not required to register the Notes.  Each Purchaser has carefully reviewed the Memorandum and is thoroughly familiar with the existing and proposed business, operations, management, properties and financial condition of the Obligors as so described in the Memorandum.  Each Purchaser further represents that it (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and received answers concerning the terms and conditions of the sale of the Notes.  Each Purchaser’s (and each such pension’s, trust fund’s or other Person’s) financial position is such that it can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the Notes.  Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) can afford to suffer the complete loss of its investment in the Notes.  Each Purchaser’s (and each such other Person’s) knowledge and experience in financial and business matters (or the knowledge and experience of such Purchaser’s or such other Person’s investment advisor) is such that it (or such investment advisor) is capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Notes.  Each Purchaser acknowledges that no representations, express or implied, have been or are being made with respect to the Obligors, the Notes or otherwise, other than those expressly set forth herein or contemplated hereby.
 
     (b)       Each Purchaser agrees to the imprinting of a legend on the Notes to the following effect:
 
“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.  NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.  EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.”
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 6.2.      Source of Funds .  Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source” ) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:
 
                  (a) the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption ( “PTE” ) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC Annual Statement” )) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile, and the purchase is not part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding designed to benefit a “party in interest” (as that term is defined in ERISA section 3(14)) within the meaning of PTE 95-60; or
 
                  (b) the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account and the Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations otherwise meet the requirements for a “Guaranteed Benefit Policy” as defined in ERISA section 401(b)(2); or
 
                  (c) the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38, and no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund , and the insurance company or bank agrees to maintain records and make such records available as required under PTE 90-1 Part III(b) and (c) or PTE 91-38 Part III(b) and (c); or
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
                  (d) the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption” )) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are included in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(b)(1), (c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, as of the last day of its most recent calendar quarter, the QPAM does not own a 10% or more interest in the Company and no person controlling or controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section V(e) of the QPAM Exemption) owns a 20% or more interest in the Company (or less than 20% but greater than 10%, if such person exercises control over the management or policies of the Company by reason of its ownership interest) and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of all employee benefit plans that own a 10% or greater interest in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or
 
                  (e) the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption” )) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (b)(1), (c), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section IV(d) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or
 
                  (f) the Source is a governmental plan and there is no applicable law that prohibits or limits that plan’s purchase of Notes pursuant to this Agreement; or
 
                  (g) the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or
 
                  (h) the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan or Individual Retirement Account, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.
 
As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
Section 7. 
Information as to Obligors.
 
     Section 7.1.      Financial and Business Information .   The Obligors shall deliver to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:
 
     (a)       Quarterly Statements — within 10 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q” ) (and in any event within 55 days after the end of such fiscal quarter, other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year),
           
                       (i)       a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and
 
     (ii)      consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,
 
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments, provided that the filing with the SEC within the time period specified above (or if the Company requests an extension for filing under Rule 12b-25 promulgated under the Exchange Act, within the grace period permitted under that Rule) of the Company’s Form 10-Q prepared in compliance with the requirements therefor shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(a);
 
       (b)       Annual Statements — within 10 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K” ) (and in any event within 105 days after the end of such fiscal end),
 
(i)      a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and
 
(ii)      consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year,
 
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon of independent public accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances, provided that the filing with the SEC within the time period specified above (or if the Company requests an extension for filing under Rule 12b-25 promulgated under the Exchange Act, within the grace period permitted under that Rule) of the Company’s Form 10-K for such fiscal year prepared in accordance with the requirements therefor shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b);
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
                  (c) SEC and Other Reports — except for filings referred to in Section 7.1(a) and (b) above, promptly upon their becoming available, and to the extent applicable, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to its public securities holders generally, (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such holder), and each prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC and (iii) all press releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or any Subsidiary to the public concerning developments that are Material;
 
                  (d) Notice of Default or Event of Default — promptly and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;
 
                  (e) ERISA Matters — promptly and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that the Company or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto:
 
                  (i) with respect to any Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans), any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof; or
 
                  (ii) the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans), or the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multi-employer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multi-employer Plan; or
 
                  (iii) any event, transaction or condition that would result in the incurrence of any liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
(f)      Notices from Governmental Authority — promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to any Obligor from any Federal or state Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
 
                  (g) Requested Information — with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or relating to the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of Notes; and
 
          (h)          Supplements — promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution and delivery of any Supplement, a copy thereof.
 
     Section 7.2.       Officer’s Certificate .   Each set of financial statements delivered or made available to a holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (a “Compliance Certificate” ) setting forth (which, in the case of Electronic Delivery of any such financial statements, shall be by separate concurrent delivery of such certificate to each holder of Notes):
 
                  (a) Covenant Compliance — the information (including detailed calculations) required in order to establish whether the Obligors were in compliance with the requirements of Sections 10.13 and 10.14, and any other financial covenant added pursuant to any Supplement, during the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence) substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 7.2(a); and
 
                  (b) Event of Default — a statement that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including, without limitation, any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 7.3.       Visitation .   The Obligors shall permit the representatives of each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:
 
                  (a) No Default — if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Company and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company’s officers; and
 
                  (b) Default — if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Obligors to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or any other Obligor, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers and independent public accountants (and by this provision each Obligor authorizes said accountants to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of each Obligor), all at such times and as often as may be requested.
 
Section 8. 
Payment and Prepayment of the Series 2008A Notes.
 
     Section 8.1.         Maturity .   The entire unpaid principal amount of the Series 2008A Notes shall become due and payable on October 1, 2015.
     
     Section 8.2.       Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount .  The Obligors may, at their option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.  The Obligors will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment.  Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation.  Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Obligors shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.  
 
     Section 8.3.       Allocation of Partial Prepayments .  In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.  All regularly scheduled partial prepayments made with respect to any series of Additional Notes pursuant to any Supplement shall be allocated as provided therein.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 8.4.      Maturity; Surrender, Etc .  In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any.  From and after such date, unless the Obligors shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue.  Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.
 
     Section 8.5.       Purchase of Notes .  The Obligors will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (i) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including any Supplement hereto) and the Notes, and (ii) pursuant to a written offer to purchase any outstanding Notes made by the Company or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of the Notes upon the same terms and conditions.  The Obligors will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.
 
     Section 8.6.      Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2008A Notes .  “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2008A Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2008A Note minus the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero.  For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:
 
“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2008A Note, the principal of such Series 2008A Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
 
“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Series 2008A Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
 
“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
In the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life.  The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2008A Note.
 
“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
 
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Series 2008A Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or 12.1.
 
“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 8.7.       Change in Control .   (a)  Notice of Change in Control or Control Event. The Company will, within 15 Business Days after any Responsible Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change in Control or Control Event, give written notice of such Change in Control or Control Event to each holder of Notes unless notice in respect of such Change in Control (or the Change in Control contemplated by such Control Event) shall have been given pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.7.  If a Change in Control has occurred, such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes of each Series as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.7 and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.7.
 
     (b)       Condition to Obligor Action.   The Company will not take any action, directly or indirectly, that consummates or finalizes a Change in Control unless (i) at least 15 Business Days prior to such action it shall have given to each holder of Notes written notice containing and constituting an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.7, accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.7, and (ii) contemporaneously with such action, it prepays all Notes required to be prepaid in accordance with this Section 8.7.
 
     (c)       Offer to Prepay Notes.   The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 8.7 shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.7, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, “holder” in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date specified in such offer (the “Proposed Prepayment Date” ).  If such Proposed Prepayment Date is in connection with an offer contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this Section 8.7, such date shall be not less than 20 days and not more than 30 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the 20th day after the date of such offer).
 
     (d)       Acceptance; Rejection.   A holder of Notes may accept or reject the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.7 by causing a notice of such acceptance or rejection to be delivered to the Obligors at least 5 Business Days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date.  A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.
 
     (e)       Prepayment.   Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment.  The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date except as provided in subparagraph (f) of this Section 8.7.
 
     (f)       Deferral Pending Change in Control.   The obligation of the Obligors to prepay Notes pursuant to the offers required by subparagraph (b) and accepted in accordance with subparagraph (d) of this Section 8.7 is subject to the occurrence of the Change in Control in respect of which such offers and acceptances shall have been made.  In the event that such Change in Control does not occur on the Proposed Prepayment Date in respect thereof, the prepayment shall be deferred until and shall be made on the date on which such Change in Control occurs.  The Obligors shall keep each holder of Notes reasonably and timely informed of (i) any such deferral of the date of prepayment, (ii) the date on which such Change in Control and the prepayment are expected to occur, and (iii) any determination by the Obligors that efforts to effect such Change in Control have ceased or been abandoned (in which case the offers and acceptances made pursuant to this Section 8.7 in respect of such Change in Control shall be deemed rescinded).
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (g)       Officer’s Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Obligors and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.7; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.7 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date or proposed date of the Change in Control.
 
     (h)       Effect on Required Payments.   The amount of each payment of the principal of the Notes made pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be applied against and reduce each of the then remaining principal payments, if any, due pursuant to any Supplement by a percentage equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so paid divided by the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding immediately prior to such payment.
 
     (i)       “Control Event” Defined.    “Control Event” means:
 
     (i)       the execution by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates of any agreement with respect to any proposed transaction or event or series of transactions or events which, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Change in Control,
 
                  (ii)       the execution of any written agreement which, when fully performed by the parties thereto, would result in a Change in Control, or
 
     (iii)      the acceptance by the requisite number of holders of any written offer by any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) to the holders of the common stock of the Company, which would result in a Change in Control.
 
Section 9. 
Affirmative Covenants.  
 
Each Obligor covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding.
 
     Section 9.1.       Compliance with Law .  Without limiting Section 10.15, each Obligor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations to which each of them is subject, including, without limitation, ERISA, the USA Patriot Act and Environmental Laws, and will obtain and maintain in effect all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of their respective properties or to the conduct of their respective businesses, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 9.2.       Insurance .  Each Obligor will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated.
 
     Section 9.3.       Maintenance of Properties .   Each Obligor will maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, their respective properties in good repair, working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear), so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times, except to the extent that such non-maintenance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that this Section shall not prevent any Obligor from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business and such Obligor has concluded that such discontinuance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     Section 9.4.       Payment of Taxes and Claims .  Each Obligor will file all tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and pay and discharge all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies imposed on them or any of their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent the same have become due and payable and before any material penalty accrues thereon and all claims for which sums have become due and payable that have or might become a Lien on a material part of the properties or assets of any Obligor, provided that none of the Obligors need pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Company or such Obligor on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and the Company or such Obligor has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on the books of the Company or such Obligor or (ii) the nonfiling with respect to, or nonpayment of, all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
     Section 9.5.      Corporate Existence, Etc .  The Company will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.  Subject to Sections 10.4, the Company will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate existence of each other Obligor (unless merged into the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) and all rights and franchises of each Obligor unless, in the good faith judgment of the such Obligor, the termination of or failure to preserve and keep in full force and effect such corporate existence, right or franchise would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
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     Section 9.6.       Books and Records .  Each Obligor will maintain proper books of record and account in conformity with GAAP and all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having legal or regulatory jurisdiction over such Obligor, as the case may be.
 
     Section 9.7.       Notes to Rank Pari Passu. The Notes and all other obligations under this Agreement of the Obligors are and at all times shall remain direct and unsecured obligations of the Obligors ranking pari passu as against the assets of the Obligors with all other Notes from time to time issued and outstanding hereunder without any preference among themselves, and pari passu with all Indebtedness outstanding under the Bank Credit Agreement and all other present and future unsecured Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of the Obligors which is not expressed to be subordinate or junior in rank to any other unsecured Indebtedness of the Obligors, except to the extent that the Bank Credit Agreement or the Permitted Debt Documents become secured, then the Notes shall also become secured and shall rank pari passu therewith.
 
     Section 9.8.       New Obligors.   (a) Any new Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries as named on Schedule 5.4 on the Closing Date) created or acquired by an Obligor as permitted under Section 10.4 shall become an Obligor hereunder.  Such Subsidiary shall become an Obligor hereunder on or before the fifteenth (15th) Business Day after the end of the fiscal quarter in which such Subsidiary was created or acquired.  In addition, at any time after all of the Capital Stock of any Excluded Subsidiary is owned by the Company (directly or indirectly) in accordance with Section 9.8(b), such Excluded Subsidiary may become an Obligor (and shall no longer be an Excluded Subsidiary) if such Subsidiary shall execute and deliver the items referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below. A Subsidiary shall become an Obligor by execution and/or delivery of the following items:
 
     (i)      a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 9.8 or entering into an amendment to this Agreement with the other parties hereto and thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, providing that such Subsidiary shall become an Obligor hereunder;
 
     (ii)      a Secretary’s Certificate issued by a Responsible Officer in substantially similar form and content to the Officer’s Certificate issued pursuant to Section 4.3(b) hereof; and
 
     (iii)      an opinion of counsel (who may be in-house counsel for the Company) addressed to each of the holders of the Notes satisfactory to the Required Holders, in substantially similar form and content with respect to such Obligor as the opinion issued pursuant to paragraphs 1 through 9 of Exhibit 4.4(a) hereof.
 
              (b)      The Company shall at all times directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary own all of the Capital Stock of each of the Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Subsidiaries).
 
     Section 9.9.      Limitation on Excluded Subsidiaries.   The Company will not permit the consolidated total assets of the Excluded Subsidiaries to be greater than 15% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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Section 10. 
Negative Covenants.
 
Each Obligor covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
 
     Section 10.1.       Restrictions on Indebtedness.   No Obligor nor any Subsidiary shall become or be a guarantor or surety of, or otherwise create, incur, assume, or be or remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness, or become or be responsible in any manner (whether by agreement to purchase any obligations, stock, assets, goods or services, or to supply or advance any funds, assets, goods or services or otherwise) with respect to any undertaking or Indebtedness of any other Person, or incur any Indebtedness other than:
 
     (a)      Indebtedness of the Obligors under the Bank Credit Agreement and the Permitted Debt Documents (either on an unsecured basis or on a secured basis if the Notes are equally and ratably secured pari passu therewith);
 
     (b)      Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.15, including any renewals, extensions, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount thereof (plus all accrued interest on such Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) is not increased;
 
     (c)      incurrence of guaranty, suretyship or indemnification obligations in connection with the Obligors’ performance of services for their respective customers in the ordinary course of their businesses;
 
     (d)      Indebtedness of one Subsidiary to another Obligor;
 
     (e)      Indebtedness of an Obligor incurred in connection with the acquisition or lease of any equipment or other property by an Obligor under any Synthetic Lease, Capitalized Lease or other lease arrangement or purchase money financing;
 
     (f)      Indebtedness of an Obligor with respect to bonds for closure and post-closure obligations relating to any landfill owned or operated by an Obligor and municipal collection contracts;
 
     (g)      Indebtedness of an Obligor in respect of Swap Contracts (including fuel price swaps, fuel price caps, and fuel price collar or floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements) entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
 
     (h)      Indebtedness of an Obligor with respect to letters of credit of Persons acquired by such Obligor;
 
     (i)      Indebtedness of an Obligor in respect of IRB’s; provided, that (a) such Indebtedness is secured only to the extent such IRB’s are L/C Supported IRB’s and (b) after taking into account all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (i), such Obligor on a consolidated basis shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 10.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     (j)      other secured Indebtedness (other than as permitted under other subsections hereof) of all of the Obligors and the Excluded Subsidiaries in the aggregate not in excess of $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and
 
     (k)      other unsecured Indebtedness; provided, that, at the time of incurrence thereof, (a) all Obligors shall be in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds thereof) as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of the current Reference Period, and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(j) and this Section 10.1(k) shall not at any time exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth.  
 
     Section 10.2       Restrictions on Liens.   No Obligor shall create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest of any kind upon any property or assets of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon the income or profits therefrom; or transfer any of such property or assets or the income or profits therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in priority to payment of its general creditors; or acquire, or agree or have an option to acquire, any property or assets upon conditional sale or other title retention or purchase money security agreement, device or arrangement; or suffer to exist for a period of more than 30 days after the same shall have been incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it which if unpaid might by law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any priority whatsoever over its general creditors; or sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles or chattel paper, with or without recourse, except as follows (the “Permitted Liens” ):
 
     (a)      Liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges in respect of obligations not overdue or liens on properties to secure claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of obligations not overdue (provided that, if the obligation with respect to which any such lien arises is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, such obligation may remain unpaid during the pendency of such proceedings as long as the Obligors shall have set aside on their books adequate reserves with respect thereto);
 
     (b)      Deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of, workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security obligations;
 
     (c)      Liens in respect of judgments or awards which have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the applicable Obligor shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review and in respect of which such Obligor maintains adequate reserves;
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     (d)      Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, and other like liens, in existence less than 120 days from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not overdue, provided that such liens may continue to exist for a period of more than 120 days if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested by the applicable Obligor in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if such Obligor shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto as required by GAAP and provided further that such Obligor will pay any such claim forthwith upon commencement of proceedings to foreclose any such lien;
 
     (e)      Encumbrances on Real Property consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlord’s or lessor’s liens under leases to which any Obligor is a party, and other minor liens or encumbrances none of which in the opinion of such Obligor interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of such Obligor, which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;
 
     (f)      Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(e) incurred in connection with the lease or acquisition of property or fixed assets or industrial bond financings, provided that such Liens shall encumber only the property or assets so acquired or financed and shall not exceed the purchase price thereof;
 
     (g)      Liens granted in favor of Evergreen or one of its affiliates on the Evergreen Shares as security for surety bonds issued by Evergreen or such affiliate to the Obligor;
 
     (h)      Liens, whether created by contract, law, regulation or ordinance, securing Indebtedness permitted by Sections 10.1(c), (d) and (h); provided that any security granted therefor is limited to (i) rights to payment under, and use of equipment or related assets to perform, the contracts to which such guaranty, suretyship or bond obligations relate, (ii) Liens arising under the laws of suretyship and (iii) similar Liens granted in favor of municipalities or other governmental entities pursuant to any Municipal Contract; provided, that such liens (A) encumber only the containers, bins, carts and vehicles used in connection with such Municipal Contract and (B) are promptly released as soon as such release is not prohibited under the terms of such Municipal Contract;
 
     (i)      Liens listed on Schedule 10.2 hereto;
 
     (j)      Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(i) in the form of L/C Supported IRB’s.
 
     (k)      Liens securing deposits made on account of liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     (l)      Liens granted to a Receivables SPV in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction and securing Indebtedness of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 5.15 in connection therewith, provided that such Liens attach only to the accounts receivable which are the subject of such Indebtedness and to the Capital Stock of the Receivables SPV; and
 
     (m)      Liens granted in connection with secured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 10.1(a), (b) or (j); provided that no such Liens may secure any Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement or the Permitted Debt Documents unless effective provision is made whereby the Notes will be equally and ratably secured with any and all such Indebtedness thereby secured pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders.
 
     Section 10.3.       Restrictions on Investments.   The Obligors may not purchase or acquire, or make any commitment for the purchase or acquisition of, any Capital Stock, or other obligations of any other Person, or make or commit to make any acquisition under Section 10.4, or make or commit to make any advance, loan, guarantee, assumption of debt, extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any other Person, unless (i) the Obligors are in compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Section 10 hereof, determined on a pro forma basis, (ii) at the time of such investment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (iii) to the extent such proposed investment constitutes a transaction described in Section 10.4.1, the Obligors comply with the requirements set forth in such Section 10.4.1.
 
     Section 10.4.      Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.
 
     Section 10.4.1.       Mergers and Acquisitions.   The Obligors will not become a party to any merger or consolidation, or agree to or effect any asset acquisition or stock acquisition (other than the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps) except the merger or consolidation of, or asset or stock acquisitions between existing Obligors, and except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.4.1.  The Obligors may purchase or otherwise acquire assets or the stock or the other equity interests of any other Person; provided that:
 
     (a)      the Obligors are in current compliance with and, giving effect to the proposed acquisition (including any borrowings made or to be made in connection therewith), will continue to be in pro forma compliance with all of the covenants in Sections 9.9, 10.1(j) and (k), 10.2(m), 10.13 and 10.14 hereof on a pro forma historical combined basis as if the transaction occurred on the first day of the period of measurement, which in the case of Sections 10.13 and 10.14 shall be as determined by reference to the Compliance Certificate required to be delivered to the holders of Notes pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof;
 
     (b)      at the time of such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such acquisition will not otherwise create a Default or an Event of Default hereunder;
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     (c)      the business to be acquired is predominantly in the same lines of business as the Obligors, or businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto (e.g., non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, hauling, recycling, or disposal);
 
     (d)      all of the assets to be acquired shall be owned by an existing or newly created Subsidiary of the Company which Subsidiary shall be or became (in accordance with Section 9.8) an Obligor hereunder;
 
     (e)      the board of directors and (if required by applicable law) the shareholders, or the equivalent thereof, of the business to be acquired has approved such acquisition; and
 
     (f)      if such acquisition is made by a merger, an Obligor, or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company which shall become an Obligor in connection with such merger, shall be the surviving entity.
 
     Section 10.4.2.      Disposition of Assets.   The Obligors will not become a party to or agree to or effect any disposition of assets, other than (a) the sale of inventory, the licensing of intellectual property and the disposition of obsolete assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (b) a disposition of assets from an Obligor to any other Obligors, (c) the sale or exchange of routes and related assets which in the business judgment of the Obligors will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) the sale, lease, assignment, transfer or other disposition of Receivables in connection with any Permitted Receivables Transaction, and (e) assets with a fair market value of less than $50,000,000 per year transferred in connection with an asset sale or swap, which sale or swap in the business judgment of the Obligors does not have a Material Adverse Effect, provided, however, that for the purposes of the clause (e) any Obligor may sell, swap, lease or otherwise dispose of assets in excess of such $50,000,000 per year if such assets are sold, swapped, leased or otherwise disposed of, in an arms length transaction and, at such time and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and an amount equal to the net proceeds received from such sale, swap, lease or other disposition shall be used within 270 days of such sale, swap, lease or disposition, in any combination:
 
     (1)      to acquire productive assets used or useful in carrying on the business of the Obligors and having a value at least equal to the value of such assets sold, swapped, leased or otherwise disposed of; and/or
 
     (2)      to prepay or retire Senior Debt of any Obligor, provided that , to the extent any such proceeds are used to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, such prepayment shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 8.2.  
 
     Section 10.5.       Sale and Leaseback.   The Obligors shall not enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby any Obligor shall sell or transfer any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to lease such property or lease other property which any Obligor or Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred, without the prior written consent of the Required Holders.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 10.6.       Restricted Payments and Redemptions.   The Obligors shall not purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire shares of any class of their Capital Stock, or make any Restricted Payments ( provided, however, that neither the exercise of common stock purchase warrants or options to purchase common stock on a “cashless” exercise basis under an Obligor’s equity incentive plans shall constitute a purchase or redemption of Capital Stock), except that (a) an Obligor may make any Restricted Payment to another Obligor, (b) the Company may make any Restricted Payment so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would be created by the making of such Restricted Payment ( provided that if, as of the end of any fiscal quarter in any fiscal year, the Obligors shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, as determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a), the Obligors shall not make Restricted Payments in excess of $150,000,000 in the aggregate in such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Obligors shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof; provided further, that if (x) the Obligors shall be prohibited from making Restricted Payments in excess of $150,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year as a result of the application of the foregoing Leverage Ratio and (y) the Obligors shall have previously made Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount greater than or equal to $150,000,000 during such fiscal year, the Obligors shall not be deemed to be in violation of this Section 10.6 as a result of such pre-existing Restricted Payments but shall not make any additional Restricted Payments for the remainder of such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Obligors shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof), and (c) the Obligors may make cash payments to its employees pursuant to one or more profit sharing, equity incentive or other benefit plan.
 
     Section 10.7.      Employee Benefit Plans.   No Obligors nor any ERISA Affiliate will:
 
     (a)      engage in any “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of §406 of ERISA or §4975 of the Code which would result in a material liability for any Obligors; or
 
     (b)      permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an “accumulated funding deficiency”, as such term is defined in §302 of ERISA, whether or not such deficiency is or may be waived; or
 
     (c)      fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an extent which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner which, would result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of any Obligors pursuant to §302(f) or §4068 of ERISA; or
 
     (d)      amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances requiring the posting of security pursuant to §307 of ERISA or §401(a)(29) of the Code; or
 
     (e)      permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit liabilities (within the meaning of §4001 of ERISA) of all Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     Section 10.8.       Negative Pledges.   Except as required by any Municipal Contract or the Bank Credit Agreement, no Obligors shall enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement, enforceable under applicable law, which directly or indirectly prohibits such Obligors from creating or incurring any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest in favor of an agent for the benefit of the holders other than customary anti-assignment provisions in leases and licensing agreements entered into by such Obligors in the ordinary course of its business; provided, however, that this Section 10.8 shall not prohibit any negative pledge (i) incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1, (A) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by such Indebtedness or (B) the terms of which are customary at the time of incurrence and are approved by the Required Holders in writing, (ii) with respect to any Subsidiary of Company imposed pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for the sale or disposition permitted under Section 10.4.2, or (iii) in connection with restrictions imposed by applicable laws.
 
     Section 10.9.      Business Activities.   No Obligors will engage directly or indirectly (whether through Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the businesses conducted by such Obligors on the Closing Date and in related businesses.
 
     Section 10.10.       Transactions with Affiliates.   No Obligors will engage in any transaction with any Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Obligors, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Affiliate has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an arm’s-length basis in the ordinary course of business.
 
     Section 10.11.       Prepayments of Indebtedness.   The Obligors may not prepay, redeem or repurchase any Indebtedness incurred by any Obligor or any Subsidiary pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof unless (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would be created thereby, and (b) after giving effect to any such prepayment, redemption or repurchase, the Obligors shall be in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 10 hereof, determined on a pro forma basis.
 
     Section 10.12.      Accounting Changes.   No Obligor will make any change in its accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.
 
     Section 10.13.       Leverage Ratio.   As of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Obligors, the Obligors will not permit the ratio of Consolidated Total Funded Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (the “Leverage Ratio” ) to exceed 3.75:1.00 for the Reference Period ending on such date.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 10.14.      Interest Coverage Ratio.   As of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Obligors, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBIT to (b) Consolidated Total Interest Expense shall not be less than 2.75:1.00 for the Reference Period ending on such date.
 
     Section 10.15.       Terrorism Sanctions Regulations .  The Obligors will not and will not permit any Subsidiary to (a) become a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (b) to the knowledge of the Company, engage in any dealings or transactions with any such Person.  
 
Section 11. 
Events of Default.
 
An “Event of Default” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:
 
         (a)        any Obligor defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
 
      (b)        any Obligor defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
 
         (c)       any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Section 7.1(d) or Section 10 or any covenant in a Supplement which  provides that it shall have the benefit of this paragraph (c); or
 
                  (d) any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or in any Supplement (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) any Obligor receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or
 
                  (e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Obligor or by any officer of any Obligor in this Agreement (including any Supplement) or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or
 
                  (f) (i) any Obligor or any Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of at least $50,000,000 (“Threshold Indebtedness”) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) any Obligor or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Threshold Indebtedness or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such Threshold Indebtedness or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition Threshold Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Threshold Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time or the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into equity interests), (x) any Obligor or any Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Subsidiary so to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness; or
 
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Note Purchase Agreement 
 
                  (g) any Obligor (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or
 
                  (h) a court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by any Obligor, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against any Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
 
                  (i) a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $5,000,000 (excluding judgments in which an insurer has acknowledged in writing that it is liable for such judgment) are rendered against one or more of any Obligor and its Subsidiaries and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within 60 days after the expiration of such stay; or
(j)          if (i) any Plan (other than a Multi-employer Plan) shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan (other than a Multi-employer Plan) shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (other than a Multi-employer Plan) or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan (other than a Multi-employer Plan) may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans (other than Multi-employer Plans), determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $20,000,000, or any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a Multi-employer Plan requiring aggregate annual payments exceeding $5,000,000 , (iv) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multi-employer Plan, or is a participant in a Multi-employer Plan at the time of a termination thereof , or (vi) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
As used in Section 11(j), the terms “employee benefit plan” and “employee welfare benefit plan” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.
 
Section 12. 
Remedies on Default, Etc.
 
     Section 12.1.       Acceleration .   (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
 
               (b) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at their option, by notice or notices to any Obligor, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
 
               (c) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.
 
Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived.  Each Obligor acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by any Obligor (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Obligors in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 12.2.       Other Remedies .  If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.
 
     Section 12.3.      Rescission .  At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders by written notice to any Obligor, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Obligors have paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) none of the Obligors nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes.  No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
     Section 12.4.      No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc .  No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies.  No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or by any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.  Without limiting the obligations of the Obligors under Section 15, the Obligors will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements.
 
Section 13. 
Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes.
 
     Section 13.1.      Registration of Notes .  The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes.  The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register.  Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Obligors shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary.  The Obligors shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 13.2.       Transfer and Exchange of Notes .  Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iv)) for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof) within ten Business Days thereafter the Obligors shall execute and deliver, at the Obligors’ expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches) as requested by the holder thereof in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note.  Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto or Exhibit 1 of the appropriate Supplement, as applicable.  Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.  The Obligors may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000.  Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 and the Obligors shall not be obligated to register any Note in the name of any transferee who cannot make the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 or with respect to any transfer that would result in a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA.
 
     Section 13.3.       Replacement of Notes .  Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iv)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and
 
                  (a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or
 
                  (b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,
 
within ten Business Days thereafter the Obligors at their own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of the same series, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
Section 14. 
Payments on Notes.
 
     Section 14.1.       Place of Payment .  Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in such jurisdiction.  The Obligors may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Obligors in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.
 
     Section 14.2.       Home Office Payment .  So long as any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Purchaser’s nominee or such Additional Purchaser’s nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Obligors will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A hereto, or, in the case of any Additional Purchaser’s Schedule A attached to any Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Purchaser is a party, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1.  Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Person’s nominee, such Person will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Obligors in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2.  The Obligors will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 14.2.
 
Section 15. 
Expenses, Etc.
 
     Section 15.1.       Transaction Expenses .  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Obligors will pay all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees of one special counsel for the Purchasers and any Additional Purchasers, as a group, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement (including any Supplement) or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including, without limitation:  (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement (including any Supplement) or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement (including any Supplement) or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO, provided that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $4,000 for each series of Notes.  The Obligors will pay, and will save each Purchaser, each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes).
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
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     Section 15.2.       Survival .  The obligations of the Obligors under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, any Supplement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement or any Supplement.
 
Section 16. 
Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.
 
All representations and warranties contained herein or in any Supplement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Supplement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser or any other holder of a Note.  All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Obligors under this Agreement, provided, that the representations and warranties contained in any Supplement shall only be made for the benefit of the Additional Purchasers which are party to such Supplement and the holders of the Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement, including subsequent holders of any Note issued pursuant to such Supplement, and shall not require the consent of the holders of existing Notes.  Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement (including every Supplement) and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Purchasers and the Additional Purchasers and the Obligors and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
 
Section 17. 
Amendment and Waiver.
 
     Section 17.1.      Requirements .  (a) This Agreement (including any Supplement) and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, except that (i) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 21 hereof or the corresponding provision of any Supplement, or any defined term (as it is used in any such Section or such corresponding provision of any Supplement), will be effective as to any holder of Notes unless consented to by such holder of Notes in writing, and (ii) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (A) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (B) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (C) amend any of Sections 8, 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17 or 20 (or any corresponding provision in a Supplement).  In addition, except as expressly provided in Section 9.8(a) in which no consent of the holders of Notes shall be required, the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” may be amended with the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, provided that, during the existence of a Default or Event of Default, no Obligor may be removed from its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and become an Excluded Subsidiary without the written consent of the Obligors and each holder of Notes.  
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (b)       Supplements.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Obligors may enter into any Supplement providing for the issuance of one or more series of Additional Notes consistent with Sections 1.2 and 4.12 hereof without obtaining the consent of any holder of any other series of Notes.
 
     (c)      Consent in Contemplation of Transfer .  Any consent made pursuant to this Section 17 by a holder of Notes that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Notes to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Company and has provided or has agreed to provide such written consent as a condition to such transfer shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.
 
Section 17.2.       Solicitation of Holders of Notes .
 
               (a) Solicitation .  The Obligors will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof, any Supplement or of the Notes.  The Obligors will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.
 
               (b) Payment .  None of the Obligors will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or any Supplement unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 17.3.      Binding Effect, Etc.   Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Obligors without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver.  No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon.  No course of dealing between any Obligor and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note.  As used herein, the term “this Agreement” and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented.
 
     Section 17.4.       Notes Held by Obligors, Etc .  Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by any Obligor or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.
 
Section 18. 
Notices.
 
All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid).  Any such notice must be sent:
 
           (i)     if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to any Obligor in writing,
 
           (ii)    if to an Additional Purchaser or its nominee, to such Additional Purchaser or its nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A to any Supplement, or at such other address as such Additional Purchaser or its nominee shall have specified to any Obligor in writing;
 
           (iii)   if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to any Obligor in writing; or
 
           (iv)  if to any Obligor, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing, with a copy to Shartsis Friese LLP, One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention:  P. Rupert Russell.
 
Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
Section 19. 
Reproduction of Documents.
 
This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing or by any Additional Purchaser (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital or other similar process and such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced.  Each Obligor agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.  This Section 19 shall not prohibit any Obligor or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.
 
Section 20. 
Confidential Information.
 
For the purposes of this Section 20, “Confidential Information” means information delivered to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser by or on behalf of any Obligor or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser as being confidential information of the Obligors or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser or any person acting on such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser other than through disclosure by any Obligor or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available.  Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of any Obligor (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser Notes and this Agreement.  Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement.  On reasonable request by any Obligor in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Obligors embodying the provisions of this Section 20.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
Section 21. 
Substitution of Purchaser.
 
Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Obligors, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6.  Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser.  In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by any Obligor of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Affiliate as a “Purchaser” or an “Additional Purchaser” in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser, and such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.
 
Section 22. 
Miscellaneous.
 
     Section 22.1.      Successors and Assigns .  All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement (including all covenants and other agreements contained in any Supplement) by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.
 
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Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     Section 22.2.       Payments Due on Non-Business Days .  Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.4 that notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.
 
     Section 22.3.      Accounting Terms .  All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP.  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
     Section 22.4.      Severability .  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
 
     Section 22.5.       Construction, Etc .  Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant.  Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
 
For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules, Exhibits and Supplements attached to this Agreement shall be deemed to be a part hereof.
 
     Section 22.6.      Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
 
     Section 22.7.      Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
 
     Section 22.8.      Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) Each Obligor irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Obligor irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
 
- 43 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
     (b)    Each Obligor consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.8(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to it at its address specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which such holder shall then have been notified pursuant to said Section.  Each Obligor agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it.  Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.
 
     (c) Nothing in this Section 22.8 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against any Obligor in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.
 
     (d) The parties hereto hereby waive trial by jury in any action brought on or with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith.

*    *    *    *    *

- 44 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to any Obligor, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Obligors.

 
Very truly yours,
 
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
 
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
AMERICAN WEST LEASING, INC.
 
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
 
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
 
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.
 
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
 
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
 
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
 
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
 
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
 
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
 
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
 
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
 
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
 
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
 
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
FRANK’S SERVICE, INC.
 
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
 
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
 
(F/K/A RHINO SOLID WASTE, INC.)
 
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
 
J BAR J LAND, INC.
 
KELLY’S HAUL AWAY, INC.
 
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
LEALCO, INC.
 
LES’ COUNTY SANITARY, INC.
 
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY
 

 
 
By _________________________________________
 
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
 
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
- 45 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
 
  MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.
 
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
 
MDSI OF LA, INC.
 
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
 
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
 
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
 
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
 
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
 
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
 
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
 
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
 
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY
 
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
 
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
 
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
 
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
 
(f/k/a Amador Disposal Service, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.
 
(f/k/a WCI of Georgia, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
 
(f/k/a Mountain Jack Environmental Services, Inc.)
 
 
By _________________________________________
 
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
 
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
- 46 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
 
(f/k/a Whaley Waste Systems Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
 
(f/k/a Ritter’s Sanitary Service, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
(f/k/a Liberty Waste Services of Mississippi Holdings, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSOURI, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
 
(f/k/a B & B Sanitation, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
 
(f/k/a Sweet Home Sanitation Service, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
 
(f/k/a Novak Enterprises, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC .
 
(f/k/a Liberty Waste Services of Tennessee Holdings, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
 
(f/k/a Kingsburg Disposal Service, Inc.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
 
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
 
By _____________________________________
 
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
 
Title:  Chief Financial Officer

 
- 47 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 

 
COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.
 
FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 
By:
Management Environmental National, Inc.,
   
its General Partner

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
   
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 

 
EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP
 
 
By:
Waste Connections of Texas, LLC, its General Partner
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc., its
   
Manager

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
   
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
GLACIER DISPOSAL, L.L.C.
 
LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
 
SUNRISE SANITATION, LLC
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC
 
   (f/k/a Santek Environmental of Mississippi, L.L.C.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC
 
   (f/k/a Waste Services of Mississippi, LLC
 
 
By:
Waste Connections, Inc., its Managing

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
   
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
- 48 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 

 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
 
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
   
its Manager

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
   
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
 
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
 
THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
 
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
 
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

 
By: Waste Connections, Inc., its Manager

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name:  Worthing F. Jackman
   
Title:  Chief Financial Officer
 
 
- 49 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof.

 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
 
 
General American Life Insurance
   Company, by Metropolitan Life Insurance
   Company, its Investment Manager
 
 
 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name: Judith A. Gulotta
   
Title: Managing Director
 
 
- 50 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
 
Jackson National Life Insurance Company  
 
 
 
  By:
PPM America, Inc.,as attorney in fact,
   
on behalf of Jackson National Life
   
Insurance Company
     
     
 
 
 
  By _________________________________
   
Name: Luke Stifflear
   
Title: Managing Director
 
 
- 51 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
 
The Prudential Insurance Company of
      America

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
                              Vice President
 

 
 
Prudential Retirement Insurance and
      Annuity Company
 
 
 
By:
Prudential Investment Management, Inc.,
   
as investment manager

 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
                              Vice President
 
 
- 52 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 

 
New York Life Insurance Company
 
 
 
 
By
_____________________________________
   
Name: Kathleen A. Haberkern
   
Title: Corporate Vice President
 
 
 
 
New York Life Insurance and Annuity
   Corporation

 
 
By
New York Life Investment Management
    LLC, its Investment Manager

 
 
  By _________________________________
   
Name: Kathleen A. Haberkern
   
Title: Director
 
 
- 53 -

Waste Connections Inc. 
Note Purchase Agreement 
 
 
Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Company

 
 
By:
American United Life Insurance
   
Company, Its Agent
 
 
 
  By _________________________________
   
Name: Kent R. Adams
   
Title: V. P. Fixed Income Securities
 
 
 
American United Life Insurance Company
 
 
 
By:
American United Life Insurance
   
Company, Its Agent
 
 
  By _________________________________
   
Name: Kent R. Adams
   
Title: V. P. Fixed Income Securities
 
 
 
 
The State Life Insurance Company
 
 
 
By:
American United Life Insurance
   
Company, Its Agent
 
 
 
  By _________________________________
   
Name: Kent R. Adams
   
Title: V. P. Fixed Income Securities
 
 
- 54 -


Defined Terms
 
As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:
 
“Additional Notes” is defined in Section 1.2.
 
“Additional Purchasers” means purchasers of Additional Notes.
 
“Affiliate” means any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of any other Person under Rule 144(a) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof, if such other Person were issuing securities.
 
 “Anti-Terrorism Order” means Executive Order No. 13,224 of September 24, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit or Support Terrorism, 66 U.S. Fed. Reg. 49, 079 (2001), as amended.
 
“Bank Credit Agreement” means the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of September 27, 2007 by and among the Obligors, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof, which constitute the primary bank credit facility of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
 
“Business Day” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.6 only (and any other comparable Section set forth in a Supplement), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Folsom, California are required or authorized to be closed.
 
“Capitalized Lease” means a lease under which any Obligor is the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental payment obligations under which are required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee or obligor in accordance with GAAP
 
“Capital Stock” means   any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing but excluding any debt security that is convertible into or exchangeable in whole or in part for Capital Stock prior to such conversion.
 
“Change in Control” means if any Person or Persons acting in concert, together with Affiliates thereof, shall in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, control or own (beneficially or otherwise) more than 50% (by number of shares) of the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Company.
 
“Closing” is defined in Section 3.
 
 
 
SCHEDULE B 
(To Note Purchase Agreement) 

 
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.
 
“Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation or any permitted successor.
 
“Compliance Certificate” is defined in Section 7.2.  
 
“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 20.
 
“Consolidated or consolidated”  means, with reference to any term defined herein, shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes or EBIT” means for any period the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Obligors determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (a) interest expense, (b) income taxes, (c) non-cash stock compensation charges, to the extent that such charges were deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, charges for stock options and restricted stock grants, (d) minority interest expense, (e) non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns or writeoffs of assets, including non-cash losses on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, (f) any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness of the Obligors, (g) special charges relating to the termination of a Swap Contract and (h) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by the Obligors minus (i) non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) and (j) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contact payable to the Obligors.
 
B-2

 
“Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization or EBITDA”.   For any period (without duplication), (a) Consolidated EBIT plus the depreciation expense and amortization expense, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the depreciation expense and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBIT was included under clause (c) hereof, plus (c) Consolidated EBIT for the prior twelve (12) months of companies acquired by the Obligors during the respective reporting period (without duplication) provided that (i) the financial statements of such acquired companies have been audited for the period sought to be included by an independent accounting firm that audits such financial statements under the Bank Credit Agreement, or (ii) such inclusion is permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement (with or without the consent of the administrative agent under the Bank Credit Agreement), and provided further that such acquired Consolidated EBIT may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), as permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement (with or without the consent of the administrative agent under the Bank Credit Agreement).   Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in (i) and (ii) above, the Senior Financial Officer of the Company shall deliver to the holders a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation (in form and substance substantially similar to that delivered by the Company under the Bank Credit Agreement) certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company. “Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit)” means the consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Obligors after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
“Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean the consolidated stockholder’s equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as defined according to GAAP.
 
“Consolidated Total Funded Debt” means,   with respect to the Obligors, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Obligors on a consolidated basis, relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments, (ii) in respect of any Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases, (iii) the non-contingent deferred purchase price of assets and companies (typically known as holdbacks) to the extent recognized as a liability of any Obligor in accordance with GAAP, but excluding (A) short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and (B) the Pierce County Put, and (iv) any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding, but excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding;  plus (b) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (a) of another Person who is not a Obligor guaranteed by the Obligors.
 
“Consolidated Total Interest Expense”.   For any period, the aggregate amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Obligors during such period on all Indebtedness of the Obligors outstanding during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments consisting of interest in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease and including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, but (a) excluding (i) any amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses incurred during such period to the extent included in determining consolidated interest expense, including without limitation, non-cash amortization of deferred debt origination and issuance costs and amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income, (ii) all amounts associated with the unwinding or termination of any Swap Contract, (iii) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to the Obligors and (iv) to the extent included as an item of interest expense, any premium paid to prepay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness incurred by the Obligors pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof, and (b) including any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by the Obligors.
 
“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
 
“Default Rate” means (1) with respect to the Series 2008A Notes that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2008A Notes and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate and (2) with respect to any other series of Notes, the Default Rate as defined in such series of Notes.
 
B-3

 
“Distribution” means   the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of Capital Stock (other than dividends or other distributions payable solely in shares of Capital Stock); the purchase, redemption, or other retirement of any shares of any class of Capital Stock, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary or otherwise; the return of equity capital by any Person to its shareholders, partners or members as such; or any other distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of Capital Stock.
 
“Electronic Delivery” means filing information with the SEC such that such information is publicly available.
 
“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to Hazardous Materials.
 
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
 
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business  (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Company under section 414 of the Code.
 
“Evergreen” means Evergreen National Indemnity Company, an Ohio property and casualty insurance company d/b/a Evergreen/UNI.
 
“Evergreen Shares” means collectively, the 299.5 shares of Class A Common Stock of Evergreen, 2,088.5 shares of Class B Common Stock of Evergreen and one-half share of the Class C Common Stock of Evergreen currently owned by the Company and pledged to Evergreen.
 
“Event of Default” is defined in Section 11.
 
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
“Excluded Subsidiaries” means   each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.4 hereto under the heading “Excluded Subsidiaries”.
 
“Form 10-K” is defined in Section 7.1(b).
 
“Form 10-Q” is defined in Section 7.1(a).
 
“GAAP” means those generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America; provided that, if the Company notifies the Required Holders that the Company wishes to amend any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change in generally accepted accounting principles on the operation of such provision, then the Company's compliance with such provision shall be determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles in effect immediately before the relevant change in generally accepted accounting principles became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such provision is amended  in a manner satisfactory to the Company and the Required Holders.
 
B-4

 
“Governmental Authority”   means
 
     (a)      the government of
 
     (i)      the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, or
 
     (ii)      any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or
 
     (b)      any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.
 
Guaranteed Pension Plan   means any employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of §3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full or in part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multi-employer Plan.
 
“Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation) obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:
 
                  (a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;
 
                  (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;
 
                  (c) to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or
 
                  (d) otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.
 
B-5

 
In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor.
 
“Hazardous Material”   means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law, including, but not limited to, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances.
 
“holder” means, with respect to any Note the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1.
 
“Indebtedness”   means as to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:
 
     (a)      every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,
 
     (b)      every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,
 
     (c)      every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person,
 
     (d)      the net present value (using the “Base Rate” (as such term is defined in the Bank Credit Agreement) as the discount rate) of every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding (A) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good faith and (B) contingent purchase price obligations solely to the extent that the contingency upon which such obligation is conditioned has not yet occurred),
 
     (e)      every obligation of such Person under any Capitalized Lease,
 
     (f)      every obligation of such Person under any Synthetic Lease,
 
     (g)      all sales by such Person of (A) accounts or general intangibles for money due or to become due, (B) chattel paper, instruments or documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (C) other receivables (collectively, “Receivables”), whether pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for collection and not as a financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other amounts in connection therewith, provided, however, that (i) sales referred to in clauses (B) and (C) shall not constitute Indebtedness to the extent that such sales are non-recourse to such Person, and (ii) sales in connection with Permitted Receivables Transactions shall not constitute Indebtedness if the obligations arising therefrom shall be non-recourse to each Obligor and its Subsidiaries (other than the applicable Receivables SPV);
 
B-6

 
     (h)      every obligation of such Person (an “equity related purchase obligation”) to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of any class issued by such Person, or any rights measured by the value of such Capital Stock,
 
     (i)      every obligation of such Person under any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices,
 
     (j)      every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under applicable law,
 
     (k)      every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guaranteeing or otherwise acting as surety for, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (j) (the “primary obligation”) of another Person (the “primary obligor”), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person (A) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such primary obligation, (B) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the payment of such primary obligation, or (C) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such primary obligation.
 
The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness at any time of determination represented by (v) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (w) any Capitalized Lease shall be the principal component of the aggregate of the rentals obligation under such Capitalized Lease payable over the term thereof that is not subject to termination by the lessee, (x) any sale of Receivables shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Obligors) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment, (y) any Synthetic Lease shall be the stipulated loss value, termination value or other equivalent amount and (z) any equity related purchase obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption or purchase price.
 
B-7

 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall constitute Indebtedness for purposes of this Agreement:  (i) trade or other accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, (ii) deferred compensation arrangements with respect to officers, directors, employees or agents of such Person, (iii) customer accounts and deposits, accrued employee compensation and other liabilities in the nature of employee compensation accrued, and (iv) rebates, credits for returned products, discounts, refunds, allowances for customers and credits against receivables, in each case in this clause (iv) in the ordinary course of business.
 
“Institutional Investor” means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than $2,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.
 
“IRBs” means industrial revenue bonds or solid waste disposal bonds or similar tax-exempt bonds issued by or at the request of the Obligors.
 
“IRB Letters of Credit” means letters of credit issued under the Bank Credit Agreement in respect of IRBs.
 
“knowledge” means, with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer.
 
“L/C Supported IRBs” means IRBs backed by IRB Letters of Credit.
 
“Lien” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other encumbrance, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or Capitalized Lease, upon or with respect to any property or asset of such Person (including in the case of stock, stockholder agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar arrangements).
 
“Leverage Ratio” is defined in Section 10.13.  
 
“Make-Whole Amount” is defined in Section 8.6 for the Series 2008A Notes and, in connection with each other series of Notes, the make - whole, breakage or other amounts provided for in the Supplement in respect of such other series of Notes.
 
“Material” means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement (including any Supplement) and the Notes, or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement (including any Supplement) or the Notes.
 
B-8

 
“Memorandum” is defined in Section 5.3.
 
“Multi-employer Plan” means any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
 
“Municipal Contracts” means governmental permits issued to a Obligor by, and franchises and contracts entered into between a Obligor and, any municipal or other governmental entity, as the same may be amended from time to time.
 
“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto.
 
“Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, the sum of all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries (including all guaranties of Indebtedness) that are not Obligors under this Agreement and the Notes.
 
“Notes” is defined in Section 1.
 
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of the Company or any other Obligor, as the case may be, whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
 
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.
 
“Permitted Debt Documents” means collectively, the Permitted Debt Indenture and the Permitted Debt Notes.
 
“Permitted Debt Indenture”  means the Indenture dated as of March 20, 2006, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to the Permitted Debt Notes, as such Permitted Debt Indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.
 
“Permitted Debt Notes”   means the 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 issued by the Company pursuant to the Permitted Debt Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000, as such Permitted Debt Notes may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.
 
“Permitted Liens”  see Section 10.2.
 
“Permitted Receivables Transactions”  means any sale or sales of, and/or securitization of, or transfer of, any Receivables of the Obligors pursuant to which (a) all of the Receivables SPVs realize aggregate net proceeds of not more than $100,000,000 at any one time outstanding, including, without limitation, any revolving purchase(s) of Receivables where the maximum aggregate uncollected purchase price (exclusive of any deferred purchase price) for such Receivables at any time outstanding does not exceed $100,000,000, (b) the Receivables shall be transferred or sold to each Receivables SPV at fair market value or at a market discount, and shall not exceed $125,000,000 in the aggregate for all Receivables SPVs at any one time and (c) obligations arising therefrom shall be non-recourse to each Obligor and its Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables SPV).
 
B-9

 
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.
 
“Pierce County Put” means the put option of the minority interest holders in both Pierce County Recycling, Composting and Disposal, LLC, a Washington limited liability company ( “Pierce County LLC” ), and Pierce County Landfill Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( “Pierce County Management” ), the exercise of which would obligate the Company to purchase the additional interests of both Pierce County LLC and Pierce County Management for cash.
 
“Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.
 
“Preferred Stock” means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person.
 
“property” or “properties” means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.
 
“PTE” is defined in Section 6.2.
 
“Purchaser” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
 
“Qualified Institutional Buyer” means any Person who is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
 
“Real Property” means all real property heretofore, now, or hereafter owned or leased by one or more Obligors.
 
“Receivables SPV” means any one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company formed for the sole purpose of engaging in Permitted Receivables Transactions, and which engage in no business activities other than those related to Permitted Receivables Transactions.
 
B-10

 
“Reference Period”  means as of any date of determination, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Obligors ending on such date, or if such date is not a fiscal quarter end date, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended (in each case treated as a single accounting period).
 
“Related Fund” means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (a) invests in securities or bank loans, and (b) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.
 
“Required Holders” means, at any time, the holders of at least 51% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates.
 
“Responsible Officer” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company or any other Obligor, as the case may be, with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.
 
“Restricted Payment”   means any (a) Distribution, (b) payment or prepayment by any Obligor or any Subsidiary to (i) such Obligors’ or such Subsidiaries shareholders (or other equity holders), in each case, other than to another Obligor, or (ii) to any Affiliate of such Obligor or such Subsidiary or any Affiliate of such Obligor’s or such Subsidiary’s shareholders (or other equity holders), in each case, other than to another Obligor; provided, however, that in the case of each of clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii), no Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a payment to an executive or an employee of an Obligor in such Person’s capacity as an executive or an employee, or (c) derivatives or other transactions with any financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a “ Derivatives Counterparty”) obligating such Obligor or such Subsidiary to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any Capital Stock of such Obligor or such Subsidiary.
 
“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto.
 
“Securities” or “Security” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act.
 
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
 
“Senior Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller of the Company.
 
“Senior Debt” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, all Consolidated Total Funded Debt, other than Subordinated Indebtedness.
 
“series” means any series of Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement hereto.
 
B-11

 
“Series 2008A Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.
 
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means all unsecured Indebtedness of any Obligor which shall contain or have applicable thereto subordination provisions providing for the subordination thereof to other Indebtedness of the Obligors (including, without limitation, the obligations of the Obligors under this Agreement, any Supplement or the Notes).
 
“Subsidiary” means any corporation, association, trust or other business entity of which any Obligor shall at any time own directly, or indirectly through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries, at least a majority of the outstanding Capital Stock or other interest entitled to vote generally.  
 
“Supplement” is defined in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.
 
“SVO” means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC or any successor to such Office.
 
“Swap Contract” means any agreement (including any master agreement and any agreement, whether or not in writing, relating to any single transaction) that is an interest rate swap agreement, basis swap, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange agreement, rate cap, collar or floor agreement, currency swap agreement, cross-currency rate swap agreement, swaption, currency option or other similar agreement (including any option to enter into any of the foregoing).
 
“Synthetic Lease” means, at any time, any lease treated as an operating lease under GAAP and as a loan or financing for U.S. income tax purposes.
 
“Threshold Indebtedness” is defined in Section 11(f).
 
 “USA Patriot Act” means United States Public Law 107 - 56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
 
“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary one hundred percent of all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly - Owned Subsidiaries at such time.
 
 
B-12

 
[Form of Series 2008A Note]
 
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE.  NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.
 
Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries
 
6.22% Series 2008A Senior Note Due October 1, 2015
 
No. RA- [_____]
[Date]
$[_______]
PPN[______________]
 
For Value Received, each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on October 1, 2015, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360 - day year of twelve 30 - day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 6.22% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of April and October in each year, commencing with April 1, 2009, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make - Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 8.22% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).  
 
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
 
 
Exhibit 1
(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 
This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof.  Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement.  Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee.  Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
 
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
 
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 
Waste Connections, Inc.
 
[Other Obligors]


 
By  ________________________________________________________
 
     [Title]

 
1-2

Exhibit 4.4
 
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of July 21, 2009 (this “ Amendment ”), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “ Subsidiaries ,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “ Obligor ” and, collectively, the “ Obligors ”), and (b) each of the purchasers from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (each a “ Purchaser ” and, collectively, the “ Purchasers ”).  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement referred to below.
 
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”);
 
WHEREAS , pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, on the one hand, and Sanipac, Inc., an Oregon corporation (“ Sanipac ”), and The Estate of Randall C. Papé, Gary Papé, Terrance Papé and Dian Papé Tooke, on the other hand, the Company expects to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Sanipac (the “ Sanipac Agreement ”);
 
WHEREAS , Sanipac owns approximately seventy-five percent (75%) of EcoSort, L.L.C., an Oregon limited liability company (“ EcoSort ”); and
 
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Required Holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement desire to amend the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” in the Purchase Agreement by amending Schedule 5.4 of the Purchase Agreement to add EcoSort as an additional Excluded Subsidiary effective as of the closing of the transactions in the Sanipac Agreement;
 
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
§1.   Amendment to Schedule 5.4 of the Purchase Agreement .  Schedule 5.4 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and substituting the attached Schedule 5.4 therefor.
 
§2.   Representations and Warranties .   Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:
 
(a)   The execution and delivery by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of its obligations and agreements under this Amendment and the Purchaser Agreement as amended hereby are within the corporate authority of such Obligor, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on behalf of such Obligor, and do not and will not contravene any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which such Obligor is subject or such Obligor’s constitutive documents or of any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Obligor.
 
(b)   Each of this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights.
 

 
(c)   No approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority is required to make valid and legally binding the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment or the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby.
 
(d)   Such Obligor has performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein and in the Purchase Agreement required to be performed or complied with by such Obligor prior to or at the time hereof, and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the provisions hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default.
 
(e)   The consolidated total assets of the Excluded Subsidiaries, after giving effect to this Amendment, will not be greater than 15% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
§3.   Conditions Precedent .   This Amendment shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred):
 
(a)   The Obligors and the Required Holders shall have duly executed and delivered a copy of this Amendment; and
 
(a)           The acquisition of Sanipac by the Company pursuant to the Sanipac Agreement shall have closed in accordance with such agreement.
 
§4.   Miscellaneous Provisions .
 
(a)   Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Purchase Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.
 
(b)   The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written.  Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement or any Series 2008A Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the Purchasers may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement or the Series 2008A Notes, except as specifically set forth herein.
 
(c)   This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument.  In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought.
 
§5.   Governing Law .  This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
 
[Reminder of page intentionally left blank]
-2-

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
 
 
THE   OBLIGORS :
 
     
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
 
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
 
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
 
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
 
AMERICAN WEST LEASING, INC.
 
 
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
ANSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
 
 
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.
 
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.
 
 
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
 
 
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
 
 
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
 
 
COUNTY RECYCLING, INC.
 
 
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
 
 
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
 
 
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
 
 
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
 
 
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
 
 
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
FRANK’S SERVICE, INC.
 
 
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
 
 
HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
 
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A RHINO SOLID WASTE, INC.)
 
 
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
J BAR J LAND, INC.
 
 
KELLY’S HAUL AWAY, INC.
 
 
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
LEALCO, INC.
 
 
LES’ COUNTY SANITARY, INC.
 
 
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
 
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY
 
     
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
 

 
 
THE OBLIGORS
 
     
 
MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL
 
   
NATIONAL, INC.
 
 
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
 
 
MDSI OF LA, INC.
 
 
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
 
 
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
 
 
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
 
 
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
 
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
 
 
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
 
 
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
 
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
 
 
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
 
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
 
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
 
 
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY
 
 
SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.
 
 
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
 
 
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
 
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
 
 
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
 
 
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT
 
   
SERVICES, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A AMADOR DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A WCI OF GEORGIA, INC.)
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 


 
 
 
THE OBLIGORS
 
     
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A MOUNTAIN JACK ENVIRONMENTAL
   
SERVICES, INC.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A WHALEY WASTE SYSTEMS INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A RITTER’S SANITARY SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF
 
 
MISSISSIPPI HOLDINGS, INC.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSOURI, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A B & B SANITATION, INC.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
 
   
(SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO
 
   
ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND
 
F/K/A SWEET HOME SANITATION SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
   
(F/K/A NOVAK ENTERPRISES, INC.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
 
   
(F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE HOLDINGS, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
(F/K/A/ KINGSBURG DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
 
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
 
     
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
 

 
 
THE OBLIGORS
 
     
 
COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.
 
 
FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
     
 
By:
Management Environmental National, Inc.,
 
   
its General Partner
 
       
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
 
EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP
 
     
 
By:
Waste Connections of Texas, LLC,
 
   
its General Partner
 
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
 
   
its Manager
 
         
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
 
GLACIER DISPOSAL, L.L.C.
 
 
LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
 
 
SUNRISE SANITATION, LLC
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL
 
   
SERVICES, LLC (F/K/A SANTEK
 
   
ENVIRONMENTAL OF MISSISSIPPI, L.L.C.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC
 
   
(F/K/A WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC)
       
 
By:
Waste Connections, Inc.,
 
   
its Managing Member
 
         
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 


 
 
THE OBLIGORS
 
     
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
 
     
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
 
   
its Manager
 
       
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
 
HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
 
PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND
 
 
DISPOSAL, LLC
 
 
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
 
 
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
 
 
SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS, L.L.C.
 
 
THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
 
 
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
 
 
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.
 
     
 
By:
Waste Connections, Inc.
 
   
its Manager
 
       
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
 
ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC
 
     
 
By:
Anderson County Landfill, Inc., its Manager
 
       
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
         
 
CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC
 
     
 
By:
Chiquita Canyon, Inc., its Manager
 
       
   
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name:
Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 


 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
     
By:
/s/ John Wills
 
Name:
John Wills
 
Title:
Director
 
 

 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
GENERAL AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
 
 
its Investment Manager
 
     
By:
/s/ John Wills
 
Name:
John Wills
 
Title:
Director
 
 

 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact,
 
 
on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company
   
By:
/s/ Luke S. Stifflear
 
Name:
Luke S. Stifflear
 
Title:
Senior Managing Director
 
 

 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
 
By:
/s/ Iris Krause
 
Name:
Iris Krause
 
Title:
Vice President
 
     
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
 
By:
/s/ Iris Krause
 
Name:
Iris Krause
 
Title:
Vice President
 
 

 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
/s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern
 
Name:
Kathleen A. Haberkern
 
Title:
Corporate Vice President
 
     
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
 
By:
New York Life Investment Management, LLC
 
 
its Investment Manager
 
     
By:
/s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern
 
Name:
Kathleen A. Haberkern
 
Title:
Director
 
 

 
THE PURCHASERS :
 
PIONEER MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
American United Life Insurance Company,
 
 
its Agent
 
     
By:
/s/ Michael I. Bullock
 
Name:
Michael I. Bullock
 
Title:
Vice President
 
     
AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
/s/ Michael I. Bullock
 
Name:
Michael I. Bullock
 
Title:
Vice President
 
     
THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
By:
American United Life Insurance Company,
 
 
its Agent
 
     
By:
/s/ Michael I. Bullock
 
Name:
Michael I. Bullock
 
Title:
Vice President
 

 

Exhibit 4.5
 
 
 
 Waste Connections, Inc.
and
its Subsidiaries
 
First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement
 
Dated as of October 26, 2009
Re:    
   $175,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A, Senior Notes  
 
Due November 1, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
2295 Iron Point Road, Suite 200
Folsom, California 95360

Dated as of
October 26, 2009

To the Purchaser(s) named in
Schedule A hereto
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
          This First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Supplement” ) is between each of Waste Connections, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and its Subsidiaries party hereto (together with the Company, the “Obligors” ), and the institutional investors named on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Purchasers” ).
 
Recitals
 
               A. The Obligors have entered into the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 15, 2008 with the purchasers listed in Schedule A thereto (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ); and
 
               B. The Obligors desire to issue and sell, and the Purchasers desire to purchase, an additional series of Notes (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and in accordance with the terms set forth below;
 
               N ow, Therefore , each Obligor and the Purchasers agree as follows:
 
                 1. Authorization of the New Series of Notes .  The Obligors have authorized the issue and sale of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019 (the “Series  2009A Notes” ).  The Series 2009A Notes, together with the Series 2008A Notes initially issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and each series of Additional Notes which may from time to time hereafter be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement, are collectively referred to as the “Notes (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13 of the Note Purchase Agreement).  The Series 2009A Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1 hereto with such changes therefrom, if any, as may be approved by the Purchaser(s) and the Obligors.
 
                 2. Sale and Purchase of Series 2009A Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement and on the basis of the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth, the Obligors will issue and sell to each of the Purchasers, and the Purchasers will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2009A Notes in the principal amount specified opposite their respective names in the attached Schedule A hereto at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof.  The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance by any other Purchaser hereunder.
 
 
 

 
 
                  3. Closing .  The sale and purchase of the Series 2009A Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time, at a closing (the “Closing” ) on October 26, 2009 or on such other Business Day thereafter on or prior to October 30, 2009 as may be agreed upon by the Obligors and the Purchasers.  At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2009A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Series 2009A Note (or such greater number of Series 2009A Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of such Purchaser’s nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement.  If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender such Series 2009A Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to any Purchaser’s satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at such Purchaser’s election , be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.
 
                 4. Conditions to Closing .  The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Series  2009A Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, prior to the Closing, of the conditions set forth in Section 4 of the Note Purchase Agreement (except that (1) all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, all references to the “Closing” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Closing as defined herein, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series  2009A Notes, and as hereafter modified, and (2) the Memorandum, as defined in Section 5.3 of Exhibit A hereto, is deemed to be the “Memorandum” for purposes of the closing condition in Section 4.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement), and to the following additional conditions:
 
                 (a) Except as supplemented, amended or superseded by the representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit A hereto, each of the representations and warranties of the Obligors set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement shall be correct as of the date of the Closing and the Obligors shall have delivered to each Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing certifying that such condition has been fulfilled.
 
                 (b) Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall purchase, the Series  2009A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.
 
 
-2-

 
 
                 (c) Subject to the limitations set forth in that certain Letter Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company and the Purchasers (the “Letter Agreement” ), the Obligors shall have paid on or before the Closing the fees, charges and disbursements of the special counsel to the Purchasers incurred in connection with the issuance of the Series 2009A Notes, as reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Obligors at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.
 
                 (d) Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall pay to the Purchasers (on a pro rata basis) the administrative fee set forth in the Letter Agreement, provided that the aggregate amount of such administrative fee shall be reduced by the amount of fees to be paid by the Obligors to the special counsel for the Purchasers pursuant to Section 4(c) above.
 
                 5. Representations and Warranties of the Obligors .  With respect to each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement, each Obligor represents and warrants to the Purchasers that, as of the date hereof, such representations and warranties are true and correct (A) except that all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series  2009A Notes, and (B) except for changes to such representations and warranties or the Schedules referred to therein, which changes are set forth in the attached Exhibit A (and shall include an updated form of Section 5.3).
 
                 6. Representations of the Purchasers.   Each Purchaser confirms to the Obligors that the representations set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement are true and correct on the date hereof with respect to the purchase of the Series  2009A Notes by such Purchaser.
 
                 7. Maturity of the Series  2009A Notes; Interest .  There are no scheduled prepayments on the Series 2009A Notes.  The entire unpaid principal amount of the Series 2009A Notes shall become due and payable on November 1, 2019.  The Series  2009A Notes shall bear interest at the rates set forth therein.
 
                 8. D efinition of Make-Whole Amount.   The term “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2009A Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2009A Note minus the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero.  For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:
 
                “Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2009A Note, the principal of such Series 2009A Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
 
 
-3-

 
 
                “ Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2009A Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Series 2009A Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
 
                “ Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2009A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.
 
                 I n the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life.  The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2009A Note.
 
                “ Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
 
                “ Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2009A Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Series 2009A Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or 12.1.
 
 
-4-

 
 
                “ Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2009A Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
 
                 9. Definition of “Default Rate” .  The term “Default Rate” means, with respect to the Series 2009A Notes, that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2009A Notes and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate.
 
                 10. New Section 22.9.   There shall be added to the Note Purchase Agreement a new Section 22.9 which shall read as follows:
 
Section 22.9.  FASB 157 and 159.  For purposes of determining compliance with the covenants set out in this Agreement, any election by the Company to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 157 and 159) shall be disregarded.”
 
                 11. Applicability of Note Purchase Agreement .  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein (and expressly permitted by the Note Purchase Agreement), all of the provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement are incorporated by reference herein, shall apply to the Series 2009A Notes as if expressly set forth in this Supplement and all references to “Notes” shall include the Series 2009A Notes.  Without limiting the foregoing, each Obligor agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Supplement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided that such costs and expenses with respect to the Series 2009A shall not exceed $4,000.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
                 12. Governing Law. T his Supplement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, New York law , excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State .
 
                 13. Agreement to be Bound .  The Obligors and each Purchaser, to the extent that it was not a party to the Note Purchase Agreement prior to the Closing, agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement as fully and completely as if such Purchaser were an original signatory to the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
 
 
-5-

 
  
          The execution hereof shall constitute a contract between the Obligors and the Purchaser(s) for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but all together only one agreement.
   
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
 
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
AMERICAN WEST LEASING, INC.
 
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
ANSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
 
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.
 
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
 
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.
 
CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.
 
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
 
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
 
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
 
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
 
COUNTY RECYCLING, INC.
 
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
 
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
 
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
 
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
 
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
 
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
FRANK’S SERVICE, INC.
 
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.
 
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
 
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
 
HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
 
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
                 (F/K/A RHINO SOLID WASTE, INC.)
 
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
 
J BAR J LAND, INC.
 
KELLY’S HAUL AWAY, INC.
 
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
LEALCO, INC.
 
LES’ COUNTY SANITARY, INC.
 
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY
 
MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.
 
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
 
MDSI OF LA, INC.
 
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
 
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
 
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
 
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
 
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
 
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
 
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
 
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
 
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
 
POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
 
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
 
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.
 
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
 
SANIPAC, INC.
 
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
 
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
 
SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.
 
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
 
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
 
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
 
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
 
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
 
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
                 (F/K/A AMADOR DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC. (F/K/A WCI OF GEORGIA, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
 
(F/K/A MOUNTAIN JACK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
 
(F/K/A WHALEY WASTE SYSTEMS INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
                 (F/K/A RITTER’S SANITARY SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
                 (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF
 
                 MISSISSIPPI HOLDINGS, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSOURI, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
 
                 (F/K/A B & B SANITATION, INC.)

       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
 
                 (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
                 AND F/K/A SWEET HOME SANITATION SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
                 (F/K/A NOVAK ENTERPRISES, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
 
                 (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE HOLDINGS, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
                 (F/K/A/ KINGSBURG DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
 
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
 
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
 
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 
 

 
 
 
COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.
 
FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   
 
By:
Management Environmental National, Inc.,
 
   
its General Partner
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP
       
 
By:
Waste Connections of Texas, LLC,
 
   
its General Partner
 
       
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
 
   
its Manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC
   
 
By:
Anderson Regional Landfill, Inc.
 
   
its Manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC
 
     
 
By:
Chiquita Canyon, Inc.
 
   
its Manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 
 

 
 
 
GLACIER DISPOSAL, L.L.C.
 
 
LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
 
 
SUNRISE SANITATION, LLC
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI
 
   
DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC (F/K/A SANTEK
 
   
ENVIRONMENTAL OF MISSISSIPPI, L.L.C.)
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC (F/K/A
 
   
WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC)
 
 
By:
Waste Connections, Inc.,
its Managing Member
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
 
       
 
By:
Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
its Manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
       
 
HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
 
 
PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING
 
   
AND DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
 
   
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
 
 
SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.
 
 
THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
 
 
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
 
 
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.
 
 
By:
Waste Connections, Inc.
its Manager
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Name: Worthing F. Jackman
 
   
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
Accepted as of the first date written above.
 
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
 
METLIFE INVESTORS USA INSURANCE COMPANY
 
by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its Investment Manager

 
By
/s/ Judith A. Gulotta
 
   
Name: Judith A. Gulotta
 
   
Title: Managing Director
 

 
UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
by MetLife Investment Advisors Company, LLC, its investment adviser
   
 
 
By
/s/ Judith A. Gulotta
 
   
Name: Judith A. Gulotta
 
   
Title: Managing Director
 

 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
Accepted as of the first date written above.
           
 
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
   
CORPORATION
 
By:
New York Life Investment Management LLC, Its
Investment Manager
       
     
By
          /s/ Christopher H. Carey
 
     
     Name: Christopher H. Carey
     
     Title: Director
   
 
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
   
     
By
          /s/ Christopher H. Carey
 
     
     Name: Christopher H. Carey
     
     Title: Director
 
 
 
 
[Signature page to First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 
 

 
 
S upplemental R epresentations
 
          Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that except as hereinafter set forth in this Exhibit A, each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof with respect to the Series 2009A Notes with the same force and effect as if each reference to “Series 2008A Notes” set forth therein was modified to refer to the “Series 2009A Notes” and each reference to “this Agreement” therein was modified to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the First Supplement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition herein or in the First Supplement have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Section references hereinafter set forth correspond to the similar sections of the Note Purchase Agreement which are supplemented hereby:
 
           Section 5.3. Disclosure . The Private Placement Memorandum dated May 2008, including the filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after that date, which are incorporated therein by reference (collectively, the “Memorandum” ), fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement (as supplemented by the First Supplement), the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement (the Note Purchase Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2008, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to the Obligors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.
 
          Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. (a) Schedule 5.4 to the First Supplement contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers. Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
 
          (b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 to the First Supplement as being owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4 to the First Supplement).
 
 

E xhibit A
(to Supplement)
 
 

 
 
          (c) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the Note Purchase Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4 to the First Supplement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Obligors or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.
 
           Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement . All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified therein and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
 
           Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Obligors . None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2009A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers, each of which has been offered the Series 2009A Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2009A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
 
           Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2009A Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and for general corporate purposes of the Obligors. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2009A Notes pursuant to the First Supplement will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Obligors in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.
 
           Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness . Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 to the First Supplement sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the
 
 
Exhibit A -2-

 
 
Company and its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2009 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors. None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
          (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15 to the First Supplement, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.
 
          (c) None of the Obligors are a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15 to the First Supplement.
 
 
Exhibit A -3-

 
 
[F orm of S eries 2009A Note ]
 
          THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.
 
Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries
 
5.25% S enior N ote, S eries 2009 A   D ue N ovember 1, 2019
     
No. R__- [_____]
 
[Date]
$[_______]
 
PPN [ _________ ]
 
           F or V alue R eceived , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to  [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] D ollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on November 1, 2019, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 5.25% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of May and November in each year, commencing with May 1, 2010, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 2% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
 
          Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
 
 
 
E xhibit 1
(To Supplement)
 
 

 
 
          This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
          This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
 
          This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
 
          If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
          This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
     
  Waste Connections, Inc .
  [Names of other Obligors]
   
 
By
 
   
[Title]

Exhibit 1 - Page 2
Exhibit 4.6
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of November 24, 2010 (this “ Amendment ”), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “ Subsidiaries ,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “ Obligor ” and, collectively, the “ Obligors ”), and (b) each of the purchasers from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (each a “ Purchaser ” and, collectively, the “ Purchasers ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement referred to below.
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 20, 2009 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement desire to amend Section 1.2 in the Purchase Agreement to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement from $500,000,000 to $750,000,000;
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
§1. Amendment to Section 1.2 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 1.2 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the amount “$500,000,000” and replacing it with the amount “$750,000,000”.
§2. Representations and Warranties . Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:
(a) The execution and delivery by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of its obligations and agreements under this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby are within the corporate authority of such Obligor, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on behalf of such Obligor, and do not and will not contravene any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which such Obligor is subject or such Obligor’s constitutive documents or of any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Obligor.
(b) Each of this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights.
(c) No approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority is required to make valid and legally binding the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment or the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby.
(d) Such Obligor has performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein and in the Purchase Agreement required to be performed or complied with by such Obligor prior to or at the time hereof, and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the provisions hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default.

 

 


 

§3. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred): each of the Obligors and the Holders shall have duly executed and delivered a copy of this Amendment.
§4. Miscellaneous Provisions .
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Purchase Agreement and the Notes, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.
(b) The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the Purchasers may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement or the Notes, except as specifically set forth herein.
(c) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.
§5. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
         
  THE OBLIGORS :

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
ANSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.
CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
    (F/K/A RHINO SOLID WASTE, INC.)
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
J BAR J LAND, INC.
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
LEALCO, INC.
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  THE OBLIGORS

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
MDSI OF LA, INC.
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
SANIPAC, INC.
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY
SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
    (F/K/A AMADOR DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.
    (F/K/A WCI OF GEORGIA, INC.)

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  THE OBLIGORS

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
    (F/K/A MOUNTAIN JACK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
    (F/K/A WHALEY WASTE SYSTEMS INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
    (F/K/A RITTER’S SANITARY SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
    (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI HOLDINGS, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSOURI, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
    (F/K/A B & B SANITATION, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
    (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
    AND F/K/A SWEET HOME SANITATION SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
    (F/K/A NOVAK ENTERPRISES, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
    (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE HOLDINGS, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
     (F/K/A/ KINGSBURG
DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

                     
    THE OBLIGORS    
 
                   
    COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P. FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP    
 
                   
    By:   Management Environmental National, Inc.,
its General Partner
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP    
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections of Texas, LLC,
its General Partner
   
    By:   Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
its Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC
    (F/K/A SANTEK ENVIRONMENTAL OF MISSISSIPPI, L.L.C.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC
    (F/K/A WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC)
   
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections, Inc.,
its Managing Member
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC    
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections of Louisiana, Inc., its Manager    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 


 

                     
    THE OBLIGORS    
 
                   
    WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC    
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,
its Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS, L.L.C.
THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.
   
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections, Inc.
its Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC    
 
                   
    By:   Anderson County Landfill, Inc., its Manager    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC    
 
                   
    By:   Chiquita Canyon, Inc., its Manager    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                   
    WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.    
 
                   
    By:   Waste Connections of Oregon, Inc., its Manager    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
 
          Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
          Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
[Signature page to Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 


 

             
THE PURCHASERS :    
 
           
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
GENERAL AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
its Investment Manager
   
 
           
By:   /s/ Judith A. Gulotta    
         
 
  Name:   Judith A. Gulotta    
 
  Title:   Managing Director    

 

 


 

             
THE PURCHASERS :    
 
           
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact, on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company    
 
           
By:   /s/ Curtis A. Spillers    
         
 
  Name:   Curtis A. Spillers    
 
  Title:   Vice President    

 

 


 

             
THE PURCHASERS :    
 
           
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA    
 
           
By:   /s/ Iris Krause    
         
 
  Name:   Iris Krause    
 
  Title:   Vice President    
 
           
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY    
 
           
By:   /s/ Iris Krause    
         
 
  Name:   Iris Krause    
 
  Title:   Vice President    

 

 


 

             
THE PURCHASERS :    
 
           
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
         
 
  Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
 
  Title:   Corporate Vice President    
 
           
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION    
 
           
By:   New York Life Investment Management, LLC
its Investment Manager
   
 
           
By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
         
 
  Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
 
  Title:   Director    

 

 


 

             
THE PURCHASERS:    
 
           
PIONEER MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   American United Life Insurance Company,
its Agent
   
 
           
By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
         
 
  Name:   John C. Mason    
 
  Title:   V.P. Fixed Income Securities    
 
           
AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
         
 
  Name:   John C. Mason    
 
  Title:   V.P. Fixed Income Securities    
 
           
THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY    
 
           
By:   American United Life Insurance Company,
its Agent
   
 
           
By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
         
 
  Name:   John C. Mason    
 
  Title:   V.P. Fixed Income Securities    

 

 

Exhibit 4.7
Waste Connections, Inc.
and
its Subsidiaries
Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement
Dated as of April 1, 2011
Re:  
$100,000,000 3.30%, Series 2011A, Senior Notes,
Tranche A, due April 1, 2016
$50,000,000 4.00%, Series 2011A, Senior Notes,
Tranche B, due April 1, 2018
$100,000,000 4.64%, Series 2011A, Senior Notes,
Tranche C, due April 1, 2021

 

 


 

Waste Connections, Inc.
2295 Iron Point Road, Suite 200
Folsom, California 95360
Dated as of
April 1, 2011
To the Purchaser(s) named in
Schedule A hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Supplement” or the “Second Supplement” ) is between each of Waste Connections, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and its Subsidiaries party hereto (together with the Company, the “Obligors” ), and the institutional investors named on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Purchasers” ).
R e c i t a l s
A. The Obligors have entered into the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 15, 2008 with the purchasers listed in Schedule A thereto and one or more supplements or amendments thereto (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ); and

 

 


 

B. The Obligors desire to issue and sell, and the Purchasers desire to purchase, an additional series of Notes (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and in accordance with the terms set forth below;
N ow, Therefore , each Obligor and the Purchasers agree as follows:
1. Authorization of the New Series of Notes . The Obligors have authorized the issue and sale of the following Senior Notes:
                             
        Aggregate              
    Series and/or   Principal     Interest     Maturity  
Issue   Tranche   Amount     Rate     Date  
 
                           
Senior Notes
  Series 2011A, Tranche A (the “Tranche A Notes”)   $ 100,000,000       3.30 %   April 1, 2016
 
                           
Senior Notes
  Series 2011A, Tranche B (the “Tranche B Notes”)   $ 50,000,000       4.00 %   April 1, 2018
 
                           
Senior Notes
  Series 2011A, Tranche C (the “Tranche C Notes”)   $ 100,000,000       4.64 %   April 1, 2021
The Senior Notes described above are collectively referred to as the “Series 2011A Notes” . The Series 2011A Notes, together with the Series 2009A Notes, issued pursuant to the First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 26, 2009 (the “First Supplement” ), and the Series 2008A Notes, initially issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, and each series of Additional Notes which may from time to time hereafter be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement, are collectively referred to as the “Notes (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13 of the Note Purchase Agreement). The Tranche A Notes, the Tranche B Notes and the Tranche C Notes shall be substantially in the forms set out in Exhibit 1(a), Exhibit 1(b) and Exhibit 1(c), respectively, with such changes therefrom, if any, as may be approved by the Purchaser(s) and the Obligors.
2. Sale and Purchase of Series 2011A Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement and on the basis of the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth, the Obligors will issue and sell to each of the Purchasers, and the Purchasers will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2011A Notes in the principal amount specified opposite their respective names in the attached Schedule A hereto at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

-2-


 

3. Closing . The sale and purchase of the Series 2011A Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time, at a closing (the “Closing” ) on April 1, 2011 or on such other Business Day thereafter on or prior to April 30, 2011 as may be agreed upon by the Obligors and the Purchasers. At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2011A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Tranche A Note, Tranche B Note and/or Tranche C Note (or such greater number of notes of each tranche, as applicable, in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of such Purchaser’s nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement. If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender such Series 2011A Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to any Purchaser’s satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at such Purchaser’s election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.
4. Conditions to Closing . The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Series 2011A Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, prior to the Closing, of the conditions set forth in Section 4 of the Note Purchase Agreement (except that (1) all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the First Supplement and this Supplement, all references to the “Closing” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Closing as defined herein, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series 2011A Notes, and as hereafter modified, and (2) the Memorandum, as defined in Section 5.3 of Exhibit A hereto, is deemed to be the “Memorandum” for purposes of the closing condition in Section 4.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement), and to the following additional conditions:
(a) Except as supplemented, amended or superseded by the representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit A hereto, each of the representations and warranties of the Obligors set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement shall be correct as of the date of the Closing and the Obligors shall have delivered to each Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing certifying that such condition has been fulfilled.
(b) Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall purchase, the Series 2011A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.
(c) The Obligors shall have paid on or before the Closing the fees, charges and disbursements of the special counsel to the Purchasers incurred in connection with the issuance of the Series 2011A Notes, as reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Obligors at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.

 

-3-


 

5. Representations and Warranties of the Obligors . With respect to each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement, each Obligor represents and warrants to the Purchasers that, as of the date hereof, such representations and warranties are true and correct (A) except that all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series 2011A Notes, and (B) except for changes to such representations and warranties or the Schedules referred to therein, which changes are set forth in the attached Exhibit A (and shall include an updated form of Section 5.3).
6. Representations of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser confirms to the Obligors that the representations set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement are true and correct on the date hereof with respect to the purchase of the Series 2011A Notes by such Purchaser.
7. Maturity of the Series 2011A Notes; Interest . There are no scheduled prepayments on any of the Series 2011A Notes. The entire unpaid principal amount of the Tranche A Notes shall become due and payable on April 1, 2016. The entire unpaid principal amount of the Tranche B Notes shall become due and payable on April 1, 2018. The entire unpaid principal amount of the Tranche C Notes shall become due and payable on April 1, 2021. The Series 2011A Notes shall bear interest at the rates set forth therein.
8. Definition of Make-Whole Amount. The term “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2011A Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2011A Note minus the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2011A Note, the principal of such Series 2011A Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement, as the context requires.
“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2011A Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Series 2011A Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

-4-


 

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2011A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.
In the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2011A Note.
“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2011A Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Series 2011A Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or 12.1.
“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2011A Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

-5-


 

9. Definition of “Default Rate” . The term “Default Rate” means, with respect to the Series 2011A Notes, that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2011A Notes and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate.
10. Covenant of the Company re Obligor Not in Good Standing . The Company hereby agrees that it shall cause Millennium Waste Incorporated, an Indiana corporation ( “Millennium” ) (a) to file with the Department of Revenue of the State of Indiana, within thirty days after the Closing, all documents required by that Department in order for that Department to provide a Certificate of Clearance to Millennium, and (b) to file with the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, within thirty days after receipt by Millennium of a Certificate of Clearance from the Department of Revenue of the State of Indiana, such Certificate of Clearance and any other documents and fees required by the Secretary of State in order for Millennium to be validly existing and in good standing in the State of Indiana.
11. New Section 22.9. There shall be added to the Note Purchase Agreement a new Section 22.9 which shall read as follows:
Section 22.9. FASB 157 and 159. For purposes of determining compliance with the covenants set out in this Agreement, any election by the Company to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 157 and 159) shall be disregarded.”
12. Applicability of Note Purchase Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein (and expressly permitted by the Note Purchase Agreement), all of the provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement are incorporated by reference herein, shall apply to the Series 2011A Notes as if expressly set forth in this Supplement and all references to “Notes” shall include the Series 2011A Notes. Without limiting the foregoing, each Obligor agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Supplement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided that such costs and expenses with respect to the Series 2011A Notes shall not exceed $4,000. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

-6-


 

13. Governing Law. T his Supplement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, New York law, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
14. Agreement to be Bound . The Obligors and each Purchaser, to the extent that it was not a party to the Note Purchase Agreement prior to the Closing, agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement as fully and completely as if such Purchaser were an original signatory to the Note Purchase Agreement.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

-7-


 

The execution hereof shall constitute a contract between the Obligors and the Purchaser(s) for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but all together only one agreement.
         
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
ANSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.

CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
    (F/K/A RHINO SOLID WASTE, INC.)
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
J BAR J LAND, INC.
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
LEALCO, INC.
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
MDSI OF LA, INC.
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SANIPAC, INC.
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
    (F/K/A AMADOR DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.
    (F/K/A WCI OF GEORGIA, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
    (F/K/A MOUNTAIN JACK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
    (F/K/A WHALEY WASTE SYSTEMS INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
    (F/K/A RITTER’S SANITARY SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
    (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI
    HOLDINGS, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
    (F/K/A B
& B SANITATION, INC.)
 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
    (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO ENVIRONMENTAL
    WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. AND F/K/A SWEET HOME
    SANITATION SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
    (F/K/A NOVAK ENTERPRISES, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
    (F/K/A LIBERTY WASTE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE HOLDINGS, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
    (F/K/A/ KINGSBURG DISPOSAL SERVICE, INC.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.
FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 
 
  By:   Management Environmental National, Inc.,     
    its General Partner   
     
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP
 
 
  By:   Waste Connections of Texas, LLC,    
    its General Partner   
 
  By:   Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,    
    its Manager   
     
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC
 
 
  By:   Anderson County Landfill, Inc.    
    its Manager   
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC
 
 
  By:   Chiquita Canyon, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC
    (F/K/A SANTEK ENVIRONMENTAL OF MISSISSIPPI, L.L.C.)
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC
    (F/K/A WASTE SERVICES OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC)

 
 
  By:   Waste Connections, Inc.,    
    its Managing Member   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
 
 
  By:   Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.,    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.
THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

 
 
  By:   Waste Connections, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:   Waste Connections of Kansas, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC
LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

 
 
  By:   Waste Connections of Louisiana, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  MBO, LLC
 
 
  By:   Lacassine Holdings, L.L.C.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   Waste Connections of Louisiana, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:   Waste Connections of Oregon, Inc.    
    its Manager   
       
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature page to Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut
 
 
  By:   Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,    
    its Investment Manager   
       
  MetLife Bank, National Association
 
 
  By:   Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,    
    its Investment Manager   
         
  By:   /s/ Judith A. Gulotta    
    Name:   Judith A. Gulotta   
    Title:   Managing Director   
         
  Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   MetLife Investment Advisors Company, LLC,    
    its investment adviser   
       
  Employers Reassurance Company
 
 
  By:   MetLife Investment Advisors Company, LLC,    
    its investment adviser   
         
  By:   /s/ Judith A. Gulotta    
    Name:   Judith A. Gulotta   
    Title:   Managing Director   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Allstate Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Judith P. Greffin    
    Name:   Judith P. Greffin   
       
  By:   /s/ Jerry D. Zinkula    
    Name:   Jerry D. Zinkula   
    Authorized Signatories   
 
  Allstate Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Judith P. Greffin    
    Name:   Judith P. Greffin   
     
  By:   /s/ Jerry D. Zinkula    
    Name:   Jerry D. Zinkula   
    Authorized Signatories   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   Babson Capital Management LLC,    
    as Investment Advisor   
     
  By:   /s/ Emeka Onukwugha    
    Name:   Emeka Onukwugha   
    Title:   Managing Director   
 
  C.M. Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   Babson Capital Management LLC,    
    as Investment Advisor   
       
  By:   /s/ Emeka Onukwugha    
    Name:   Emeka Onukwugha   
    Title:   Managing Director   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
Hartford Casualty Insurance Company
Hartford Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   Hartford Investment Management Company    
    Their Agent and Attorney-in-Fact   
       
  By:   /s/ Robert M. Mills    
    Name:   Robert M. Mills   
    Title:   Vice President   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  RiverSource Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Timothy J. Masek    
    Name:   Timothy J. Masek   
    Title:   Vice President - Investments   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Howard Stern    
    Name:   Howard Stern   
    Its Authorized Representative   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Knights of Columbus
 
 
  By:   /s/ Dennis A. Savoie    
    Name:   Dennis A. Savoie   
    Title:   Deputy Supreme Knight   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Modern Woodmen of America
 
 
  By:   /s/ D. P. Prior    
    Name:   D. P. Prior   
    Title:   National Secretary   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  The Phoenix Insurance Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Annette M. Masterson    
    Name:   Annette M. Masterson   
    Title:   Vice President   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation
 
 
  By   New York Life Investment Management LLC,    
    its Investment Manager   
       
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Director   
 
  New York Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Corporate Vice President   
 
  New York Life Insurance and Annuity
Corporation Institutionally Owned Life
Insurance Separate Account (BOLI 3)

 
 
  By   New York Life Investment Management LLC,    
    its Investment Manager   
 
 
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Director

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above. 
         
  New York Life Insurance and Annuity
Corporation Institutionally Owned Life
Insurance Separate Account
(BOLI 3-2)
 
 
  By   New York Life Investment Management LLC,    
    its Investment Manager   
       
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Director   
 
  New York Life Insurance and Annuity
Corporation Institutionally Owned Life
Insurance Separate Account (BOLI 30C)

 
 
  By   New York Life Investment Management LLC,    
    its Investment Manager   
       
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Director   
 
  New York Life Insurance and Annuity
Corporation Institutionally Owned Life
Insurance Separate Account (BOLI 30E)

 
 
  By   New York Life Investment Management LLC,    
    its Investment Manager   
       
 
  By   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
    Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern   
    Title:   Director   

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Life Insurance Company of the Southwest
 
 
  By   /s/ R. Scott Higgins    
    Name:   R. Scott Higgins   
    Title:   Senior Vice President,
Sentinel Asset Management 
 

 

 


 

Accepted as of the date first written above.
         
  Country Life Insurance Company
 
 
  By   /s/ John A. Jacobs    
    Name:   John A. Jacobs   
    Title:   Director - Fixed Income   
 
  Country Mutual Insurance Company
 
 
  By   /s/ John A. Jacobs    
    Name:   John A. Jacobs   
    Title:   Director - Fixed Income   
 

 

 


 

Supplemental Representations
Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that except as hereinafter set forth in this Exhibit A, each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof with respect to the Series 2011A Notes with the same force and effect as if each reference to “Series 2008A Notes” set forth therein was modified to refer to the “Series 2011A Notes” and each reference to “this Agreement” therein was modified to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the First Supplement and the Second Supplement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition herein or in the Second Supplement have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Section references hereinafter set forth correspond to the similar sections of the Note Purchase Agreement, where similar sections exist, which are supplemented hereby:
Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority . Each Obligor, other than any Obligor listed in Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement as an Obligor not in good standing, is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Obligor has the corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Series 2011A Notes and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof. The failure to be in good standing of any Obligor listed in Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement as an Obligor not in good standing does not, as of the Closing, individually, or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.3. Disclosure . The Private Placement Memorandum dated March 2011, including the filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated therein by reference (collectively, the “Memorandum” ) fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement (as supplemented by the First Supplement and the Second Supplement), the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement (the Note Purchase Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2010, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to the Obligors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.
Exhibit A
(to Supplement)

 

 


 

Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. (a) Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers. Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.
(b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement as being owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement).
(c) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the Note Purchase Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4 to the Second Supplement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Obligors or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.
Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified therein and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.
Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Obligors . None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2011A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than 65 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2011A Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2011A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

 


 

Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2011A Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and for general corporate purposes of the Obligors, which may include acquisitions. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2011A Notes pursuant to the Second Supplement will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Obligors in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.
Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness . Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 to the Second Supplement sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of February 28, 2011 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors. None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15 to the Second Supplement, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.
(c) None of the Obligors are a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15 to the Second Supplement.
Section 5.19. Millennium Waste Incorporated . As of December 31, 2010, less than one percent (1%) of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Obligors is attributable to Millennium Waste Incorporated, an Indiana corporation.

 

 


 

[Form of Tranche A Note]
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.
Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries
3.30% Senior Note, Series 2011A, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016
     
No. RA- [                      ]
$[                      ]
  [Date]
PPN 94106*AC0
F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [                      ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                      ] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on April 1, 2016, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.30% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of April and October in each year, commencing with October 1, 2011, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.30% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
Exhibit 1(a)
(To Supplement)

 

 


 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
             
    Waste Connections, Inc.    
    [Names of other Obligors]    
 
           
 
  By        
 
     
 
[Title]
   
Exhibit 1(a) - Page 2

 

 


 

[Form of Tranche B Note]
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.
Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries
4.00% Senior Note, Series 2011A, Tranche B, due April 1, 2018
     
No. RB- [                      ]
$[                      ]
  [Date]
PPN 94106*AD8
F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [                      ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                      ] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on April 1, 2018, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 4.00% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of April and October in each year, commencing with October 1, 2011, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 6.00% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
Exhibit 1(b)
(To Supplement)

 

 


 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
             
    Waste Connections, Inc.    
    [Names of other Obligors]    
 
           
 
  By        
 
     
 
[Title]
   
Exhibit 1(b) - Page 2

 

 


 

[Form of Tranche C Note]
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.
Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries
4.64% Senior Note, Series 2011A, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021
No. RC- [                      ]
$[                      ]
  [Date]
PPN 94106*AE6
F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [                      ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [                      ] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on April 1, 2021, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 4.64% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of April and October in each year, commencing with October 1, 2011, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 6.64% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.
Exhibit 1(c)
(To Supplement)

 

 


 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
             
    Waste Connections, Inc.    
    [Names of other Obligors]    
 
           
 
  By        
 
     
 
[Title]
   
Exhibit 1(c) - Page 2

 

 

Exhibit 4.8
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of October 12, 2011 (this “ Amendment ”), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Existing Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “ Subsidiaries ,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “ Obligor ” and, collectively, the “ Obligors ”), and (b) each of the purchasers from time to time party to the Existing Purchase Agreement referred to below (each a “ Purchaser ” and, collectively, the “ Purchasers ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Amended Purchase Agreement (defined herein).
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 21, 2009 and that certain Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 2010 (the “ Existing Purchase Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS , the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries have entered into that Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2011 with Bank of America, N.A. which amends and restates the Bank Credit Agreement (as defined in the Existing Purchase Agreement);
WHEREAS , the Obligors and the holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Existing Purchase Agreement desire to amend certain provisions of the Existing Purchase Agreement to conform to certain changes to the Bank Credit Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Existing Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree that the Existing Purchase Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
§1. Amendment to Section 2.2. The following is added immediately after the word “agree” and prior to the words “to discharge and release” in Section 2.2: “, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.8(c)”.
§2. Amendment to Section 9.2 . The following is added at the end of Section 9.2: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Obligors shall be permitted to maintain self-insurance programs to the extent permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement.”
§3. Amendments to Section 9.8 .
  (a)  
The words “as named on Schedule 5.4 on the Closing Date” are deleted and replaced with the words “and Receivables SPVs except to the extent required under Section 9.8(c)”.
 
  (b)  
The following is added after the word “delivery” in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 9.8: “to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor”.

 

 


 

  (c)  
The following new subsection is added to the end of Section 9.8:
“(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, each Person which is a borrower under, or a guarantor of the obligations under, the Bank Credit Agreement shall be obligated to remain an Obligor hereunder for so long as such Person remains a borrower or guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement or, if it is not then an Obligor hereunder, the Obligors shall cause such Person to become an Obligor hereunder for so long as such Person remains a borrower or guarantor under the Bank Credit Agreement in accordance with Section 9.8(a).”
§4. Amendment to Section 9.9 . Section 9.9 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
“Limitation on Excluded Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit the consolidated total assets of the Excluded Subsidiaries to be greater than 10% of the consolidated total assets of the Consolidated Group determined at the end of each fiscal quarter in accordance with GAAP. The Company will also not permit the aggregate revenues of the Excluded Subsidiaries for any fiscal quarter to be greater than 10% of the aggregate revenues of the Consolidated Group for such fiscal quarter.
§5. New Section 9.10 . The following shall be added as a new Section 9.10:
Designation of Excluded Subsidiaries . (a) Subject to Section 9.8(c), the following Subsidiaries are hereby designated as Excluded Subsidiaries:
ECOSORT, L.L.C.
RUSSELL SWEEPERS, LLC
WEST VALLEY COLLECTION & RECYCLING, LLC
(b) Subject to Section 9.8(c), the Company may from time to time designate any Subsidiary as an Excluded Subsidiary, provided that the following conditions precedent to the effectiveness of such designation are satisfied:
  i.  
at the time of such designation, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such designation will not otherwise create a Default or an Event of Default;
 
  ii.  
after giving effect to such designation, the Obligors will be in pro forma compliance (with asset values and revenues of the Excluded Subsidiaries adjusted as if such designation occurred on the first day of the applicable Reference Period), measured as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter, with the limitations on Excluded Subsidiaries set forth in Section 9.9; and
 
  iii.  
the Company has delivered to the holders of Notes that are Institutional Investors written notice of such designation certifying compliance with the requirements set forth in the foregoing clause (ii) and setting forth reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof.

 

- 2 -


 

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to Section 9.8(c), in the event that any Subsidiary is designated as an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 9.10, such Subsidiary shall be released from its obligations under the Notes and cease to be an ‘Obligor.’”
§6. Amendments to Section 10.1 .
  (a)  
Clause (i) is amended by deleting the period at the end thereof and replacing it with the following:
“(using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness (with such amounts adjusted as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));”.
  (b)  
The following is added to clause (k) immediately after “pro forma basis”:
“(using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness)”.
§7. Amendment to Section 10.2 . The following is added to clause (a) of Section 10.2 immediately before the parenthetical clause: “or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings”.
§8. Amendments to Section 10.3 .
  (a)  
The word “financial” is inserted immediately before the word “covenants”;
 
  (b)  
The following is added immediately after the words “pro forma basis”:
“(using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such investment (with such amounts adjusted as if such investment was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Form Reference Period))”; and
  (c)  
The period at the end of Section 10.3 is deleted and replaced by the following: “; provided, that nothing set forth in this Section 10.3 shall prohibit ordinary course investments made by the Obligors from time to time in cash and cash equivalents.”

 

- 3 -


 

§9. Amendment to Section 10.4.1 .
  (a)  
The following is inserted at the end of clause (a) of Section 10.4.1 before the semicolon: “(using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition)”.
 
  (b)  
The following is inserted at the end of clause (c) of Section 10.4.1 before the semicolon: “, except for investments in other lines of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding for all such investments (the amount of any such investment being the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such investment)”
 
  (c)  
The following phrase is inserted after the word “hereunder” in clause (d) of Section 10.4.1: “or be an Excluded Subsidiary hereunder or be designated an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with Section 9.10 and subject to Section 9.9”.
§10. Amendment to Section 10.6 . Each instance of the figure “$150,000,000” in Section 10.6 is replaced with the figure “$200,000,000”.
§11. Amendment to Section 10.7. Section 10.7 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
Employee Benefit Plans. No Obligors nor any ERISA Affiliate will:
(a) engage in any “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise incur any excise taxes under Sections 4971, 4975, 4980B or 4980D of the Code which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor; or
(b) fail to satisfy the Pension Funding Rules with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor or fail to meet or seek any waiver of the minimum funding standards or incur any funding shortfall (within the meaning of Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA or Sections 430 and 436 of the Code) with respect to any such Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor; or
(c) fail to contribute to any Pension Plan to an extent which, or terminate any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) in a manner which, could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien securing material obligations (and in any event obligations in excess of $15,000,000) on any assets of any Obligor pursuant to Section 303(k) or Section 4068 of ERISA or Section 430(k) of the Code; or

 

- 4 -


 

(d) post any security pursuant to Section 436(f) of the Code or fail to meet the minimum required contribution payment obligations under Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor; or
(e) permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit liability (within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA) of all Pension Plans (other than any Multiemployer Plans) exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Pension Plans with assets in excess of benefit liabilities which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor; or
(f) incur any withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA with respect to any Multiemployer Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $15,000,000) for any Obligor.”
§12. Amendment to Section 10.9 . The following is inserted immediately before the final period in Section 10.9: “, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 10.3 and 10.4”.
§13. Amendment to Section 10.10 . The words “non-Obligor” are inserted immediately before each instance of the word “Affiliate” in Section 10.10.
§14. Amendment to Section 10.13 . Section 10.13 is deleted and replaced with the following:
Leverage Ratio . As of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the Obligors shall not permit the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding on such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date (the “ Leverage Ratio ”), to exceed 3.75:1.00.”
§15. Amendment to Section 10.14 . Section 10.14 is deleted and replaced with the following:
Interest Coverage Ratio . As of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the Obligors shall not permit the ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Total Interest Expense, in each case for the Reference Period ending on such date, to be less than 2.75:1.00.”
§16. Amendment to Section 11(i) . The figure “$5,000,000” in Section 11(i) is replaced with the figure “$20,000,000”.
§17. New Section 22.9 . The following shall be added as a new Section 22.9:
Designation of Company as Agent for Obligors. Each of the Obligors hereby designates the Company as its agent and representative for all purposes hereunder and under the Notes (including with respect to any notices, demands, communications or requests hereunder or under the Notes) and the Company hereby accepts each such appointment. Each holder of a Note may regard any notice or other communication pursuant hereto or pursuant to any Note from the Company as a notice or communication from all the Obligors, and may give any notice or communication required or permitted to be given by such holder to any Obligor hereunder or under the Notes to the Company on behalf of such Obligor or Obligors. Each Obligor agrees that each notice, election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on its behalf by the Company shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Obligor and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Obligor to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Obligor.”

 

- 5 -


 

§18. Amendments to Schedule B . The following changes are hereby made to the defined terms in Schedule B:
(a) The following definitions are inserted in proper alphabetical order:
“Agreement” means this Master Note Purchase Agreement as amended by the First Amendment, the Second Amendment and the Third Amendment, and as the same may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments thereunder that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such Synthetic Lease were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease.
Consolidated Group ” means the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.
“First Amendment” means Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2009, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which has two or more contributing sponsors (including any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended and in effect from time to time
“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Section 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by any Obligor and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

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“Pro Forma Reference Period” means, as of the calculation date for any pro forma covenant calculation hereunder, the most recently completed Reference Period prior to such calculation date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.
“Second Amendment” means Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2010, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.
“Third Amendment” means Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2011, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.
  (b)  
The definition of Bank Credit Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:
“Bank Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2011 by and among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof, which constitute the primary bank credit facility of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
  (c)  
The definition of Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes or EBIT is deleted and replaced with the following:
Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes or EBIT ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Consolidated Group determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (a) interest expense, plus (b) income taxes, plus (c) non-cash stock compensation charges, to the extent that such charges were deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, charges for stock options and restricted stock grants, plus (d) one-time, non-recurring acquisition costs to the extent such costs are expensed in accordance with FAS 141R and not capitalized, plus (e) non-controlling interest expense, plus (f) non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns or writeoffs of assets, including non-cash losses on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, plus (g) any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group, plus (h) special charges relating to the termination of a Swap Contract, plus (i) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any members of the Consolidated Group, plus (j) one-time, non-recurring charges in connection with the modification of employment agreements with certain members of senior management to the extent included in the calculation of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes under the Bank Credit Agreement, minus (k) non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), and minus (l) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contact payable to any members of the Consolidated Group.

 

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  (d)  
The definition of Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization or EBITDA is deleted and replaced with the following:
“Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization or EBITDA” means, for any period (without duplication), (a) Consolidated EBIT plus the depreciation expense and amortization expense, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the depreciation expense and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBITDA was included under clause (c) hereof, plus (c) Consolidated EBITDA for the prior twelve (12) months of companies or business segments acquired by the Consolidated Group during the respective reporting period (without duplication) provided that (i) the financial statements of such acquired companies or business segments have been audited for the period sought to be included by an independent accounting firm of recognized national standing, or (ii) such inclusion is permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, and provided further that such acquired Consolidated EBITDA may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), to the extent such expenses are included in the calculation of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization under the Bank Credit Agreement. Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in (i) and (ii) above, a Senior Financial Officer of the Company shall deliver to the holders a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation (in form and substance substantially similar to that delivered by the Company under the Bank Credit Agreement) certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company or business segment.
“Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit)” means the consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Consolidated Group after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.
  (e)  
The definition of Consolidated Total Funded Debt is deleted and replaced with the following:
“Consolidated Total Funded Debt” means, with respect to the Consolidated Group, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments, (ii) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases, (iii) the non-contingent deferred purchase price of assets and companies (typically known as holdbacks) to the extent recognized as a liability in accordance with GAAP, but excluding short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding, but excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding; plus (b) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (a) of another Person who is not a member of the Consolidated Group guaranteed by one or more members of the Consolidated Group.
  (f)  
The definition of Consolidated Total Interest Expense is deleted and replaced with the following:
Consolidated Total Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Consolidated Group during such period on all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments treated as interest under GAAP in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease and including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, but (a) excluding (i) any amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses incurred during such period to the extent included in determining consolidated interest expense, including without limitation, non-cash amortization of deferred debt origination and issuance costs and amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income, (ii) all amounts associated with the unwinding or termination of any Swap Contract, (iii) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to any member of the Consolidated Group and (iv) to the extent included as an item of interest expense, any premium paid to prepay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, and (b) including any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any member of the Consolidated Group.

 

- 8 -


 

  (g)  
The definition of ERISA Affiliate is deleted and replaced with the following:
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with any Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
  (h)  
The definition of Excluded Subsidiaries is deleted and replaced with the following:
Excluded Subsidiaries ” means each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.4 hereto under the heading “Excluded Subsidiaries”, each Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary, and each other Subsidiary from time to time designated as an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of Section 9.10 and subject to Section 9.9.
  (i)  
The definition of GAAP is amended by adding the following sentence at the end of the definition:
For the avoidance of doubt, “GAAP” as of the date of Amendment No. 3 to this Master Note Purchase Agreement means GAAP as in effect on the date of such Amendment, and any changes in GAAP after such date shall be subject to the notice, interpretation and amendment procedures set forth in this definition.
  (j)  
The definition of Indebtedness is amended by:
  i.  
Replacing the words “every obligation” in clauses (e) and (f) and with the words “Attributable Indebtedness”; and
  ii.  
Deleting clauses (w) and (y) in the second to last paragraph of such definition, which begins with the phrase “The ‘amount’ or ‘principal amount’”, and renumbering the subsections accordingly.
  (k)  
The definition of Multiemployer Plan is deleted and replaced by:
“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

- 9 -


 

  (l)  
The definition of Plan is deleted and replaced by:
“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
§19. Representations and Warranties . Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:
(a) The execution and delivery by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of its obligations and agreements under this Amendment and the Existing Purchase Agreement as amended hereby (the “Amended Purchase Agreement" ) are within the corporate authority of such Obligor, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on behalf of such Obligor, and do not and will not contravene any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which such Obligor is subject or such Obligor’s constitutive documents or of any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Obligor.
(b) Each of this Amendment and the Amended Purchase Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights.
(c) No approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority is required to make valid and legally binding the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment or the Amended Purchase Agreement.
(d) Such Obligor has performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein and in the Existing Purchase Agreement required to be performed or complied with by such Obligor prior to or at the time hereof, and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the provisions hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default.
(e) As of the date hereof and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred which is continuing.
§20. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred): each of the Obligors and the Required Holders shall have duly executed and delivered a copy of this Amendment.
§21. Miscellaneous Provisions .
(a) To the extent any Subsidiary signing this agreement was not previously added as an Obligor, each such Subsidiary shall be deemed to have joined the Purchase Agreement as an Obligor and shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of Section 9.8 of the Purchase Agreement.
(b) On and after the effective date of this Amendment, each reference in the Existing Purchase Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Existing Purchase Agreement shall be and mean a reference to the Amended Purchase Agreement.
(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Existing Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Amended Purchase Agreement and the Notes are hereby ratified and confirmed, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Existing Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.

 

- 10 -


 

(d) The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Existing Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the Purchasers may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Existing Purchase Agreement or the Notes, except as specifically set forth herein.
(e) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.
§22. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

- 11 -


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
         
  OBLIGORS:

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.
CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC.
CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY
COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.
COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP.
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.
HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

         
  OBLIGORS:

J BAR J LAND, INC.
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.
LEALCO, INC.
LFC, INC.
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY
MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.
MDSI OF LA, INC.
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
NORTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.
POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
PUEBLO SANITATION, INC.
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.
R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
RKS HOLDING, CORP.
RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY
SANIPAC, INC.
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY
SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.
SOUTHERN PLAINS DISPOSAL, INC.
STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

         
  OBLIGORS:

WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.
WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
    Name:   Worthing F. Jackman   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                         
    OBLIGORS:
 
                       
    CARPENTER WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC
COUNTY WASTE — ULSTER, LLC
    FORT ANN TRANSFER STATION, LLC
SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC
STERLING AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC
 
                       
    By:   COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.,    
        its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    CLIFTON ORGANICS, LLC
    SIERRA PROCESSING, LLC
 
                       
    By:   SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC, its manager    
 
                       
        By:   COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
            By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                     
 
              Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
              Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., its sole manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                         
    OBLIGORS:
 
                       
    EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP    
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC,
its sole general partner
   
 
                       
        By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., its sole manager    
 
                       
            By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                     
 
              Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
              Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC
LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    MBO, LLC
 
                       
    By:   LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
            By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                     
 
              Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
 
              Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                         
    OBLIGORS:
 
                       
    ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC
 
                       
    By:   ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
    CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC
 
                       
    By:   CHIQUITA CANYON, INC., its sole member and manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                         
    OBLIGORS:
 
                       
    COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.
    FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
 
                       
    By:   MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.,
its sole general partner
   
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    HORIZON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC
    PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING
AND DISPOSAL, LLC
    RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC
    SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC
    SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.
    THE TRASH COMPANY, LLC
    VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.
    WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., its manager    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.
    WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., its managing member    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
 
                       
    WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC
 
                       
    By:   WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., its member    
 
                       
        By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman    
                 
            Name:   Worthing F. Jackman    
            Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT
    METLIFE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
                   
    By:   METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, its investment manager    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Judith A. Gulotta    
                 
 
          Name:   Judith A. Gulotta    
 
          Title:   Managing Director    
 
                   
    UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
    EMPLOYERS REASSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   METLIFE INVESTMENT ADVISORS COMPANY, its investment advisor    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Judith A. Gulotta    
                 
 
          Name:   Judith A. Gulotta    
 
          Title:   Managing Director    

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:


ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ John W. Kunkle    
    Name:   John W. Kunkle   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Jerry D. Zinkula    
    Name:   Jerry D. Zinkula   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
  ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ John W. Kunkle    
    Name:   John W. Kunkle   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Jerry D. Zinkula    
    Name:   Jerry D. Zinkula   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as investment advisor    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Emeka O. Onukwugha    
                 
 
          Name:   Emeka O. Onukwugha    
 
          Title:   Managing Director    
 
                   
    C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as investment advisor    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Emeka O. Onukwugha    
                 
 
          Name:   Emeka O. Onukwugha    
 
          Title:   Managing Director    

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY
    HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
    HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
their agent and attorney-in-fact
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ John Knox    
                 
 
          Name:   John Knox    
 
          Title:   Vice President    

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

RIVERSOURCE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ Thomas W. Murphy    
    Name:   Thomas W. Murphy   
    Title:   Vice President – Investments   
 

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ Howard Stern    
    Name:   Howard Stern   
    Title:   Its Authorized Representative   
 

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
 
 
  By:   /s/ Charles E. Maurer, Jr.    
    Name:   Charles E. Maurer, Jr.   
    Title:   Supreme Secretary   
 

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
 
 
  By:   /s/ Douglas A. Pannier    
    Name:   Douglas A. Pannier   
    Title:   Portfolio Manager, Private Placements   
 

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

THE PHOENIX INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ Annette M. Masterson    
    Name:   Annette M. Masterson   
    Title:   Vice President   
 

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
 
                   
    By:   NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,
its Investment Manager
   
 
                   
    By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
             
        Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
        Title:   Director    
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
             
        Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
        Title:   Corporate Vice President    
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT (BOLI 3)
 
                   
    By:   NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,
Its Investment Manager
   
 
                   
    By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
             
        Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
        Title:   Director    

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT (BOLI 3-2)
 
                   
    By:   NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,
its Investment Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
                 
 
          Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
 
          Title:   Director    
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT (BOLI 30C)
 
                   
    By:   NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,
its Investment Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
                 
 
          Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
 
          Title:   Director    
 
                   
    NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION
INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT (BOLI 30E)
 
                   
    By:   NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,
its Investment Manager
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Kathleen A. Haberkern    
                 
 
          Name:   Kathleen A. Haberkern    
 
          Title:   Director    

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE SOUTHWEST
 
 
  By:   /s/ R. Scott Higgins    
    Name:   R. Scott Higgins   
    Title:   Senior Vice President
Sentinel Asset Management 
 

 

 


 

         
  PURCHASERS:

COUNTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ John A. Jacobs    
    Name:   John A. Jacobs   
    Title:   Director – Fixed Income   
 
  COUNTRY MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ John A. Jacobs    
    Name:   John A. Jacobs   
    Title:   Director – Fixed Income   
 

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   PPM AMERICA, INC., as attorney-in-fact    
 
                   
        By:   /s/ Luke S. Stifflear    
                 
 
          Name:   Luke S. Stifflear    
 
          Title:   Sr. Managing Director    

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
 
                   
    By:   /s/ Iris Krause    
             
        Name:  Iris Krause    
        Title:  Senior Vice President    
 
                   
    PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.,
as investment manager
   
 
                       
        By:  /s/ Iris Krause    
               
          Name:  Iris Krause    
          Title:  Senior Vice President    

 

 


 

                     
    PURCHASERS:
 
                   
    PIONEER MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
its agent
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
                 
 
          Name:   John C. Mason    
 
          Title:   V.P., Fixed Income Securities    
 
                   
    AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
its agent
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
                 
 
          Name:   John C. Mason    
 
          Title:   V.P., Fixed Income Securities    
 
                   
    THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                   
    By:   AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
its agent
   
 
                   
        By:   /s/ John C. Mason    
                 
 
          Name:   John C. Mason    
 
          Title:   V.P., Fixed Income Securities    

 

 

Exhibit 4.9

AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO

MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of August 9, 2013 (this “ Amendment ”), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “ Subsidiaries ,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “ Obligor ” and, collectively, the “ Obligors ”), and (b) each of the purchasers from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (each a “ Purchaser ” and, collectively, the “ Purchasers ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement referred to below.

WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 20, 2009, Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 2010 and Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 12, 2011 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement desire to amend, among other sections of the Purchase Agreement, Section 1.2 in the Purchase Agreement to increase the maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement from $750,000,000 to $1,250,000,000;

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

§1.1 Amendment to Section 1.2 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 1.2 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the amount “$750,000,000” and replacing it with the amount “$1,250,000,000”.

§1.2 Amendment to Section 7 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 7 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding a new Section 7.4 that shall read as follows:

Section 7.4. Electronic Delivery . Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Officer’s Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Company satisfies any of the following requirements with respect thereto:

(i) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 are delivered to each holder of a Note by e-mail;

(ii) the Company shall have timely filed such Form 10–Q or Form 10–K, satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b), as the case may be, with the SEC on EDGAR and shall have made such form and the related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.wasteconnections.com as of the date of this Agreement;


(iii) such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Officer’s Certificate(s) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 are timely posted by or on behalf of the Company on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access; or

(iv) the Company shall have filed any of the items referred to in Section 7.1(c) with the SEC on EDGAR and shall have made such items available on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;

provided however, that in the case of any of clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv), the Company shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 18, of such posting or filing in connection with each delivery, provided further, that upon request of any holder to receive paper copies of such forms, financial statements and Officer’s Certificates or to receive them by e-mail, the Company will promptly e-mail them or deliver such paper copies, as the case may be, to such holder.

In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from Section 20, Section 20 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company, Section 20 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.”

§1.3 Amendment to Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the second sentence of Section 8.2 as follows:

“The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than ten days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17.”

§1.4 Amendment to Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 8.2 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following phrase after the first reference to the term “Make-Whole Amount” in Section 8.2:

“plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date)”

 

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§1.5 Amendment to Section 8.7(e) of the Purchase Agreement . Section 8.7(e) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following phrase at the end of the first sentence in Section 8.7(e):

“plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date)”

§1.6 Amendment to Section 10.9 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 10.9 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by replacing “Closing Date” with “Fourth Amendment Effective Date”.

§1.7 Amendment to Section 10.15 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 10.15 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restating Section 10.15 in its entirety as follows:

Section 10.15. Terrorism Sanctions Regulations . The Company will not and will not permit any Controlled Entity (a) to become (including by virtue of being owned or controlled by a Blocked Person), own or control a Blocked Person or any Person that is the target of sanctions imposed by the United Nations or by the European Union, or (b) directly or indirectly to have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including, without limitation, any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any holder to be in violation of any law or regulation applicable to such holder relating to U.S. Economic Sanctions or sanctions imposed by the United Nations or the European Union, or (ii) is prohibited by or subject to sanctions under any U.S. Economic Sanctions, or (c) to engage, nor shall any Affiliate of either engage, in any activity that could subject such Person or any holder to sanctions under CISADA or any similar law or regulation with respect to Iran or any other country that is subject to U.S. Economic Sanctions.”

§1.8 Amendment to Section 11(b) of the Purchase Agreement . Section 11(b) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following after the phrase “on any Note” in Section 11(b):

“or any LIBOR Breakage Amount”

§1.9 Amendment to Section 12.1(c) of the Purchase Agreement . Section 12.1(c) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following phrase after the first reference to the term “Make-Whole Amount” in the second paragraph in Section 12.1(c):

“and LIBOR Breakage Amount”

§1.10 Amendment to Section 12.3 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 12.3 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following phrase after each reference to the phrases “Make-Whole Amount, if any,” in Section 12.3:

“and LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any,”

§1.11 Amendment to Section 13.1 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 13.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following parenthetical after “name and address” in the second and third line of Section 13.1:

“(including e-mail address, if applicable)”

 

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§1.12 Amendment to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement . Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following parenthetical after the reference to Section 8 in clause (C) of Section 17.1(a):

“(except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2)”

§1.13 Amendment to Section 18 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 18 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the first word of Section 18 with the following:

“Except the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all”

§1.14 Amendment to Section 22 of the Purchase Agreement . Section 22 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding a new Section 22.10 as follows:

Section 22.10. Disregarded Fair Value Option . For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of “Indebtedness” ), any election by the Company to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 –  Fair Value Option , International Accounting Standard 39 –  Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.”

§1.16 Amendment to Schedule B of the Purchase Agreement . Schedule B of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definitions in alphabetical order in Schedule B of the Purchase Agreement:

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means for each Interest Period with respect to any Floating Rate Note a rate per annum equal to the rate set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes is issued.

Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury ( “OFAC” ) (an “OFAC Listed Person” ) (ii) an agent, department, or instrumentality of, or Person beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, (x) any OFAC Listed Person or (y) any Person, entity, organization, foreign country or regime that is subject to any OFAC Sanctions Program, or (iii) a Person otherwise blocked, subject to sanctions under or engaged in any activity in violation of other United States economic sanctions, including but not limited to, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, CISADA or any similar law or regulation with respect to Iran or any other country, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, any OFAC Sanctions Program, or any economic sanctions regulations administered and enforced by the United States or any enabling legislation or executive order relating to any of the foregoing (collectively, “U.S. Economic Sanctions” ).

 

- 4 -


“CISADA” means the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.

“Controlled Entity” means (i) any of the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of their or the Company’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (ii) if the Company has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“EDGAR” means the SEC’s Electronic Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.

“Floating Rate Note” means any Note issued under this Agreement with a floating interest rate and not a fixed interest rate.

“Fourth Amendment” means the Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2013, among the Company, the Obligors and the Purchasers.

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” means the date of execution of the Fourth Amendment.

“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the dates set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes are issued.

“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the period commencing on the issuance date of such Floating Rate Note and continuing up to, but not including, the first Interest Payment Date and, thereafter, the period commencing on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date and continuing up to, but not including, the next Interest Payment Date.

“LIBOR” shall mean, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) for deposits in U.S. Dollars for a three (3) month period which appears on the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service Page BBAM-1 (or if such page is not available, the Reuters Screen LIBO Page) as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the date two Business Days before the commencement of such Interest Period. “Reuters Screen LIBO Page” means the display designated as the “LIBO” page on the Reuters Monitory Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the LIBO page on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Banker’s Association Interest Settlement Rates for U.S. Dollar deposits).

 

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“LIBOR Breakage Amount” shall mean any loss, cost or expense (other than lost profits) actually incurred by any holder of a Floating Rate Note as a result of any payment or prepayment of any Floating Rate Note on a day other than a regularly scheduled Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Note or at the scheduled maturity (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration or otherwise), and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained, provided that any such loss, cost or expense shall be limited to the time period from the date of such prepayment through the earlier of (i) the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the maturity date of the Notes. Each holder shall determine the LIBOR Breakage Amount with respect to the principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes then being paid or prepaid (or required to be paid or prepaid) by written notice to the Company that issued such Floating Rate Note setting forth such determination in reasonable detail not less than two Business Days prior to the date of prepayment in the case of any prepayment pursuant to Section 8.2(a) and not less than one Business Day in the case of any payment required by Section 12.1. Each such determination shall be presumptively correct absent manifest error.

OFAC” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

OFAC Listed Person ” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

OFAC Sanctions Program ” means any economic or trade sanction that OFAC is responsible for administering and enforcing. A list of OFAC Sanctions Programs may be found at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx .

“USA PATRIOT Act” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

“U.S. Economic Sanctions” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

§2. Representations and Warranties . Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:

(a) The execution and delivery by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of its obligations and agreements under this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby are within the corporate authority of such Obligor, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on behalf of such Obligor, and do not and will not contravene any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which such Obligor is subject or such Obligor’s constitutive documents or of any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Obligor.

 

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(b) Each of this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

(c) No approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority is required to make valid and legally binding the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment or the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby.

(d) Such Obligor has performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein and in the Purchase Agreement required to be performed or complied with by such Obligor prior to or at the time hereof, and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the provisions hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default.

§3. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred): each of the Obligors and the Holders shall have duly executed and delivered a copy of this Amendment.

§4. Miscellaneous Provisions .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Purchase Agreement and the Notes, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.

(b) The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the Purchasers may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement or the Notes, except as specifically set forth herein.

(c) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.

§5. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

THE OBLIGORS :

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.

ALASKA WASTE-INTERIOR, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-KENAI PENINSULA, LLC

ALASKA WASTE MAT-SU, LLC

AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

AMERICAN SANITARY SERVICE, INC.

ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC

BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.

BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.

BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.

BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

CALPET, LLC

CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.

CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

CARPENTER WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC

CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.

CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC

CLIFTON ORGANICS, LLC

COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.

COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.

COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.

CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY

COUNTY WASTE — ULSTER, LLC

COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.

COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP.

CRI HOLDINGS, LLC

CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.

D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.

DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC

DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.

DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.

EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP

ELKO SANITATION COMPANY

EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY

ENTECH ALASKA LLC

EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.

FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

FORT ANN TRANSFER STATION, LLC

FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.

G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.

GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS OF ALASKA, LLC

HARDIN SANITATION, INC.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.

HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.

ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.

J BAR J LAND, INC.

LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.

LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.

LEALCO, INC.

LFC, INC.

MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.

MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.

MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.

MBO, LLC

MDSI OF LA, INC.

MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED

MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL

MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE

MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.

NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.

OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.

OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.

PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC

POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.

PRAIRIE DISPOSAL, LLC

PRAIRIE LIQUIDS, LLC

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.

R360 ARTESIA, LLC

R360 CLACO, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

R30 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF LOUISIANA, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

R360 ES HOLDINGS, INC.

R360 HITCHCOCK, LLC

R360 LOGISTICS, LLC

R360 OKLAHOMA, LLC

R360 PERMIAN BASIN, LLC

R360 SHUTE CREEK, LLC

R360 SILO, LLC

R360 WILLISTON BASIN, LLC

R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.

R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.

RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC

RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.

RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION

RICH VALLEY, LLC

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


RKS HOLDING, CORP.

SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY

SANIPAC, INC.

SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC

SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.

SEDALIA LAND COMPANY

SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC

SIERRA PROCESSING, LLC

SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.

SJ RECLAMATION, INC.

SKB ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

SKB (AUSTIN) ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SKB RECYCLING, LLC

SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.

STERLING AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC

STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.

TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.

US LIQUIDS OF LA, L.P.

VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CANADA HOLDINGS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MTNNESOT A, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.

WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.

WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC

WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.

WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.

WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

    By:  

/s/ Worthing F. Jackman

      Name: Worthing F. Jackman
      Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its investment manager

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director

We acknowledge that we hold $35,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $65,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $9,500,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

GENERAL AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its investment manager

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director
We acknowledge that we hold $10,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.
METLIFE INVESTORS USA INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its investment manager

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that we hold $20,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

METLIFE INVESTMENT ADVISORS COMPANY,

its investment advisor

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director

We acknowledge that we hold $15,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT

By:

 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its investment manager

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director

We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2016.

EMPLOYERS REASSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

METLIFE INVESTMENT ADVISORS COMPANY,

its investment advisor

By:  

/s/ Judith A. Gulotta

  Name: Judith A. Gulotta
  Title: Managing Director

We acknowledge that we hold $10,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION

By:

  NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,

its Investment Manager

  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Senior Director

We acknowledge that we hold $12,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $51,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $8,500,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Corporate Vice President

We acknowledge that we hold $17,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $24,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $5,100,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT (BOLI 3)

By:

  NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,

Its Investment Manager

  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Senior Director
We acknowledge that we hold $100,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT (BOLI 3-2)
By:  

NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,

Its Investment Manager

  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Senior Director
We acknowledge that we hold $100,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT (BOLI 30C)
By:  

NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,

Its Investment Manager

  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Senior Director
We acknowledge that we hold $100,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION INSTITUTIONALLY OWNED LIFE INSURANCE SEPARATE ACCOUNT (BOLI 30E)
By:  

NEW YORK LIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC,

Its Investment Manager

  By:  

/s/ Loyd T. Henderson

  Name:   Loyd T. Henderson
  Title:   Senior Director
We acknowledge that we hold $100,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   PPM AMERICA, INC., as attorney-in-fact
  By:  

/s/ Elena S. Unger

  Name:   Elena S. Unger
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $45,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
By:  

/s/ Brien F. Davis

Name:   Brien F. Davis
Title:   Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $36,800,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
By:   PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC., as investment manager
  By:  

/s/ Brien F. Davis

  Name: Brien F. Davis
  Title: Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $8,200,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.
PHYSICIANS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P., as Investment Advisor
By:   Prudential Private Placement Investors, Inc., as its General Partner
  By:  

/s/ Brien F. Davis

  Name: Brien F. Davis
  Title: Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:

AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its agent

  By:  

/s/ Michael I. Bullock

  Name:   Michael I. Bullock
  Title:   Vice President, Private Placements
We acknowledge that we hold $6,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.
THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its agent

  By:  

/s/ Michael I. Bullock

  Name:   Michael I. Bullock
  Title:   Vice President, Private Placements
We acknowledge that we hold $3,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.
PIONEER MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

its agent

  By:  

/s/ Michael I. Bullock

  Name:   Michael I. Bullock
  Title:   Vice President, Private Placements
We acknowledge that we hold $500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:

ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:  

 /s/ Ryan Anderson

Name:         Ryan Anderson
Title:         Authorized Signatory
By:  

 /s/ Douglas P. Dupont

Name:         Douglas P. Dupont
Title:         Authorized Signatory

We acknowledge that we hold $10,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

We acknowledge that we hold $11,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:  

 /s/ Ryan Anderson

Name:         Ryan Anderson
Title:         Authorized Signatory
By:  

 /s/ Douglas P. Dupont

Name:         Douglas P. Dupont
Title:         Authorized Signatory

We acknowledge that we hold $9,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as investment advisor
  By:  

/s/ Emeka O. Onukwugha

  Name:   Emeka O. Onukwugha
  Title:   Managing Director
We acknowledge that we hold $24,200,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.
C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as investment advisor
  By:  

/s/ Emeka O. Onukwugha

  Name:   Emeka O. Onukwugha
  Title:   Managing Director
We acknowledge that we hold $3,800,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
its agent and attorney-in-fact

  By:  

/s/ Dawn M. Crunden

  Name:   Dawn M. Crunden
  Title:   Senior Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $12,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.
HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
its agent and attorney-in-fact
  By:  

/s/ Dawn M. Crunden

  Name:   Dawn M. Crunden
  Title:   Senior Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $13,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.
HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
its agent and attorney-in-fact
  By:  

/s/ Dawn M. Crunden

  Name:   Dawn M. Crunden
  Title:   Senior Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $9,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


HARTFORD LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY
By:   HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
its agent and attorney-in-fact
  By:  

/s/ Dawn M. Crunden

  Name:   Dawn M. Crunden
  Title:   Senior Vice President
We acknowledge that we hold $3,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
RIVERSOURCE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Murphy

Name:   Thomas W. Murphy
Title:   Vice President – Investments

We acknowledge that we hold $17,500,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $11,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

RIVERSOURCE LIFE INSURANCE CO. OF NEW YORK
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Murphy

Name:   Thomas W. Murphy
Title:   Vice President – Investments
We acknowledge that we hold $2,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Randal W. Ralph

Name:   Randal W. Ralph
Title:   Its Authorized Representative
We acknowledge that we hold $18,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
By:  

/s/ Gilles Marchand

Name:   Gilles Marchand
Title:   Vice President

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $12,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
By:  

/s/ Douglas A. Pannier

Name:   Douglas A. Pannier
Title:   Group Head – Private Placements
We acknowledge that we hold $16,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:

THE PHOENIX INSURANCE COMPANY

By:

 

/s/ Annette M. Masterson

Name:

 

Annette M. Masterson

Title:

 

Vice President

We acknowledge that we hold $16,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE SOUTHWEST
By:  

/s/ R. Scott Higgins

Name:   R. Scott Higgins
Title:   Senior Vice President
  Sentinel Asset Management

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $7,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]


PURCHASERS:
COUNTRY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

/s/ John A. Jacobs

Name:   John A. Jacobs
Title:   Director – Fixed Income
We acknowledge that we hold $3,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.
COUNTRY MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:  

/s/ John A. Jacobs

Name:   John A. Jacobs
Title:   Director – Fixed Income
We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 4.10

 

Execution Copy

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO
MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of February 20, 2015 (this “ Amendment ”), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “ Subsidiaries ,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “ Obligor ” and, collectively, the “ Obligors ”), and (b) each of the purchasers from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (each a “ Purchaser ” and, collectively, the “ Purchasers ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

WHEREAS , the Obligors and the Purchasers are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 20, 2009, Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 2010, Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 12, 2011 and Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 9, 2013 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries have entered into that certain Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2015 with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, which amends and restates the Bank Credit Agreement (as defined in the Purchase Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, the Obligors and the Required Holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement desire to amend certain provisions of the Purchase Agreement to conform to certain changes to the Bank Credit Agreement;

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

§1.1 Amendment to Section 10.4.1(c) of the Purchase Agreement . The figure “$50,000,000” in Section 10.4.1(c) is replaced with the figure “$100,000,000”.

 

§1.2 Amendment to Section 10.6 of the Purchase Agreement . Each instance of the figure “$200,000,000” in Section 10.6 is replaced with the figure “$300,000,000”.

 

§1.3 Amendment to Schedule B to the Purchase Agreement . The definition of Bank Credit Agreement in Schedule B is deleted and replaced with the following:

 

Bank Credit Agreement ” means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of January 26, 2015, by and among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof, which constitute the primary bank credit facility of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

§2. Representations and Warranties . Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows:

 

(a) The execution and delivery by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of its obligations and agreements under this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby are within the corporate authority of such Obligor, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on behalf of such Obligor, and do not and will not contravene any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation to which such Obligor is subject or such Obligor’s constitutive documents or of any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Obligor.

 

 
 

 

(b) Each of this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

 

(c) No approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or authority is required to make valid and legally binding the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment or the Purchase Agreement as amended hereby.

 

(d) Such Obligor has performed and complied in all material respects with all terms and conditions herein and in the Purchase Agreement required to be performed or complied with by such Obligor prior to or at the time hereof, and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to the provisions hereof, there exists no Default or Event of Default.

 

§3. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred): each of the Obligors and the Required Holders shall have duly executed and delivered a copy of this Amendment.

 

§4. Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Purchase Agreement and the Notes, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.

 

(b) The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the Purchasers may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement or the Notes, except as specifically set forth herein.

 

(c) This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.

 

§5. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

- 2 -
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

THE OBLIGORS :

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

ACE SOLID WASTE, INC.

ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.

ALASKA WASTE-INTERIOR, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-KENAI PENINSULA, LLC

ALASKA WASTE MAT-SU, LLC

AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC

ARKANSAS RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

AUSTIN LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

BISON BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.

BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.

BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.

BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

CALPET, LLC

CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.

CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

CARPENTER WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC

CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

CHIMNEY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL L.L.C.

CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.

CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC

CLAY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

CLIFTON ORGANICS, LLC

COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.

COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.

COLUMBIA RIVER DISPOSAL, INC.

COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.

CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY

COUNTY WASTE -- ULSTER, LLC

COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.

COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP.

CRI HOLDINGS, LLC

CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.

CWI ACQUISITION, LLC

D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.

DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC

DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.

DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.

EAGLE FORD RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP

ELKO SANITATION COMPANY

EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.

ENTECH ALASKA LLC

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.

FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

FORT ANN TRANSFER STATION, LLC

FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.

G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.

GBUSA HOLDINGS, LLC

GOD BLESS THE USA, INCORPORATED

GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS OF ALASKA, LLC

HARDIN SANITATION, INC.

HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.

HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.

ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.

J BAR J LAND, INC.

LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.

LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.

LEALCO, INC.

LFC, INC.

LIGHTNING BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

LOUISIANA RECLAMATION COMPANY, L.L.C.

MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.

MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.

MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.

MBO, LLC

MDSI OF LA, INC.

MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED

MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL

MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE

MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.

NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.

OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.

OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.

PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC

POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.

PRAIRIE DISPOSAL, LLC

PRAIRIE LIQUIDS, LLC

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.

R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.

R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.

R360 ARTESIA, LLC

R360 CLACO, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF LOUISIANA, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

R360 ES HOLDINGS, INC.

R360 HITCHCOCK, LLC

R360 LOGISTICS, LLC

R360 OKLAHOMA, LLC

R360 PERMIAN BASIN, LLC

R360 RED BLUFF, LLC

R360 SHUTE CREEK, LLC

R360 SILO, LLC

R360 WILLISTON BASIN, LLC

RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC

RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.

RENSSELAER REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION

RICH VALLEY, LLC

RKS HOLDING, CORP.

S.A. DUNN & COMPANY, LLC

SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY

SANIPAC, INC.

SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC

SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.

SECTION 18, LLC

SEDALIA LAND COMPANY

SHALE GAS SERVICES, LLC

SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC

SIERRA PROCESSING, LLC

SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.

SJ RECLAMATION, INC.

SKB (AUSTIN) ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SKB ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

SKB RECYCLING, LLC

SMOKY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.

STERLING AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC

STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.

TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.

THUNDER BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

US LIQUIDS OF LA, L.P.

VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH DAKOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.

WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.

WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC

WCI AUSTIN LANDFILL, LLC

WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.

WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.

WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

By:   /s/ Worthing F. Jackman  
  Name: Worthing F. Jackman  
  Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

We acknowledge that we hold $35,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $65,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes
due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $23,500,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

GENERAL AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:  METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, its
  investment manager  

 We acknowledge that we hold $10,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

METLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY USA

f/k/a MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut

and as Successor by Merger to

MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company

By:  METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, its
investment manager  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $20,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes
due November 1, 2019 (formerly held in the name of MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company).

 

We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016 (formerly held in the name of MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut).

 

By:   /s/ John A. Willis  
Name: John A. Willis  
Title:   Managing Director  

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

UNION FIDELITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:  METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, its
  investment adviser  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $8,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

EMPLOYERS REASSURANCE CORPORATION

By:  METLIFE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, its
  investment adviser  

We acknowledge that we hold $10,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

  

By:   /s/ C. Scott Inglis  
Name: C. Scott Inglis  
Title:   Managing Director  

  

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY CORPORATION

 

By:  NYL INVESTORS LLC, its Investment Manager
   

 

By:   /s/ Ilya L. Klets  
Name: Ilya L. Klets  
Title:    Director  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $12,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $51,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes
due November 1, 2019.

 

NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:   /s/ Ilya L. Klets  
Name: Ilya L. Klets  
Title:   Corporate Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $17,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $24,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes
due November 1, 2019.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  PPM AMERICA, INC., as attorney-in-fact
     

By:   /s/ Elena Unger  
Name: Elena Unger  
Title:   Assistant Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $45,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA

 

By:   /s/ Brien Davis  
Name: Brien Davis  
Title:   Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $36,800,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY

 

By:  PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC., as
  investment manager  

 

By:   /s/ Brien Davis  
Name: Brien Davis  
Title:   Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $8,200,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

PHYSICIANS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  Prudential Private Placement Investors, L.P., as Investment Advisor
   

By:  Prudential Private Placement Investors, Inc., as its General Partner
   

 

By:   /s/ Brien Davis  
Name: Brien Davis  
Title:   Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $1,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016. 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
  its agent  

 

By:   /s/ Michael I. Bullock  
Name: Michael I. Bullock  
Title:   VP, Private Placements  

  

We acknowledge that we hold $6,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

THE STATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
  its agent  

 

By:   /s/ Michael I. Bullock  
Name: Michael I. Bullock  
Title:   VP, Private Placements  

  

We acknowledge that we hold $3,500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

PIONEER MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  AMERICAN UNITED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
  its agent  

 

By:   /s/ Michael I. Bullock  
Name: Michael I. Bullock  
Title:   VP, Private Placements  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $500,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes
due October 1, 2015.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as
  investment advisor  

 

By:   /s/ Elisabeth A. Perenick  
Name: Elisabeth A. Perenick  
Title:   Managing Director  

  

We acknowledge that we hold $24,200,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

  

C.M. LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, as
  investment advisor  

 

By:   /s/ Elisabeth A. Perenick  
Name: Elisabeth A. Perenick  
Title:   Managing Director  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $3,800,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
  its agent and attorney-in-fact  

 

By:   /s/ Dawn Crunden  
Name: Dawn Crunden  
Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $12,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

We acknowledge that we hold $2,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes due November 1, 2019.

 

HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
  its agent and attorney-in-fact  

 

By:   /s/ Dawn Crunden  
Name: Dawn Crunden  
Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $13,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

HARTFORD LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
  its agent and attorney-in-fact  

 

By:   /s/ Dawn Crunden  
Name: Dawn Crunden  
Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $9,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

 

HARTFORD LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
  its agent and attorney-in-fact  

 

By:   /s/ Dawn Crunden  
Name: Dawn Crunden  
Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $3,000,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:  HARTFORD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY,
  its agent and attorney-in-fact  

 

By:   /s/ Dawn Crunden  
Name: Dawn Crunden  
Title:   Senior Vice President  

 

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 5.25% Series 2009A Senior Notes

due November 1, 2019.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

RIVERSOURCE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:   /s/ Thomas W. Murphy  
Name: Thomas W. Murphy  
Title:   Vice President - Investments

 

We acknowledge that we hold $19,500,000 3.30% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche A, due April 1, 2016.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $11,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

 

By:   /s/ Gilles Marchand  
Name: Gilles Marchand  
Title:   VP

 

We acknowledge that we hold $5,000,000 4.00% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche B, Due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that we hold $12,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA

 

By:   /s/ Douglas A. Pannier  
Name: Douglas A. Pannier  
Title:   Group Head, Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that we hold $16,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]
 

 

PURCHASERS:

 

THE PHOENIX INSURANCE COMPANY

 

By:   /s/ Annette M. Masterson  
Name: Annette M. Masterson  
Title:   Vice President

 

We acknowledge that we hold $16,000,000 4.64% Series 2011A Senior Notes, Tranche C, Due April 1, 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.11

 

Execution Version

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

and

its Subsidiaries

 

Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

Dated as of June 11, 2015

 

Re:                                        $125,000,000 3.09%, Series 2015A, Senior Notes,

Tranche A, due August 20, 2022

 

$375,000,000 3.41%, Series 2015A, Senior Notes,

Tranche B, due August 20, 2025

 

 

 

WCN - Third Supplement to NPA - Conformed Signatures

 

 
 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110
The Woodlands, Texas 77380

 

Dated as of

June 11, 2015

 

To the Purchaser(s) named in

Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Supplement” or the “Third Supplement” ) is between each of Waste Connections, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and its Subsidiaries party hereto (together with the Company, the “Obligors” ), and the institutional investors named on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Purchasers” ).

 

Recitals

 

A.           The Obligors have entered into the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 15, 2008 with the purchasers listed in Schedule A thereto and one or more supplements or amendments thereto (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ); and

 

B.           The Obligors desire to issue and sell, and the Purchasers desire to purchase, an additional series of Notes (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and in accordance with the terms set forth below;

 

N ow, Therefore , each Obligor and the Purchasers agree as follows:

 

1.           Authorization of the New Series of Notes . The Obligors have authorized the issue and sale of the following Senior Notes:

 

Issue Series and/or
Tranche
Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Interest
Rate
Maturity Date
         
Senior Notes Series 2015A,
Tranche A (the
“Tranche A Notes”)
$125,000,000 3.09% August 20, 2022
         
Senior Notes Series 2015A,
Tranche B (the
“Tranche B Notes”)
$375,000,000 3.41% August 20, 2025

 

 
 

 

The Senior Notes described above are collectively referred to as the “Series 2015A Notes” . The Series 2015A Notes, together with the Series 2011A Notes issued pursuant to the Second Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 1, 2011 (the “Second Supplement” ), the Series 2009A Notes issued pursuant to the First Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 26, 2009 (the “First Supplement” ), and the Series 2008A Notes, initially issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, and each series of Additional Notes which may from time to time hereafter be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement, are collectively referred to as the “Notes (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13 of the Note Purchase Agreement). The Tranche A Notes and the Tranche B Notes shall be substantially in the forms set out in Exhibit 1(a) and Exhibit 1(b), respectively, with such changes therefrom, if any, as may be approved by the Purchaser(s) and the Obligors.

 

2.           Sale and Purchase of Series 2015A Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement and on the basis of the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth, the Obligors will issue and sell to each of the Purchasers, and each of the Purchasers will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2015A Notes in the principal amount specified opposite their respective names in the attached Schedule A hereto at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

3.           Closing . The sale and purchase of the Series 2015A Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603 at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time, at a closing (the “Closing” ) on August 20, 2015.

 

At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2015A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Tranche A Note and/or Tranche B Note (or such greater number of notes of each tranche, as applicable, in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of such Purchaser’s nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement. If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender such Series 2015A Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to any Purchaser’s satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at such Purchaser’s election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Supplement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

 

- 2 -
 

  

4.           Conditions to Closing . The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Series 2015A Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, prior to the Closing, of the conditions set forth in Section 4 of the Note Purchase Agreement (except that (1) all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the First Supplement, the Second Supplement and this Supplement, all references to the “Closing” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Closing as defined herein, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series 2015A Notes, and as hereafter modified, (2) the reference to Shartsis Friese LLP therein shall be deemed to refer to Latham & Watkins, LLP, counsel for the Obligors, and (3) the Memorandum, as defined in Section 5.3 of Exhibit A hereto, is deemed to be the “Memorandum” for purposes of the closing condition in Section 4.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement), and to the following additional conditions:

 

(a)          Except as supplemented, amended or superseded by the representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit A hereto, each of the representations and warranties of the Obligors set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement shall be correct as of the date of the Closing and the Obligors shall have delivered to each Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing certifying that such condition has been fulfilled.

 

(b)          Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall purchase, the Series 2015A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.

 

(c)          No Change in Control or Control Event shall have occurred.

 

5.           Representations and Warranties of the Obligors . With respect to each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement, each Obligor represents and warrants to the Purchasers that, as of the date hereof, such representations and warranties are true and correct (A) except that all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series 2015A Notes, and (B) except for changes to such representations and warranties or the Schedules referred to therein, which changes are set forth in the attached Exhibit A (and shall include an updated form of Section 5.3).

 

6.           Representations of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source” ) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Series 2015A Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:

 

- 3 -
 

  

(a)          the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption ( “PTE” ) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC Annual Statement” )) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile, and the purchase is not part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding designed to benefit a “party in interest” (as that term is defined in ERISA section 3(14)) within the meaning of PTE 95-60; or

 

(b)          the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account and the Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations otherwise meet the requirements for a “Guaranteed Benefit Policy” as defined in ERISA section 401(b)(2); or

 

(c)          the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38, and no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund , and the insurance company or bank agrees to maintain records and make such records available as required under PTE 90-1 Part III(b) and (c) or PTE 91-38 Part III(b) and (c); or

 

(d)          the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption” )) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in the Company that would cause the QPAM and the Company to be “related” within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or

 

- 4 -
 

  

(e)          the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption” )) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or

 

(f)          the Source is a governmental plan and there is no applicable law that prohibits or limits that plan’s purchase of Notes pursuant to this Supplement; or

 

(g)          the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or

 

(h)          the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan or Individual Retirement Account, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

 

As used in this paragraph 6, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

7.           Maturity of the Series 2015A Notes; Interest . There are no scheduled prepayments on any of the Series 2015A Notes. The entire unpaid principal amount of the Tranche A Notes shall become due and payable on August 20, 2022. The entire unpaid principal amount of the Tranche B Notes shall become due and payable on August 20, 2025. The Series 2015A Notes shall bear interest at the rates set forth therein.

 

8.           Definition of Make-Whole Amount. The term “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2015A Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2015A Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2015A Note, the principal of such Series 2015A Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement, as the context requires.

 

“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2015A Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Series 2015A Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

- 5 -
 

 

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2015A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by the yield(s) reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities ( “Reported” ) having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities Reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the yields Reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note.

 

If such yields are not Reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then “Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2015A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2015A Note.

 

“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2015A Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the Series 2015A Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.4 or Section 12.1.

 

- 6 -
 

 

“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2015A Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

9.           Definition of “Default Rate” . The term “Default Rate” means, with respect to the Series 2015A Notes, that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2015A Notes and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate.

 

10.          Applicability of Note Purchase Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein (and expressly permitted by the Note Purchase Agreement), all of the provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement are incorporated by reference herein, shall apply to the Series 2015A Notes as if expressly set forth in this Supplement and all references to “Notes” shall include the Series 2015A Notes. Without limiting the foregoing, each Obligor agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Supplement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided that such costs and expenses with respect to the Series 2015A Notes shall not exceed $4,000. Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

Prior to the occurrence of the Closing, (a) the term “holder” as used in Sections 7, 10.15 and 17 of the Note Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to include the Purchasers of the Series 2015A Notes to be issued at such Closing, and (b) for purposes of the term “Required Holders” as used in the Note Purchase Agreement, the Series 2015A Notes scheduled to be issued at such Closing shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

11.          Governing Law.           T his Supplement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, New York law, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

12.          Agreement to be Bound . The Obligors and each Purchaser, to the extent that it was not a party to the Note Purchase Agreement prior to the date of this Supplement, agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement as fully and completely as if such Purchaser were an original signatory to the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

- 7 -
 

 

The execution hereof shall constitute a contract between the Obligors and the Purchaser(s) for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but all together only one agreement.

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

ACE SOLID WASTE, INC.

ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.

ALASKA WASTE MAT-SU, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-INTERIOR, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-KENAI PENINSULA, LLC

AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC

ARKANSAS RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

AUSTIN LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

BISON BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.

BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.

BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.

BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

CALPET, LLC

CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.

CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

CARPENTER WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC

CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

CHIMNEY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL L.L.C.

CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.

CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC

CLAY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

CLIFTON ORGANICS, LLC

COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.

COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.

COLUMBIA RIVER DISPOSAL, INC.

COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.

CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

COUNTY WASTE — ULSTER, LLC

COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC.

COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP.

CRI HOLDINGS, LLC

CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.

CWI ACQUISITION, LLC

D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.

DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC

DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.

DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.

DNCS PROPERTIES, LLC

EAGLE FORD RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP

ELKO SANITATION COMPANY

EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.

ENTECH ALASKA LLC

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY

EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.

FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

FORT ANN TRANSFER STATION, LLC

FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.

G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.

GBUSA HOLDINGS, LLC

GOD BLESS THE USA, INCORPORATED

GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS OF ALASKA, LLC

HARDIN SANITATION, INC.

HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.

HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.

ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.

J BAR J LAND, INC.

LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.

LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.

LEALCO, INC.

LFC, INC.

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

LIGHTNING BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

LOUISIANA RECLAMATION COMPANY, L.L.C.

MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.

MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.

MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.

MBO, LLC

MDSI OF LA, INC.

MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED

MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL

MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE

MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.

NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC.

OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.

OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.

PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC

POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.

PRAIRIE DISPOSAL, LLC

PRAIRIE LIQUIDS, LLC

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.

R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.

R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.

R360 ARTESIA, LLC

R360 CLACO, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF LOUISIANA, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

R360 ES HOLDINGS, INC.

R360 HITCHCOCK, LLC

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

R360 LOGISTICS, LLC

R360 OKLAHOMA, LLC

R360 PERMIAN BASIN, LLC

R360 RED BLUFF, LLC

R360 SHUTE CREEK, LLC

R360 SILO, LLC

R360 WILLISTON BASIN, LLC

RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC

RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.

RENSSELAER REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION

RICH VALLEY, LLC

RKS HOLDING, CORP.

S.A. DUNN & COMPANY, LLC

SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY

SANIPAC, INC.

SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC

SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.

SECTION 18, LLC

SEDALIA LAND COMPANY

SHALE GAS SERVICES, LLC

SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC

SIERRA PROCESSING, LLC

SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.

SJ RECLAMATION, INC.

SKB (AUSTIN) ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SKB ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

SKB RECYCLING, LLC

SMOKY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.

STERLING AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC

STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.

TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.

THUNDER BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

US LIQUIDS OF LA, L.P.

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH DAKOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.

WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC

WCI AUSTIN LANDFILL, LLC

WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.

WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.

WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
       
  By: Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company, LLC, its investment adviser
       
  By:   /s/ David A. Barras
    Name: David A. Barras
    Title: Managing Director
       
  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for its Group Annuity Separate Account
       
  By: /s/ David A. Barras
    Name: David A. Barras
    Title: Authorized Representative

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company
  The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York
  American General Life Insurance Company
   
  By: AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC, as Investment Advsier
       
  By: /s/ Gerald F. Herman
    Name: Gerald F. Herman
    Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Jackson National Life Insurance Company
   
  By: PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact, on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company
   
  By:   /s/ Luke S. Stifflear
  Name: Luke S. Stifflear
  Title: Sr. Managing Director

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  State Farm Life Insurance Company
     
  By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
  Name: Julie Hoyer
  Title: Senior Investment Officer – Fixed Income

 

By: /s/ Jeffrey Attwood
  Name: Jeffrey Attwood
  Title: Investment Officer

 

  State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company
   
  By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
  Name: Julie Hoyer
  Title: Senior Investment Officer – Fixed Income
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey Attwood
  Name: Jeffrey Attwood
  Title: Investment Officer

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ Amy Judd
  Name: Amy Judd
  Title: Investment Officer

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
   
  By: AllianceBernstein LP, its Investment Advisor
   
  By: /s/ Amy Judd
  Name: Amy Judd
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance
Company
   
  By: /s/ Anne Finucane
   Name: Anne Finucane
   Title:   Investment Officer
   
  Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation
   
  By: /s/ Anne Finucane
   Name: Anne Finucane
   Title:   Investment Officer

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

  

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  RiverSource Life Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ Thomas W. Murphy
   Name:  Thomas W. Murphy
   Title:    Vice President - Investments
   
  RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York
   
  By: /s/ Thomas W. Murphy
   Name:  Thomas W. Murphy
   Title:    Vice President - Investments

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

  

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Principal Life Insurance Company
   
  By: Principal Global Investors, LLC
   a Delaware limited liability company,
   its authorized signatory
   
  By: /s/ Joellen J. Watts
   Name: Joellen J. Watts
   Title:   Counsel
   
  By: /s/ James C. Fifield
   Name:  James C. Fifield
   Title:    Assistant General Counsel

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

  

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Modern Woodmen of America
   
  By: /s/ Brett M. Van
   Name: Brett M. Van
   Title:   Treasurer & Investment Manager

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity
Company
  Voya Insurance and Annuity Company
  Reliastar Life Insurance Company
  Security Life of Denver Insurance Company
   
  By: Voya Investment Management LLC,
   as Agent
   
  By: /s/ Fitzhugh Wickham
   Name: Fitzhugh Wickham
   Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

American United Life Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ David M. Weisenburger
  Name: David M. Weisenburger
  Title:   VP, Fixed Income Securities
   
  The State Life Insurance Company
   
  By:  American United Life Insurance Company
  Its:  Agent
   
  By: /s/ David M. Weisenburger
  Name: David M. Weisenburger
  Title:   VP, Fixed Income Securities

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

National Life Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ Chris P. Gudmastad
  Name: Chris P. Gudmastad, CFA
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
                 Sentinel Asset Management, Inc.
   
  Life Insurance Company of the Southwest
   
  By: /s/ Chris P. Gudmastad
  Name: Chris P. Gudmastad, CFA
  Title:   Assistant Vice President
                 Sentinel Asset Management, Inc.

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

  

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society
   
  By: /s/ Shawn Bengtson
  Name: Shawn Bengtson
  Title:   Vice President Investment
   
  By: /s/ Dean Holdsworth
  Name: Dean Holdsworth
  Title:   Director, Mortgage Loan/Real Estate

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

   

  American Family Life Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ David L. Voge
  Name: David L. Voge
  Title:   Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America
   
  By: /s/ Annette M. Masterson
  Name: Annette M. Masterson
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
  Company
   
  By: /s/ David Divine
  Name: David Divine
  Title:  Senior Portfolio Manager

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Country Life Insurance Company
  Country Mutual Insurance Company
   
  By: /s/ John Jacobs
  Name: John Jacobs
  Title:  Director — Fixed Income

 

[Signature page to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

Information Relating To Purchasers

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

  Tranche
of Notes
  Principal Amount
of Notes to be

Purchased
         
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance   A   $20,000,000
Company   B   $63,300,000
720 East Wisconsin Avenue        
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202        

 

Schedule A

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

  Tranche
of Notes
 

Principal Amount

of Notes to be

Purchased

         

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance

Company for its Group Annuity Separate

Account

720 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

  B   $1,700,000

 

A- 2
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

  Tranche
of Notes
 

Principal Amount

of Notes to be

Purchased

         

American General Life Insurance Company

c/o AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC

2929 Allen Parkway, Suite A36-01

Houston, Texas 77019

  B   $45,000,000

 

A- 3
 

 

Name of and Address
of Purchaser
Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company

c/o AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC

2929 Allen Parkway, Suite A36-01

Houston, Texas 77019

B $20,000,000

 

A- 4
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

The United States Life Insurance Company in the
City of New York

c/o AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC

2929 Allen Parkway, Suite A36-01

Houston, Texas 77019

B $10,000,000

 

A- 5
 

 

Name of and Address
of Purchaser
Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

One Corporate Way

Lansing, Michigan 48951

B $20,000,000

 

A- 6
 

 

Name of and Address
of Purchaser
Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

One Corporate Way

Lansing, Michigan 48951

B $20,000,000

 

A- 7
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser 

Tranche
of Notes  

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased 

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

One Corporate Way

Lansing, Michigan 48951

B $15,000,000

 

A- 8
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser 

Tranche
of Notes  

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased 

State Farm Life Insurance Company

One State Farm Plaza

Bloomington, Illinois 61710

A

B

$14,000,000

$34,000,000

 

A- 9
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company A $1,000,000
One State Farm Plaza B $1,000,000
Bloomington, Illinois 61710    

 

A- 10
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company

525 Washington Blvd., 34th Floor

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

Attention: Lynn Garofalo

Telephone Number: (201) 743-6634

B $29,000,000

 

A- 11
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company

525 Washington Blvd., 34th Floor

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

Attention: Lynn Garofalo

Telephone Number: (201) 743-6634

B

 

$3,000,000

 

A- 12
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

c/o Alliance Capital Management

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

Attention: Angel Salazar/Cosmo Valente,

Insurance Operations

Telephone Numbers: 212-969-2491 or 212-969-6384

B $3,000,000

 

A- 13
 

 

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation

c/o Genworth Financial, Inc.

3001 Summer Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

A

$5,000,000

$5,000,000

 

A- 14
 

 


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

c/o Genworth Financial, Inc.

3001 Summer Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

A $7,000,000

   

A- 15
 

 


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

c/o Genworth Financial, Inc.

3001 Summer Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

A $3,000,000

   

A- 16
 

  


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

c/o Genworth Financial, Inc.

3001 Summer Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

B $5,000,000

 

A- 17
 

  


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

c/o Genworth Financial, Inc.

3001 Summer Street

Stamford, Connecticut 06905

B $5,000,000

 

A- 18
 

  


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

RiverSource Life Insurance Company (942)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

Attention: Fixed Income Investment Department –
Private Placements

216 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Telephone: 612-671-2400

Facsimile: 612-671-2180

A $20,000,000

 

A- 19
 

  


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

RiverSource Life Insurance Company (945)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

Attention: Fixed Income Investment Department –
Private Placements

216 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Telephone: 612-671-2400

Facsimile: 612-671-2180

A $5,000,000

 

A- 20
 

   


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

RiverSource Life Insurance Company (944)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

Attention: Fixed Income Investment Department –
Private Placements

216 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Telephone: 612-671-2400

Facsimile: 612-671-2180

A $3,000,000

 

A- 21
 

   


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

RiverSource Life Insurance Company (902)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

Attention: Fixed Income Investment Department –
Private Placements

216 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

Telephone: 612-671-2400

Facsimile: 612-671-2180

A $2,000,000

 

A- 22
 

   


Name of and Address
of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Principal Life Insurance Company

Principal Global Investors, LLC

ATTN: Fixed Income Private Placements

711 High Street, G-26

Des Moines, IA 50392-0800

Email: Privateplacements2@exchange.principal.com

A

A

A

A

A

B

B

B

B

B

B

$2,000,000

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$1,000,000

$5,000,000

$3,000,000

$2,000,000

$2,000,000

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

 

A- 23
 

  

Name of and Address
of Purchaser
Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Principal Life Insurance Company

Principal Global Investors, LLC

ATTN: Fixed Income Private Placements

711 High Street, G-26

Des Moines, IA 50392-0800

Email: Privateplacements2@exchange.principal.com

A

B

$3,000,000

$5,000,000

 

A- 24
 

  

Name of and Address

of Purchaser

Tranche
of Notes
Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased
     

Modern Woodmen of America

Attn: Investment Department

1701 First Avenue

Rock Island, IL 61201

investments@modern-woodmen.org

Fax: (309) 793-5574

B $20,000,000

 

A- 25
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $8,400,000

 

A- 26
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Voya Insurance and Annuity Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $6,400,000

 

A- 27
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Security Life of Denver Insurance Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $2,000,000

 

A- 28
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Voya Insurance and Annuity Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $1,900,000

 

A- 29
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Reliastar Life Insurance Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $1,200,000

 

A- 30
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Security Life of Denver Insurance Company

Voya Investment Management LLC

5780 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 300

Atlanta, GA 30327-4347

Attn: Private Placements

Fax: (770) 690-5342

A $100,000

 

A- 31
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

American United Life Insurance Company

Attention: Mike Bullock, Securities Department

One American Square, Suite 305W

Post Office Box 368

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

A

B

$3,000,000

$8,000,000

 

A- 32
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

The State Life Insurance Company

c/o American United Life Insurance Company

Attention: Mike Bullock, Securities Department

One American Square, Suite 305W

Post Office Box 368

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

B $7,000,000

 

A- 33
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

National Life Insurance Company

One National Life Drive

Montpelier, Vermont 05604

Attention: Private Placements

Fax Number: (802) 223-9332

E-mail: privateinvestments@sentinelinvestments.com

A

B

$3,000,000

$5,000,000

 

A- 34
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

National Life Insurance Company

One National Life Drive

Montpelier, Vermont 05604

Attention: Private Placements

Fax Number: (802) 223-9332

E-mail: privateinvestments@sentinelinvestments.com

B $4,000,000

 

A- 35
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Life Insurance Company of the Southwest

c/o National Life Insurance Company

One National Life Drive

Montpelier, Vermont 05604

Attention: Private Placements

Fax Number: (802) 223-9332

E-mail: privateinvestments@sentinelinvestments.com

B $6,000,000

 

A- 36
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society

Attn: Kim Parrott

1700 Farnam Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68102

kparrott@woodmen.org

B

$10,000,000

 

 

A- 37
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

American Family Life Insurance Company

6000 American Parkway

Madison, Wisconsin 53783-0001

Attention: Investment Division-Private Placements

A

B

$1,500,000

$3,750,000

 

A- 38
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

American Family Life Insurance Company

6000 American Parkway

Madison, Wisconsin 53783-0001

Attention: Investment Division-Private Placements

A

B

$400,000    

$1,000,000

 

A- 39
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

American Family Life Insurance Company

6000 American Parkway

Madison, Wisconsin 53783-0001

Attention: Investment Division-Private Placements

A

B

$100,000

$250,000

 

A- 40
 

  


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America

c/o The Travelers Companies, Inc.

Attn: Fixed Income Dept

385 Washington Street

St. Paul, Minnesota 55102-1396

E-mail: fixedincomeinvestments@travelers.com

B $7,000,000

 

A- 41
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company

1401 Livingston Lane

Jackson, MS 39213

Attn: Investment Department

A

B

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

 

A- 42
 

  


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Country Life Insurance Company

1705 N Towanda Avenue

Bloomington, Illinois 61702

Attention: Investments

Telephone: (309) 821-6260; Fax: (309) 821-6301

PrivatePlacements@countryfinancial.com

B $4,000,000

 

A- 43
 

 


Name of and Address

of Purchaser

 


Tranche
of Notes

 

Principal Amount
of Notes to be
Purchased

 

Country Mutual Insurance Company

1705 N Towanda Avenue

Bloomington, Illinois 61702

Attention: Investments

Telephone: (309) 821-6260; Fax: (309) 821-6301

PrivatePlacements@countryfinancial.com

B $1,000,000

 

A- 44
 

 

Supplemental Representations

 

Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that except as hereinafter set forth in this Exhibit A, each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof with respect to the Series 2015A Notes with the same force and effect as if each reference to “Series 2008A Notes” set forth therein was modified to refer to the “Series 2015A Notes” and each reference to “this Agreement” therein was modified to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the First Supplement, the Second Supplement and the Third Supplement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition herein or in the First Supplement or the Second Supplement have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Note Purchase Agreement. The Section references hereinafter set forth correspond to the similar sections of the Note Purchase Agreement, where similar sections exist, which are supplemented hereby:

 

Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority . Each Obligor is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Obligor has the corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Supplement and the Series 2015A Notes and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

Section 5.3. Disclosure . The Private Placement Memorandum dated May 2015, including the filings made by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that are incorporated therein by reference (collectively, the “Memorandum” ) fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement (as amended and supplemented to date), the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and the financial statements described on Schedule 5.5 to the Third Supplement (the Note Purchase Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2014, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to the Obligors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Exhibit A

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

  

 
 

  

Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. (a) Schedule 5.4 to the Third Supplement contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers. Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

 

(b) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 to the Third Supplement as being owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4 to the Third Supplement).

 

(c) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the Note Purchase Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4 to the Third Supplement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Obligors or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries described on Schedule 5.5 to the Third Supplement. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified therein and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Section 5.9. Taxes . The Obligors have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction (unless, and only to the extent that, such Obligor has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which any Obligor or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. None of the Obligors knows of any basis for any other tax or assessment that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of Federal, state or other taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate. The Federal income tax liabilities of Obligors have been finally determined (whether by reason of completed audits or the statute of limitations having run) for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

A- 2
 

  

Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Obligors . None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2015A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than 60 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2015A Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2015A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2015A Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and for general corporate purposes of the Obligors, which may include acquisitions. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2015A Notes pursuant to the Third Supplement will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Obligors in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

 

Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness . Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 to the Third Supplement sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of May 31, 2015 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors. None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15 to the Third Supplement, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.

 

A- 3
 

  

(c) None of the Obligors are a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15 to the Third Supplement.

 

A- 4
 

 

SCHEDULE 5.4

 

Subsidiaries

 

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
ACE SOLID WASTE, INC. Minnesota Corporation
ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC. Oregon Corporation
Alaska Waste-Interior, LLC Alaska Limited Liability Company
Alaska waste-kenai Peninsula, llc Alaska Limited Liability Company
alaska waste mat-su, LLC Alaska Limited Liability Company
AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC. Washington Corporation
ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
ARKANSAS RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC Arkansas Limited Liability Company
AUSTIN LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC. Delaware Corporation
BISON BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC. Kentucky Corporation
BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC. Colorado Corporation
BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC. Nebraska Corporation
CALPET, LLC Wyoming Limited Liability Company
CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC. New Mexico Corporation
CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC. New York Corporation
Carpenter Waste Holdings, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. North Carolina Corporation

 

Schedule 5.4

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
CHIMNEY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL L.L.C. Minnesota Limited Liability Company
CHIQUITA CANYON, INC. Delaware Corporation
CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
CLAY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
Clifton Organics, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC. California Corporation
COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P. Washington Limited Partnership
COLUMBIA RIVER DISPOSAL, INC. Washington Corporation
COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC. Nebraska Corporation
CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC. Kentucky Corporation
CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY California Corporation
County Waste — Ulster, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
COUNTY WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE, INC. New York Corporation
COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP. New York Corporation
CRI HOLDINGS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC. Oregon Corporation
CWI ACQUISITION, LLC North Carolina Limited Liability Company
D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC. Washington Corporation
DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC. Colorado Corporation
DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C. Kansas Limited Liability Company
DNCS PROPERTIES, LLC Arizona Limited Liability Company

 

5.4- 6
 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
EAGLE FORD RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC Texas Limited Liability Company
EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP Texas Limited Partnership
ELKO SANITATION COMPANY Nevada Corporation
EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC. Washington Corporation
ENTECH ALASKA LLC Alaska Limited Liability Company
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY Tennessee Corporation
EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC. Montana Corporation
FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Oregon Limited Partnership
FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
Fort Ann Transfer Station, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC. Nebraska Corporation
GBUSA HOLDINGS, LLC North Carolina Limited Liability Company
GOD BLESS THE USA, INCORPORATED North Carolina Corporation
GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS OF ALASKA, LLC Alaska Limited Liability Company
HARDIN SANITATION, INC. Idaho Corporation
HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED Washington Corporation
HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC. New Mexico Corporation
HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC. Delaware Corporation
ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC. Washington Corporation
J BAR J LAND, INC. Nebraska Corporation
LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C. Louisiana Limited Liability Company
LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC. Idaho Corporation
LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C. Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

5.4- 7
 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
LEALCO, INC. Texas Corporation
LFC, INC. Delaware Corporation
LIGHTNING BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
LOUISIANA RECLAMATION COMPANY, L.L.C. Louisiana Limited Liability Company
MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC. California Corporation
MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY California Corporation
MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC. Washington Corporation
MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC. Washington Corporation
MBO, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
MDSI OF LA, INC. California Corporation
MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED Indiana Corporation
MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL California Corporation
MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE California Corporation
MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC. Washington Corporation
NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC. Nebraska Corporation
NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC. Minnesota Corporation
NORTHWEST CONTAINER SERVICES, INC. Oregon Corporation
OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC. Oklahoma Corporation
OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC. Delaware Corporation
OSAGE LANDFILL, INC. Oklahoma Corporation
PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC Washington Limited Liability Company
POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC. California Corporation
PRAIRIE DISPOSAL, LLC North Dakota Limited Liability Company
PRAIRIE LIQUIDS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. Indiana Corporation
PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC. Indiana Corporation

 

5.4- 8
 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC. Oregon Corporation
R.J.C. TRUCKING CO. Oregon Corporation
R360 ARTESIA, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 CLACO, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC. Delaware Corporation
R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF LOUISIANA, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 ES HOLDINGS, INC. Delaware Corporation
R360 HITCHCOCK, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 LOGISTICS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 OKLAHOMA, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 PERMIAN BASIN, LLC New Mexico Limited Liability Company
R360 RED BLUFF, LLC Texas Limited Liability Company
R360 SHUTE CREEK, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 SILO, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
R360 WILLISTON BASIN, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC. Oklahoma Corporation

 

5.4- 9
 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
RENSSELAER REGION LANDFILLS, INC. Delaware Corporation
RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION Washington Corporation
RICH VALLEY, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
RKS HOLDING, CORP. New York Corporation
S.A. DUNN & COMPANY, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY California Corporation
SANIPAC, INC. Oregon Corporation
SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY Tennessee Corporation
SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC Kentucky Limited Liability Company
SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC. Delaware Corporation
SECTION 18, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
SEDALIA LAND COMPANY Colorado Corporation
SHALE GAS SERVICES, LLC Arkansas Limited Liability Company
Sierra Holding Group, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
Sierra Processing, LLC New York Limited Liability Company
SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C. Washington Limited Liability Company
SJ RECLAMATION, INC. Delaware Corporation
SKB (AUSTIN) ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
SKB ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. Minnesota Corporation
SKB RECYCLING, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
SMOKY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC. California Corporation
Sterling Avenue Properties, LLC New York Limited Liability Company

 

5.4- 10
 

  

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC. Kansas Corporation
TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC. Washington Corporation
TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC. Delaware Corporation
THUNDER BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
US LIQUIDS OF LA, L.P. Delaware Limited Partnership
VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C. Idaho Limited Liability Company
WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALABAMA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ALASKA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC. California Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF COLORADO, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IDAHO, INC. Indiana Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF IOWA, INC. Iowa Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KANSAS, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF KENTUCKY, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC Mississippi Limited Liability Company
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LOUISIANA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MINNESOTA, INC. Minnesota Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC Mississippi Limited Liability Company
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MONTANA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBRASKA, INC. Delaware Corporation

 

5.4- 11
 

  

Name of Subsidiary STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEW MEXICO, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NORTH DAKOTA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OKLAHOMA, INC. Oklahoma Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF OREGON, INC. Oregon Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, INC. South Dakota Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TENNESSEE, INC . Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC. California Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WASHINGTON, INC. Washington Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS OF WYOMING, INC. Delaware Corporation
WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC. Oregon Corporation
WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C. Oregon Limited Liability Company
WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC. Mississippi Corporation
WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC Delaware Limited Liability Company
WCI AUSTIN LANDFILL, LLC Minnesota Limited Liability Company
WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC. Delaware Corporation
WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. Indiana Corporation
WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC. Oregon Corporation
WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. Indiana Corporation
YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC. Washington Corporation

 

5.4- 12
 

 

Excluded Subsidiaries

 

COMPANY STATE OF
FORMATION
ENTITY TYPE
ECOSORT, L.L.C. Oregon Limited Liability Company
WEST VALLEY COLLECTION & RECYCLING, LLC California Limited Liability Company

 

Affiliates

 

None.

 

5.4- 13
 

 

Officers of Waste Connections, Inc.

 

Name   Office
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Steven F. Bouck   President
Worthing F. Jackman   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Darrell W. Chambliss   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
David G. Eddie   Senior Vice President Chief Accounting Officer
David M. Hall   Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing
James M. Little   Senior Vice President – Engineering and Disposal
Patrick J. Shea   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Eric O. Hansen   Vice President – Chief Information Officer
Matthew S. Black   Vice President and Chief Tax Officer
Robert M. Cloninger   Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Susan R. Netherton   Vice President – People, Training and Development
Scott I. Schreiber   Vice President – Disposal Operations
Gregory Thibodeaux   Vice President – Maintenance and Fleet Management
Mary Anne Whitney   Vice President – Finance
Richard K. Wojahn   Vice President – Business Development

 

Directors of Waste Connections, Inc.

 

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Robert H. Davis
Edward E. Guillet
Michael W. Harlan
William J. Razzouk

 

5.4- 14
 

 

List of Restrictive Agreements of any Subsidiary

Pursuant to Section 5.4(c) as set forth in Exhibit A to the Third Supplement

 

1. None.

 

5.4- 15
 

  

SCHEDULE 5.5

 

Financial Statements

 

1. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015.
2. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014.
3. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013.
4. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012.
5. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011.
6. Financial Statements set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2010.

 

Schedule 5.5

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

SCHEDULE 5.15

Existing Indebtedness

 

Lender Borrower Principal Amount
Outstanding
(US$)
Present Value (US$) Collateral Guaranty Other
than Obligor
Credit Facility Banks Waste Connections, Inc. 506,000,000 506,000,000 Unsecured  
Term Loan Facility Banks Waste Connections, Inc. 800,000,000 800,000,000    
California Pollution Control Financing Authority Waste Connections, Inc. 15,500,000 15,500,000    
Washington Economic Development Finance Authority Harold LeMay Enterprises, Incorporated 15,930,000 15,930,000    
SEI Solid Waste, Inc. Waste Connections of California, Inc. 1,750,000 879,440    
Michael L. Zupan Waste Connections of Colorado, Inc. 308,333 260,479    
Commencement Bay Guardianship Services LeMay Enterprises, Inc. 854,075 659,832    
Antonio M. Totorica Lakeshore Disposal, Inc. 17,500 16,355 All Assets and Vehicles  
Brenda Totorica Lakeshore Disposal, Inc. 17,500 16,355 All Assets and Vehicles  

 

Schedule 5.15

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

Lender Borrower Principal Amount
Outstanding
(US$)
Present Value (US$) Collateral Guaranty Other
than Obligor
Craig and Linda Van Bockern Waste Connections of South Dakota, Inc. 200,000 164,171    
Stutzman Trusts Waste Connections of Kansas, Inc. 1,000,000 1,000,000    
Paul and Brenda Pennington Waste Connections of Tennessee, Inc. 725,000 599,671 Deed of Trust  
Blue Star Holdings, Inc. Waste Connections, Inc. 2,150,000 1,063,483    
Private Placement Senior Note Holders Waste Connections, Inc.             175,000,000             175,000,000    
Private Placement Senior Note Holders Waste Connections, Inc.       175,000,000       175,000,000    
Private Placement Senior Note Holders Waste Connections, Inc.             250,000,000             250,000,000    
Town of Colonie Capital Regional Landfills, Inc. 2,875,000 2,808,132    
Adrian Holman and Bryce Karger R360 Permian Basin, LLC 7,500,000 5,088,322    
Total Existing Indebtedness   1,954,827,408 1,949,986,240    

   

5.15- 18
 

  

SCHEDULE 10.2

Existing Liens

 

See Schedule 5.15 for Indebtedness secured by Collateral.

  

Schedule 10.2

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

[Form of Tranche A Note]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries

 

3.09% Senior Note, Series 2015A, Tranche A, due August 20, 2022

 

No. RA- [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN [___________]

 

F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2022, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.09% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with February 20, 2016, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.09% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

Exhibit 1( a )

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement and paragraph 6 of the Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 11, 2015, between the Obligors and the Purchasers named therein. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
  [Names of other Obligors]
     
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

 

1(a)- 2
 

 

 

[Form of Tranche B Note]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
and its Subsidiaries

 

3.41% Senior Note, Series 2015A, Tranche B, due August 20, 2025

 

No. RB- [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN [___________]

 

F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on August 20, 2025, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 3.41% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 20th day of February and August in each year, commencing with February 20, 2016, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 5.41% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

Exhibit 1( b )

(to Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 
 

  

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement and paragraph 6 of the Third Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 11, 2015, between the Obligors and the Purchasers named therein. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
  [Names of other Obligors]
   
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

 

1(b)- 2

 

 

Exhibit 4.12

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO

MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 6 TO MASTER NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT , dated as of June 1, 2016 (this “Amendment” ), is by and among (a) Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), each Subsidiary of the Company from time to time party to the Purchase Agreement referred to below (the “Subsidiaries,” and the Company and the Subsidiaries are each referred to herein as an “Obligor” and, collectively, the “Obligors” ), and (b) each of the undersigned holders. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Purchase Agreement referred to below, including the definitions added in this Amendment, as applicable.

 

WHEREAS, the Obligors and the purchasers named therein are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 20, 2009, Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 2010, Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 12, 2011, Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 9, 2013 and Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of February 20, 2015 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement” );

 

WHEREAS, on January 18, 2016, Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario ( “Progressive Waste” ), Water Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste ( “Merger Sub” ), and the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger” ), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger and immediately following its occurrence, (a) Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. will change its name to Waste Connections, Inc., and remain a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario and (b) the Company will change its name to Waste Connections US, Inc., and remain a Delaware corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that holders amend the Purchase Agreement to, among other things, permit Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation, or any other entity that after the Merger is the direct or indirect parent company of the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “Parent” ) to assume as described in the Assumption and Exchange Agreement (as defined below) the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement and the Notes; and

 

WHEREAS, the Obligors and the holders party hereto constituting at least the Required Holders pursuant to Section 17.1(a) of the Purchase Agreement desire to amend certain provisions of the Purchase Agreement to permit the Parent to assume the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement and the Notes as described in the Assumption and Exchange Agreement;

 

 

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

§1.1           Amendment to the Purchase Agreement.

 

(a)          Section 9.8 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection to the end thereof.

 

(d)          Each holder agrees to release and discharge any Obligor (other than the Parent) from this Agreement, or otherwise reconstitute any Obligor’s (other than the Parent’s) obligations as a primary obligor into a guarantor, as applicable, automatically upon the consummation of the Merger and the execution, delivery and effectiveness of the Assumption and Exchange Agreement (as defined below), which, among other things, effectuates an amended Agreement by operation of the Assumption and Exchange Agreement (which amended Agreement is set forth in Exhibit 10.4); provided that, (i) such Obligor has been, or substantially concurrently with the release by the holders of Notes, will be released and discharged as a primary obligor under and in respect of, the Bank Credit Agreement; (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or will exist immediately following such release and discharge; (iii) if any fee or other consideration is paid or given to any holder of Indebtedness, in its capacity as a holder of such Indebtedness, in connection with such release, other than the repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness, each holder receives equivalent consideration on a pro rata basis ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this condition shall not apply to customary and usual fees paid in connection with the termination and replacement of the Bank Credit Agreement and out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith); and (iv) at the time of the consummation of the Merger, the Company delivers to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iii).

 

(b)          Section 10.4.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following to the end thereof.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 10.4.1 or any other provision of this Agreement, (a) the consummation of the Merger Transactions, with the Parent following the Merger Transactions becoming the direct or indirect parent company of the Company and (b) the related termination and replacement of the Bank Credit Facility in connection with such Merger Transactions shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under this Agreement if and only if each of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

- 2

 

 

(i)          Except to the extent that it would not be materially adverse to the holders or is otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Holders, (A)(x) the Merger, as consummated, and the other Merger Transactions are consistent with the transactions described in the Merger Agreement, (y) the Merger and the other Merger Transactions have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and in compliance with applicable law and regulatory approvals, and (z)  the Merger Transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been consummated on or prior to October 18, 2016, and (B) the holders shall have received one or more certificates executed by a Responsible Officer of each of the Company and the Parent certifying as to clause (A).

 

(ii)         The Parent shall have executed and delivered to each holder of Notes an assumption and exchange agreement substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 10.4 (the “Assumption and Exchange Agreement” ), pursuant to which, among other things, the Parent shall assume as described in the Assumption and Exchange Agreement the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Notes in the form of the amended Agreement attached to the Assumption and Exchange Agreement (which amendments are set forth in Exhibit 10.4 hereof), and such Assumption and Exchange Agreement shall be effective.

 

(iii)        Each of the Obligors and the undersigned holders hereby agree that upon the effectiveness of the Assumption and Exchange Agreement, (A) all Obligors (other than the Parent) shall be released and discharged from this Agreement upon the execution and delivery of a subsidiary guaranty agreement by each Obligor thereafter required by the terms of Section 9.13 of the amended Agreement to be a Subsidiary Guarantor (as such term is defined in the amended Agreement set forth in Exhibit 10.4), and (B) this Agreement shall be amended in the form set forth in Exhibit 10.4, in each case, without further action on the part of the Obligors and the undersigned holders, provided that, with respect to clause (B), the amended Agreement is in the form and substance set forth in Exhibit 10.4.

 

- 3

 

 

(iv)        The Parent shall have caused to be delivered to each holder of any Notes an opinion of internationally recognized independent counsel, or other independent counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, to the effect that the Assumption and Exchange Agreement is enforceable in accordance with its terms, and covering such other matters incident thereto as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders.

 

(v)         No Default or Event of Defaults exists at the time of the consummation of the Merger.

 

(vi)        If any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness of the Obligors, in its capacity as the holder of such Indebtedness, in connection with the Merger or the execution and delivery of an assumption or similar agreement by the Parent, other than the repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this condition shall not apply to customary and usual fees paid in connection with the termination and replacement of the Bank Credit Agreement and out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith).

 

(vii)       The Parent shall deliver to each holder evidence of all payoff letters, UCC-3 termination statements, financing change statements, and other security interest terminations necessary to terminate the Liens securing obligations under the Progressive Waste Credit Agreement.

 

(viii)      The Parent shall have provided to the holders a copy of the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement to be entered into upon or substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Merger, and such Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

 

(ix)         All documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of the Parent, and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of the Parent of the execution and delivery of the Assumption and Exchange Agreement and the performance by the Parent of its obligations thereunder.

 

Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, any delivery made by the Company to Chapman and Cutler LLP, as special counsel to the holders, shall be deemed to have been delivered to each holder.

 

- 4

 

 

(c)          The following shall be added as new definitions in alphabetical order to Schedule B of the Purchase Agreement: 

 

“Merger” means the merger transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., Water Merger Sub LLC and WCN dated as of January 18, 2016.

 

“Merger Transactions” means the Merger and the other transactions relating thereto or contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

“Parent” means Waste Connections Inc., an Ontario corporation, or any other entity that following the Merger becomes the direct or indirect parent company of WCN and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Progressive Waste Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., certain of its Subsidiaries, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, Bank of America, N.A., and the other lenders party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Sixth Amendment” means Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, by and among the Company and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

“WCN” means (i) prior to the consummation of the Merger Transactions, Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and (ii) subsequent to the consummation of the Merger Transactions, Waste Connections US, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

§2.          Representations and Warranties. Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the holders as follows:

 

(a)          This Amendment has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) action on the part of such Obligor, and this Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (b) to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunction relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

- 5

 

 

(b)          No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of the Purchase Agreement as amended.

 

(c)          The execution, delivery and performance by such Obligor of this Amendment and the performance by such Obligor of the Purchase Agreement as amended will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of such Obligor or any Subsidiary under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter, memorandum of association, articles of association, regulations or by-laws, shareholders agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which such Obligor or any Subsidiary is bound or by which such Obligor or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to such Obligor or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Obligor or any Subsidiary.

 

(d)          Immediately before and after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

(e)          Such Obligor has not paid or agreed to pay any fees or other consideration to any holder of Indebtedness, in its capacity as the holder of such Indebtedness, of the Company and its Subsidiaries to permit the Parent to assume the obligations of the Company under the documents relating to such Indebtedness, except for (x) the amendments to the Purchase Agreement in connection with the Merger Transactions and (y) the repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness and customary and usual fees paid in connection with entering into a new Bank Credit Agreement and, in each case, out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith.

 

§3.          Conditions Precedent. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date (the “Sixth Amendment Effective Date” ) on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred):

 

(a)          This Amendment shall have been duly executed by the Obligors and the Required Holders and shall have been delivered to the holders (or Chapman and Cutler LLP, as special counsel to the holders).

 

(b)          The representations of the Obligors set forth in §2 hereof are true and correct on and with respect to the date hereof.

 

(c)          [Reserved].

 

- 6

 

 

(d)          The Company shall have paid to each holder a fee in an amount equal to 0.05% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes held by such holder on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date and subject to the occurrence thereof.

 

§4.          Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

(a)          Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Amendment, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect. It is declared and agreed by each of the parties hereto that the Purchase Agreement and the Notes, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and that this Amendment and the Purchase Agreement shall be read and construed as a single instrument.

 

(b)          The amendments set forth herein are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the holders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement or the Notes.

 

(c)          This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of signatures shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the parties to the same extent as original signatures.

 

(d)          Each of the undersigned holders hereby represents that it is a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes and agrees to provide the Parent on or prior to the date the Parent assumes the obligations of the Company under the Purchase Agreement and the Notes an IRS Form W-9 certifying to such status.

 

§5.          Governing Law. This Amendment shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

- 7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

The Obligors:

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

ACE SOLID WASTE, INC.

ADVANCED SYSTEMS PORTABLE RESTROOMS, INC.

ALASKA WASTE MAT-SU, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-INTERIOR, LLC

ALASKA WASTE-KENAI PENINSULA, LLC

AMERICAN DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

ANDERSON COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

ANDERSON REGIONAL LANDFILL, LLC

ARKANSAS RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

AUSTIN LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

BISON BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

BITUMINOUS RESOURCES, INC.

BRENT RUN LANDFILL, INC.

BROADACRE LANDFILL, INC.

BUTLER COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

CALPET, LLC

CAMINO REAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, INC.

CAPITAL REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

CARPENTER WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC

CHAMBERS DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.

CHIMNEY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL L.L.C.

CHIQUITA CANYON, INC.

CHIQUITA CANYON, LLC

CLAY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

CLIFTON ORGANICS, LLC

COLD CANYON LAND FILL, INC.

COLUMBIA RESOURCE CO., L.P.

COLUMBIA RIVER DISPOSAL, INC.

COMMUNITY REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

CONTRACTORS WASTE SERVICES, INC.

CORRAL DE PIEDRA LAND COMPANY

COUNTY WASTE — ULSTER, LLC

County Waste and Recycling Service, Inc.

COUNTY WASTE TRANSFER CORP.

COWLITZ COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

CRI HOLDINGS, LLC

CURRY TRANSFER & RECYCLING, INC.

CWI ACQUISITION, LLC

D. M. DISPOSAL CO., INC.

DELTA CONTRACTS, LLC

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

DENVER REGIONAL LANDFILL, INC.

DIVERSIFIED BUILDINGS, L.L.C.

DNCS PROPERTIES, LLC

EAGLE FORD RECLAMATION COMPANY, LLC

EL PASO DISPOSAL, LP

Elko Sanitation Company

EMPIRE DISPOSAL, INC.

ENTECH ALASKA LLC

ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST COMPANY

EVERGREEN DISPOSAL, INC.

FINLEY-BUTTES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

FINNEY COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

FORT ANN TRANSFER STATION, LLC

FRONT RANGE LANDFILL, INC.

G & P DEVELOPMENT, INC.

GBUSA HOLDINGS, LLC

God Bless the USA, Incorporated

GOD BLESS THE USA, INCORPORATED

GREEN WASTE SOLUTIONS OF ALASKA, LLC

HARDIN SANITATION, INC.

HAROLD LEMAY ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

HIGH DESERT SOLID WASTE FACILITY, INC.

HUDSON VALLEY WASTE HOLDING, INC.

Hudson Valley Waste Holdings, Inc.

ISLAND DISPOSAL, INC.

J BAR J LAND, INC.

LACASSINE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

LAKESHORE DISPOSAL, INC.

LAUREL RIDGE LANDFILL, L.L.C.

LEALCO, INC.

LFC, INC.

LIGHTNING BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

LOUISIANA RECLAMATION COMPANY, L.L.C.

MADERA DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, INC.

MAMMOTH DISPOSAL COMPANY

MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL, INC.

MASON COUNTY GARBAGE CO., INC.

MBO, LLC

MDSI OF LA, INC.

MILLENNIUM WASTE INCORPORATED

MISSION COUNTRY DISPOSAL

MORRO BAY GARBAGE SERVICE

MURREY’S DISPOSAL COMPANY, INC.

NEBRASKA ECOLOGY SYSTEMS, INC.

NOBLES COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

Northwest Container Services, Inc.

 

[Sixth Amendment to 2008 Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY WASTE DISPOSAL, INC.

OKLAHOMA LANDFILL HOLDINGS, INC.

OSAGE LANDFILL, INC.

PIERCE COUNTY RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND DISPOSAL, LLC

POTRERO HILLS LANDFILL, INC.

PRAIRIE DISPOSAL, LLC

PRAIRIE LIQUIDS, LLC

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

PSI ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.

R.A. BROWNRIGG INVESTMENTS, INC.

R.J.C. TRUCKING CO.

R360 ARTESIA, LLC

R360 CLACO, LLC

R360 Environmental Solutions Holdings, Inc.

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF LOUISIANA, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI, LLC

R360 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS OF TEXAS, LLC

R360 Environmental Solutions, LLC

R360 ES Holdings, Inc.

R360 HITCHCOCK, LLC

R360 LOGISTICS, LLC

R360 OKLAHOMA, LLC

R360 PERMIAN BASIN, LLC

R360 RED BLUFF, LLC

R360 SHUTE CREEK, LLC

R360 SILO, LLC

R360 Williston Basin, LLC

RAILROAD AVENUE DISPOSAL, LLC

RED CARPET LANDFILL, INC.

RENSSELAER REGION LANDFILLS, INC.

RH FINANCIAL CORPORATION

RICH VALLEY, LLC

RKS HOLDING, CORP.

ROCHELLE WASTE DISPOSAL, L.L.C.

Rock River Environmental Services, Inc.

ROCK RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC

RRD HOLDING COMPANY

RRES LANDFILL OPERATIONS, LLC

S.A. DUNN & COMPANY, LLC

SAN LUIS GARBAGE COMPANY

SANIPAC, INC.

SCOTT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COMPANY

SCOTT WASTE SERVICES, LLC

SEABREEZE RECOVERY, INC.

SECTION 18, LLC

SEDALIA LAND COMPANY

 

[Sixth Amendment to 2008 Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SHALE GAS SERVICES, LLC

SIERRA HOLDING GROUP, LLC

SIERRA PROCESSING, LLC

SILVER SPRINGS ORGANICS L.L.C.

SJ RECLAMATION, INC.

SKB (AUSTIN) ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SKB ENVIRONMENTAL CLOQUET LANDFILL, INC. (f/k/a SHAMROCK LANDFILL, INC.)

SKB ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.

SKB RECYCLING, LLC

SMOKY BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

SOUTH COUNTY SANITARY SERVICE, INC.

STERLING AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC

STUTZMAN REFUSE DISPOSAL INC.

TACOMA RECYCLING COMPANY, INC.

TENNESSEE WASTE MOVERS, INC.

THUNDER BUTTE ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC

US LIQUIDS OF LA, L.P.

VOORHEES SANITATION, L.L.C.

WASCO COUNTY LANDFILL, INC.

Waste Connections Management Services, Inc.

Waste Connections of Alabama, Inc.

Waste Connections of Alaska, Inc.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARIZONA, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF ARKANSAS, INC.

Waste Connections of California, Inc.

Waste Connections of Colorado, Inc.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF GEORGIA, INC.

Waste Connections of Idaho, Inc.

Waste Connections of Illinois, Inc.

Waste Connections of Iowa, Inc.

Waste Connections of Kansas, Inc.

Waste Connections of Kentucky, Inc.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF LEFLORE, LLC

Waste Connections of Louisiana, Inc.

Waste Connections of Minnesota, Inc.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DISPOSAL SERVICES, LLC

Waste Connections of Mississippi, Inc.

Waste Connections of Montana, Inc.

Waste Connections of Nebraska, Inc.

Waste Connections of New Mexico, Inc.

Waste Connections of North Carolina, Inc.

Waste Connections of North Dakota, Inc.

Waste Connections of Oklahoma, Inc.

Waste Connections of Oregon, Inc.

Waste Connections of South Carolina, Inc.

 

[Sixth Amendment to 2008 Master Note Purchase Agreement]\

 

 

 

 

Waste Connections of South Dakota, Inc.

Waste Connections of Tennessee, Inc.

Waste Connections of Texas, LLC

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY, INC.

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF UTAH, INC.

Waste Connections of Washington, Inc.

Waste Connections of Wyoming, Inc.

WASTE CONNECTIONS TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, INC.

WASTE REDUCTION SERVICES, L.L.C.

WASTE SERVICES OF N.E. MISSISSIPPI, INC.

WASTE SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SAN BENITO, LLC

WCI AUSTIN LANDFILL, LLC

WCI-WHITE OAKS LANDFILL, INC.

WEST BANK ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

WEST COAST RECYCLING AND TRANSFER, INC.

WINNEBAGO LANDFILL COMPANY, LLC

WINNEBAGO RECLAMATION SERVICE, INC.

WYOMING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.

YAKIMA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman  
Name: Worthing Jackman  
Title: Authorized Signatory of Each of the Above-Listed Obligors  

 

[Sixth Amendment to 2008 Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

   

 

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company

 

MetLife Insurance Company USA

By: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, its Investment Manager

 

 

By /s/ John A. Wills
  Name: John A. Wills
  Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company holds $65,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company holds $1,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that MetLife Insurance Company USA holds $20,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that MetLife Insurance Company USA holds $1,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company

 

By: MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC
  Its Investment Adviser

 

 

By /s/ C. Scott Inglis
Name: C. Scott Inglis
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company holds $8,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company holds $5,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

  

Employers Reassurance Company

By: MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC

Its Investment Adviser

 

By /s/ C. Scott Inglis
Name: C. Scott Inglis
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that Employers Reassurance Company holds $10,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

Lincoln Benefit Life Company

 

By: MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC
  Its Investment Adviser

 

 

By /s/ C. Scott Inglis
Name: C. Scott Inglis
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that we hold $11,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due April 1, 2018.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

 

By: Northwestern Mutual Investment Management

Company, LLC, its investment adviser

 

 

By /s/ David A. Barras
Name: David A. Barras
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company holds $18,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company holds $20,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company holds $63,300,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for its Group Annuity Separate Account

 

 

 

By: /s/ David A. Barras
  Name: David A. Barras
  Title: Authorized Representative

 

We acknowledge that The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for its Group Annuity Separate Account holds $1,700,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation

 

By: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation holds $51,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

New York Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ A. Post Howland
Name: A. Post Howland
Title: Vice President

 

We acknowledge that New York Life Insurance Company holds $24,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Jackson National Life Insurance Company

 

By: PPM America, Inc., as attorney in fact, on behalf of Jackson National Life Insurance Company

 

 

By: /s/ Elena S. Unger
  Name: Elena S. Unger
  Title: Vice President

 

We acknowledge that Jackson National Life Insurance Company holds $55,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

State Farm Life Insurance Company

 

 

By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
  Julie Hoyer
  Investment Executive – Fixed Income

 

 

By: /s/ Christiane M. Stoffer
  Christiane M. Stoffer
  Assistant Secretary

 

We acknowledge that State Farm Life Insurance Company holds $14,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that State Farm Life Insurance Company holds $34,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company

 

 

By: /s/ Julie Hoyer
  Julie Hoyer
  Investment Executive – Fixed Income

 

 

By: /s/ Christiane M. Stoffer
  Christiane M. Stoffer
  Assistant Secretary

 

We acknowledge that State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company holds $1,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company holds $1,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

RiverSource Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Thomas W. Murphy
Name: Thomas W. Murphy
Title: Vice President – Investments

 

We acknowledge that RiverSource Life Insurance Company holds $11,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that RiverSource Life Insurance Company holds $30,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Amy Judd
  Name: Amy Judd
  Title: Investment Officer

 

We acknowledge that AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company holds $32,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

  

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Principal Life Insurance Company

 

By: Principal Global Investors, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company,
its authorized signatory

 

 

By: /s/ James C. Fifield
  Name: James C. Fifield
  Title: Assistant General Counsel

 

 

By: /s/ Justin T. Lange
  Name: Justin T. Lange
  Title: Counsel

 

We acknowledge that Principal Life Insurance Company holds $10,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Principal Life Insurance Company holds $20,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Joseph A. McCusker
  Name: Joseph A. McCusker
  Title: Investment Officer

 

We acknowledge that Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company holds $10,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company holds $10,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation

 

 

 

By: /s/ Joseph A. McCusker
  Name: Joseph A. McCusker
  Title: Investment Officer

 

We acknowledge that Genworth Mortgage Insurance Corporation holds $10,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Modern Woodmen of America

 

 

 

By: /s/ Douglas A. Pannier
Name: Douglas A. Pannier
Title: Group Head, Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that Modern Woodmen of America holds $16,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that Modern Woodmen of America holds $20,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

National Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Andrew Ebersole
  Name: Andrew Ebersole
  Title: Director – Head of Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that National Life Insurance Company holds $3,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that National Life Insurance Company holds $9,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

Life Insurance Company of the Southwest

 

 

 

By: /s/ Andrew Ebersole
Name: Andrew Ebersole
Title: Director – Head of Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that Life Insurance Company of the Southwest holds $5,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that Life Insurance Company of the Southwest holds $7,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that Life Insurance Company of the Southwest holds $6,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company

 

By: Babson Capital Management LLC, as Investment Advisor

 

 

By: /s/ Patrick M. Manseau
Name: Patrick M. Manseau
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company holds $24,200,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

C.M. Life Insurance Company

 

By: Babson Capital Management LLC, as Investment Advisor

 

 

By: /s/ Patrick M. Manseau
Name: Patrick M. Manseau
Title: Managing Director

 

We acknowledge that C.M. Life Insurance Company holds $3,800,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

The Phoenix Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Annette M. Masterson
Name: Annette M. Masterson
Title: Vice President

 

We acknowledge that The Phoenix Insurance Company holds $16,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

 

Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America

 

 

 

By: /s/ Annette M. Masterson
  Name: Annette M. Masterson
  Title: Vice President

 

We acknowledge that Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America holds $7,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

Voya Insurance and Annuity Company

Reliastar Life Insurance Company

Security Life of Denver Insurance Company

 

By: Voya Investment Management LLC,
as Agent

 

 

 

By /s/ Paul Aronson
  Name: Paul Aronson
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

We acknowledge that Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company holds $8,400,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Voya Insurance and Annuity Company holds $8,300,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Reliastar Life Insurance Company holds $1,200,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Security Life of Denver Insurance Company holds $2,100,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

American United Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ Michael I. Bullock
  Name: Michael I. Bullock
  Title: VP, Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that American United Life Insurance Company holds $3,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that American United Life Insurance Company holds $8,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

The State Life Insurance Company

 

By: American United Life Insurance Company
Its: Agent

 

 

By: /s/ Michael I. Bullock
  Name: Michael I. Bullock
  Title: VP, Private Placements

 

We acknowledge that The State Life Insurance Company holds $7,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

Knights of Columbus

 

 

 

By: /s/ Gilles Marchand
Name: Gilles Marchand
Title: Vice President Credit Investments

 

We acknowledge that Knights of Columbus holds $5,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due April 1, 2018.

 

We acknowledge that Knights of Columbus holds $12,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society

 

 

By: /s/ Shawn Bengston
  Name: Shawn Bengston
  Title: Vice President – Investment

 

We acknowledge that Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society holds $10,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

American Family Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ David L. Voge
  Name: David L. Voge
  Title: Fixed Income Portfolio Manager

 

We acknowledge that American Family Life Insurance Company holds $2,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that American Family Life Insurance Company holds $5,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

SOUTHERN FARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

 

By: /s/ David Divine
  Name: David Divine
  Title: Senior Portfolio Manager

 

We acknowledge that Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company holds $2,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche A Senior Notes, due August 20, 2022.

 

We acknowledge that Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company holds $3,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

Country Life Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ John A. Jacobs
Name: John A. Jacobs
Title: Director – Fixed Income

 

We acknowledge that Country Life Insurance Company holds $3,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that Country Life Insurance Company holds $4,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

Country Mutual Insurance Company

 

 

 

By: /s/ John A. Jacobs
Name: John A. Jacobs
Title: Director – Fixed Income

 

We acknowledge that Country Mutual Insurance Company holds $1,000,000 Series 2011A, Tranche C Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021.

 

We acknowledge that Country Mutual Insurance Company holds $1,000,000 Series 2015A, Tranche B Senior Notes, due August 20, 2025.

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Hartford Life Insurance Company

Hartford Fire Insurance Company

 

By: Hartford Investment Management Company Their Agent and Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

By: /s/ John R. Knox
Name: John R. Knox
Title: Senior Vice President

 

We acknowledge that Hartford Life Insurance Company holds $2,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

We acknowledge that Hartford Fire Insurance Company holds $5,000,000 Series 2009A Senior Notes, due November 1, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Form of Assumption and Exchange Agreement

(including post-merger amendments to the Master Note Purchase Agreement)

 

[Attached]

 

 

 

  

Exhibit 4.13

 

 

  

 

Waste Connections, Inc. 

 

Assumption and Exchange Agreement 

 

Dated as of June 1, 2016  

 

Re: Waste Connections, Inc. and its Subsidiaries 

Master Note Purchase Agreement 

dated as of July 15, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assumption and Exchange Agreement 

 

This Assumption and Exchange Agreement , dated as of June 1, 2016 (this “Agreement” ), is made by and among  Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.) (the “Parent” ), the direct or indirect parent of Waste Connections US, Inc. (f/k/a Waste Connections, Inc.), a Delaware corporation ( “WCN” ), after giving effect to the Merger (as referred to below) and related transactions, and WCN to and in favor of the holders of the Notes issued from time to time under the Purchase Agreement referred to below. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Assumed Purchase Agreement (as hereinafter defined). 

 

Recitals:

 

Whereas , WCN and certain of its Subsidiaries and the purchasers named therein are parties to that certain Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008, as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 20, 2009, Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 2010, Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 12, 2011, Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of August 9, 2013, Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of February 20, 2015 and Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 1, 2016 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement” );

 

Whereas , on January 18, 2016, Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario ( “Progressive Waste” ), Water Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste ( “Merger Sub” ), and WCN entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, Merger Sub has merged with and into WCN (the “Merger” ) as a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste;

 

Whereas , as a result of the Merger, the Parent has become the direct or indirect parent company of WCN and its Subsidiaries;

 

Whereas , the Purchase Agreement requires, as a condition to the effectiveness of the Assumed Purchase Agreement, that the Parent execute and deliver this Agreement; and

 

Whereas , the Parent has agreed to execute and deliver this Agreement and assume the obligations of WCN under the Purchase Agreement in exchange for the Assumption Note (as defined below);

 

 

 

 

Now, Therefore , in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parent hereby agrees as follows:

 

Section 1. Assumption and Amendment; Consideration for Assumption.

 

(a) The Parent hereby, unconditionally and irrevocably, assumes in full and agrees to perform and observe each and every one of the covenants, rights, promises, agreements, terms, conditions, obligations, duties and liabilities of “the Company”, any “Obligor” or the “Obligors” under the Assumed Purchase Agreement and the Notes, including all extensions, modifications, substitutions, amendments and renewals thereof (collectively, the “Assumed Obligations” ). It is understood that, substantially concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, WCN shall execute a Subsidiary Guaranty (as defined in the Assumed Purchase Agreement) and become a guarantor of the Assumed Obligations.

 

(b) In connection with the foregoing assumption, the Purchase Agreement is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text ) and to add the double−underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double−underlined text ) as set forth in the composite conformed copy of the Purchase Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A ( the “Assumed Purchase Agreement” ). Upon the request of any holder of outstanding Notes, the Parent shall issue a replacement Note in exchange for such holder’s existing outstanding Note with ten (10) Business Days of any such request.

 

(c) The Parent and WCN shall pay, indemnify and save harmless each holder of Notes from and against any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees of one special counsel for the holders, as a group), liabilities, claims, demands or judgments arising from or out of the assumption by the Parent of the obligations of WCN under the Notes and the Purchase Agreement in exchange for the Assumption Note, including, without limitation, any income tax owed by the holders of Notes as a result of the issuance of new Notes by the Parent in exchange for the Notes originally issued by WCN constituting a taxable event on the date of such assumption for income tax purposes, except to the extent such liabilities, claims, demands or judgments resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such holder. The indemnification contained in this Section 1(c) shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the termination of the Purchase Agreement.

 

(d) As consideration for the assumption by the Parent of the Assumed Obligations pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement, WCN shall issue to the Parent its 5.9% note in the principal amount of $835,000,000 due 2026 and dated as of the date hereof, between WCN, as the issuer, and the Parent, as the creditor (the “ Assumption Note ”).

 

Section 2. Representations and Warranties.

 

The Parent hereby represents and warrants to the holders as follows:

- 2

 

 

 

(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by the Parent, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent enforceable against the Parent in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (b) to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunction relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

(b) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Parent or its Subsidiaries of this Agreement and the performance by the Parent or its Subsidiaries of the Assumed Purchase Agreement.

 

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Parent of this Agreement and the performance by the Parent or its Subsidiaries of the Assumed Purchase Agreement will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bank Credit Agreement, the 2016 NPA or any agreement listed on Schedule 2, or an applicable corporate charter, memorandum of association, articles of association, regulations or by-laws or shareholders agreement, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Parent or any such Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Parent or any such Subsidiary.

 

(d) The payment obligations of the Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Assumed Purchase Agreement and the Notes rank at least pari passu , without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Parent and such Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

(e) Immediately before or after giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

(f) None of the Parent nor any Subsidiary has paid or agreed to pay any fees or other consideration to any holder of Indebtedness, in its capacity as a holder of such Indebtedness, of WCN and its Subsidiaries to permit the Parent to assume the obligations of WCN and its Subsidiaries under the documents relating to such Indebtedness, except for (x) the amendments to the Purchase Agreement in connection with the Merger Transactions and (y) repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness and customary and usual fees paid in connection with entering into a new Bank Credit Agreement and, in each case, out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith.

 

(g) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit B hereto are hereby incorporated into this Section 2 with the same force and effect as if set out in this Section 2 in full.

 

- 3

 

 

Section 3. Conditions Precedent.

 

This Agreement shall become effective as of the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (and shall not be effective until the date on which all of the following shall have occurred):

 

(a) This Agreement shall have been duly executed by the Parent and WCN and shall have been delivered to the holders (or to Chapman and Cutler LLP, as special counsel to the holders).

 

(b) The representations of the Parent set forth in Section 2 hereof shall be true and correct on and with respect to the date hereof.

 

(c) All amounts due with respect to the Notes and the performance by the Parent of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement shall be unconditionally guaranteed by WCN and each other Subsidiary that guarantees or is otherwise liable, whether as a borrower, an additional borrower or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement or any private placement document under a Subsidiary Guaranty agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement (the “Subsidiary Guaranty” ), which shall have been duly executed and delivered by WCN and each other such Subsidiary (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor” ), shall be in full force and effect, and each holder shall have received a true, correct and complete copy thereof. In addition, the Parent shall cause each Subsidiary Guarantor to deliver the following to each holder:

 

(i) a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor to the same effect, mutatis mutandis , as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6 and 5.7 of the Purchase Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guaranty);

 

(ii) all such documents as may be reasonably and customarily requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary Guarantor and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor of the execution and delivery of the Subsidiary Guaranty and the performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations thereunder; and

 

(iii) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such customary matters relating to such Subsidiary Guarantors and such Subsidiary Guaranty as the Required Holders may reasonably request.

 

(d) The Parent shall have provided to the holders a true, correct and complete copy of the Bank Credit Agreement (as defined in the Assumed Purchase Agreement), and such Bank Credit Agreement shall be in full force and effect substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement.

 

- 4

 

 

(e) A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for each series of outstanding Notes.

 

(f) The Parent shall have caused to be delivered to each holder of Notes customary opinions of internationally recognized independent counsel in the form set forth herein as Exhibit C .

 

(g) Each of the Parent and WCN shall have delivered to each holder of Notes a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer thereof, certifying that, except to the extent that it would not be materially adverse to the holders or is otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Holders, (x) the Merger, as consummated, and the other Merger Transactions are consistent with the transactions described in the Merger Agreement, (y) the Merger and the other Merger Transactions have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and in compliance with applicable law and regulatory approvals, and (z)  the Merger Transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall have been consummated on or prior to October 18, 2016.

 

(h) The Parent shall have delivered to the holders a certificate of its Secretary, Assistant Secretary, a Director or another appropriate person certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, and (ii) the Parent’s organizational documents as then in effect.

 

(i) The Assumption Note shall have been issued to the Parent.

 

Section 4. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) The amendments set forth in the Assumed Purchase Agreement are effective solely for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written. Except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Purchase Agreement, the Assumed Purchase Agreement or any Note, or (ii) operate as a waiver or otherwise prejudice any right, power or remedy that the holders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Assumed Purchase Agreement or the Notes.

 

(b) Photocopies, facsimile transmissions, or email transmissions of Adobe portable document format files (also known as “PDF” files) of the signatures to this Agreement shall be deemed original signatures and shall be fully binding on the Parent and WCN to the same extent as original signatures.

 

(c) This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

 

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

- 5

 

In Witness Whereof , the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer on the date first above written.

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc. ( f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.) ,
an Ontario corporation, as Parent 

 

 

By: /s/ Worthing Jackman

 

Name: Worthing Jackman

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

Waste Connections US, Inc. ( f/k/a Waste Connections, Inc.),
a Delaware corporation 

 

 

By: s/ Worthing Jackman

 

Name: Worthing Jackman

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Assumption and Exchange Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A 

 

Assumed Purchase Agreement 

 

Assumed Purchase Agreement dated as of June 1, 2016

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

 

$175,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015

 

 

 

Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

Dated July 15, 2008

 

 

 

     

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Section Heading Page
     
Section 1.      Authorization of Notes 1
     
Section 1.1. Authorization of Series 2008A Notes 1
Section 1.2. Additional Series of Notes 1
     
Section 2.      Sale and Purchase of Series 2008A Notes 2
     
Section 2.1. Notes 2
Section 2.2. Release of Obligors 3
     
Section 3.      Closing 3
     
Section 4.      Conditions to Closing 3
     
Section 4.1. Representations and Warranties 3
Section 4.2. Performance; No Default 3
Section 4.3. Compliance Certificates 4
Section 4.4. Opinions of Counsel 4
Section 4.5. Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc 4
Section 4.6. Sale of Other Series 2008A Notes 4
Section 4.7. Payment of Special Counsel Fees 4
Section 4.8. Private Placement Number 5
Section 4.9. Changes in Corporate Structure 5
Section 4.10. Funding Instructions 5
Section 4.11. Proceedings and Documents 5
Section 4.12. Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes 5
     
Section 5.      Representations and Warranties of the Obligors 6
     
Section 5.1. Organization; Power and Authority 6
Section 5.2. Authorization, Etc 6
Section 5.3. Disclosure 6
Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates 7
Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities 7
Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc 7
Section 5.7. Governmental Authorizations, Etc 8
Section 5.8. Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders 8
Section 5.9. Taxes 8
Section 5.10. Title to Property; Leases 8
Section 5.11. Licenses, Permits, Etc 9
Section 5.12. Compliance with ERISA 9
Section 5.13. Private Offering by the Obligors 10
Section 5.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations 10

 

- i -  

 

 

Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens 10
Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc 11
Section 5.17. Status under Certain Statutes 11
Section 5.18. Environmental Matters 11
     

Section 6.      Representations of the Purchasers

12
     
Section 6.1. Purchase for Investment 12
Section 6.2. Source of Funds 13
     

Section 7.      Information as to Company

14
     
Section 7.1. Financial and Business Information 14
Section 7.2. Officer’s Certificate 17
Section 7.3. Visitation 18
Section 7.4. Electronic Delivery 18
Section 7.5. Limitation on Disclosure Obligation. 20
     

Section 8.      Payment and Prepayment of the Series 2008A Notes

20
     
Section 8.1. Maturity 20
Section 8.2. Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount 20
Section 8.3. Allocation of Partial Prepayments 21
Section 8.4. Maturity; Surrender, Etc 21
Section 8.5. Purchase of Notes 21
Section 8.6. Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2008A Notes 21
Section 8.7. Change in Control 23
     

Section 9.      Affirmative Covenants

25
     
Section 9.1. Punctual Payment 25
Section 9.2. Records and Accounts 25
Section 9.3. Legal Existence and Conduct of Business 25
Section 9.4. Maintenance of Properties 25
Section 9.5. Insurance 26
Section 9.6. Taxes 26
Section 9.7. Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits 26
Section 9.8. Environmental Indemnification 27
Section 9.9. Additional Notices 27
Section 9.10. Designation of Material Subsidiaries 27
Section 9.11. Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans 27
Section 9.12. Notes to Rank Pari Passu 28
Section 9.13. Subsidiary Guarantors 28
     

Section 10.    Negative Covenants

30
     
Section 10.1. Restrictions on Indebtedness 30
Section 10.2 Restrictions on Liens 31

 

- ii -  

 

 

Section 10.3. Restrictions on Investments 34
Section 10.4. Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets 35
Section 10.4.1. Mergers, Amalgamations, Consolidations and Acquisitions 35
Section 10.4.2. Disposition of Assets 36
Section 10.4.3. Permitted Intercompany Financings 36
Section 10.5. Sale and Leaseback 37
Section 10.6. Restricted Payments and Redemptions 37
Section 10.7. Employee Benefit Plans 37
Section 10.8. Negative Pledges 38
Section 10.9. Business Activities 39
Section 10.10. Transactions with Affiliates 39
Section 10.11. Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness 40
Section 10.12. Accounting Changes 40
Section 10.13. Leverage Ratio 40
Section 10.14. Interest Coverage Ratio 40
Section 10.15. Economic Sanctions 40
Section 10.16. Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans 40
     

Section 11.    Events of Default

41
     

Section 12.    Remedies on Default, Etc.

44
     
Section 12.1. Acceleration 44
Section 12.2. Other Remedies 45
Section 12.3. Rescission 45
Section 12.4. No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc 45
     

Section 13.    Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes

46
     
Section 13.1. Registration of Notes 46
Section 13.2. Transfer and Exchange of Notes 46
Section 13.3. Replacement of Notes 47
     

Section 14.    Payments on Notes

47
     
Section 14.1. Place of Payment 47
Section 14.2. Home Office Payment 47
     

Section 15.    Expenses, Etc.

48
     
Section 15.1. Transaction Expenses 48
Section 15.2. Certain Taxes 48
Section 15.3. Survival 49
     

Section 16.    Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement

49

 

- iii -  

 

 

Section 17.    Amendment and Waiver

49
     
Section 17.1. Requirements 49
Section 17.2. Solicitation of Holders of Notes 50
Section 17.3. Binding Effect, Etc 51
Section 17.4. Notes Held by Obligors, Etc 51
     

Section 18.    Notices; English Language

51
     

Section 19.    Reproduction of Documents

52
     

Section 20.    Confidential Information

53
     

Section 21.    Substitution of Purchaser

53
     

Section 22.    Change in Tax Law; Noteholder Sanctions Event

54
     
Section 22.1. Prepayment for Tax Reasons 54
Section 22.2. Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event 55
     

Section 23.    Tax Indemnification; FATCA Information

57
     

Section 24.    Miscellaneous

61
     
Section 24.1. Successors and Assigns 61
Section 24.2. Payments Due on Non-Business Days 62
Section 24.3. Accounting Terms 62
Section 24.4. Severability 63
Section 24.5. Construction, Etc 63
Section 24.6. Counterparts 63
Section 24.7. Governing Law 64
Section 24.8. Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial 64
Section 24.9. Obligation to Make Payment in Dollars 65
Section 24.10. Interest Act (Canada) 65
Section 24.11. Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness 66
Section 24.12. Interpretation 67
Section 24.13. Waiver of Offers 67
Section 24.14. Clarification of Obligors 68
     
Signature 69

 

- iv -  

 

 

Schedule A Information Relating to Purchasers
     
Schedule B Defined Terms
     
Schedule 4.9 Changes in Corporate Structure
     
Schedule 5.3 Disclosure Materials
     
Schedule 5.4 Subsidiaries of the Company and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock
     
Schedule 5.5 Financial Statements
     
Schedule 5.15 Existing Indebtedness
     
Schedule 9.10 Material Subsidiaries
     
Schedule 10.2 Existing Liens
     
Exhibit 1 Form of 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015
     
Exhibit 4.4(a) Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Obligors
     
Exhibit 4.4(b) Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Purchasers
     
Exhibit 7.2(a) Form of Covenant Compliance Certificate
     
Exhibit S Form of Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

- v -  

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110

The Woodlands, TX 77380

$175,000,000 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015

 

July 15, 2008

 

To Each of the Purchasers Listed in

Schedule A Hereto:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), and its Subsidiaries party hereto (the Company and such Subsidiaries are each an “Obligor” and, collectively, the “Obligors” ), jointly and severally agree with each of the purchasers whose names appear at the end hereof (each, a “Purchaser” and, collectively, the “Purchasers” ) as follows:

 

Section 1.          Authorization of Notes.

 

Section 1.1.          Authorization of Series 2008A Notes . The Obligors will authorize the issue and sale of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 6.22% Series 2008A Senior Notes due October 1, 2015 (the “Series 2008A Notes” ). The Series 2008A Notes described above, together with each series of Additional Notes that may from time to time be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof, are collectively referred to as the “Notes” (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13). The Series 2008A Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a “Schedule” or an “Exhibit” are, unless otherwise specified, to a Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.

 

Section 1.2.          Additional Series of Notes . The Obligors may, from time to time, in their sole discretion but subject to the terms hereof, issue and sell one or more additional series of their senior unsecured promissory notes under the provisions of this Agreement pursuant to a supplement (a “Supplement” ) substantially in the form of Exhibit S, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Series 2008A Notes plus Notes of all series issued and outstanding at any one time pursuant to all Supplements in accordance with the terms of this Section 1.2 shall not exceed $1,250,000,000. Each additional series of Notes (the “Additional Notes” ) issued pursuant to a Supplement shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)          each series of Additional Notes, when so issued, shall be differentiated from all previous series by sequential chronological and alphabetical designation inscribed thereon;

 

     
Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(ii)         each series of Additional Notes shall be dated the date of issue, bear interest at such rate or rates, mature on such date or dates, be subject to such mandatory and optional prepayments on the dates and at the premiums, if any, have such additional or different conditions precedent to closing, such representations and warranties and such additional covenants and additional events of default (including covenants and/or events of default which are similar in structure to existing covenants and/or events of default and are more restrictive) as shall be specified in the Supplement under which such Additional Notes are issued and upon execution of any such Supplement, this Agreement shall be amended (a) to reflect such additional covenants and such additional events of default without further action on the part of the holders of the Notes outstanding under this Agreement, provided, that any such additional covenants and additional events of default shall not reduce or diminish any existing covenants or events of default, but shall inure to the benefit of all holders of Notes so long as any Additional Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement remain outstanding, and (b) to reflect such representations and warranties as are contained in such Supplement for the benefit of the holders of such Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 16;

 

(iii)        each series of Additional Notes issued under this Agreement shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 1 to Exhibit S hereto with such variations, omissions and insertions as are necessary or permitted hereunder;

 

(iv)        the minimum principal amount of any series of Notes issued under a Supplement shall be $10,000,000, and the minimum denomination shall be $100,000 except as may be necessary to evidence the outstanding amount of any Note originally issued in a denomination of $100,000 or more;

 

(v)         all Additional Notes shall mature more than one year after the issuance thereof and shall rank pari passu with all other outstanding Notes; and

 

(vi)        no Additional Notes shall be issued hereunder if, at the time of issuance thereof or after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

It is specifically acknowledged and agreed that the Purchasers of the Series 2008A Notes, or any other holder of Notes shall not have any obligation to purchase any Additional Notes.

 

Section 2.          Sale and Purchase of Series 2008A Notes.

 

Section 2.1.          Notes . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Obligors will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series 2008A Notes in the principal amount specified opposite such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder. The Series 2008A Notes and each other series of Notes issued hereunder are each herein sometimes referred to as Notes of a “series”.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 2.2.          Release of Obligors . If the Company sells, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of another Obligor to any Person (other than an Affiliate), the holders of the Notes agree, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.8(c) to discharge and release such Obligor from this Agreement on the written request of the Company; provided that at the time of such release and discharge, the Company shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the holders of the Notes stating that no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

Section 3.          Closing.

 

The execution and delivery of this Agreement will be made at the offices of Chapman and Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 on July 15, 2008. The sale and purchase of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler, LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 at 10:00 a.m. Central time, at a closing (the “ Closing ”) on October 1, 2008. At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Series 2008A Note (or such greater number of Series 2008A Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or their order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10. If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender any Series 2008A Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

 

Section 4.          Conditions to Closing.

 

Each Purchaser’s obligation to purchase and pay for the Series 2008A Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following conditions (except that the conditions set forth in Section 4.12 shall not be applicable to the Series 2008A Notes):

 

Section 4.1.          Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Obligors in this Agreement shall be correct when made and at the time of the Closing.

 

Section 4.2.          Performance; No Default . The Obligors shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Obligors prior to or at the Closing and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Series 2008A Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by the covenants contained in Section 10 had such covenants applied since such date.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 4.3.          Compliance Certificates .

 

(a)           Officer’s Certificate . Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.

 

(b)           Secretary’s Certificate . Each Obligor shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the Series 2008A Notes and this Agreement.

 

S ection 4.4.          Opinions of Counsel . Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Shartsis Friese LLP, counsel for the Obligors, covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 4.4(a) and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser may reasonably request as a result of any change in law between the date hereof and the date of the Closing (and the Obligors hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler, LLP, the Purchasers’ special counsel in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.5.          Purchase Permitted by Applicable Law, Etc . On the date of the Closing such Purchaser’s purchase of Series 2008A Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.

 

Section 4.6.          Sale of Other Series 2008A Notes . Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.

 

Section 4.7.          Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Obligors shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable fees, reasonable charges and reasonable disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Obligors at least one Business Day prior to the Closing.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 4.8.          Private Placement Number . A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for the Series 2008A Notes.

 

Section 4.9.          Changes in Corporate Structure . No Obligor shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity (other than an entity that was a Subsidiary of any Obligor prior to such merger, consolidation or succession), at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9.

 

Section 4.10.         Funding Instructions . At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Obligors confirming (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank’s ABA number and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Series 2008A Notes is to be deposited.

 

Section 4.11.         Proceedings and Documents . All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.12.         Conditions to Issuance of Additional Notes. The obligations of the Additional Purchasers, if any, to purchase any Additional Notes shall be subject to the following conditions precedent, in addition to the conditions specified in the Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Notes may be issued:

 

(a)           Compliance Certificate . A duly authorized Senior Financial Officer shall execute and deliver to each Additional Purchaser and each holder of Notes an Officer’s Certificate dated the date of issue of such series of Additional Notes stating that such officer has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement (including any Supplements hereto) and setting forth the information and computations (in sufficient detail) required in order to establish whether the Obligors is in compliance with the requirements of 10.13 and 10.14 (as set forth on Exhibit 7.2(a) hereto) on such date.

 

(b)           Execution and Delivery of Supplement. The Obligors and each such Additional Purchaser shall execute and deliver a Supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit S hereto.

 

(c)           Representations of Additional Purchasers . Each Additional Purchaser shall have confirmed in the Supplement that the representations set forth in Section 6 are true with respect to such Additional Purchaser on and as of the date of issue of the Additional Notes.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(d)           Closing Conditions .           The closing conditions set forth in Section 4 shall have been updated and performed as of the date of issuance of each series of Additional Notes (irrespective of whether such closing conditions initially apply only to the Series 2008A Notes).

 

Section 5.          Representations and Warranties of the Obligors.

 

Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:

 

Section 5.1.          Organization; Power and Authority . Each Obligor is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Obligor has the corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

Section 5.2.          Authorization, Etc . This Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or equivalent company or partnership) action on the part of each Obligor, and this Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Series 2008A Note will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Obligor enforceable against each Obligor in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (b) to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.

 

Section 5.3.          Disclosure . The Obligors, through their agents, Banc of America Securities LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, have delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum, dated May, 2008 (the “Memorandum” ), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. This Agreement, the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3, and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 (this Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser or posted to IntraLinks® prior to June 11, 2008 being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2007 there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Obligors except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to any Obligor that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.4.          Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates . Schedule 5.4 contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers. Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4).

 

(c)          No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5.          Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Section 5.6.          Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc . The execution, delivery and performance by each Obligor of this Agreement and the Series 2008A Notes will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of any Obligor or any Subsidiary under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter or by-laws, or any other agreement or instrument to which any Obligor or any Subsidiary is bound or by which any Obligor or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to any Obligor or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to any Obligor or any Subsidiary.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.7.          Governmental Authorizations, Etc . No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by any Obligor of this Agreement or the Series 2008A Notes.

 

Section 5.8.          Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders . (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened against any Obligor or any property of any Obligor in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          None of the Obligors is in default under any term of any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority or is in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws or the USA Patriot Act) of any Governmental Authority, which default or violation, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.9.          Taxes . The Obligors have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction (unless, and only to the extent that, such Obligor has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which any Obligor or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. None of the Obligors knows of any basis for any other tax or assessment that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of Federal, state or other taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate. The Federal income tax liabilities of Obligors have been finally determined (whether by reason of completed audits or the statute of limitations having run) for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Section 5.10.         Title to Property; Leases . The Obligors have good and sufficient title to their respective properties that individually or in the aggregate are Material, including all such properties reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5 or purported to have been acquired by the Obligors after said date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by this Agreement. All leases that individually or in the aggregate are Material are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.

 

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Section 5.11.         Licenses, Permits, Etc . (a) Each Obligor owns or possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that individually or in the aggregate are Material, without known conflict with the rights of others.

 

(b)          To the knowledge of the Company, no product of any Obligor infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person.

 

(c)          To the knowledge of the Company, there is no Material violation by any Person of any right of any Obligor with respect to any patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by any Obligor.

 

Section 5.12.         Compliance with ERISA . (a) Each Obligor and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans) in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Obligors nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or to section 401(a)(29) or 412 of the Code or section 4068 of ERISA, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.

 

(b)          Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or has maintained a Plan (other than Multi-employer Plans) that is or was subject to the “minimum funding standards” under section 302 of ERISA or that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA.

 

(c)          None of the Obligors and their ERISA Affiliates have incurred withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multi-employer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material.

 

(d)          The expected post-retirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 106, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material.

 

(e)          The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will not constitute any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax would be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Obligors to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds used to pay the purchase price of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 5.13.         Private Offering by the Obligors . None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2008A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than 40 other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2008A Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2008A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.14.         Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series 2008A Notes to refinance existing Indebtedness and general corporate purposes. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve any Obligor in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and none of the Obligors has any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

 

Section 5.15.         Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Obligors and their Subsidiaries as of May 31, 2008 (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors. None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor, that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.

 

(c)          None of the Obligors is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of any Obligor, except the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15.

 

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Section 5.16.         Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc . (a) Neither the sale of the Series 2008A Notes by any Obligor hereunder nor its use of the proceeds thereof will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.

 

(b)          None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary (i) is a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, engages in any dealings or transactions with any such Person. The Obligors and their Subsidiaries are in compliance, in all material respects, with the USA Patriot Act, to the extent applicable.

 

(c)          No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2008A Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, assuming in all cases that such Act applies to the Obligors.

 

Section 5.17.         Status under Certain Statutes . None of the Obligors nor any Subsidiary is (i) required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) subject to any accounting or cost allocation requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended, or (iii) a “public utility” as defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended

 

Section 5.18.         Environmental Matters . (a) None of the Obligors has knowledge of any claim or has received any notice of any claim, and no proceeding has been instituted raising any claim against any Obligor or any of their respective real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or other assets, alleging any damage to the environment or violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          None of the Obligors has knowledge of any facts which would give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)          None of the Obligors has stored any Hazardous Materials on real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or has disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner contrary to any Environmental Laws in each case in any manner that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

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(d)          All buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or operated by any Obligor are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.         

 

Section 6.          Representations of the Purchasers.

 

Section 6.1.          Purchase for Investment . (a) Each Purchaser severally represents that it is purchasing the Notes (i) for its own account or (ii) for one or more separate accounts owned by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds that are “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act), in each case for which it is exercising investment discretion in managing investments of such pension or trust funds, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser’s property shall at all times be within such Purchaser’s control. Such Purchaser is a Qualified Institutional Buyer. Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Company is not required to register the Notes. Each Purchaser has carefully reviewed the Memorandum and is thoroughly familiar with the existing and proposed business, operations, management, properties and financial condition of the Obligors as so described in the Memorandum. Each Purchaser further represents that it (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) has had the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and received answers concerning the terms and conditions of the sale of the Notes. Each Purchaser’s (and each such pension’s, trust fund’s or other Person’s) financial position is such that it can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the Notes. Each Purchaser (and each such pension, trust fund or other Person) can afford to suffer the complete loss of its investment in the Notes. Each Purchaser’s (and each such other Person’s) knowledge and experience in financial and business matters (or the knowledge and experience of such Purchaser’s or such other Person’s investment advisor) is such that it (or such investment advisor) is capable of evaluating the risks of the investment in the Notes. Each Purchaser acknowledges that no representations, express or implied, have been or are being made with respect to the Obligors, the Notes or otherwise, other than those expressly set forth herein or contemplated hereby.

 

(b)          Each Purchaser agrees to the imprinting of a legend on the Notes to the following effect:

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.”

 

Section 6.2.          Source of Funds . Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source” ) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Series 2008A Notes to be purchased by it hereunder:

 

(a)          the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption ( “PTE” ) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the “NAIC Annual Statement” )) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile, and the purchase is not part of an agreement, arrangement or understanding designed to benefit a “party in interest” (as that term is defined in ERISA section 3(14)) within the meaning of PTE 95-60; or

 

(b)          the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account and the Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations otherwise meet the requirements for a “Guaranteed Benefit Policy” as defined in ERISA section 401(b)(2); or

 

(c)          the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38, and no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund , and the insurance company or bank agrees to maintain records and make such records available as required under PTE 90-1 Part III(b) and (c) or PTE 91-38 Part III(b) and (c); or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(d)          the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption” )) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are included in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Section V(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, exceed 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(b)(1), (c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, as of the last day of its most recent calendar quarter, the QPAM does not own a 10% or more interest in the Company and no person controlling or controlled by the QPAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section V(e) of the QPAM Exemption) owns a 20% or more interest in the Company (or less than 20% but greater than 10%, if such person exercises control over the management or policies of the Company by reason of its ownership interest) and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of all employee benefit plans that own a 10% or greater interest in such investment fund have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or

 

(e)          the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Section IV of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption” )) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (b)(1), (c), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Section IV(d) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 5% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or

 

(f)          the Source is a governmental plan and there is no applicable law that prohibits or limits that plan’s purchase of Notes pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

(g)          the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or

 

(h)          the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan or Individual Retirement Account, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

 

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

Section 7.          Information as to Company.

 

Section 7.1.          Financial and Business Information . The Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor (and for purposes of this Agreement the information required by this Section 7.1 shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery of such information in the English language or the date of delivery of an English translation thereof):

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(a)           Quarterly Statements — within 5 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined in applicable Securities Laws) (the “Form 10-Q” ) promptly after the same are available and in any event within 55 days after the end of such fiscal quarter in each fiscal year of the Company, other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year, duplicate copies of,

 

(i)          a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such quarter, and

 

(ii)         consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group, for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,

 

all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes, provided that, the filing with the SEC within the time specified above (or pursuant to any requests for extension under applicable Securities Laws) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(a);

 

(b)           Annual Statements — within 5 days of the filing with the SEC of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or such similar report to be filed for a “foreign private issuer” as defined in applicable Securities Law) (the “Form 10-K” ) and in any event within 100 days after the end of such fiscal year of the Company, duplicate copies of

 

(i)          a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such year, and

 

(ii)         consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group for such year,

 

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (which shall not be subject to any qualification as to going concern or the scope of the audit) of independent public accountants of recognized international standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the companies being reported upon, provided that, the filing with the SEC within the time specified above (or pursuant to any requests for extension under applicable Securities Laws) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(b);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)           SEC and Other Reports — except for filings referred to in Section 7.1(a) and (b) above, promptly upon their becoming available, and to the extent applicable, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report, circular, notice, proxy statement or similar document sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to its public securities holders generally, (ii) any information sent by the Company or any Subsidiary to the agents and/or the lenders under the Bank Credit Agreement (x) pursuant to Sections 6.04, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 and 6.18 (or any replacement section) of the Bank Credit Agreement (excluding information sent to such creditors in the ordinary course of administration of a credit facility, such as by way of example only and without limitation, information relating to pricing and borrowing availability) and (y) relating to any actions of the Company or any Subsidiary permitted under this Agreement by virtue of the fact that such actions are permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement (including with respect to the calculation of the financial covenants in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 and compliance with Sections 9 and 10), and (iii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such holder), and each prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC or any similar Governmental Authority or securities exchange and of all press releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or any Subsidiary to the public concerning developments that are Material, provided that, the filing with the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 7.1(c);

 

(d)           Notice of Default or Event of Default — promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(e)           Employee Benefit Matters — promptly, and in any event within five days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that the Company or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto:

 

(i)          with respect to any Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans), any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof; or

 

(ii)         the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan (other than Multiemployer Plans), or the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan; or

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii)        any event, transaction or condition that would result in the incurrence of any liability by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(iv)        receipt of notice of the imposition of a Material financial penalty, (which for this purpose, “financial penalty” shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans;

 

(f)           Notices from Governmental Authority — promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to the Company or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)           Requested Information — with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or relating to the ability of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder and under the Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of Notes, including information readily available to the Company explaining the Company’s financial statements if such information has been requested by the SVO in order to assign or maintain a designation of the Notes; and

 

(h)           Supplements — promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution and delivery of any Supplement, a copy thereof.

 

Section 7.2.          Officer’s Certificate . Each set of financial statements delivered or made available to a holder of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer (a “Compliance Certificate” ) (which, in the case of Electronic Delivery of any such financial statements, shall be by separate concurrent delivery of such certificate to each holder of Notes):

 

(a)           Covenant Compliance — setting forth the information (including detailed calculations) required in order to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 10.13 and 10.14, and any other financial covenant added pursuant to any Supplement, during the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence) substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 7.2(a);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)           Event of Default — certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including, without limitation, any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and

 

(c)           Subsidiary Guarantors – setting forth a list of all Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13 is a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of Senior Financial Officer.

 

Section 7.3.          Visitation . The Company shall permit the representatives of each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:

 

(a)           No Default — if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior notice to the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Company and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company’s officers at reasonable times during normal business hours; and

 

(b)           Default — if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the expense of the Company to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account and to make copies and extracts therefrom (in each case, subject to compliance with confidentiality agreements and applicable copyright laws), and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested during normal business hours.

 

Section 7.4.          Electronic Delivery . Financial statements, opinions of independent certified public accountants, other information and Officer’s Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Company satisfies any of the following requirements with respect thereto:

 

(i)          such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each holder of a Note by e-mail;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(ii)         the Company shall have timely filed (or if the Company requests an extension for filing under applicable Securities Law, within the grace period permitted by such applicable Securities Law) such Form 10–Q or Form 10–K, satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b), as the case may be, with the SEC on EDGAR (or the Canadian equivalent thereof) and shall have made such form and the related Officer’s Certificate (with respect to such Section 7.1(a) and Section 7.1(b)) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.wasteconnections.com as of the date of the Assumption Agreement;

 

(iii)        such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Officer’s Certificate(s) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 are timely posted by or on behalf of the Company on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access or made available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.wasteconnections.com as of the date of the Assumption Agreement; or

 

(iv)        the Company shall have filed any of the items referred to in Section 7.1(c) with the SEC on EDGAR (or the Canadian equivalent thereof) and shall have made such items available on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;

 

provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Officer’s Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than (i) customary limitations on reliance for items prepared by an agent or professional advisor of the Company and (ii) confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 20 of this Agreement); provided further , that in the case of clause (ii), the Company shall have given each holder of a Note prior written notice, which may be by e-mail or in accordance with Section 18, of such posting or availability in connection with each delivery; provided further, that upon request of any holder to receive paper copies of such forms, financial statements, other information and Officer’s Certificates or to receive them by e-mail, the Company will promptly e-mail them or deliver (or cause to be delivered) such paper copies, as the case may be, to such holder.

 

In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from Section 20, Section 20 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company, Section 20 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 7.5.          Limitation on Disclosure Obligation . The Company shall not be required to disclose the following information pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i)(x), Section 7.1(e), Section 7.1(f), Section 7.1(g) or Section 7.3:

 

(a)          information that the Company determines after consultation with counsel qualified to advise on such matters that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 20, it would be prohibited from disclosing by applicable law or regulations without making public disclosure thereof; or

 

(b)          information that, notwithstanding the confidentiality requirements of Section 20, the Company is prohibited from disclosing by the terms of an obligation of confidentiality contained in any agreement with any non-Affiliate binding upon the Company and not entered into in contemplation of this clause (b), provided that, except with respect to any such confidentiality obligation running in favor of a Governmental Authority, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain consent from the party in whose favor the obligation of confidentiality was made to permit the disclosure of the relevant information.

 

Promptly after determining that the Company is not permitted to disclose any information as a result of the limitations described in this Section 7.5, the Company will provide each of the holders with an Officer’s Certificate describing generally the requested information that the Company is prohibited from disclosing pursuant to this Section 7.5 and the circumstances under which the Company is not permitted to disclose such information.

 

Section 8.          Payment and Prepayment of the Series 2008A Notes.

 

Section 8.1.          Maturity . The entire unpaid principal amount of the Series 2008A Notes shall become due and payable on October 1, 2015.

 

Section 8.2.          Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount . The Obligors may, at their option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date) determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than ten days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Obligors shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 8.3.          Allocation of Partial Prepayments . In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment. All regularly scheduled partial prepayments made with respect to any series of Additional Notes pursuant to any Supplement shall be allocated as provided therein.

 

Section 8.4.          Maturity; Surrender, Etc . In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any. From and after such date, unless the Obligors shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

 

Section 8.5.          Purchase of Notes . The Obligors will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (i) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including any Supplement hereto) and the Notes, and (ii) pursuant to a written offer to purchase any outstanding Notes made by the Company or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of the Notes upon the same terms and conditions. The Obligors will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment or prepayment of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

 

Section 8.6.          Make-Whole Amount for the Series 2008A Notes . “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Series 2008A Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Series 2008A Note minus the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“Called Principal” means, with respect to any Series 2008A Note, the principal of such Series 2008A Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Series 2008A Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page PX1” (or such other display as may replace Page PX1) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date.

 

In the case of each determination under clause (i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, of the preceding paragraph, such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Series 2008A Note.

 

“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Series 2008A Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or 12.1.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Series 2008A Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

Section 8.7.          Change in Control . (a)  Notice of Change in Control or Control Event. The Company will, within 15 Business Days after any Responsible Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change in Control or Control Event, give written notice of such Change in Control or Control Event to each holder of Notes unless notice in respect of such Change in Control (or the Change in Control contemplated by such Control Event) shall have been given pursuant to subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.7. If a Change in Control has occurred, such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes of each Series as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.7 and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.7.

 

(b)           Condition to Obligor Action. The Company will not take any action, directly or indirectly, that consummates or finalizes a Change in Control unless (i) at least 15 Business Days prior to such action it shall have given to each holder of Notes written notice containing and constituting an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (c) of this Section 8.7, accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (g) of this Section 8.7, and (ii) contemporaneously with such action, it prepays all Notes required to be prepaid in accordance with this Section 8.7.

 

(c)           Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 8.7 shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.7, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, “holder” in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date specified in such offer (the “Proposed Prepayment Date” ). If such Proposed Prepayment Date is in connection with an offer contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this Section 8.7, such date shall be not less than 20 days and not more than 30 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the 20th day after the date of such offer).

 

(d)           Acceptance; Rejection. A holder of Notes may accept or reject the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.7 by causing a notice of such acceptance or rejection to be delivered to the Obligors at least 5 Business Days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.

 

(e)           Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment plus the LIBOR Breakage Amount (unless the date of prepayment is an Interest Payment Date). The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date except as provided in subparagraph (f) of this Section 8.7.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(f)           Deferral Pending Change in Control. The obligation of the Obligors to prepay Notes pursuant to the offers required by subparagraph (b) and accepted in accordance with subparagraph (d) of this Section 8.7 is subject to the occurrence of the Change in Control in respect of which such offers and acceptances shall have been made. In the event that such Change in Control does not occur on the Proposed Prepayment Date in respect thereof, the prepayment shall be deferred until and shall be made on the date on which such Change in Control occurs. The Obligors shall keep each holder of Notes reasonably and timely informed of (i) any such deferral of the date of prepayment, (ii) the date on which such Change in Control and the prepayment are expected to occur, and (iii) any determination by the Obligors that efforts to effect such Change in Control have ceased or been abandoned (in which case the offers and acceptances made pursuant to this Section 8.7 in respect of such Change in Control shall be deemed rescinded).

 

(g)           Officer’s Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Obligors and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.7; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.7 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date or proposed date of the Change in Control.

 

(h)           Effect on Required Payments. The amount of each payment of the principal of the Notes made pursuant to this Section 8.7 shall be applied against and reduce each of the then remaining principal payments, if any, due pursuant to any Supplement by a percentage equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so paid divided by the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding immediately prior to such payment.

 

(i)           “Control Event” Defined. “Control Event” means:

 

(i)          the execution by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates of any agreement with respect to any proposed transaction or event or series of transactions or events which, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Change in Control,

 

(ii)         the execution of any written agreement which, when fully performed by the parties thereto, would result in a Change in Control, or

 

(iii)        the acceptance by the requisite number of holders of any written offer by any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of the Closing) to the holders of the common stock of the Company, which would result in a Change in Control.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 9.          Affirmative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 9.1.          Punctual Payment . The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Notes, fees and other amounts provided for in this Agreement and the Notes, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes.

 

Section 9.2.          Records and Accounts . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) keep true and accurate records and books of account in which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and amortization of its properties, contingencies, and other reserves, and (iii) at all times engage an independent accounting firm of national standing pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement as the independent certified public accountants of the Company.

 

Section 9.3.          Legal Existence and Conduct of Business . Except as otherwise permitted by Section 10.4, the Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, legal rights and franchises; effect and maintain its foreign qualifications, licensing, domestication or authorization except as terminated by the Company’s or its Material Subsidiaries’ board of directors (or similar governing body) in the exercise of its reasonable judgment and except where the failure of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries to remain so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and shall not become obligated under any contract or binding arrangement which, at the time it was entered into would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily in the businesses conducted by it on the date of the Assumption Agreement and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 10.3 and 10.4.

 

Section 9.4.          Maintenance of Properties . The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of their businesses to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries may be necessary so that the businesses carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company or such Subsidiary, desirable in the conduct of their business and which does not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 9.5.          Insurance . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, funds or underwriters insurance of the kinds, covering the risks (other than risks arising out of or in any way connected with personal liability of any officers and directors thereof) and in the relative proportionate amounts typically carried by reasonable and prudent companies conducting businesses similar to that of the Company and its Subsidiaries. In addition, the Company and its Subsidiaries will furnish from time to time, upon the request of the Required Holders, a summary of the insurance coverage, which summary shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders (it being understood that any such summary of the insurance coverage delivered pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders) and, if requested by the Required Holders, will furnish to the Required Holders certificates evidencing such insurance. If the agents under the Bank Credit Agreement require that any certificate evidencing liability insurance name the agents as the certificate holder thereunder, the Company shall cause any such certificate to also name the holders as the certificate holder thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to maintain self-insurance programs to the extent permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

Section 9.6.          Taxes . The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before any Material penalty accrues thereon, all Taxes (other than Taxes which in the aggregate are not Material to the business or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary on an individual basis or of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and activities, or any Material part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for labor, materials, or supplies, which if unpaid might by law become a Lien or charge upon any Material portion of its property, unless such Lien is a Permitted Lien; provided , however , that any such Tax or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and provided further , that the Company or such Subsidiary will pay all such Taxes or claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose any Lien which may have attached as security therefor.

 

Section 9.7.          Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits; Maintenance of Material Licenses and Permits. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) comply with the provisions of their Organization Documents, (ii) comply with the provisions of all agreements and instruments by which they or any of their properties may be bound; and (iii) comply with all applicable laws (including Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits) except, in the case of subsections (i) (solely for non-compliance with the provisions of its Organization Documents by a Person other than the Company or a Material Subsidiary), (ii) and (iii), where noncompliance with such Organization Documents, applicable agreements, instruments and laws would not have a Material Adverse Effect. If at any time while any Note is outstanding, any authorization, consent, approval, permit or license from any Governmental Authority shall become necessary or required in order that the Company or any Material Subsidiary may fulfill any of their obligations hereunder, the Company will immediately take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the power of the Company or such Material Subsidiary to obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the Lenders with evidence thereof.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 9.8.          Environmental Indemnification. The Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, jointly and severally covenant and agree that it will indemnify and hold the holders harmless from and against any and all claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the holders (including all costs of legal representation) relating to (a) [reserved]; (b) any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials on the Real Estate; (c) [reserved]; (d) any violation of any Environmental Laws with respect to conditions at the Real Estate or the operations conducted thereon; (e) the investigation or remediation of offsite locations at which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or its predecessors are alleged to have directly or indirectly disposed of Hazardous Materials; or (f) any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. It is expressly acknowledged by the Company and its Subsidiaries that this covenant of indemnification shall include claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the holders based upon the holders’ negligence (but not gross negligence or willful misconduct, in each case as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment), and this covenant shall survive any foreclosure or any modification, release or discharge of the Notes and this Agreement or the payment of the Notes and shall inure to the benefit of the holders and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 9.9.          Additional Notices. The Company will promptly notify the holders in writing of any material change by the Company or any Subsidiary in accounting policies, financial reporting practices (subject to Section 10.12) or attestation reports concerning internal controls pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Section 9.10.         Designation of Material Subsidiaries. Concurrently with the delivery of a Compliance Certificate, the Company shall from time to time designate one or more Subsidiaries as a Material Subsidiary in order to remain in compliance with the Material Subsidiary conditions, as set forth in the definition thereof. Upon such designation, Schedule 9.10 shall be deemed amended to include such new designated Material Subsidiaries.

 

Section 9.11.         Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans. (a) For each existing, or hereafter adopted, Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan administered by the Company or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries, the Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, comply with and perform in all material respects all of their material obligations under and in respect of such Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, including under any funding agreements and all applicable laws and regulations (including any funding, investment and administration obligations).

 

(b)          The Company will, and will cause each of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, withhold, pay or remit all Material employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)          The Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, deliver to the holders (i) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any material claim, direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary may receive from any applicable Canadian Governmental Authority or other claimant, except for regular claims for benefits with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan that can reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency); (ii) notification within 30 days of receipt of an actuarial report or accounting disclosure report that discloses any increases having a cost to the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate, in respect of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, and (iii) subject to Section 10.16, notification within thirty (30) days of the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan that has a “defined benefit provision” as that term is defined in the ITA, or the commencement of contributions to any such plan to which the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary participating thereof was not previously contributing that can be expected to give rise to an annual liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency).

 

(d)          The Company will, and will cause each Canadian Subsidiary to, withhold, pay or remit all material employer and employee contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of the Canadian Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation, and employment insurance legislation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

Section 9.12.         Notes to Rank Pari Passu. The Notes and all other obligations under this Agreement of the Company are and at all times shall remain direct and unsecured obligations of the Company ranking pari passu as against the assets of the Company with all other Notes from time to time issued and outstanding hereunder without any preference among themselves, and at least pari passu with all Indebtedness outstanding under any Material Credit Facility and all other present and future unsecured Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of the Company which is not expressed to be subordinate or junior in rank to any other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company, except to the extent that any Material Credit Facility becomes secured, then the Notes shall also become secured and shall rank at least pari passu therewith. The Company will ensure that the payment obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty will at all times rank at least pari passu , without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Section 9.13.         Subsidiary Guarantors. (a) The Company will cause each of its Subsidiaries that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility to concurrently therewith:

 

(i)          enter into an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders providing for the guaranty by such Subsidiary, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiary Guarantors, of (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the Company thereunder and (y) the performance, observance and discharge by the Company of each and every covenant, agreement, and duties required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it (a “Subsidiary Guaranty” ); and

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(ii)         deliver the following to each holder of a Note:

 

(A)         an executed counterpart of such Subsidiary Guaranty;

 

(B)         a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor to the same effect, mutatis mutandis , as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6 (consistent with the supplemental representations made by the Parent in the Assumption Agreement) and 5.7 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary and such Subsidiary Guaranty);

 

(C)         all documents as may be reasonably and customarily requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary Guarantor and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary Guarantor of the execution and delivery of such Subsidiary Guaranty and the performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations thereunder; and

 

(D)         an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders covering such customary matters relating to such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary Guaranty as the Required Holders may reasonably request.

 

(b)          At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantor may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under its Subsidiary Guaranty and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution and delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Subsidiary Guarantor is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Credit Facility, then such Subsidiary Guarantor has been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty) under such Material Credit Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under such Subsidiary Guaranty, (iv) if in connection with such Subsidiary Guarantor being released and discharged under any Material Credit Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness, in its capacity as a holder of such Indebtedness, under such Material Credit Facility for such release, other than the repayment of all or a portion of such Indebtedness, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this condition shall not apply to customary and usual fees paid in connection with the termination and replacement of a Material Credit Facility and out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection therewith), and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). In the event of any such release, for purposes of Section 10.1(k), all Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred concurrently with such release.

 

(c)          The Company shall at all times, directly or indirectly, own 100% of the equity interest of each Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 10.         Negative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 10.1.          Restrictions on Indebtedness. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness other than:

 

(a)          Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Bank Credit Agreement and the 2016 NPA (either on an unsecured basis or on a secured basis if the Notes are equally and ratably secured pari passu therewith);

 

(b)          Indebtedness existing on the date of the Assumption Agreement and set forth on Schedule 2 to the Assumption Agreement, including any renewals, extensions, refinancings and replacements thereof so long as the principal amount thereof (plus all accrued interest on such Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith, the amount of which may be included in the principal amount of any refinancing) is not increased;

 

(c)          incurrence of guaranty, suretyship or indemnification obligations in connection with the performance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of services for their respective customers in the ordinary course of their businesses;

 

(d)          so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom (including that the Company would not violate the covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 as a result thereof), Indebtedness of one of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any one Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary of the Company, which intercompany Indebtedness shall, in each case, be (x) unsecured, (y) subordinate to the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Notes in accordance with Section 24.11, and (z) in the case of any Permitted Intercompany Financing, subject to the requirements set forth in Section 10.4.3;

 

(e)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the acquisition or lease of any equipment or other property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Synthetic Lease, Capitalized Lease or other lease arrangement or purchase money financing;

 

(f)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to bonds for vehicle permits, facility or building permits, tipping or disposal fees, solid waste collections, solid waste transportation, closure and post-closure obligations relating to any landfill owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(g)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Swap Contracts (including Fuel Derivatives Obligations) entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(h)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit of Persons acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(i)          Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of IRBs; provided, that (a) such Indebtedness may be secured only to the extent such IRBs are L/C Supported IRBs and (b) after taking into account all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (i), the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness (with such amounts adjusted as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(j)          other secured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than as permitted under other subsections hereof), not in excess of $20,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

 

(k)          other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that, at the time of incurrence thereof, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 determined on a pro forma basis (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Indebtedness) (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds thereof) as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period, and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1(j) and this Section 10.1(k) shall not at any time exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Worth;

 

(l)          Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries under this Agreement and the Notes; and

 

(m)          Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables SPV in a Permitted Receivables Transaction.

 

Section 10.2         Restrictions on Liens. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, create or incur or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist any Lien of any kind upon any property or assets of any character, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles or chattel paper, with or without recourse, except as follows (the “Permitted Liens” ):

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(a)          Liens (i) to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges or (ii) on properties to secure claims for labor, material or supplies, in each case, in respect of obligations not overdue or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided that, if the obligation with respect to which any such Lien arises is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, such obligation may remain unpaid during the pendency of such proceedings as long as the Company or its applicable Subsidiary shall have set aside on their books adequate reserves with respect thereto);

 

(b)          deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment or performance of, or the provision of services by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to a customer, workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security obligations other than any Lien imposed by ERISA and not permitted pursuant to Section 10.7;

 

(c)          Liens in respect of judgments or awards (i) which have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the Company or its applicable Subsidiary shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review and in respect of which the Company or such Subsidiary maintains adequate reserves or (ii) that secure judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 11(i);

 

(d)          Liens of carriers, warehousemen, repairmen, landlords, mechanics and materialmen, and other like Liens, in existence less than 120 days from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not overdue, provided that such Liens may continue to exist for a period of more than 120 days if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be contested by the Company or its applicable Subsidiary in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Company or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto as required by GAAP and provided further that the Company or such Subsidiary will pay any such claim forthwith upon commencement of proceedings to foreclose any such Lien;

 

(e)          encumbrances on Real Estate consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and irregularities in the title thereto, landlord’s or lessor’s Liens under leases to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, and other minor Liens none of which in the opinion of the Company or such Subsidiary interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary, which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(f)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(e) incurred in connection with the lease or acquisition of property or fixed assets or industrial bond financings, provided that such Liens shall encumber only the property or assets so acquired or financed and shall not exceed the purchase price thereof;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(g)          Liens, whether created by contract, law, regulation or ordinance, securing Indebtedness permitted by Sections 10.1(c), (f) or (h); provided that any security granted therefor is limited to (i) rights to payment under, and use of equipment or related assets to perform, the contracts to which such guaranty, suretyship or bond obligations relate or is otherwise on terms (including subordination terms) permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, (ii) Liens arising under the laws of suretyship and (iii) similar Liens granted in favor of municipalities or other governmental entities pursuant to any Municipal Contract; provided, that such Liens (A) encumber only the containers, bins, carts and vehicles used in connection with such Municipal Contract and (B) are promptly released as soon as such release is not prohibited under the terms of such Municipal Contract;

 

(h)          Liens listed on Schedule 10.2 hereto;

 

(i)          Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1(i) in the form of L/C Supported IRBs;

 

(j)          Liens securing deposits made on account of liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;

 

(k)          (i) Liens granted to a Receivables SPV in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction and securing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries existing as of the date of the Assumption Agreement and listed on Schedule 2 to the Assumption Agreement in connection therewith and (ii) Liens of a Receivables SPV securing Indebtedness of such Receivables SPV permitted by Section 10.1(m); provided, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), that such Liens attach only to the accounts receivable which are the subject of such Indebtedness and to the Equity Interests of the Receivables SPV;

 

(l)          Liens granted in connection with secured Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 10.1(a) or (b); provided that no such Liens may secure any Indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility unless effective provision is made whereby the Notes will be equally and ratably secured with any and all such Indebtedness thereby secured pursuant to customary documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders;

 

(m)          good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders and contracts, deposits to secure public or statutory obligations and deposits to secure surety or appeal bonds or import duties or other obligations and arrangements described in Section 10.1(f), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)          Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository institution;

 

(o)          any Liens related to a sale and leaseback transaction permitted pursuant to Section 10.5;

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(p)          any Lien on cash or cash equivalents arising from any escrow or cash collateral account for the benefit of any hedge bank or other swap counterparty in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.1(g) with respect to a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(q)          any cash collateral required to be delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

Section 10.3.          Restrictions on Investments. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Investments other than:

 

(a)          ordinary course Investments made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time in cash and cash equivalents;

 

(b)          subject to Sections 10.1(d), 10.3(d)(solely in respect of the proviso thereof) and 10.4.3, Investments in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(c)          Investments consisting of guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.1; and

 

(d)          other Investments so long as (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 hereof, determined on a pro forma basis (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such Investment (with such amounts adjusted as if such Investment occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period), (ii) at the time of such Investment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (iii) to the extent such proposed Investment constitutes a transaction described in Section 10.4.1, the Company and its Subsidiaries comply with the additional requirements set forth in such Section 10.4.1; provided , that the aggregate amount of all Investments in non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Company shall not exceed 10% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.1 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements); provided, further, that the aggregate amount of all Investments of any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries on the date of the Assumption Agreement and in related businesses shall not exceed $200,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) at any time outstanding.

 

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Section 10.4.          Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.

 

Section 10.4.1.          Mergers, Amalgamations, Consolidations and Acquisitions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, become a party to any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or effect any asset acquisition or Equity Interest acquisition (other than, in each case, (i) the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps; (ii) the Merger Transactions, (iii) any Subsidiary may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Company or with any one or more Subsidiaries (an “Intercompany Business Combination” ); provided that (A) if any transaction shall be between the Company and a Subsidiary, the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person; (B) if any transaction shall be between a Subsidiary Guarantor and a Subsidiary (including a Subsidiary Guarantor), a Subsidiary Guarantor that is a constituent party to such transaction shall be (x) the continuing or surviving Person and (y) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, unless such other survivor shall be or become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company and becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13; and (C) if any transaction shall be between a Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person; or (iv) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect dispositions, sales, leases or other transfers permitted under Section 10.4.2 (such transactions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), an “Excluded Transaction” )), and except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.4.1. The Company and its Subsidiaries may purchase or otherwise acquire assets or the Equity Interests of any other Person (without limiting any Excluded Transaction) including any merger, amalgamation or consolidation to effect such purchase or acquisition; provided , that any Intercompany Business Combination must in all cases comply with clause (iii) above (the “Intercompany Business Combination Provisions” ); and provided further , that:

 

(i)          the Company and its Subsidiaries are in pro forma compliance with all of the financial covenants in Sections 10.13 and 10.14 (using Consolidated EBITDA of the Consolidated Group as of the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period (but including any addbacks to Consolidated EBITDA permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement during the period following the last day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period) and Consolidated Total Funded Debt as of the date of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition (with such amounts adjusted as if such acquisition occurred on the first day of the applicable Pro Forma Reference Period));

 

(ii)         at the time of such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and such acquisition will not otherwise create a Default or an Event of Default hereunder;

 

(iii)        to the extent the Company and its Subsidiaries use, directly or indirectly, any proceeds of the issuance of the Notes in connection with such acquisition, the Company or any Subsidiary shall not acquire any Person if the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Person to be acquired has not approved such acquisition (it being acknowledged that the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and with respect to asset swaps, in each case, to the extent not constituting an acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, shall not be subject to such board (or equivalent governing body) approval); and

 

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(iv)        to the extent such acquisition involves a Change in Control, such Change in Control is in accordance with Section 8.7.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 10.4.1 with respect to any transaction that may be otherwise permitted by this Section 10.4.1, (a) the Company shall not consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity, and (b) no Subsidiary Guarantor shall consummate any merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which it is not the surviving entity unless (i) any such other survivor shall be or become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company and shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.13, or (ii) such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is to effect a disposition permitted under Section 10.4.2.

 

Section 10.4.2.          Disposition of Assets. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall effect any disposition of assets, other than, in each case subject, if applicable, to compliance with the Intercompany Business Combination Provisions of Section 10.4.1: (a) the sale of inventory, the licensing of intellectual property and the disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of obsolete or surplus assets, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (b) a disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of assets from (i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to another Subsidiary of the Company or to the Company, (c) the sale or exchange of routes and related assets which in the business judgment of the Company does not, and will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than 12.5% of the value of the consolidated total assets of the Consolidated Group (as determined by reference to the most recent balance sheet delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.1 or, if earlier than the first delivery thereunder, as indicated on a combined basis terms in the Audited Financial Statements) over the term of this Agreement transferred in connection with an asset sale or swap, which sale or swap in the business judgment of the Company will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (e) the sale, lease, assignment, transfer or other disposition of Receivables in connection with any Permitted Receivables Transaction, and (f) any sale and leaseback transaction permitted by Section 10.5.

 

Section 10.4.3.          Permitted Intercompany Financings. The Company and its Subsidiaries may engage in Permitted Intercompany Financings with Transaction Subsidiaries; provided , that (x) the Permitted Intercompany Financings are consummated on terms permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement; and (y) the structure of and documentation evidencing the Permitted Intercompany Financings shall be permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, and, if requested, the Company shall provide the holders with copies of any and all documentation evidencing such Permitted Intercompany Financing. In addition, the Company shall deliver to the holders copies of all loan documents delivered to the agents under the Bank Credit Agreement in connection with such Permitted Intercompany Financings, including, without limitation, documentation necessary to evidence that no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result from the consummation of such Permitted Intercompany Financing.

 

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Section 10.5.          Sale and Leaseback. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall sell or transfer any property owned by either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in order then or thereafter to lease such property or lease other property which the Company or such Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred unless permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, except, in each case, where a disposition, sale, lease or other transfer is not prohibited under Section 10.4.2 and the Indebtedness arising therefrom is not prohibited under Section 10.1(j).

 

Section 10.6.          Restricted Payments and Redemptions. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payments ( provided, however, that neither the exercise of common stock purchase warrants or options to purchase common stock on a “cashless” exercise basis under the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans shall constitute a purchase or redemption of Equity Interests), except that (a)(i) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may make any Restricted Payment to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company and (ii) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made, (b) the Company may make any Restricted Payment so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would be created by the making of such Restricted Payment ( provided, that if as of the end of any fiscal quarter in any fiscal year (and after giving effect to any Indebtedness incurred to finance such Restricted Payment, if any), the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, as determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a), the Company shall not make Restricted Payments in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate in such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof; provided further, that if (x) the Company shall be prohibited from making Restricted Payments in excess of $500,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year as a result of the application of the foregoing Leverage Ratio and (y) the Company shall have previously made Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount greater than or equal to $500,000,000 during such fiscal year, the Company shall not be deemed to be in violation of this Section 10.6 as a result of such pre-existing Restricted Payments but shall not make any additional Restricted Payments for the remainder of such fiscal year, unless and until such time as the Consolidated Group shall have on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio of less than 3.00 to 1.00 as determined by reference to any subsequent Compliance Certificate delivered to the holders pursuant to Section 7.2(a) hereof), and (c) the Company may make cash payments to its employees and non-employee directors pursuant to one or more profit sharing, equity incentive or other benefit plan.

 

Section 10.7.          Employee Benefit Plans. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate will:

 

(a)          engage in any “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise incur any excise taxes under Sections 4971, 4975, 4980B or 4980D of the Code which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

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(b)          fail to satisfy the Pension Funding Rules with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or fail to meet or seek any waiver of the minimum funding standards or incur any funding shortfall (within the meaning of Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA or Sections 430 and 436 of the Code) with respect to any such Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(c)          fail to contribute to any Pension Plan to an extent which, or terminate any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) in a manner which, could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien securing material obligations (and in any event obligations in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) on any assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 303(k) or Section 4068 of ERISA or Section 430(k) of the Code; or

 

(d)          post any security pursuant to Section 436(f) of the Code or fail to meet the minimum required contribution payment obligations under Section 303(j) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(e)          permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit liability (within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA) of all Pension Plans (other than any Multiemployer Plans) exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any such Pension Plans with assets in excess of benefit liabilities which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate; or

 

(f)          incur any withdrawal liability within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA with respect to any Multiemployer Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability (and in any event not in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency)) for the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

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Section 10.8.          Burdensome Agreements. Except as required by any Municipal Contract, the 2016 NPA or the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or permit to exist any arrangement or agreement, enforceable under applicable law, which directly or indirectly prohibits the Company or such Subsidiary from (a) making Restricted Payments to the Company or any other Subsidiary or otherwise transferring property to or investing in the Company or any other Subsidiary, except for any such agreement or arrangement in effect at the time such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Company, so long as such agreement or arrangement was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary of the Company, (b) guaranteeing the Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary or (c) creating or incurring any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest or Lien in favor of an agent for the benefit of the holders other than customary anti-assignment provisions in leases and licensing agreements entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, in each case other than (A) any restriction with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary permitted under the terms of this Agreement pending the closing of such disposition, sale, lease or other transfer, (B) any restriction in the form of customary provisions with respect to disposition, sale, lease or other transfer of Investments held by the Company or a Subsidiary and permitted under the terms of this Agreement, (C) restrictions on specific assets which assets are the subject of purchase money security interests to the extent permitted under Section 10.2 solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness, (D) restrictions on any Receivables SPV or the Equity Interests, securities or other obligations thereof pursuant to customary documentation entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transaction, (E) any restriction pursuant to an agreement governing Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.1, including customary subordination provisions, (F) customary anti-assignment provisions contained in leases, licensing agreements and permits issued by Governmental Authorities, in each case entered into by the Company or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, and (G) in connection with restrictions imposed by applicable laws.

 

Section 10.9.          Business Activities. The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage directly or indirectly (whether through Subsidiaries or otherwise) in any type of business other than the businesses conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries on the date of the Assumption Agreement (after giving effect to the Merger Transactions) and in related businesses, except to the extent otherwise permitted under Sections 10.3 and 10.4.

 

Section 10.10.         Transactions with Affiliates. Except with respect to the Permitted Intercompany Financings, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will engage in any transaction with any non-Subsidiary Affiliate (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such non-Subsidiary Affiliate has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an arm’s-length basis in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Section 10.11.         Prepayments and Amendments of Indebtedness. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) prepay, redeem or repurchase any Indebtedness incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 10.1 (other than the obligations in respect of this Agreement and the Notes) hereof unless no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would be created thereby, or (b) amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of (i) any Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 2 to the Assumption Agreement in a manner materially adverse to the holders without the consent of the Required Holders, except for any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof permitted by Section 10.1, and (ii) the Bank Credit Agreement in a manner materially adverse to the holders without the consent of the Required Holders.

 

Section 10.12.         Accounting Changes. The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any change in its accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.

 

Section 10.13.         Leverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of (i)(x) Consolidated Total Funded Debt outstanding on such date less (y) the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a dollar-for-dollar basis as of such date in excess of $50,000,000 up to a maximum of $200,000,000 (such that the maximum amount of reduction pursuant to this subclause (y) does not exceed $150,000,000) to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period ending on such date (the “Leverage Ratio” ), to exceed 3.75:1.00.

 

Section 10.14.         Interest Coverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Consolidated Group, the ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Total Interest Expense, in each case for the Reference Period ending on such date, to be less than 2.75:1.00.

 

Section 10.15.         Economic Sanctions . The Company will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or controlled by an OFAC Blocked Person), own or control an OFAC Blocked Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction would be in violation of, or could result in the imposition of sanctions under, any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws applicable to the Company or such Controlled Entity, except, in the case of this clause (b), to the extent that such violation or sanctions, if imposed, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 10.16.         Canadian Pension and Benefit Plans . (a) Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, have any liability in respect of a new “multi-employer pension plan,” as that term is defined in Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (Canada) or equivalent provincial legislation, if such liabilities would exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

(b)          Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Canadian Subsidiaries to, establish, adopt or agree to contribute to any new Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA) or acquire any Person who sponsors, maintains, administers, or is or may be required to contribute to a Canadian Pension Plan with a defined benefit provision, if the hypothetical wind up deficit in respect of the Canadian Pension Plan is estimated to exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

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(c)          Unless permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Canadian Subsidiaries to, take any action to effect the full or partial termination, or to cause any Canadian Governmental Authority to order the full or partial termination, of any Canadian Pension Plan with a “defined benefit provision” (as that term is defined in the ITA), if such full or partial termination is estimated to give rise to a wind up deficit in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate.

 

Section 11.         Events of Default.

 

An “Event of Default” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a)          any Obligor defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or

 

(b)          any Obligor defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note or any LIBOR Breakage Amount for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

 

(c)          the Company defaults in (i) the payment of any amount payable pursuant to Section 23 for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable, or (ii) the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Section 7.1(d) or Section 10 or any covenant in a Supplement which provides that it shall have the benefit of this paragraph (c); or

 

(d)          the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or in any Supplement (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or

 

(e)          any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of the Company or by any officer of the Company in this Agreement (including any Supplement) or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

 

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(f)          (i) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of greater than $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) ( “Threshold Indebtedness” ) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Threshold Indebtedness or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such Threshold Indebtedness or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Threshold Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Threshold Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than (A) the passage of time, (B) the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into equity interests, (C) any event that would also give rise to an offer of prepayment or repayment of the Notes under this Agreement in connection with a Change in Control, (D) any Designated Prepayment Event or (E) a repayment right resulting from a “due-on-sale” provision in any mortgage), (x) the Company or any Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Subsidiary so to purchase or repay Threshold Indebtedness; provided that, notwithstanding anything else to the contrary, the occurrence of any Change of Control under any other note purchase agreement or any Designated Prepayment Event shall not be an Event of Default under this clause (f); or

 

(g)          the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, debtor relief laws or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, or any such petition shall be filed against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary and such petition shall not be dismissed or stayed within 60 days; or

 

(h)          any event occurs with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary which under the laws of any jurisdiction is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g); or

 

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(i)          a final judgment or judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $35,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) (excluding judgments in which an insurer has acknowledged in writing that it is liable for such judgment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Company and any Subsidiary and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, satisfied, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged, stayed or satisfied within 60 days after the expiration of such stay after taking into account any undisputed insurance coverage; or

 

(j)          any Subsidiary Guarantor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in any Subsidiary Guaranty and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(j); or

 

(k)          any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor in any Subsidiary Guaranty or any writing furnished in connection with such Subsidiary Guaranty proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

 

(l)          any Subsidiary Guaranty shall cease to be in full force and effect (except if released in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement), any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Subsidiary Guaranty, or the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under any Subsidiary Guaranty are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guaranty; or

 

(m)          the Company at any time legally or beneficially owns less than 100% of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary Guarantor (directly or indirectly); or

 

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(n)          if (i) any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans), determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $35,000,000, or the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a Multiemployer Plan requiring aggregate annual payments exceeding $5,000,000, (iv) the aggregate present value of accrued benefit liabilities under all funded Non-U.S. Plans exceeds the aggregate current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plans allocable to such liabilities, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (vi) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, or is a participant in a Multiemployer Plan at the time of a termination thereof, (vii) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder, (viii) the Company or any Subsidiary fails to administer or maintain a Non-U.S. Plan in compliance with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations or court orders or any Non-U.S. Plan is involuntarily terminated or wound up, in either case giving rise to a liability in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency), or (ix) the Company or any Subsidiary becomes subject to the imposition of a Material financial penalty (which for this purpose shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (ix) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Section 11(n), the terms “employee benefit plan” and “employee welfare benefit plan” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

Section 12.         Remedies on Default, Etc.

 

Section 12.1.          Acceleration . (a) If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

(b)          If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at their option, by notice or notices to any Obligor, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

 

(c)          If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.

 

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Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount and LIBOR Breakage Amount determined in respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. Each Obligor acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by any Obligor (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Obligors in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.

 

Section 12.2.          Other Remedies . If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

 

Section 12.3.          Rescission . At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders by written notice to any Obligor, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Obligors have paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, on any Notes, that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) none of the Obligors nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 12.4.          No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc . No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement or by any Note upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Obligors under Section 15, the Obligors will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements.

 

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Section 13.         Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes.

 

Section 13.1.          Registration of Notes . The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register (or a copy thereof if such register is maintained by an agent of the Company) for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes (including pursuant to Section 21). The name and address (including e-mail address, if applicable) of each holder of one or more Notes, the principal amount and stated interest owing to each holder of the Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address (including e-mail address, if applicable) of, and the principal amount and stated interest of the Notes owing to, each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall (or shall cause its agent to) give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes. No service charge will be imposed on any holder of a Note for any exchange or registration of transfer, but the Company may require payment by the relevant holder of sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with such registration of transfer or exchange to a Person other than the Company or its Affiliates.

 

Section 13.2.          Transfer and Exchange of Notes . Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(a)(iv)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof) within ten Business Days thereafter the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company’s expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches) as requested by the holder thereof in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto or Exhibit 1 of the appropriate Supplement, as applicable. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representations set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 23(k), and the Company shall not be obligated to register any Note in the name of any transferee who cannot make the representations set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 23(k) or with respect to any transfer that would result in a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA.

 

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Section 13.3.          Replacement of Notes . Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(a)(iv)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

 

(a)          in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $50,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

 

(b)          in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

 

within ten Business Days thereafter the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches), dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

Section 14.         Payments on Notes.

 

Section 14.1.          Place of Payment . Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount or LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.2.          Home Office Payment . So long as any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Purchaser’s nominee or such Additional Purchaser’s nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount or LIBOR Breakage Amount, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in Schedule A hereto, or, in the case of any Additional Purchaser’s Schedule A attached to any Supplement pursuant to which such Additional Purchaser is a party, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser or Additional Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by any Purchaser or Additional Purchaser or such Person’s nominee, such Person will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes of the same series (and of the same tranche if such series has multiple tranches) pursuant to Section 13.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 14.2.

 

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Section 15.         Expenses, Etc.

 

Section 15.1.          Transaction Expenses . Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company will pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees of one special counsel for the Purchasers and any Additional Purchasers, as a group, and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including, without limitation: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement (including any Supplement), any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any Supplement) and by the Notes and any Subsidiary Guaranty and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO, provided that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $4,000 for each series or tranche of Notes. The Company will pay, and will save each Purchaser, each Additional Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes). If required by the NAIC, the Company shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). For the avoidance of doubt, costs and expenses shall include any Registration Duty. This Section 15.1 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages or similar charges arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

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Section 15.2.          Certain Taxes. The Company agrees to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement (including any Supplement) or any Subsidiary Guaranty or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or Canada or any other jurisdiction of organization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement (including any Supplement) or any Subsidiary Guaranty or of any of the Notes, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Company pursuant to this Section 15, except in each case for any such taxes or fees arising out of a transfer or assignment of the Notes (or any other interest with respect thereto) by or on behalf of any Purchaser, and will save each Purchaser and each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Company hereunder.

 

Section 15.3.          Survival . The obligations of the Company under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, any Supplement, any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement or any Supplement.

 

Section 16.         Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.

 

All representations and warranties contained herein or in any Supplement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, such Supplement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Company under this Agreement, provided, that the representations and warranties contained in any Supplement shall only be made for the benefit of the Additional Purchasers which are party to such Supplement and the holders of the Notes issued pursuant to such Supplement, including subsequent holders of any Note issued pursuant to such Supplement, and shall not require the consent of the holders of existing Notes. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement (including every Supplement), the Notes and any Subsidiary Guaranty embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Purchasers and the Additional Purchasers and the Company and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 17.         Amendment and Waiver.

 

Section 17.1.          Requirements . (a) This Agreement (including any Supplement) and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, except that (i) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 21 hereof or the corresponding provision of any Supplement, or any defined term (as it is used in any such Section or such corresponding provision of any Supplement), will be effective as to any holder of Notes unless consented to by such holder of Notes in writing, and (ii) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (A) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (B) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (C) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17 or 20 (or any corresponding provision in a Supplement). In addition, except as expressly provided in Section 9.8(a) in which no consent of the holders of Notes shall be required, the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” may be amended with the written consent of the Obligors and the Required Holders, provided that, during the existence of a Default or Event of Default, no Obligor may be removed from its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes and become an Excluded Subsidiary without the written consent of the Obligors and each holder of Notes.

 

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(b)           Supplements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Obligors may enter into any Supplement providing for the issuance of one or more series of Additional Notes consistent with Sections 1.2 and 4.12 hereof without obtaining the consent of any holder of any other series of Notes.

 

(c)           Consent in Contemplation of Transfer . Any consent made pursuant to this Section 17 by a holder of Notes that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Notes to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Company and has provided or has agreed to provide such written consent as a condition to such transfer shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.

 

Section 17.2.          Solicitation of Holders of Notes .

 

(a)           Solicitation . The Obligors will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof, any Supplement or of the Notes. The Obligors will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

 

(b)           Payment . None of the Obligors will directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or any Supplement unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

 

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Section 17.3.          Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Obligors without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between any Obligor and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term “this Agreement” and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented.

 

Section 17.4.          Notes Held by Obligors, Etc . Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by any Obligor or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

Section 18.         Notices; English Language.

 

(a)          Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (x) by telecopy or other electronic transmission, (y) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid) or (z) by an internationally recognized commercial delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

 

(i)          if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,

 

(ii)         if to an Additional Purchaser or its nominee, to such Additional Purchaser or its nominee at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A to any Supplement, or at such other address as such Additional Purchaser or its nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing;

 

(iii)        if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing; or

 

(iv)        if to the Company, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.

 

Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

 

(b)          Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.

 

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(c)          This Agreement and the Notes have been prepared and signed in English and the parties hereto agree that the English version hereof and thereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in Canada or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.

 

Section 19.         Reproduction of Documents.

 

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing or by any Additional Purchaser (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital or other similar process and such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

 

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Section 20.         Confidential Information.

 

For the purposes of this Section 20, “Confidential Information” means information delivered to any Purchaser or any Additional Purchaser by or on behalf of any Obligor or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser as being confidential information of the Obligors or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser or any person acting on such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser other than through disclosure by any Obligor or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of any Obligor (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser’s investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s or such Additional Purchaser Notes and this Agreement. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by any Obligor in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Obligors embodying the provisions of this Section 20.

 

Section 21.         Substitution of Purchaser.

 

Each Purchaser and each Additional Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Obligors, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser and such Affiliate, shall contain such Affiliate’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Affiliate of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such notice, any reference to such Purchaser or such Additional Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall be deemed to refer to such Affiliate in lieu of such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser. In the event that such Affiliate is so substituted as a Purchaser or an Additional Purchaser hereunder and such Affiliate thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Affiliate, upon receipt by any Obligor of notice of such transfer, any reference to such Affiliate as a “Purchaser” or an “Additional Purchaser” in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Affiliate, but shall refer to such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser, and such original Purchaser or such original Additional Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of the Notes under this Agreement.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 22.         Prepayment for Tax Reasons; Noteholder Sanctions Event.

 

Section 22.1.          Prepayment for Tax Reasons . (a) If at any time as a result of a Change in Tax Law (as defined below) the Company is or becomes obligated to make any Additional Payments (as defined below) in respect of any payment on account of any of the Notes, the Company may give the holders of all affected Notes irrevocable written notice (each, a “Tax Prepayment Notice” ) of the prepayment of such affected Notes on a specified prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice) and the circumstances giving rise to the obligation of the Company to make any Additional Payments and the amount thereof and stating that all of the affected Notes shall be prepaid on the date of such prepayment at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount, except in the case of an affected Note if the holder of such Note shall, by written notice given to the Company no more than 20 days after receipt of the Tax Prepayment Notice, reject such prepayment of such Note (each, a “Rejection Notice” ). The form of Rejection Notice shall also accompany the Tax Prepayment Notice and shall state with respect to each Note covered thereby that execution and delivery thereof by the holder of such Note shall operate as a permanent waiver of such holder’s right to receive the Additional Payments arising as a result of the circumstances described in the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of all future payments on such Note (but not of such holder’s right to receive any Additional Payments that arise out of circumstances not described in the Tax Prepayment Notice or which exceed the amount of the Additional Payment described in the Tax Prepayment Notice), which waiver shall be binding upon all subsequent transferees of such Note. The Tax Prepayment Notice having been given as aforesaid to each holder of the affected Notes, the principal amount of such Notes together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment shall become due and payable on such prepayment date, except in the case of Notes the holders of which shall timely give a Rejection Notice as aforesaid.

 

(b)          No prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 22.1 shall affect the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Payments in respect of any payment made on or prior to the date of such prepayment. For purposes of this Section 22.1, any holder of more than one affected Note may act separately with respect to each affected Note so held (with the effect that a holder of more than one affected Note may accept such offer with respect to one or more affected Notes so held and reject such offer with respect to one or more other affected Notes so held).

 

(c)          The Company may not offer to prepay or prepay Notes pursuant to this Section 22.1 (i) if a Default or Event of Default then exists, (ii) until the Company shall have taken commercially reasonable steps to mitigate the requirement to make the related Additional Payments or (iii) if the obligation to make such Additional Payments directly results or resulted from actions taken by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than actions required to be taken under applicable law), and any Tax Prepayment Notice given pursuant to this Section 22.1 shall certify to the foregoing and describe such mitigation steps, if any.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(d)          For purposes of this Section 22.1: “Additional Payments” means additional amounts (including any related indemnity) required to be paid to a holder of any Note pursuant to Section 23 by reason of a Change in Tax Law; and a “Change in Tax Law” means (individually or collectively with one or more prior changes) (i) an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation of Canada or any other Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Assumption Agreement, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation after the date of the Assumption Agreement which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets the opinion and certification requirements described below or (ii) in the case of any other jurisdiction that becomes a Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Assumption Agreement an amendment to, or change in, any law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation of such jurisdiction, or an amendment to, or change in, an official interpretation or application of such law, treaty, protocol, rule or regulation, in any case after such jurisdiction shall have become a Taxing Jurisdiction, which amendment or change is in force and continuing and meets such opinion and certification requirements. No such amendment or change shall constitute a Change in Tax Law unless the same would in the opinion of the Company (which shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of the Company, which shall be delivered to all holders of the Notes prior to or concurrently with the Tax Prepayment Notice in respect of such Change in Tax Law) affect the deduction or require the withholding of any Tax imposed by such Taxing Jurisdiction on any payment payable on the Notes.

 

Section 22.2.          Prepayment in Connection with a Noteholder Sanctions Event .

 

(a)          Upon the Company’s receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred (which notice shall refer specifically to this Section 22.2(a) and describe in reasonable detail such Noteholder Sanctions Event), the Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, make an offer (the “Sanctions Prepayment Offer” ) to prepay the entire unpaid principal amount of Notes held by such Affected Noteholder (the “Affected Notes” ), together with interest thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company with respect to each Affected Note but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto, which prepayment shall be on a Business Day not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the date of the Sanctions Prepayment Offer (the “Sanctions Prepayment Date” ). Such Sanctions Prepayment Offer shall provide that such Affected Noteholder notify the Company in writing by a stated date (the “Sanctions Prepayment Response Date” ), which date is not later than 10 Business Days prior to the stated Sanctions Prepayment Date, of its acceptance or rejection of such prepayment offer. If such Affected Noteholder does not notify the Company as provided above, then the holder shall be deemed to have accepted such offer.

 

(b)          Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (c) and (d) of this Section 8.4, the Company shall prepay on the Sanctions Prepayment Date the entire unpaid principal amount of the Affected Notes held by such Affected Noteholder who has accepted (or has been deemed to have accepted) such prepayment offer (in accordance with subparagraph (a)), together with interest thereon to the Sanctions Prepayment Date with respect to each such Affected Note, but without payment of any Make-Whole Amount with respect thereto.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)          If a Noteholder Sanctions Event has occurred but the Company and/or its Controlled Entities have taken such action(s) in relation to their activities so as to remedy such Noteholder Sanctions Event (with the effect that a Noteholder Sanctions Event no longer exists, as reasonably determined by such Affected Noteholder) prior to the Sanctions Prepayment Date, then the Company shall no longer be obliged or permitted to prepay such Affected Notes in relation to such Noteholder Sanctions Event. If the Company and/or its Controlled Entities shall undertake any actions to remedy any such Noteholder Sanctions Event, the Company shall keep the holders reasonably and timely informed of such actions and the results thereof.

 

(d)          If any Affected Noteholder that has given written notice to the Company of its acceptance of (or has been deemed to have accepted) the Company’s prepayment offer in accordance with subparagraph (a) also gives notice to the Company prior to the relevant Sanctions Prepayment Date that it has determined (in its sole discretion) that it requires clearance from any Governmental Authority in order to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4, the principal amount of each Note held by such Affected Noteholder, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of prepayment, shall become due and payable on the later to occur of (but in no event later than the Maturity Date of the relevant Note) (i) such Sanctions Prepayment Date and (ii) the date that is 10 Business Days after such Affected Noteholder gives notice to the Company that it is entitled to receive a prepayment pursuant to this Section 8.4 (which may include payment to an escrow account designated by such Affected Noteholder to be held in escrow for the benefit of such Affected Noteholder until such Affected Noteholder obtains such clearance from such Governmental Authority), and in any event, any such delay in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be deemed to give rise to any Default or Event of Default.

 

(e)          Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days, after the Company’s receipt of notice from any Affected Noteholder that a Noteholder Sanctions Event shall have occurred with respect to such Affected Noteholder, the Company shall forward a copy of such notice to each other holder of Notes.

 

(f)          The Company shall promptly, and in any event within 10 Business Days, give written notice to the holders after the Company or any Controlled Entity having been notified that (i) its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (ii) it is in violation of, or is subject to the imposition of sanctions under, any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, in each case which notice shall describe the facts and circumstances thereof and set forth the action, if any, that the Company or a Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(g)          The foregoing provisions of this Section 22.2 shall be in addition to any rights or remedies available to any holder of Notes that may arise under this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Noteholder Sanctions Event; provided , that, if the Notes shall have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 as a result of the events, conditions or actions of the Company or its Controlled Entities that gave rise to a Noteholder Sanctions Event, the remedies set forth in Section 12 shall control.

 

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Section 23.         Tax Indemnification; FATCA Information.

 

(a)          All payments whatsoever under this Agreement and the Notes will be made by the Company in lawful currency of the United States of America free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future Taxes of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction (other than the United States or any political subdivision thereof) in which (i) the Company is then incorporated or resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or (ii) through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company (or, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (hereinafter a “Taxing Jurisdiction” ), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.

 

(b)          If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by the Company under this Agreement or the Notes, the Company will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder of a Note such additional amounts, as additional interest on the Notes as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Notes after such deduction, withholding or payment (including any required deduction or withholding of Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Agreement or the Notes before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:

 

(i)          any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder or beneficial owner (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder or beneficial owner, if such holder or beneficial owner is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder or beneficial owner to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof, including such holder or beneficial owner (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident or national thereof, having been organized under the laws thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein;

 

(ii)         any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder or beneficial owner (following a written request by, or by an agent of, the Company) in the accurate filing with the Company or the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder or beneficial owner to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms would not (in such holder’s reasonable judgment) result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b)(ii) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of, or an agent of, the Company no later than 30 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof);

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(iii)        any Tax imposed under FATCA;

 

(iv)        any Tax which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or with respect to the Notes;

 

(v)         any Taxes that are imposed or withheld as a result of the presentation of the Notes for payment more than 30 days after the relevant payment is first made available for payment to the holder or beneficial owners (except to the extent the holder would have been entitled to additional amounts had the note been presented on the last day of such 30 day period);

 

(vi)        any Tax that would not have been imposed if the holder dealt, at the applicable time, at “arm’s length” with the Company, and is not a “specified shareholder” of the Company or a person who does not deal at arm's length, with such a specified shareholder, all within the meaning of the ITA; or

 

(vii)       any combination of clauses (i) and (vi) above;

 

provided further that in no event shall the Company be obligated to pay such additional amounts to any holder (i) not resident in the United States of America in excess of the amounts that the Company would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between Canada and the United States of America or (ii) registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and the Company shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.

 

(c)          By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b)(ii) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly and accurately complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by, or by an agent of, the Company all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by the Company (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, “Forms” ) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the jurisdiction of the holder and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide the Company and, if applicable, its agent with such information with respect to such holder as the Company may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms or comply with any backup withholding and information withholding requirements, provided that nothing in this Section 23 shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided further that each such holder shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to the Company and, if applicable, its agent or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority, whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of the Company (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.

 

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(d)          On or before the date of the Assumption Agreement, the Company will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in Canada pursuant to Section 23(b)(ii), if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note the Company will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.

 

(e)          If any payment is made by the Company to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by the Company pursuant to this Section 23, then, if such holder at its sole discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund, relief, remission or repayment of such Taxes, such holder shall, without unreasonable delay, reimburse to the Company such amount as such holder shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in Section 23(b)(ii)) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.

 

(f)          The Company will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by the Company of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Agreement or the Notes, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of the Company, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.

 

(g)          If the Company is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which the Company would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 23, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then the Company will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by the Company) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(h)          If the Company makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note, including for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to Section 23(g) and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from the Company (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by the Company, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.

 

(i)          The obligations of the Company under this Section 23 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 23 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.

 

(j)          (i) Each holder that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code hereby agrees to deliver to the Company, on or before the later of the date of the Assumption Agreement and the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, either a completed and signed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 or other successor form, together with applicable attachments), as may be applicable to it, as required in order to claim the applicable U.S. withholding exemption.

 

(ii)         Each holder that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code, agrees to deliver to the Company, on or before the later of the date of the Assumption Agreement and the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 (or other successor form) certifying that such holder is completely exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax.

 

(iii)        Each holder agrees to deliver, on or before the later of the date of the Assumption Agreement and the date it becomes a holder under this Agreement and thereafter upon reasonable request of the Company, the applicable tax form or documentation as required in order to claim an exemption from any taxes imposed under FATCA (including, solely for this purpose, any amendments after the date hereof).

 

(iv)        If the holder is not the beneficial owner of the Notes, the representations in Section 23(k) and the covenants set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above shall apply with respect to the beneficial owners. The holders shall collect the tax documentation described above in clauses (i) through (iii) from the beneficial owners and, if the holder is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30), forward the beneficial owner tax documentation to the Company along with a completed and signed IRS Form W-8IMY (or other successor form) and, if the holder is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30), submit a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 for such holder.

 

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(v)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to pay any additional amounts or any indemnity or other payment under this Section 23 or otherwise to or for the account of any holders or beneficial owners for any Taxes resulting from a holder’s or beneficial owner’s breach of Section 23(k) or this Section 23(j), (ii) holders and beneficial owners hereby severally agree to indemnify the Company (to the extent permitted by applicable law) for any such Taxes imposed on or collected from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including any such Taxes imposed or collected with respect to any intercompany loan or other financing with or among Subsidiaries of the Company) resulting from such breach, and (iii) the Company shall be entitled to treat the Notes as issued directly by a Subsidiary that is a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes and make any deduction or withholding of U.S. federal income tax accordingly and on the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to this Section 23(j).

 

(vi)        For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the references to “Purchaser” in Section 23(k) and references to “holder” in this Section 23(j) shall be read interchangeably and (ii) the terms “holder” and “beneficial owner” in Section 23(k) or this Section 23(j) shall be in reference to both the holders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any nominees) and beneficial owners of the Notes as of the date of the Assumption Agreement and any subsequent holders and beneficial owners, respectively.

 

(k)          (i) Each Purchaser and each holder that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code hereby represents that, as of the date of the Assumption Agreement or, if later, the date such holder becomes a holder of a Note, (x) it qualifies for a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments of interest pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty to which the United States is a party; (y) it could claim the portfolio interest exemption (with respect to payments of interest on the Notes if the Notes were treated as issued by a Subsidiary that is a United States person) and is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; or (z) such Purchaser's interest from the Notes will be effectively connected with a trade or business in the United States, and, in each case, such Purchaser thereby qualifies for a complete exemption from any U.S. withholding taxes (other than taxes imposed under FATCA, which shall be addressed under Section 23(k)(ii) below).

 

(ii) Each Purchaser and each holder represents that, as of the date of the Assumption Agreement or, if later, the date such holder becomes a holder of a Note, in regard to payments of interest and principal on the Notes (if the Notes were treated as if they were issued by a Subsidiary that is a United States person), it (and any intermediary through which it will hold its Notes) qualifies for a complete exemption from any taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Section 24.         Miscellaneous.

 

Section 24.1.          Successors and Assigns . All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement (including all covenants and other agreements contained in any Supplement) by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and permitted assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 24.2.          Payments Due on Non-Business Days . Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.2 that notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

 

Section 24.3.          Accounting Terms . (a) Generally. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of “Indebtedness” ), any election by the Company to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 –  Fair Value Option , International Accounting Standard 39 –  Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.

 

(b)           Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in this Agreement, and either the Company or the Required Holders shall so request, the holders and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Holders); provided , that until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Company shall provide to the holders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)           Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Company is required to consolidate pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

 

Section 24.4.          Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 24.5.          Construction, Etc . Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13, (b) subject to Section 24.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules, Exhibits and Supplements attached to this Agreement shall be deemed to be a part hereof.

 

Section 24.6.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 24.7.          Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

Section 24.8.          Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . (a) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Notes. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(b)          The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 24.8(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.

 

(c)          The Company consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 24.8(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (or any substantially similar form of mail) postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, or delivering a copy thereof in the manner for delivery of notices specified in Section 18, to Waste Connections US, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as its agent for the purpose of accepting service of any process in the United States. The Company agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

 

(d)          Nothing in this Section 24.8 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 

(e)           The parties hereto hereby waive trial by jury in any action brought on or with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 24.9.          Obligation to Make Payment in Dollars. Any payment on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under the Notes in Dollars which is made to or for the account of any holder in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the realization of any security or the liquidation of the Company, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of the Company under this Agreement or the Notes only to the extent of the amount of Dollars which such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of Dollars that could be so purchased is less than the amount of Dollars originally due to such holder, the Company agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against all loss or damage arising out of or as a result of such deficiency. This indemnity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term “London Banking Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.

 

Section 24.10.         Interest Act (Canada) . (a) To the extent permitted under applicable law, any provision of the Interest Act (Canada) or the Judgment Interest Act (Alberta) which restricts any rate of interest set forth herein shall be inapplicable to this Agreement and is hereby waived by the Company.

 

(b)          The theory of deemed reinvestment shall not apply to the calculation of interest or payment of fees or other amounts hereunder, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, acceptance or other evidence of indebtedness or in any other agreement relating to the Notes now or hereafter taken by any holder for the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, or any other instrument referred to herein, and all interest and fees payable by the Company to the holders, shall accrue from day to day, computed as described herein or in the Notes in accordance with the “nominal rate” method of interest calculation.

 

(c)          Where, in this Agreement or in the Notes, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 365/366-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 365 or 366, as applicable. Where, in this Agreement, any rate of interest, fees or discount is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, such rate is, for the purpose of the Interest Act (Canada), equivalent to the said rate (i) multiplied by the actual number of days in the one year period beginning on the first day of the period of calculation and (ii) divided by 360.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 24.11.         Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness . (a) The Company, for itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries (each, a “Subordinating Note Party” ), covenants and agrees, in their respective capacities as issuers or holders of any principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any company), fees, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees and any other sum chargeable to any Subordinating Note Party or due in respect of the aggregate unpaid amount of all advances, indebtedness, loans, payables and other extensions of credit and obligations made by a Subordinating Note Party to another Subordinating Note Party as holder (the “Intercompany Indebtedness” ), that the payment of any Intercompany Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Section 24.11, to the payment in full of all obligations under this Agreement, any Subsidiary Guaranty and the Notes (collectively, the “Obligations” ), and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of the Notes. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (1) as to any Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Note Party may make and receive any (x) payments of principal and interest, including, without limitation, prepayments of principal, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Permitted Intercompany Financings to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 24.11 and (2) as to Intercompany Indebtedness other than Permitted Intercompany Financings, any Subordinating Note Party may make and receive any (x) regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest as and when due, (y) applicable expense or indemnity payments payable in accordance with the terms thereof and (z) refinancings, replacements, renewals or extensions of such Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by this Agreement and subordinate to the Obligations in accordance with this Section 24.11;  provided , that in the event that any Subordinating Note Party receives any payment of any such Intercompany Indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Subordinating Note Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the holders of Notes ( provided that, in the event that any other holder of senior Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement has the same right to receive such payments, the Company shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable agent and to the holders of such other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)).

 

(b)          Each of the Subordinating Note Parties, for itself and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, by its acceptance of any Intercompany Indebtedness, (i) authorizes the Required Holders to demand specific performance of the terms of this Section 24.11 at any time when any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness shall have failed to comply with any provisions of this Section 24.11 which are applicable to it and (ii) irrevocably waives to the extent permitted under applicable law any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

(c)          Upon any distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party in any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise): (i) the holders of the Notes shall first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the Obligations before any holder of Intercompany Indebtedness is entitled to receive any payment on account of such Intercompany Indebtedness; (ii) any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which any such holder of Intercompany Indebtedness would be entitled except for the provisions of this Section 24.11(c), shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution directly to the holders of the Notes, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all Obligations remaining unpaid after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provisions therefor to the holders of the Notes; (iii) in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 24.11(c), any payment or distribution of assets of any Subordinating Note Party of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by any such holder of Intercompany Indebtedness on account of Intercompany Indebtedness before the discharge of the Obligations, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for and shall be paid over to the holders of the Notes, for application to the payment of the Obligations, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution or provision therefor to such holders of the Notes ( provided that, in the event that any other holder of senior Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement has the same right to receive such payments, the Company shall be permitted to pay such payment or distribution to the applicable agent and holders of such other senior Indebtedness on a pari passu basis, pro rata, based on outstanding principal amount (so long as such other senior Indebtedness contains a similar pari passu provision)), and (iv) no right of the holders of the Notes to enforce the subordination provisions herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Subordinating Note Party. If, for any reason, any of the trusts expressed to be created in this Section 24.11(c)(iii) should fail or be unenforceable, the affected Subordinating Note Party will promptly pay or distribute any such payment or distribution of assets to the holders of the Notes for application to the payment of the Obligations in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

(d)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the foregoing subordination shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is made and such payment or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the holders of the Notes in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any debtor relief law or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 24.12 .          Interpretation . As to any definition purportedly to be effective only as to certain holders not party to the Sixth Amendment, if any, pursuant to Section 17.1(a)(i), the operative definitions shall be the ones attached hereto in the defined term section to the maximum extent permitted hereunder, or otherwise be the terms used immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Sixth Amendment solely as to such holders which are not party to such Sixth Amendment, if any, in respect of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 21.

 

Section 24.13         Waiver of Offers. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary herein, any rejection of an offer (or other waiver) by a holder of a Note under this Agreement may be made in advance of such offer being made if rejected in a writing signed by such holder.

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 24.14       Clarification of “Obligors”. For purposes of clarification, this Agreement was entered into originally by the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries as co-obligors (defined collectively as the “Obligors”), and each Note was issued by each such Obligor as co-obligors. Pursuant to Section 1.1 of the Sixth Amendment, each Obligor (other than the Parent) was released and discharged from this Agreement and the Notes upon the assumption of this Agreement by the Parent and, to the extent required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement following the effectiveness of the Assumption Agreement, the execution and delivery of the Subsidiary Guaranty by each such Obligor (other than the Parent), and such Subsidiary Obligor’s obligations under this Agreement and the Notes were reconstituted in the form of the Subsidiary Guaranty, in accordance with the terms thereof and the terms of this Agreement.

 

*    *    *    *    *

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to any Obligor, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Obligors.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  [Signature Blocks]

 

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Waste Connections, Inc. Note Purchase Agreement

 

This Agreement is hereby accepted and agreed to as of the date thereof.

 

  [Variation]
   
  By  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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D efined Terms

 

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:

 

“2016 NPA” means the Master Note Purchase Agreement among Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation, and the purchasers named therein, to be entered into on or around June 1, 2016, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Additional Notes” is defined in Section 1.2.

 

“Additional Purchasers” means purchasers of Additional Notes.

 

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means for each Interest Period with respect to any Floating Rate Note a rate per annum equal to the rate set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes is issued.

 

“Affected Noteholder” is defined within the definition of “Noteholder Sanctions Event.”

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of any other Person under Rule 144(a) promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof, if such other Person were issuing securities.

 

“Agreement” means this Master Note Purchase Agreement as amended by the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Third Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment and the Sixth Amendment, and as the same may be further amended, restated, assumed, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Anti-Terrorism Order” means Executive Order No. 13,224 of September 24, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit or Support Terrorism, 66 U.S. Fed. Reg. 49, 079 (2001), as amended.

 

“Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation” means, at any time, any Canadian pension minimum standards legislation (be it Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or otherwise) then applicable to the Company and its Canadian Subsidiaries.

 

“Assumption Agreement” means the Assumption and Exchange Agreement pursuant to which Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation, assumes the obligations of Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation, under this Agreement and the Notes.

 

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on the balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments thereunder that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such Synthetic Lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

 

 

Schedule B

(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 
   

 

Audited Financial Statements ” means each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its then existing Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Company and its then existing Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto and (ii) the audited consolidated balance sheet of WCN and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of WCN and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

“Bank Credit Agreement” means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, by and among the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada branch, as the global agent, Bank of America, N.A., as the U.S. agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto, as amended, restated, joined, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and any renewals, extensions or replacements thereof, which constitute the primary bank credit facility of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury ( “OFAC” ) (an “OFAC Listed Person” ) (ii) an agent, department, or instrumentality of, or Person beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, (x) any OFAC Listed Person or (y) any Person, entity, organization, foreign country or regime that is subject to any OFAC Sanctions Program, or (iii) a Person otherwise blocked, subject to sanctions under or engaged in any activity in violation of other United States economic sanctions, including but not limited to, the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, CISADA or any similar law or regulation with respect to Iran or any other country, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, any OFAC Sanctions Program, or any economic sanctions regulations administered and enforced by the United States or any enabling legislation or executive order relating to any of the foregoing (collectively, “U.S. Economic Sanctions” ).

 

“Business Day” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.6 only (and any other comparable Section set forth in a Supplement), any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Folsom, California are required or authorized to be closed.

 

“Canadian Benefit Plan” means an employee benefit plan, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Canadian Subsidiaries, for the benefit of the employees, former employees, directors, and contractors of the Company or any of such Canadian Subsidiaries employed or engaged in Canada including all profit sharing, incentive compensation, savings, supplemental retirement, retiring allowance, severance, deferred compensation (including stock option, share award and equity-based plans), welfare, bonus, supplementary unemployment benefit plans or arrangements and all life, health, dental and disability plans and arrangements; provided , however that “Canadian Benefit Plan” shall not include the Canadian Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan, or any plan required to be provided under federal, provincial or territorial health, workers’ compensation or employment insurance legislation.

 

  B- 2  
   

 

“Canadian Pension Plan” means any plan that is a “registered pension plan” as defined in subsection 248(1) of the ITA administered by the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary and required to be registered under any Applicable Canadian Pension Legislation, and contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute by) the Company or any Canadian Subsidiary.

 

“Canadian Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is organized in Canada.

 

“Capitalized Lease” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP (and subject to Section 24.3), recorded as capitalized leases.

 

“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing but excluding any debt security that is convertible into or exchangeable in whole or in part for Capital Stock prior to such conversion.

 

“Change in Control” means if any Person or Persons acting in concert, together with Affiliates thereof, shall in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, control or own (beneficially or otherwise) more than 50% (by number of shares) of the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Company.

 

“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

“CISADA” means the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act.

 

“Closing” is defined in Section 3.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

 

“Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation or any permitted successor, including, after giving effect to the Assumption Agreement, Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.).

 

“Compliance Certificate” is defined in Section 7.2.

 

“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 20.

 

  B- 3  
   

 

“Consolidated” or “consolidated”  means, with reference to any term defined herein, shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries consolidated in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Earnings Before Interest and Taxes” or “Consolidated EBIT ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Consolidated Group determined in accordance with GAAP, plus , without duplication, (a) interest expense, plus (b) income taxes, plus (c) non-cash stock compensation charges, to the extent that such charges were deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, charges for stock options and restricted stock grants, plus (d) one-time, non-recurring acquisition related transaction fees and expenses and, to the extent permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, integration costs incurred within 12 months of any acquisition to the extent such costs are expensed, plus (e) non-controlling interest expense, plus (f) non-cash extraordinary non-recurring writedowns, writeoffs or impairments of, assets or deferred financing costs, including non-cash losses on the sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, plus (g) any losses associated with the extinguishment of Indebtedness, plus (h) special charges relating to the termination of a Swap Contract, plus (i) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any members of the Consolidated Group, plus (j) one-time, non-recurring charges in connection with the modification of employment agreements with certain members of senior management to the extent included in the calculation of consolidated earnings before interest and taxes under the Bank Credit Agreement, plus (k) non-cash accounting charges resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification ( “ASC” ) Topic 815 for such period, minus (l) non-cash extraordinary gains on the sale of assets to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), and minus (m) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contact payable to any members of the Consolidated Group, minus (n) non-cash accounting gains resulting from the application of ASC Topic 815 for such period.

 

“Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization” or “Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period (without duplication), (a) Consolidated EBIT plus the depreciation expense and amortization expense, to the extent that each was deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit), determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the depreciation expense and amortization expense (without duplication) of any company whose Consolidated EBITDA was included under clause (c) hereof, plus (c) Consolidated EBITDA for the prior twelve (12) months of companies or business segments acquired by the Consolidated Group during the respective reporting period (without duplication) provided, that (i) the financial statements of such acquired companies or business segments have been audited for the period sought to be included by an independent accounting firm of recognized national standing or any other accounting firm permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, or (ii) such inclusion is permitted under the Bank Credit Agreement, and provided further that such acquired Consolidated EBITDA may be further adjusted to add-back non-recurring private company expenses which are discontinued upon acquisition (such as owner’s compensation), to the extent such expenses are included in the calculation of “Consolidated EBITDA” under and as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement. Simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (c)(i) and (c)(ii) above, a Senior Financial Officer of the Company shall deliver to the holders a Compliance Certificate and appropriate documentation (in form and substance substantially similar to that delivered by the Company under the Bank Credit Agreement) certifying the historical operating results, adjustments and balance sheet of the acquired company or business segment.

 

  B- 4  
   

 

Consolidated Group ” means the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

“Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit)” means the consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Consolidated Group after deduction of all expenses, taxes, and other proper charges, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean the consolidated stockholder’s equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as defined according to GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Total Funded Debt” means,   with respect to the Consolidated Group, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, relating to (i) the borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit, including the issuance of notes, bonds, debentures or similar debt instruments, (ii) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Leases, (iii) the non-contingent deferred purchase price of assets and companies (typically known as holdbacks) to the extent recognized as a liability in accordance with GAAP, but excluding short-term trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) any unpaid reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding, but excluding any contingent obligations with respect to letters of credit outstanding;  plus (b) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (a) of another Person who is not a member of the Consolidated Group guaranteed by one or more members of the Consolidated Group.

 

Consolidated Total Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Consolidated Group during such period on all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group outstanding during all or any part of such period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of expense or capitalized, including payments treated as interest under GAAP in respect of any Capitalized Lease or any Synthetic Lease and including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees, balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the borrowing of money, but (a)  excluding (i) any amortization and other non-cash charges or expenses incurred during such period to the extent included in determining consolidated interest expense, including without limitation, non-cash amortization of deferred debt origination and issuance costs and amortization of accumulated other comprehensive income, (ii) all amounts associated with the unwinding or termination of any Swap Contract, (iii) any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract payable to any member of the Consolidated Group and (iv) to the extent included as an item of interest expense, any premium paid to prepay, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 10.1 hereof, and (b)  including any accrued settlement payments in respect of any Swap Contract owing by any member of the Consolidated Group.

 

“Controlled Entity” means (i) any of the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of their or the Company’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (ii) if the Company has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

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“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means (1) with respect to the Series 2008A Notes that rate of interest that is the greater of (i) 2% per annum above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Series 2008A Notes and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate and (2) with respect to any other series of Notes, the Default Rate as defined in such series of Notes.

 

“Designated Prepayment Event” means the occurrence of a change in tax law or a sanctions event, the effect of which is to permit the holder of any Threshold Indebtedness to require the Company or any Subsidiary to prepay or repay such Indebtedness.

 

“Distribution” means the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution on or in respect of any Equity Interest (other than dividends or other distributions payable solely in additional Equity Interests); the purchase, redemption, or other retirement of any shares of any class of Equity Interest, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary or otherwise; the return of equity capital by any Person to its shareholders, partners or members as such.

 

“Dollars”, “U.S. Dollars” or “$” means lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“EDGAR” means the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or any successor SEC electronic filing system for such purposes.

 

“Electronic Delivery” means filing information with the SEC such that such information is publicly available.

 

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but not limited to those related to Hazardous Materials.

 

“Environmental Permit” means any permit, certificate, registration, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

 

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of any class of, or other ownership or profit interests in, such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with any Obligor within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

“Event of Default” is defined in Section 11.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Excluded Transaction” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

Excluded Subsidiaries ”: there are no Excluded Subsidiaries under this Agreement.

 

“FATCA” means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of the Assumption Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“Fifth Amendment” means Amendment No. 5 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2015, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

“First Amendment” means Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2009, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

“Floating Rate Note” means any Note issued under this Agreement with a floating interest rate and not a fixed interest rate.

 

“Form 10-K” is defined in Section 7.1(b).

 

“Form 10-Q” is defined in Section 7.1(a).

 

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“Fourth Amendment” means the Amendment No. 4 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2013, among the Company, the Obligors and the Purchasers.

 

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” means the date of execution of the Fourth Amendment.

 

“Fuel Derivative Obligations” means fuel price swaps, fuel price caps and fuel price collar and floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices.

 

“GAAP” means those generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect and set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

“Governmental Authority” means

 

(a)          the government of

 

(i)          the United States of America or Canada or any state or other political subdivision of either, or

 

(ii)         any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or

 

(b)          any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

 

“Guaranty” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation) obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such Person:

 

(a)          to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property constituting security therefor;

 

(b)          to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation;

 

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(c)          to lease properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or

 

(d)          otherwise to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the obligor under any Guaranty, the indebtedness or other obligations that are the subject of such Guaranty shall be assumed to be direct obligations of such obligor. The amount of any Guaranty shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law, including, but not limited to, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances.

 

“holder” means, with respect to any Note the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1.

 

“Indebtedness”  means as to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:

 

(a)          every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,

 

(b)          every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,

 

(c)          every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person,

 

(d)          the net present value (using the “Base Rate” (as such term is defined in the Bank Credit Agreement) as the discount rate) of every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase agreements but excluding (A) trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which are being contested in good faith and (B) contingent purchase price obligations solely to the extent that the contingency upon which such obligation is conditioned has not yet occurred),

 

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(e)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Capitalized Leases,

 

(f)          all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person in respect of Synthetic Leases,

 

(g)          all sales by such Person of (A) accounts or general intangibles for money due or to become due, (B) chattel paper, instruments or documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (C) other receivables (collectively, “Receivables” ), whether pursuant to a purchase facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the disposition of the business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of defaulted Receivables for collection and not as a financing arrangement, and together with any obligation of such Person to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse, expenses or other amounts in connection therewith, provided, however, that sales referred to in clauses (B) and (C) shall not constitute Indebtedness to the extent that such sales are non-recourse to such Person;

 

(h)          every obligation of such Person (an “equity related purchase obligation”) to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Equity Interest of any class issued by such Person, or any rights measured by the value of such Equity Interest,

 

(i)          every net obligation of such Person under any forward contract, futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodities or other indices,

 

(j)          every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under applicable law, and

 

(k)          every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guaranteeing, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (j) (the “primary obligation”) of another Person (the “primary obligor”), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person (A) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such primary obligation, (B) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the payment of such primary obligation, or (C) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such primary obligation.

 

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The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness at any time of determination represented by (x) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, (y) any sale of Receivables shall be the amount of unrecovered capital or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or interest earned on such investment, and (z) any equity related purchase obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption or purchase price. For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

 

“INHAM Exemption” is defined in Section 6.2(e).

 

“Institutional Investor” means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than $2,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.

 

“Intercompany Business Combination” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

“Intercompany Business Combination Provisions” is defined in Section 10.4.1(a).

 

“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the dates set forth in the applicable Supplement pursuant to which such Floating Rate Notes are issued.

 

“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Floating Rate Note, the period commencing on the issuance date of such Floating Rate Note and continuing up to, but not including, the first Interest Payment Date and, thereafter, the period commencing on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date and continuing up to, but not including, the next Interest Payment Date.

 

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition (or assumption, as applicable) of capital stock or other Equity Interests, Indebtedness, assets constituting a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guaranty or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be calculated based on the Dollar equivalent of the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment and without giving effect to any currency fluctuations.

 

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“IRB Letters of Credit” means letters of credit issued under the Bank Credit Agreement in respect of IRBs.

 

“IRBs” means industrial revenue bonds or solid waste disposal bonds or similar tax-exempt bonds issued by or at the request of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

“knowledge” means, with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of any Responsible Officer.

 

“L/C Supported IRBs” means IRBs enhanced by IRB Letters of Credit.

 

“Leverage Ratio” is defined in Section 10.13.

 

“LIBOR” shall mean, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) for deposits in U.S. Dollars for a three (3) month period which appears on the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service Page BBAM-1 (or if such page is not available, the Reuters Screen LIBO Page) as of 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the date two Business Days before the commencement of such Interest Period. “Reuters Screen LIBO Page” means the display designated as the “LIBO” page on the Reuters Monitory Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the LIBO page on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Banker’s Association Interest Settlement Rates for U.S. Dollar deposits).

 

“LIBOR Breakage Amount” shall mean any loss, cost or expense (other than lost profits) actually incurred by any holder of a Floating Rate Note as a result of any payment or prepayment of any Floating Rate Note on a day other than a regularly scheduled Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Note or at the scheduled maturity (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration or otherwise), and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained, provided that any such loss, cost or expense shall be limited to the time period from the date of such prepayment through the earlier of (i) the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the maturity date of the Notes. Each holder shall determine the LIBOR Breakage Amount with respect to the principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes then being paid or prepaid (or required to be paid or prepaid) by written notice to the Company that issued such Floating Rate Note setting forth such determination in reasonable detail not less than two Business Days prior to the date of prepayment in the case of any prepayment pursuant to Section 8.2(a) and not less than one Business Day in the case of any payment required by Section 12.1. Each such determination shall be presumptively correct absent manifest error.

 

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“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Make-Whole Amount” is defined in Section 8.6 for the Series 2008A Notes and, in connection with each other series of Notes, the make - whole, breakage or other amounts provided for in the Supplement in respect of such other series of Notes.

 

“Material” means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any event or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding), (a) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or operations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors taken as a whole or (b) any impairment of the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or the Notes against the Company or any Subsidiary Guaranty against any Subsidiary Guarantor or any impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to any holder under this Agreement, the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty. In determining whether any individual event could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that such event does not of itself have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event and all other then-existing events could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

“Material Credit Facility” means, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries,

 

(a)          the Bank Credit Agreement;

 

(b)          any private placement document, either now existing or existing in the future, pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary has issued senior notes; and

 

(c)          any other agreement(s) creating or evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money from third parties entered into on or after the date of this Agreement by the Company or any Subsidiary, or in respect of which the Company or any Subsidiary is an obligor or otherwise provides a guarantee or other credit support ( “Credit Facility” ), in a principal amount outstanding or available for borrowing equal to or greater than $500,000,000 (or the equivalent of such amount in the relevant currency of payment, determined as of the date of the closing of such facility based on the exchange rate of such other currency); provided that, in no event shall any intercompany financing arrangement between the Company and its Subsidiaries be considered a Material Credit Facility .

 

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“Material Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, each direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company that (a) has total assets equal to or greater than 5% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements are available), or has revenues equal to or greater than 5% of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period for which financial statements are available), (b) is a Subsidiary Guarantor, (c) guarantees any private placement notes or other senior notes of the Company or, if applicable, senior notes of its Subsidiaries or (d) is designated by the Company as a Material Subsidiary; provided that the Material Subsidiaries shall at all times represent not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and not less than ninety (90%) of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company shall from time to time promptly (and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter) designate one or more of its Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to cause such term to include Subsidiaries of the Company that, together with the Company and each other Material Subsidiary, have assets equal to not less than 90% of consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter) and revenues of not less than 90% of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries (calculated for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period). For the avoidance of doubt, the 90% calculation in the immediately preceding sentence shall include the Company’s assets and revenues only to the extent they do not duplicate the assets and revenues of its Subsidiaries and, without limitation of the foregoing, the Company’s Equity Interests in its Subsidiaries shall not be included in valuing the assets of the Company. Schedule 9.10 contains a list of each Material Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement.

 

“Memorandum” is defined in Section 5.3.

 

“Merger” means the merger transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement ” means, collectively, that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 18, 2016, by and among Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd., Merger Sub, and WCN, as in effect on such date and as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, but on or prior to the Assumption Agreement.

 

Merger Sub ” means a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to giving effect to the Merger Transactions.

 

Merger Transactions ” means the Merger and the other transactions relating thereto or contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Company or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

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“Municipal Contracts” means governmental permits issued to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by, and franchises and contracts entered into between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, any municipal or other governmental entity, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto.

 

“Non-Obligor Subsidiary Indebtedness” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, the sum of all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries (including all guaranties of Indebtedness) that are not Subsidiary Guarantors under this Agreement and the Notes.

 

“Non-U.S. Plan” means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America by the Company or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of the Company or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

“Noteholder Sanctions Event” means, with respect to any holder of a Note (an “Affected Noteholder” ), such holder or any of its affiliates, respectively, being in violation of or subject to sanctions (a) under any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws as a result of the Company or any Controlled Entity becoming an OFAC Blocked Person or, directly or indirectly, having any investment in or engaging in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any OFAC Blocked Person or (b) under any similar laws, regulations or orders adopted by any State within the United States as a result of the name of the Company or any Controlled Entity appearing on a State Sanctions List.

 

“Notes” is defined in Section 1.

 

Obligations ” is defined in Section 24.11.

 

OFAC” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

 

“OFAC Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, United States Department of the Treasury.

 

OFAC Listed Person ” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

 

OFAC Sanctions Program ” means any economic or trade sanction that OFAC is responsible for administering and enforcing. A list of OFAC Sanctions Programs may be found at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of the Company whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

 

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“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and including any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

“Parent” means Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.).

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.

 

“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Section 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by any Obligor and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

“Permitted Debt Documents” means collectively, the Permitted Debt Indenture and the Permitted Debt Notes.

 

“Permitted Debt Indenture”  means the Indenture dated as of March 20, 2006, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to the Permitted Debt Notes, as such Permitted Debt Indenture may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

 

“Permitted Debt Notes”   means the 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 issued by the Company pursuant to the Permitted Debt Indenture in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200,000,000, as such Permitted Debt Notes may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

 

“Permitted Intercompany Financings” means a series of loans or equity financings made from time to time by the Company in connection with any structuring of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to certain of its direct or indirect Transaction Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors including subsequent reloans or reinvestments of some or all of such funds to and among other Subsidiary Guarantors, all on terms permitted pursuant to the Bank Credit Agreement.

 

  B- 16  
   

 

“Permitted Liens”  see Section 10.2.

 

“Permitted Receivables Transactions”  means any sale or sales of, and/or securitization of, or transfer of, any Receivables of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to which (a) the Receivables SPV realizes aggregate net proceeds of not more than $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) at any one time outstanding, including, without limitation, any revolving purchase(s) of Receivables where the maximum aggregate uncollected purchase price (exclusive of any deferred purchase price) for such Receivables at any time outstanding does not exceed $100,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency), (b) the Receivables shall be transferred or sold to the Receivables SPV at fair market value or at a market discount, and shall not exceed $125,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency) in the aggregate at any one time and (c) obligations arising therefrom shall be non-recourse to the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables SPV).

 

“permitted successor” means, in the respect of the preamble definition of the “Company”, after the effectiveness of the Assumption Agreement, the Parent, and thereafter any other permitted successor.

 

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

 

“Preferred Stock” means any class of capital stock of a Person that is preferred over any other class of capital stock (or similar equity interests) of such Person as to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or dissolution of such Person.

 

“Pro Forma Reference Period” means, as of the calculation date for any pro forma covenant calculation hereunder, the most recently completed Reference Period prior to such calculation date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.

 

“property” or “properties” means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

 

“PTE” is defined in Section 6.2.

 

“Purchaser” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

  B- 17  
   

 

“Qualified Institutional Buyer” means any Person who is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.

 

“Real Estate” means all real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or sublessee) by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Receivables SPV” means any one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company formed for the sole purpose of engaging in Permitted Receivables Transactions, and which engage in no business activities other than those related to Permitted Receivables Transactions.

 

“Reference Period”  means as of any date of determination, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Consolidated Group or the twelve (12) month period ending on such date, or if such date is not a fiscal quarter end date, the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters or the twelve (12) month period most recently ended (in each case treated as a single accounting period).

 

“Registration Duty” means any registration duty or similar amount payable pursuant to any provision of law of Canada in connection with the use in a judicial proceeding of this Agreement, the Notes or any other agreement or document related hereto or thereto or the transactions contemplated herein or therein.

 

“Related Fund” means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (a) invests in securities or bank loans, and (b) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.

 

“Release” has the meaning specified in CERCLA; provided that in the event CERCLA is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply as of the effective date of such amendment; and provided further , to the extent that the laws of a state wherein the property lies establishes a meaning for “Release” which is broader than specified in CERCLA, such broader meaning shall apply.

 

“Required Holders” means, at any time, the holders of at least 51% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates).

 

“Responsible Officer” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.

 

“Restricted Payment” means, in relation to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, any (a) Distribution or (b) derivatives or other transactions with any financial institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a “Derivatives Counterparty” ) obligating the Company or such Subsidiary to make payments to such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any Equity Interest of the Company or such Subsidiary; provided, however, that no Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of any (i) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the foreclosure on (or similar exercise of secured party remedies with respect to) such Equity Interests securing Indebtedness used to purchase such Equity Interests, (ii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests funded by the proceeds of “key man” life insurance policies with respect to the holder of such Equity Interests, (iii) purchases, redemptions, defeasances, retirements, settlements and other acquisitions of Equity Interests made in lieu of or to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the exercise or exchange of options or warrants or (iv) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares.

 

  B- 18  
   

 

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto.

 

“Second Amendment” means Amendment No. 2 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2010, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

“Securities” or “Security” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“Securities Laws” means, collectively, the Securities Act of 1933, the Exchange Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and all applicable securities laws of each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the respective rules and regulations under such laws, the applicable published instruments, notices and orders of the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated under any of the foregoing, and, to the extent the Company has any securities listed thereon, all rules, by-laws and regulations of the Toronto Stock Exchange, as each of the foregoing may be amended and in effect on any applicable date hereunder.

 

“Senior Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, vice president – finance, treasurer, any assistant treasurer or comptroller of the Company.

 

“series” means any series of Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Supplement hereto.

 

“Series 2008A Notes” is defined in Section 1.1.

 

“Sixth Amendment” means Amendment No. 6 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2016, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

  B- 19  
   

 

“State Sanctions List” means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” mean each Subsidiary that has executed and delivered a Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

“Subsidiary Guaranty” is defined in Section 9.13.

 

“Supplement” is defined in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.

 

“SVO” means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC or any successor to such Office.

 

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall include fuel derivatives obligations (including obligations in respect of fuel price swaps, fuel price caps and fuel price collar and floor agreements, and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices) and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement” ), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

  B- 20  
   

 

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.

 

“Synthetic Lease” means, with respect to any Person, any (a) so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

“Tax” means any tax (whether income, documentary, sales, stamp, registration, issue, capital, property, excise or otherwise), duty, assessment, levy, impost, fee, compulsory loan, charge or withholding imposed by a Governmental Authority.

 

“Taxing Jurisdiction” is defined in Section 23(a).

 

“Third Amendment” means Amendment No. 3 to Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2011, by and among the Company, and the Obligors and the holders of the Notes party thereto.

 

“Threshold Indebtedness” is defined in Section 11(f).

 

“Transaction Subsidiaries” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries listed on Part II of Schedule 1 of the Assumption Agreement and (ii) such other Subsidiaries formed or to be used in connection with any structuring of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, as designated or undesignated by the Company from time to time.

 

“United States Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“USA PATRIOT Act” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“U.S. Economic Sanctions” is defined in the defined term “Blocked Person”.

 

“U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws” means those laws, executive orders, enabling legislation or regulations administered and enforced by the United States pursuant to which comprehensive economic sanctions have been imposed on any Person, entity, organization, country or regime, including the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Iran Sanctions Act, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act and any other OFAC Sanctions Program.

 

WCN” means Waste Connections US, Inc. (f/k/a Waste Connections, Inc.), a Delaware corporation.

 

  B- 21  
   

 

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary one hundred percent of all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly - Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

 

  B- 22  
   

 

[Form of Series 2008A Note]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
[and its Subsidiaries]

 

6.22% Series 2008A Senior Note Due October 1, 2015

 

No. RA- [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN[______________]

 

F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of [__________][, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally] hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on October 1, 2015, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360 - day year of twelve 30 - day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 6.22% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 1st day of April and October in each year, commencing with April 1, 2009, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make - Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 8.22% or (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

 

Exhibit 1( a)

(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 
   

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 23(k) of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
   
  By  
    [Title]

 

  1(a)- 2  
   

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

[and

its Subsidiaries]

 

[Number] Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement

 

Dated as of ______________________

 

Re:            $____________ _____% , Series _______ , Senior Notes

Due _____________________

 

 

 

 

Exhibit S

(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

Waste Connections, Inc.

 

Dated as of

____________________, 20__

 

To the Purchaser(s) named in

Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This [Number] Supplement to Master Note Purchase Agreement (the “Supplement” ) is between each of Waste Connections, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ) 2 , [and its Subsidiaries party hereto (together with the Company, the “Obligors” )] and the institutional investors named on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Purchasers” ).

 

Recitals

 

A.           The Obligors have entered into the Master Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 15, 2008 with the purchasers listed in Schedule A thereto [and one or more supplements or amendments thereto] (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ); and

 

B.           The Obligors desire to issue and sell, and the Purchasers desire to purchase, an additional series of Notes (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and in accordance with the terms set forth below;

 

N ow, Therefore , each Obligor and the Purchasers agree as follows:

 

1.           Authorization of the New Series of Notes . The Obligors has authorized the issue and sale of $__________ aggregate principal amount of their _____%, Series ______, Senior Notes due _________, ____ (the “Series  ______ Notes” ). The Series ____ Notes, together with the Series 2008A Notes [and the Series ____ Notes] initially issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement [ and the _________ Supplement ] and each series of Additional Notes which may from time to time hereafter be issued pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement, are collectively referred to as the “Notes (such term shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 14 of the Note Purchase Agreement). The Series _____ Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Exhibit 1 hereto with such changes therefrom, if any, as may be approved by the Purchaser(s) and the Obligors.

 

 

2 After giving effect to the Assumption Agreement, Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.).

 

     

 

 

2.           Sale and Purchase of Series [ ] Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Supplement and the Note Purchase Agreement and on the basis of the representations and warranties hereinafter set forth, the Obligors will issue and sell to each of the Purchasers, and the Purchasers will purchase from the Obligors, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Series [____] Notes in the principal amount specified opposite their respective names in the attached Schedule A hereto at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The obligations of the Purchasers hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

3.           Closing . The sale and purchase of the Series ______ Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of [Investors’ Counsel Address] at 10:00 a.m. Chicago time, at a closing (the “Closing” ) on ______, ____ or on such other Business Day thereafter on or prior to _______, ____ as may be agreed upon by the Obligors and the Purchasers. At the Closing, the Obligors will deliver to each Purchaser the Series ______ Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Series ______ Note (or such greater number of Series ______ Notes in denominations of at least $100,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of such Purchaser’s nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Obligors or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Obligors in accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by the Company to such Purchaser pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement. If, at the Closing, the Obligors shall fail to tender such Series ______ Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to any Purchaser’s satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at such Purchaser’s election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

 

4.           Conditions to Closing . The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Series ______ Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, prior to the Closing, of the conditions set forth in Section 4 of the Note Purchase Agreement ((A) except that (1) all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series [___] Notes, and as hereafter modified, and (2) the reference to the Memorandum, as defined herein, is deemed to be the Memorandum as defined in Section 5.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement, for purposes of the closing condition in Section 4.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement), and to the following additional conditions:

 

(a)          Except as supplemented, amended or superceded by the representations and warranties set forth in Exhibit A hereto, each of the representations and warranties of the Obligors set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement shall be correct as of the date of Closing and the Obligors shall have delivered to each Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing certifying that such condition has been fulfilled.

 

  - 2 -  

 

 

(b)          Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Obligors shall sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser shall purchase, the Series ______ Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing as specified in Schedule A.

 

(c)          [Set forth any modifications and additional conditions]

 

5.           Representations and Warranties of the Obligors . With respect to each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement, each Obligor represents and warrants to the Purchasers that, as of the date hereof, such representations and warranties are true and correct (A) except that all references to “Purchaser” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Purchasers hereunder, all references to “this Agreement” shall be deemed to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by this Supplement, and all references to “Notes” or “Series 2008A Notes” therein shall be deemed to refer to the Series [___] Notes, and (B) except for changes to such representations and warranties or the Schedules referred to therein, which changes are set forth in the attached Schedule 5 (and shall include an updated form of Section 5.3).

 

[Set forth any modifications and additional representations and warranties.]

 

6.           Representations of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser confirms to the Obligors that the representations set forth in Section 6 of the Note Purchase Agreement are true and correct on the date hereof with respect to the purchase of the Series ____ Notes by such Purchaser.

 

7.           Prepayments of the Series [ ] Notes . [Here insert special provisions for Series __ Notes including prepayment provisions applicable to Series __ Notes (including Make-Whole Amount or any applicable premium, if any) and the definition of “Default Rate” for the Series __ Notes and the definition of “Business Day” related to the calculation of a Make-Whole Amount or any applicable premium for the Series ___ Notes.]

 

8.           Maturity; Interest. The Series [__] Notes will have the maturity dates and bearing interest at the rates set forth therein.

 

9.           Applicability of Note Purchase Agreement . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein (and expressly permitted by the Note Purchase Agreement), all of the provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement are incorporated by reference herein, shall apply to the Series [___] Notes as if expressly set forth in this Supplement and all references to “Notes” shall include the Series [___] Notes. Without limiting the foregoing, each Obligor agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Supplement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO provided at such costs and expenses with respect to the [describe series of notes] shall not exceed [_________].

 

  - 3 -  

 

 

10.          Governing Law.           T his Supplement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, New York law .

 

11.          Agreement to be Bound . The Obligors and each Purchaser agree to be bound by and comply with the terms and provisions of the Note Purchase Agreement as fully and completely as if such Purchaser were an original signatory to the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

[12.          Additional Provisions. The Series [__] Notes are subject to the following additional provisions:][include whether any additional covenants are subject to Section 11(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement]

 

The execution hereof shall constitute a contract between the Obligors and the Purchaser(s) for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth, and this agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting an original but all together only one agreement.

 

  [Obligors’ Names]
   
  By    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

Accepted as of __________, _____

  

  [Variation]
   
  By    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

  - 4 -  

 

 

Information Relating to Purchasers

 


Name and Address of Purchaser
 

Principal
Amount of

Series  ______

Notes to Be

Purchased

     
[ Name of Purchaser]   $
     

(1)          All payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to:

 

with sufficient information to identify the source and application of such funds.

   
     

(2)          All notices of payments and written confirmations of such wire transfers:

 

   
(3)          All other communications:    
     
(4)          U.S. Tax Identification Number    

 

 

Schedule A

(to Supplement)

 

 

 

Supplemental Representations

 

Each Obligor represents and warrants to each Purchaser that except as hereinafter set forth in this Exhibit A [or as otherwise consistent with the supplemental representations in the Assumption Agreement], each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Note Purchase Agreement is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof with respect to the Series ______ Notes with the same force and effect as if each reference to “Series 2008A Notes” set forth therein was modified to refer the “Series ______ Notes” and each reference to “this Agreement” therein was modified to refer to the Note Purchase Agreement as supplemented by the _______ Supplement. The Section references hereinafter set forth correspond to the similar sections of the Note Purchase Agreement which are supplemented hereby:

 

Section 5.3.          Disclosure . The Obligors, through their agents, _________________, has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a [Private Placement Memorandum], dated [__________] (the “Memorandum” ), relating to the transactions contemplated by the [Number] Supplement. The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Note Purchase Agreement, the Memorandum and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Obligors in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and [identified in Schedule 5.3 to the [Number] Supplement, and the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 to the [Number] Supplement (the Note Purchase Agreement, the Memorandum and such documents, certificates or other writings and such financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 to the [Number] Supplement delivered to each Purchaser or posted to IntraLinks prior to [circle date] being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents” ), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since [last audit date], there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except changes that individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to the Obligors that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Section 5.4.          Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. (a) Schedule 5.4 to the [Number] Supplement contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of: (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) the Company’s Affiliates, other than Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company’s directors and senior officers. Each of the Obligors (other than the Company) are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 to the [Number] Supplement as being owned by the Obligors have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company or another Obligor free and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule 5.4 to the [Number] Supplement).

 

 

Exhibit A

(to Supplement)

 

 

 

(c)          No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the Note Purchase Agreement, the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4 to the [Number] Supplement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Obligors or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5.          Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5 to the [Number] Supplement. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents.

 

Section 5.13.         Private Offering by the Obligors . None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Series 2008A Notes, or any securities required to be integrated under any federal or state securities laws, for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person other than the Purchasers and not more than [______] other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Series 2008A Notes at a private sale for investment. None of the Obligors nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Series 2008A Notes to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.14.         Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The Obligors will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Series ______ Notes to ______________________________ and for general corporate purposes of the Obligors. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Series ______ Notes pursuant to the [Number] Supplement will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve the Obligors in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than [___%] of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than [___%] of the value of such assets. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

 

  - 2 -  

 

 

Section 5.15.         Existing Indebtedness . Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 to the [Number] Supplement sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of [__________] (including a description of the obligors and obligees, principal amount outstanding and collateral therefor, if any, and Guaranty thereof, if any), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Obligors. None of the Obligors is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of any Obligor, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of any Obligor that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15 to the [Number] Supplement, none of the Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien [not permitted by Section 10.2].

 

(c)          None of the Obligors are a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of any Obligor, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement, the Permitted Debt Documents, and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 5.15 to the [Number] Supplement.

 

[Add any additional Sections as appropriate at the time the Series ______ Notes are issued]

 

[Add any other supplemental representations or modifications consistent with those made in connection with the Assumption Agreement]

 

  - 3 -  

 

 

[Form of Series ____ Note]

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. NO TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE MADE UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, AND SUCH REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION AS MAY BE NECESSARY UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM SUCH REGISTRATIONS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS IS AVAILABLE UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS. EACH TRANSFEREE OF THIS NOTE, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THIS NOTE REGISTERED IN ITS NAME (OR THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE), WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED.

 

Waste Connections, Inc.
[and its Subsidiaries]

 

[Coupon]% Senior Note, Series ___, due [Maturity Date]

 

No. R__- [_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN[______________]

  

F or Value Received , each of the undersigned, Waste Connections, Inc. (herein called the “Company” ) 3 , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of [__________][, and its Subsidiaries signatory below, jointly and severally] hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] Dollars (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on [_________, ____], with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of [Coupon]% per annum from the date hereof, payable [semiannually], on the [___] day of [__________] and [_________] in each year, commencing with the [_________] or [_________] next succeeding the date hereof, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, on any overdue payment of interest and, during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) [___]% or (ii) [___]% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., from time to time in New York, New York as its “base” or “prime” rate, payable [semiannually] as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make - Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in New York, New York or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

 

3 After giving effect to the Assumption Agreement, Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (f/k/a Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.).

 

     

 

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes” ) issued pursuant to the Master Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 15, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “Note Purchase Agreement” ), between the Obligors and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representations set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 23(k) of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

[The Company will make required prepayments of principal on the dates and in the amounts specified in the ______ Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement dated _______.] [This Note is [also] subject to [optional] prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the ______ Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement dated _______, but not otherwise.] [This Note is not subject to prepayment.]

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of [__________] excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
   
  By  
    [Title]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Supplemental Representations

 

The Parent represents and warrants to each holder that, except as hereinafter set forth in this Exhibit B or to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date, each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Assumed Purchase Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof with respect to the Parent and its Subsidiaries with the same force and effect as if each reference to “the Company and its Subsidiaries” or “the Obligors” set forth therein was modified to refer to “the Parent and its Subsidiaries.” The section references hereinafter set forth correspond to the sections of the Assumed Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise noted, capitalized terms used in this Exhibit B shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Assumed Purchase Agreement.

 

Section 5.4. Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries. (a)    Schedule  1 attached hereto contains (except as noted therein) a complete and correct list of the Parent’s Subsidiaries, showing as to each Subsidiary, the correct name thereof and the jurisdiction of its organization and whether such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1 is directly or indirectly wholly owned by the Parent (except as noted in such Schedule). The Parent has good and marketable title to all of the Equity Interests it purports to own of each such Subsidiary, and each Subsidiary of the Parent has good and marketable title to all of the equity interests it purports to own of such Subsidiary, free and clear in each case of any Lien. All such Equity Interests are been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(b) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and each Material Subsidiary (i) is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or in current status under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate (or equivalent organizational) power to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar business entity and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which its property or business as presently conducted or contemplated makes such qualification necessary, except where a failure to be in good standing or so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect

 

(c) No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than this Agreement, the 2016 NPA, the Bank Credit Agreement and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5. Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Parent has delivered to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 3. All of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Parent and its Subsidiaries do not have any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in such Schedule 3 or documents indicated therein.

 

 

 

 

Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc . The execution, delivery and performance by the Parent of the Assumption and Exchange Agreement will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of the Parent or any Subsidiary under the Bank Credit Agreement, 2016 NPA, any Municipal Contracts (in the case of the Municipal Contracts, as would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) or any agreement listed on Schedule 4, or an applicable corporate charter, memorandum of association, articles of association, regulations or by-laws or shareholders agreement, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to the Parent or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Parent or any Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.9. Taxes . (a) The Parent and its Material Subsidiaries have (a) made or filed (x) all Material U.S. federal and Canadian federal income tax returns, reports and declarations, (y) all Material state, provincial, territorial and foreign income tax returns, reports and declarations, and (z) all other Material tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and only to the extent that the Parent and such Material Subsidiaries have set aside on their books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes), (b) paid all taxes that are Material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith, and (c) set aside on their books provisions adequate for the payment of all Material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any Material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction.

 

(b) The Parent is permitted to make all payments of interest or principal on the Notes beneficially held by any holder which is not resident in Canada for the purposes of the ITA free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Taxes imposed, assessed, levied, or collected by or for the account of any Governmental Authority of Canada or any political subdivision thereof, except for any such Tax arising out of circumstances described in clause (i) – (vii) of Section 23(b) of the Assumed Purchase Agreement.

 

Section 5.15. Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens. (a) Except as described therein and except for intercompany Indebtedness, Schedule 2 hereto sets forth a complete and correct list of all outstanding material Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of June 1, 2016, since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Parent or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is in default, and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Parent or its Subsidiaries, and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of the Parent or any Subsidiary, that, in each case, (i) has existed for such period of time as would permit (after the giving of appropriate notice, if required) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment and (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

 

(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 2, neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien not permitted by Section 10.2.

 

(c) Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Parent or such Subsidiary, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including, but not limited to, its charter or any other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of the Company, except the Bank Credit Agreement and as otherwise specifically indicated in Schedule 2.

 

Section 5.16. Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc . (a) Neither the Parent nor any Controlled Entity (i) is a Blocked Person, (ii) has been notified that its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (iii) is a target of sanctions that have been imposed by the United Nations or the European Union.

 

(b) Neither the Parent nor any Controlled Entity (i) has violated, been found in violation of, or been charged or convicted under, any applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws or (ii) to the Parent’s knowledge, is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for possible violation of any U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(c) The Parent has established procedures and controls which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that the Parent and each Controlled Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(d) As used in this Section 5.16, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below.

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.

 

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA Patriot Act.

 

 

 

 

Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by OFAC, (ii) a Person, entity, organization, country or regime that is blocked or a target of sanctions that have been imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws or (iii) a Person that is beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any Person, entity, organization, country or regime described in clause (i) or (ii).

 

“Controlled Entity” means (i) any of the Subsidiaries of the Parent and any of their or the Parent’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (ii) if the Parent has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates. As used in this definition, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

“State Sanctions List” means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under U.S. Economic Sanctions.

 

“U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws” means those laws, executive orders, enabling legislation or regulations administered and enforced by the United States pursuant to which comprehensive economic sanctions have been imposed on any Person, entity, organization, country or regime, including the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Iran Sanctions Act, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act and any other OFAC Sanctions Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

(AND SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION)

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 13, 2012

THIS SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Plan”) is made and effective as of February 13, 2012 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Ronald J. Mittelstaedt (the “Executive”) and Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and amends and restates in its entirety that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of October 1, 1997, by and among the Executive, the Company, J. Bradford Bishop, Frank W. Cutler and James N. Cutler, Jr., as amended as of June 1, 2000 by and between the Executive and the Company, and as further amended as of March 1, 2004 by and between the Executive and the Company. One of the purposes of this Plan is to provide for severance and change of control benefits to the Executive in the event that employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated.

This Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” welfare plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). This Plan document is also the summary plan description of this Plan.

 

  1. Employment . The Company agrees to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to accept employment with the Company, for the Term stated in Section 3 hereof and on the other terms and conditions herein.

 

  2. Position and Responsibilities . During the Term, the Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company may reasonably assign to the Executive from time to time. As Chief Executive Officer, the Executive will be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. In addition, the Company shall nominate the Executive to serve as a member of the Board at all times during the Term, subject to election by the Company’s stockholders. During any period in which the Executive is a member of the Board, he shall serve on the Executive and Finance Committees of the Board. The Executive shall devote such time and attention to his duties as are necessary to the proper discharge of his responsibilities hereunder. The Executive agrees to perform all duties consistent with (a) policies established from time to time by the Company and (b) all applicable legal requirements.

 

  3. Term . The period of this Plan shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue through to the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”). On each anniversary of the Effective Date of this Plan, commencing on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, this Plan shall be extended automatically an additional year, thus extending the Term of this Plan to three years from such date, unless either party shall have given the other notice of termination or non-renewal hereof as provided herein.

 

  4. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses . The Company shall compensate the Executive during the Term of this Plan as follows:

 

  a. Base Salary . The Executive shall be paid a base salary (“Base Salary”) of not less than Seven Hundred Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($716,000) per year in installments consistent with the Company’s usual practices. The Board shall review the Executive’s Base Salary on October 1 of each year or more frequently, at the times prescribed in salary administration practices applied generally to management employees of the Company.

 

  b. Performance Bonus . The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the “Bonus”) based on the Company’s attainment of financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. The target annual Bonus will equal one hundred fifteen percent (115%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year’s financial objectives have been fully met. Nothing in this Plan shall invalidate any cash bonus plan approved by the Board or a committee of the Board providing for higher payments in the event extraordinary or “stretch” goals are met. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s bonus plan, as approved by the Board; provided that in no case shall any portion of the Bonus with respect to any fiscal year be paid more than two and one-half months after the end of that fiscal year.


  c. Grant of Equity Awards . The Executive shall be eligible for annual grants of management stock options (“Options”) or other equity awards commensurate with his position and with equity grants to chief executive officers of similarly situated businesses and other senior management employees of the Company, as approved by the Board. The terms of the equity awards shall be described in more detail in award agreements to be entered into between the Executive and the Company.

 

  d. Other Benefits . During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive all other benefits of employment generally available to other management employees of the Company and those benefits for which management employees are or shall become eligible, including, without limitation and to the extent made available by the Company, medical, dental, disability and prescription coverage, life insurance and tax-qualified retirement benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation each year of his employment.

 

  e. Reimbursement of Other Expenses . The Company agrees to pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties under this Plan on presentation of proper expense statements or vouchers. All such supporting information shall comply with all applicable Company policies relating to reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

 

  f. Withholding . All compensation payable to the Executive hereunder is subject to all withholding requirements under applicable law.

 

  5. Confidentiality . During the Term of his employment, and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge to any third party or use for his own benefit or the benefit of any third party or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary business or technical information revealed, obtained or developed in the course of his employment with the Company and which is otherwise the property of the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, customer lists, formulae and processes of manufacture; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the Executive’s ability to make such disclosures during the course of his employment as may be necessary or appropriate to the effective and efficient discharge of his duties to the Company.

 

  6. Property . Both during the Term of his employment and thereafter, the Executive shall not remove from the Company’s offices or premises any Company documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda and similar materials or property of any kind unless necessary in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of his employment. In the event that any such material or property is removed, it shall be returned to its proper file or place of safekeeping as promptly as possible. The Executive shall not make, retain, remove or distribute any copies, or divulge to any third person the nature or contents of any of the foregoing or of any other oral or written information to which he may have access, except as disclosure shall be necessary in the performance of his assigned duties. On the termination of his employment with the Company, the Executive shall leave with or return to the Company all originals and copies of the foregoing then in his possession or subject to his control, whether prepared by the Executive or by others.

 

  7. Termination By Company .

 

  a. Termination for Cause . The employment of the Executive may be terminated for Cause at any time by the vote of a majority of the Board; provided, however, that before the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause for any reason that is susceptible to cure, the Company shall first send the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company for Cause, specifying in such notice the reasons for such Cause and those conditions that, if satisfied by the Executive, would cure the reasons for such Cause, and the Executive shall have 60 days from receipt of such written notice to satisfy such conditions. If such conditions are satisfied within such 60-day period, the Company shall so advise the Executive in writing. If such conditions are not satisfied within such 60-day period, the Company may thereafter terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company for Cause on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)) delivered to the Executive describing with specificity the grounds for termination.


Immediately on termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum his then current Base Salary under Section 4(a) on a prorated basis to the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9(b)). For the avoidance of doubt, upon termination of employment for Cause, the Executive shall be subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Section 12. On the Executive’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional benefits or compensation above accrued but unpaid amounts, to the extent required by applicable law. On termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Executive shall forfeit his Bonus under Section 4(b) for the year in which such termination occurs. In addition, on termination pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Executive shall forfeit all outstanding but unvested stock options, unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and any other unvested equity awards related to the capital stock of the Company (such stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and other equity awards together, the “equity awards”).

For purposes of this Plan, “Cause” shall mean:

 

  1. a material breach of any of the terms of this Plan that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach;

 

  2. a breach of any of the provisions of Section 12;

 

  3. repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the other managers of the Company, the Executive is abusive or incapable of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Plan;

 

  4. conviction of a felony; or

 

  5. misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 7(a), on or prior to the 90 th day following the Date of Termination, the Board shall elect whether the Restricted Period (as defined in Section 12 hereof), during which the Executive shall be subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Section 12 hereof, shall be extended to the end of the 24th full month following the Date of Termination (the “Optional Restricted Period”). If the Board elects to apply the Optional Restricted Period, then in addition to the payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7(a), the Company shall pay to the Executive Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000) in a lump sum on the first anniversary of the Date of Termination.

 

  b.

Termination Without Cause . The employment of the Executive may be terminated without Cause at any time by the vote of a majority of the Board on delivery to the Executive of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)). On a termination of Executive’s employment without Cause, the Company shall pay to the Executive in lieu of payments under Sections 4(a), 4(b) and 4(d) for the remainder of the Term, Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) in a lump sum payment on or within 60 days following the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in the subsequent calendar year, such payment shall be made in the latter calendar year. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or this Section to the contrary, all actions under this Plan shall be completed in a manner that complies with or is exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, for three years following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Company shall make available to the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents coverage under the Company’s group medical insurance (which shall be concurrent with any health care continuation benefits to which the Executive or his eligible dependents are entitled under Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”); provided, however, that the Executive shall be obligated to pay the Company for the premiums for such coverage on an after-tax basis (the “Health Insurance Benefit”). Notwithstanding the previous sentence, with regard to


  such continuation coverage, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating applicable law or potentially incurring penalties, excise taxes and fees pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code and the Department of Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Health Insurance Benefit shall terminate and the Executive shall not be eligible to receive any further benefits related to the Health Insurance Benefit other than as otherwise required by applicable law. In addition, on termination of the Executive under this Section 7(b), all of the Executive’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Executive’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Executive was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Executive’s termination or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Executive acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Executive for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.

In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 7(b), on or prior to the 90 th day following the Date of Termination, the Board shall elect whether to apply the Optional Restricted Period. If the Board elects to apply the Optional Restricted Period, then in addition to the payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraph of this Section 7(b), Company shall pay to the Executive the amounts as set forth in the last paragraph of Section 7(a) hereof relating to the election of the Optional Restricted Period at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

  c. Termination on Disability . If during the Term the Executive should fail to perform his duties hereunder on account of physical or mental illness or other incapacity which the Board shall in good faith determine renders the Executive incapable of performing his duties hereunder, and such illness or other incapacity shall continue for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months (“Disability”), the Company shall have the right, on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)) delivered to the Executive to terminate the Executive’s employment under this Plan. During the period that the Executive shall have been incapacitated due to Disability, the Executive shall continue to receive the full Base Salary provided for in Section 4(a) hereof at the rate then in effect until the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9(b)) pursuant to this Section 7(c). If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to Disability during the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay and deliver, the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7(b) hereof at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein. In addition, on termination of the Executive under this Section 7(c), all of the Executive’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Executive’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Executive was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Executive’s termination or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Executive acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Executive for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.


In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 7(c), on or prior to the 90 th day following the Date of Termination, the Board shall elect whether to apply the Optional Restricted Period. If the Board elects to apply the Optional Restricted Period, then in addition to the payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraph of this Section 7(c), the Company shall pay to the Executive the amounts as set forth in the last paragraph of Section 7(a) hereof relating to the election of the Optional Restricted Period at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

  d. Death . If the Executive dies during the Term the Company shall pay to the Executive’s estate the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7(b) hereof. Any cash payments shall be paid in a lump sum on or within 60 days following the date of death; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in the subsequent calendar year, such payment shall be made in the latter calendar year. In addition, on termination of the Executive under this Section 7(d), all of the Executive’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Executive’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Executive was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Executive’s termination or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Executive acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Executive for any additional taxes he incurs as a result. The provisions of this Section 7(d) shall not affect the entitlements of the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under any employee benefit plan, fund or program of the Company.

 

  8. Termination By Executive .

 

  a. Termination for Good Reason . In the event the Executive terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below), the Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay and deliver, the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7(b) hereof at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein. In addition, on termination of the Executive under this Section 8(a), all of the Executive’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Executive’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Executive was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Executive’s termination or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Executive acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Executive for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

  1.

assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with and resulting in a material diminution of his position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as they existed on the Effective Date of this Plan; or any other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or


  responsibilities; a substantial alteration in the title(s) of the Executive (so long as the existing corporate structure of the Company is maintained); provided, however, that Executive’s failure to be in the same position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements) with the ultimate parent of the Company will constitute “Good Reason”;

 

  2. the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles from its present location without the Executive’s prior approval;

 

  3. a material reduction by the Company in the Executive’s total annual cash compensation, defined as Base Salary and target Bonus, without the Executive’s prior approval;

 

  4. on or after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10(b) herein), a material reduction by the Company in the Executive’s total annual compensation, defined as Base Salary, target Bonus and equity incentive compensation opportunities, without the Executive’s prior approval;

 

  5. a failure by the Company to continue in effect, without substantial change, any benefit plan or arrangement in which the Executive was participating or the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect the Executive’s participation in or materially reduce his benefits under any benefit plan (unless such changes apply equally to all other management employees of Company);

 

  6. any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Plan without the Executive having committed any material breach of his obligations hereunder, which breach is not cured within twenty (20) days following written notice thereof to the Company of such breach; or

 

  7. the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Plan by any successor entity.

No termination of employment shall constitute Good Reason unless (i) the Executive’s Notice of Termination is provided to the Company within 30 days of the initial occurrence of the action giving rise to Good Reason and (ii) the Company fails to remedy the basis for Good Reason prior to 30 days following the date of the Notice of Termination.

In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 8(a), on or prior to the 90 th day following the Date of Termination, the Board shall elect whether to apply the Optional Restricted Period. If the Board elects to apply the Optional Restricted Period, then in addition to the payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 8(a), the Company shall pay to the Executive the amounts as set forth in the last paragraph of Section 7(a) hereof relating to the election of the Optional Restricted Period at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

 

  b. Termination Without Good Reason . The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder without Good Reason on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Company setting forth the effective date of termination. If the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, he shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay on the Date of Termination, his current Base Salary under Section 4(a) hereof on a prorated basis to such Date of Termination. For the avoidance of doubt, upon termination of employment without Good Reason, the Executive shall be subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Section 12. On the Executive’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 8(b), the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional benefits or compensation above accrued but unpaid amounts, to the extent required by applicable law. On termination of employment pursuant to this Section 8(b), the Executive shall forfeit his Bonus under Section 4(b) for the year in which such termination occurs. In addition, on termination pursuant to this Section 8(b), the Executive shall forfeit all outstanding but unvested equity awards.

In the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 8(b), on or prior to the 90 th day following the Date of Termination, the Board shall elect whether to apply the Optional Restricted Period. If the Board elects to apply the Optional Restricted Period, then in addition to the payments and benefits described in the preceding paragraph of this Section 8(a), the Company shall pay to the Executive the amounts as set forth in the last paragraph of Section 7(a) hereof relating to the election of the Optional Restricted Period at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein.


  9. Provisions Applicable to Termination of Employment .

 

  a. Notice of Termination . Any purported termination of Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the Executive as provided herein, and shall state the specific termination provisions in this Plan relied on and set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment (“Notice of Termination”). If the Executive terminates under Section 8, he shall give the Company a Notice of Termination.

 

  b. Date of Termination . For the purposes of this Plan, “Date of Termination” shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Executive (provided the Executive has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), if the Executive terminates employment for Good Reason, 31 days after Notice of Termination is given to the Company, or if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Disability or by the Executive for any reason other than Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination which shall be within 30 days of the date such Notice of Termination is given.

 

  c. Benefits on Termination . On termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 or by the Executive pursuant to Section 8, all profit-sharing, deferred compensation and other retirement benefits payable to the Executive under benefit plans in which the Executive then participated shall be paid to the Executive in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans.

 

  d. Required Payment Delay . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, no compensation or benefits payable by reason of the Executive’s termination of employment that are deemed non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable by reason of the Executive’s termination of employment pursuant to this Plan unless such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company (“Separation from Service”) within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). If the Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” (as determined by the Company in accordance with Section 409A) at the time of the Executive’s Separation from Service, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Plan is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of the Executive’s benefits shall not be provided to the Executive prior to the first business day following the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Executive’s death). Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable period described in the foregoing sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to the Executive, and any remaining payments due under this Plan shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

  e. Non-Renewal of Plan . For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company’s notice of its intent not extend the Term of this Plan nor the expiration of the Term of this Plan shall be treated as a termination of the Participant by the Company without Cause.

 

  10. Change In Control .

 

  a. Payments on Change in Control . Subject to Section 9(d) above, if a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs during the Term and the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, then, and the Executive shall be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to the Executive, in lieu of payments under Sections 4(a), 4(b) and 4(d) for the remainder of the Term, Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) in lump sum payment on or within 60 days following the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in the subsequent calendar year, such payment shall be made in the latter calendar year. In addition, the Executive is eligible for the Health Insurance Benefit as described in Section 7(b), subject to the conditions set forth therein.


  b. Definitions . For the purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (aa) any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, (bb) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or if (ii) any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this Section 10(b), “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of this Plan owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company) or if (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

The term “Parent” means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that is the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined above) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities.

No benefits deemed non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be payable upon a Change in Control pursuant to this Plan unless such Change in Control constitutes a “change in control event” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

  11.

Limitation on Payments . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive, whether pursuant to the terms of this Plan or any other plan, arrangement or agreement (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the Total Payments shall be reduced as set forth herein, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the amount of all federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to the Participant (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing) on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the amount of all federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to the Participant (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing) on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total


  Payments). The Total Payments shall be reduced by the Company in its reasonable discretion in the following order: (A) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A, (B) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A, (C) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting and payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A, and (D) reduction of any payments attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A. For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of independent counsel, consultants or advisors of nationally recognized standing (“Independent Advisors”) selected by the Company, does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation, and (iii) the value of any non cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.

 

  12. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .

 

  a. In consideration of the provisions hereof and the payments provided under Sections 7, 8 and 10(a), for the Restricted Period (as hereinafter defined), the Executive will not, except as specifically provided below, anywhere in any county in any state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date (the “Restricted Territory”), directly or indirectly, acting individually or as the owner, shareholder, partner or management employee of any entity, (i) engage in the operation of a solid waste collection, transporting or disposal business, transfer facility, recycling facility, materials recovery facility or solid waste landfill; (ii) enter the employ as a manager of, or render any personal services to or for the benefit of, or assist in or facilitate the solicitation of customers for, or receive remuneration in the form of management salary, commissions or otherwise from, any business engaged in such activities in such counties; or (iii) receive or purchase a financial interest in, make a loan to, or make a gift in support of, any such business in any capacity, including without limitation, as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal agent or trustee; provided, however, that the Executive may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any business traded on any national securities exchange, provided the Executive is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such business and further provided that the Executive does not, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such business. The term “Restricted Period” shall mean the earlier of (i) the maximum period allowed under applicable law, and (ii) until the end of the 12th full month following the Date of Termination.

 

  b.

During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not (i) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to whom the Company provides service pursuant to a franchise agreement with a public entity in the Restricted Territory (ii) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to enter into a solid waste collection account relationship with a competitor of the Company in the Restricted Territory, (iii) solicit any such public entity to enter into a franchise agreement with any such competitor, (iv) solicit any officer of the Company to enter into an employment agreement with a competitor of the Company or otherwise interfere in any such relationship, or (v) solicit on behalf of a competitor of the Company any prospective customer of the Company in the Restricted Territory that the Executive called on or was involved in soliciting on behalf of the Company during the Term, provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Executive from soliciting any of the following officers of the Company to be


  employed in a business that is not competitive with the business of the Company (i) at any time after any such officer’s employment is terminated by the Company, (ii) at any time after any such officer’s employment is terminated by the officer for Good Reason (as defined in the officer’s employment agreement) and (iii) at any time after the expiration the number of months indicated after each officer’s name from the date of termination of such officer by the Company for “Cause” (as such term is defined in the Separation Benefits Plan applicable to such officer) or from the date such officer notifies the Company of his intention to terminate his employment other than for “Good Reason” (as such term is defined in the Separation Benefits Plan applicable to such officer): Darrell Chambliss (twelve (12) months), Steven Bouck (twelve (12) months), and Worthing Jackman (twelve (12) months).

 

  c. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Section 12 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specified words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Plan shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.

 

  13. Indemnification . As an employee and agent of the Company, the Executive shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with his employment hereunder.

 

  14. Survival of Provisions . The obligations of the Executive under Sections 5, 6 and 12 of this Plan and of the Company under Section 13 of this Plan shall survive both the termination of the Executive’s employment and this Plan.

 

  15. ERISA Matters .

 

  a. Generally . This Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” welfare plan within the meaning of US Department of Labor Regulation Section 2540.104-24 (a “Top Hat Plan”), and, to the extent applicable, shall be subject to ERISA.

 

  b. Funding . This Plan shall be maintained in a manner to be considered “unfunded” for purposes of ERISA. The Company shall be required to make payments only as benefits become due and payable. No person shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor against the Company, with respect to the benefits payable hereunder, or which may be payable hereunder, to any Executive, surviving spouse or beneficiary hereunder. If the Company, acting in its sole discretion, establishes a reserve or other fund associated with this Plan, no person shall have any right to or interest in any specific amount or asset of such reserve or fund by reason of amounts which may be payable to such person under this Plan, nor shall such person have any right to receive any payment under this Plan except as and to the extent expressly provided in this Plan. The assets in any such reserve or fund shall be part of the general assets of the Company, subject to the control of the Company.

 

  c. Claims Procedures .

 

  1. Executive does not normally need to present a formal claim to receive benefits payable under this Plan.

 

  2. If any person (the “Claimant”) believes that benefits are being denied improperly, that the Plan is not being operated properly, that fiduciaries of the Plan have breached their duties, or that the Claimant’s legal rights are being violated with respect to the Plan, the Claimant must file a formal claim, in writing, with the Board. This requirement applies to all claims that any Claimant has with respect to the Plan, including claims against fiduciaries and former fiduciaries, except to the extent the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that it does not have the power to grant all relief reasonably being sought by the Claimant.


  3. A formal claim must be filed within 90 days after the date the Claimant first knew or should have known of the facts on which the claim is based, unless Board in writing consents otherwise. The Board will provide a Claimant, on request, with a copy of the claims procedures established under subsection (d).

 

  4. The Board has adopted procedures for considering claims (which are set forth in Appendix A), which it may amend from time to time, as it sees fit. These procedures will comply with all applicable legal requirements. These procedures may provide that final and binding arbitration will be the ultimate means of contesting a denied claim (even if the Board or its delegates have failed to follow the prescribed procedures with respect to the claim). The right to receive benefits under this Plan is contingent on a Claimant using the prescribed claims procedures to resolve any claim.

 

  d. Rights Under ERISA . Appendix B sets forth certain rights and information to which the Executive is entitled under ERISA.

 

  16. Section 409A Matters .

 

  a. To the extent applicable, this Plan shall be interpreted and applied consistent and in accordance with or exempt from Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Plan may not either be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A, the Company may, with the Executive’s prior written consent, adopt such amendments to this Plan or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Plan from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of such compensation and benefits, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A; provided, however, that this Section 16(a) does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, and in any event, no such action shall reduce the amount of compensation that is owed to the Executive under this Plan without the Executive’s prior written consent.

 

  b. To the extent permitted under Section 409A, any separate payment or benefit under this Plan or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A.

 

  c. To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Plan are deemed to constitute compensation to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the Executive’s right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

  d. For purposes of Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments under this Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

 

  17. No Duty to Mitigate; No Offset . The Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment contemplated by this Plan, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Executive may receive from any other sources or offset against any other payments made to him or required to be made to him pursuant to this Plan.

 

  18. Assignment; Binding Plan . The Company may assign this Plan to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor of the Company. This Plan is not assignable by the Executive and is binding on him and his executors and other legal representatives. This Plan shall bind the Company and its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, legatees or devisees. The Company shall assign this Plan to any entity that acquires its assets or business.


  19. Notice . Any written notice under this Plan shall be personally delivered to the other party or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth in the records of the Company or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice.

 

  20. Entire Plan; Amendments . This Plan contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the Executive’s employment and supersedes all oral or written prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature between them. This Plan may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Executive.

 

  21. Waiver . The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Plan shall not operate or as be construed to be a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach of this Plan.

 

  22. Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement . This Plan is intended to be a Top Hat Plan and shall be interpreted, administered and enforced in accordance with ERISA. It is expressly intended that ERISA preempt the application of state laws to this Plan to the maximum extent permitted by Section 514 of ERISA. To the extent that state law is applicable, the statutes and common law of the jurisdiction in which the Executive resides shall apply, excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any court, federal or state, situated within Montgomery County, Texas, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, this Plan.

 

  23. Severability . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Plan is, for any reason, held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Plan, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

 

  24. Enforcement . It is agreed that it is impossible to measure fully, in money, the damage which will accrue to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Section 5, 6 or 12 of this Plan, and, in any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of Section 5, 6 or 12 hereof, the Executive waives the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law and will not assert the claim or defense that such a remedy at law exists. The Company is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such sections as well as any and all other remedies available to it at law or in equity without the posting of any bond. The Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches any provision of Section 12, the Company may discontinue and terminate all severance payments and benefits under Sections 7, 8 and 10 of this Plan, as applicable, and recover as partial damages all profits realized by the Executive at any time prior to such recovery on the exercise of any equity award and the subsequent sale of the underlying stock and may also cancel any or all outstanding equity awards held by the Executive.

 

  25. Counterparts . This Plan may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  26. Due Authorization . The execution of this Plan has been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action.

[ Signatures appear on the following page ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.

/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

  By:  

/s/ Worthing F. Jackman

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt   Name: Worthing F. Jackman
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Address: ####

####


APPENDIX A

Detailed Claims And Arbitration Procedures

 

  1. Claims Procedure

Initial Claims

All claims shall be presented to the Plan Administrator in writing. Within ninety (90) days after receiving a claim, a claims official appointed by the Plan Administrator shall consider the claim and issue his or her determination thereon in writing. If the Plan Administrator or claims official determines that an extension of time is necessary, the claims official may extend the determination period for up to an additional ninety (90) days by giving the Claimant written notice indicating the special circumstances requiring the extension of time prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) day period. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the initial claims stage shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

Claims Decisions

If the claim is granted, the benefits or relief the Claimant seeks shall be provided. If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claims official shall, within ninety (90) days (or a longer period, as described above), provide the Claimant with written notice of the denial, setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant: (1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (2) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based; (3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, together with an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and (4) an explanation of the procedures for appealing denied claims. If the Claimant can establish that the claims official has failed to respond to the claim in a timely manner, the Claimant may treat the claim as having been denied by the claims official.

Appeals of Denied Claims

Each Claimant shall have the opportunity to appeal the claims official’s denial of a claim in writing to an appeals official appointed by the Plan Administrator (which may be a person, committee, or other entity). A Claimant must appeal a denied claim within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice of denial of the claim, or within sixty (60) days after it was due if the Claimant did not receive it by its due date. The Claimant shall have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the Claimant’s claim. The Claimant (or the Claimant’s duly authorized representative) shall be provided upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim. The appeals official shall take into account during its review all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefits review. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the appeals stage, such as by failing to file a timely appeal request, shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

Appeals Decisions

The decision by the appeals official shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after the written appeal is received by the Plan Administrator, however, if the appeals official determines that an extension of time is necessary, the appeals official may extend the determination period for up to an additional sixty (60) days by giving the Claimant written notice indicating the special circumstances requiring the

 

Appendix A-


extension of time prior to the termination of the initial sixty (60) day period. The appeal decision shall be in writing, shall be set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and shall include the following: (1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (2) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based; (3) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim. If a Claimant does not receive the appeal decision by the date it is due, the Claimant may deem the appeal to have been denied.

Procedures

The Plan Administrator shall adopt procedures by which initial claims shall be considered and appeals shall be resolved; different procedures may be established for different claims. All procedures shall be designed to afford a Claimant full and fair consideration of his or her claim.

Arbitration of Rejected Appeals

If a Claimant has pursued a claim through the appeal stage of these claims procedures, the Claimant may contest the actual or deemed denial of that claim through arbitration, as described below. In no event shall any denied claim be subject to resolution by any means (such as in a court of law) other than arbitration in accordance with the following provisions.

 

  2. Arbitration Procedure

Request for Arbitration

A Claimant must submit a request for arbitration to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receipt of the written denial of an appeal (or within sixty (60) days after he or she should have received the determination). The Claimant or the Plan Administrator may bring an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel arbitration in accordance with these procedures.

Applicable Arbitration Rules

If the Claimant has entered into a valid arbitration agreement with the Company, the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with that agreement. If not, the rules set forth in the balance of this Appendix shall apply: The arbitration shall be held under the auspices of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (“JAMS”), whichever is chosen by the party who did not initiate the arbitration. Except as provided below, the arbitration shall be in accordance with JAMS’ then-current employment dispute resolution rules. The Arbitrator shall apply the Federal Rules of Evidence and shall have the authority to entertain a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment by any party and shall apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern all arbitrations that take place under these Detailed Claims and Arbitration Procedures (or that are required to take place under them), and shall govern the interpretation or enforcement of these Procedures or any arbitration award. To the extent that the Federal Arbitration Act is inapplicable, Texas law pertaining to arbitration agreements shall apply.

Arbitrator

The arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) shall be an attorney familiar with employee benefit matters who is licensed to practice law in the state in which the arbitration is convened. The Arbitrator shall be selected in the following manner from a list of eleven arbitrators drawn by the sponsoring organization under whose auspices the arbitration is being conducted and taken from its panel of labor and

 

Appendix A-


employment arbitrators. Each party shall designate all arbitrators on the list whom they find acceptable; the parties shall then alternately strike arbitrators from the list of arbitrators acceptable to both parties, with the party who did not initiate the arbitration striking first. If only one arbitrator is acceptable to both parties, he or she will be the Arbitrator. If none of the arbitrators is acceptable to both parties, a new panel of arbitrators shall be obtained from the sponsoring organization and the selection process shall be repeated.

Location

The arbitration will take place in or near the city in which the Claimant is or was last employed by the Company or in which the Plan is principally administered, whichever is specified by the Plan Administrator, or in such other location as may be acceptable to both the Claimant and the Plan Administrator.

Authority of Arbitrator

The Arbitrator shall have the authority to resolve any factual or legal claim relating to the Plan or relating to the interpretation, applicability, or enforceability of these arbitration procedures, including, but not limited to, any claim that these procedures are void or voidable. The Arbitrator may grant a Claimant’s claim only if the Arbitrator determines that it is justified because: (1) the appeals official erred on an issue of law; or (2) the appeals official’s findings of fact, if applicable, were not supported by substantial evidence. The arbitration shall be final and binding on all parties.

Limitation on Scope of Arbitration

The Claimant may not present any evidence, facts, arguments, or theories at the arbitration that the Claimant did not pursue in his or her appeal, except in response to new evidence, facts, arguments, or theories presented on behalf of the other parties to the arbitration. However, an arbitrator may permit a Claimant to present additional evidence or theories if the Arbitrator determines that the Claimant was precluded from presenting them during the claim and appeal procedures due to procedural errors of the Plan Administrator or its delegates.

Administrative Record

The Plan Administrator shall submit to the Arbitrator a certified copy of the record on which the appeals official’s decision was made.

Experts, Depositions, and Discovery

Except as otherwise permitted by the Arbitrator on a showing of substantial need, either party may: (1) designate one expert witness; (2) take the deposition of one individual and the other party’s expert witness; (3) propound requests for production of documents; and (4) subpoena witnesses and documents relating to the discovery permitted in this paragraph.

Pre-Hearing Procedures

At least thirty (30) days before the arbitration hearing, the parties must exchange lists of witnesses, including any expert witnesses, and copies of all exhibits intended to be used at the hearing. The Arbitrator shall have jurisdiction to hear and rule on pre-hearing disputes and is authorized to hold pre-hearing conferences by telephone or in person, as the Arbitrator deems necessary.

 

Appendix A-


Transcripts

Either party may arrange for a court reporter to provide a stenographic record of the proceedings at the party’s own cost.

Post-Hearing Procedures

Either party, on request at the close of the hearing, may be given leave to file a post-hearing brief within the time limits established by the Arbitrator.

Costs and Attorneys’ Fees

The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled, except as required by applicable law.

Procedure for Collecting Costs From Claimant

Before the arbitration commences, the Claimant must deposit with the Plan Administrator his or her share of the anticipated fees and costs of the Arbitrator, as reasonably determined by the Plan Administrator. At least two weeks before delivering his or her decision, the Arbitrator shall send his or her final bill for fees and costs to the Plan Administrator for payment. The Plan Administrator shall apply the amount deposited by the Claimant to pay the Claimant’s share of the Arbitrator’s fees and costs and return any surplus deposit. If the Claimant’s deposit is insufficient, the Claimant will be billed for any remaining amount due. Failure to pay any amount within 10 days after it is billed shall constitute the Claimant’s irrevocable election to withdraw his or her arbitration request and abandon his or her claim.

Arbitration Award

The Arbitrator shall render an award and opinion in the form typically rendered in labor arbitrations. Within twenty (20) days after issuance of the Arbitrator’s award and opinion, either party may file with the Arbitrator a motion to reconsider, which shall be accompanied by a supporting brief. If such a motion is filed, the other party shall have twenty (20) days from the date of the motion to respond, after which the Arbitrator shall reconsider the issues raised by the motion and either promptly confirm or promptly change his or her decision. The decision shall then be final and conclusive on the parties. Arbitrator fees and other costs of a motion for reconsideration shall be borne by the losing party, unless the Arbitrator orders otherwise. Either party may bring an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction to enforce an arbitration award. A party opposing enforcement of an arbitration award may not do so in an enforcement proceeding, but must bring a separate action in a court of competent jurisdiction to set aside the award. In any such action, the standard of review shall be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing the decision of a trial court in a nonjury trial.

Severability

The invalidity or unenforceability of any part of these arbitration procedures shall not affect the validity of the rest of the procedures.

 

Appendix A-


APPENDIX B

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

RIGHTS UNDER ERISA

As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA. ERISA provides that all Plan participants will be entitled to:

Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits

1. Examine, without charge, at the Company’s headquarters, all documents governing the Plan including collective bargaining agreements, if any, and annual reports and Plan descriptions.

2. Obtain, upon written request to the Plan administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan, including collective bargaining agreements, if any, and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and summary plan description. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.

3. Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report, if any. The Plan administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.

Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries

In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including the Company, your union, or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or exercising your right under ERISA.

Enforce Your Rights

If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan and do not receive them within thirty (30) days, you may file suit in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan administrator. If you have a claim for benefits, which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court. In addition, if you disagree with the Plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the qualified status of a domestic relations order or a medical child support order, you may file suit in Federal court. If it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.

 

Appendix B-


Assistance with Your Questions

If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you should have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N. W., Washington, D. C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

 

Name of Plan:    Middelstaedt Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement
Plan Administrator and Sponsor:   

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442 2290

Type of Administration:    Self-Administered
Type of Plan:    Severance Pay “Top Hat” Welfare Benefit Plan
Employer Identification Number:    94-3283464
Direct Questions Regarding the Plan to:   

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442 2290

Agent for Service of Legal Process:   

Corporate Secretary

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442 2290

Service of Legal Process may also be made upon the Plan Administrator

Plan Year End:    December 31
Plan Number:    501

 

Appendix B-

Exhibit 10.2

 

AMENDMENT TO

SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Amendment to Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement (this “ Amendment ”) is dated December 17, 2015 (the “ Execution Date ”), and is by and between Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Ronald J. Mittelstaedt (“ Executive ”). The Company and Executive are referred to together herein as the “ Parties .” All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain Separation Benefits Plan and Employment Agreement, effective as of February 13, 2012 (the “ Employment Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS , the Parties desire to amend the Employment Agreement by this Amendment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

 

1. Payments on Change in Control . Section 10(a) of the Employment Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

“(a) Payments on Change in Control . Notwithstanding any agreement evidencing an equity award held by Executive entered into prior to, on or after the Effective Date to the contrary, no equity award held by Executive shall be subject to accelerated vesting based solely upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below) unless the Compensation Committee of the Company, prior to the Change in Control, reasonably determines in good faith that Executive’s equity awards will not be honored or assumed, or new rights that substantially preserve the terms of Executive’s equity awards will not be substituted therefor, by Executive’s employer (or the parent of such employer) immediately following the Change in Control (a “ Change in Control Cancellation ”). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Change in Control Cancellation, (1) the vesting and, if applicable, exercisability of each of Executive’s equity awards subject to time-based vesting shall fully accelerate as of immediately prior to the Change in Control and (2) the vesting and, if applicable, exercisability of each of Executive’s equity awards subject to performance-based vesting (“ Performance Awards ”) shall be determined in accordance with the agreement evidencing such Performance Award or, in the absence of any provision in the agreement evidencing such Performance Award pertaining to the Change in Control, shall be accelerated in respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject thereto with any performance goal(s) being deemed to have been achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target. For further avoidance of doubt, in the absence of a Change in Control Cancellation, if the terms of a Performance Award provide for accelerated vesting upon a termination of employment following a Change in Control, such terms shall continue to control and, in the absence of any such terms, such Performance Award shall be subject to accelerated vesting as provided in Sections 7 and 8 hereof. Furthermore, in the absence of a Change in Control Cancellation, if any equity award held by Executive as of immediately prior to a Change in Control is a Performance Award and the agreement evidencing such Performance Award does not provide for the determination of performance in connection with the Change in Control (or provides for accelerated vesting based solely upon the occurrence of a Change in Control), then the applicable performance goals in respect of such equity award shall be deemed to have been achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target and any such equity award shall vest and, if applicable, become exercisable on such date(s) the equity award would have vested if the performance goal were achieved absent the Change in Control. Any Performance Award for which the performance goal is achieved or deemed achieved in connection with a Change in Control shall constitute a ‘time-based equity award’ under Sections 7 and 8 hereof. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the preceding sentence, Executive shall be eligible for such payments and benefits as provided under, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, Sections 7 and 8 hereof in the event Executive’s employment terminates in connection with or following a Change in Control.”

 

 

 

 

2. No Other Changes . Except as provided in this Amendment, the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and remain unchanged.

 

3. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. A facsimile, telecopy or other reproduction of this Amendment may be executed by one or more parties and delivered by such party by facsimile or any similar electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of each such party can be seen. Such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes.

 

4. Governing Law . The Agreement and this Amendment are together intended to be a Top Hat Plan and shall be interpreted, administered and enforced in accordance with ERISA. It is expressly intended that ERISA preempt the application of state laws to the Agreement and this Amendment to the maximum extent permitted by Section 514 of ERISA. To the extent that state law is applicable, the statutes and common law of the jurisdiction in which the Executive resides shall apply, excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any court, federal or state, situated within Montgomery County, Texas, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, the Agreement and this Amendment.

 

5. Acknowledgement . Executive acknowledges that by entering into this Amendment, Executive is waiving any right Executive may have under the terms of any existing or future equity award to receive vesting acceleration based solely upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, provided, that such waiver shall not apply in the event of a Change in Control Cancellation. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive is only waiving accelerated vesting as provided in the Amendment and Executive’s equity awards shall remain subject to accelerated vesting upon certain terminations of Executive’s employment as provided in the Employment Agreement (as well as in connection with any Change in Control Cancellation).

 

6. Miscellaneous . This Amendment and the Employment Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the Company and Executive concerning the subject matter herein, and fully supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements, promises or understandings between the Company and Executive concerning the subject matter herein including, without limitation, any acceleration provisions set forth in any agreement evidencing an equity award held by Executive. Further, Executive represents and acknowledges that in executing this Amendment, Executive does not rely, and has not relied, on any prior oral or written communications by the Company, and Executive expressly disclaims any reliance on any prior oral or written communications, agreements, promises, inducements, understandings, statements or representations in entering into this Amendment. Therefore, Executive understands that he is precluded from bringing any fraud or fraudulent inducement claim against the Company associated with any such communications, agreements, promises, inducements, understandings, statements or representations. The Company and Executive are entering into this Amendment based on their own judgment.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed this Amendment as of the Execution Date.

 

WasTE CONNECTIONS, INC.   EXECUTIVE  
           
By:   /s/ Steven F. Bouck                /s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt  
      Ronald J. Mittelstaedt  
Its:    President           
              
Date:        December 17, 2015     Date:        December 17, 2015  
           

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the " Agreement "), is made and entered into effective as of October 1, 2005, by and between Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), and David Eddie (the " Employee ").

The Company and the Employee entered into an Employment Agreement as of May 15, 2001 (the "Old Agreement"), and by their execution of this First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, the Company and the Employee wish to amend and restate the Old Agreement in its entirety as provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions herein, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

    1. Employment; Acceptance. The Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts employment by the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
    2. Duties and Powers. The Employee is hereby employed as Vice President, Corporate Controller and the Employee shall devote Employee's attention, energies and abilities in that capacity to the proper oversight and operation of the Company's business, to the exclusion of any other occupation. As Vice President, Corporate Controller the Employee shall report to the Chief Financial Officer, shall be based at the Company's corporate headquarters in California, and shall be responsible for accounting functions relating to the Company's operations and properties. The Employee shall perform such other duties as the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Directors (the " Board ") of the Company may reasonably assign to the Employee from time to time. The Employee shall devote such time and attention to his duties as are reasonably necessary to the proper discharge of his responsibilities hereunder. The Employee agrees to perform all duties consistent with: (a) policies established from time to time by the Company; and (b) all applicable legal requirements.
    3. Term. The employment of the Employee by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall continue until the third (3 rd ) anniversary thereof (the " Term ") or until terminated prior to such date when and as provided in Section 7. Commencing October 1, 2006, and on each October 1 st thereafter, this Agreement shall be extended automatically for an additional year, thus extending the Term to three (3) years from each such date, unless either party shall have given the other notice of termination hereof as provided herein.
    4. Compensation.
      1. Base Salary. The Company hereby agrees to pay to the Employee an annual base salary of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) (" Base Salary "). Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices, and such Base Salary is subject to withholding and social security, unemployment and other taxes. Increases in Base Salary shall be considered by the Board.
      2. Performance Bonus . For the calendar year commencing January 1, 2005, and for each calendar year thereafter , the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the " Bonus ") based on the Company's attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. The maximum annual Bonus will equal thirty-five percent (35%) of the applicable year's beginning Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year's financial objectives have been fully met. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the Company's bonus plan, as approved by the Board.
      3. Grants of Options and Restricted Stock . Employee shall be entitled to participate in Stock Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit ("RSU") and other equity incentive plans presently in effect or in effect from time to time in the future on such terms and to such level of participation as the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall determine to be appropriate, bearing in mind the Employee's position and responsibilities.
      4. The terms of any Options, Restricted Stock, RSUs and other equity incentives shall be governed by the relevant plans under which they are issued and described in detail in applicable agreements between the Company and the Employee.

      5. Other Benefits. The Company shall provide the Employee with a cellular telephone and will pay or reimburse the Employee's monthly service fee and costs of calls attributable to Company business. The Employee shall be entitled to paid annual vacation, which shall accrue on the same basis as for other employees of the Company of similar rank, but which shall in no event be less than three (3) weeks for any twelve (12) month period commencing May 15 th of each year. The Employee also shall be entitled to participate, on the same terms as other employees of the Company participate, in any medical, dental or other health plan, pension plan, profit-sharing plan and life insurance plan that the Company may adopt or maintain, any of which may be changed, terminated or eliminated by the Company at any time in its exclusive discretion.

    5. Confidentiality . During the Term of his employment, and at all times thereafter, the Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge to any third party or use for his own benefit or the benefit of any third party or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary business or technical information revealed, obtained or developed in the course of his employment with the Company and which is otherwise the property of the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, customer lists, formulae and processes of manufacture; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the Employee's ability to make such disclosures during the course of his employment as may be necessary or appropriate to the effective and efficient discharge of his duties to the Company.
    6. Property. Both during the Term of his employment and thereafter, the Employee shall not remove from the Company's offices or premises any Company documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda and similar materials or property of any kind unless necessary in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of his employment. In the event that any such material or property is removed, it shall be returned to its proper file or place of safekeeping as promptly as possible. The Employee shall not make, retain, remove or distribute any copies, or divulge to any third person the nature or contents of any of the foregoing or of any other oral or written information to which he may have access, except as disclosure shall be necessary in the performance of his assigned duties. On the termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee shall leave with or return to the Company all originals and copies of the foregoing then in his possession or subject to his control, whether prepared by the Employee or by others.
    7. Termination.
      1. For Cause. The Company, by action of the Board, may terminate this Agreement and the Employee's employment for cause on delivery to the Employee of a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9.2 below). For purposes of this agreement, the term " Cause " shall mean:
        1. a material breach by the Employee of any of the terms of this Agreement that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach;
        2. conviction of a felony;
        3. a breach of any of the provisions of Section 11 below;
        4. repeated intoxification with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the other managers of the Company, the Employee is abusive or incapable of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; and
        5. misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

        On such termination for cause, the Employee shall be entitled only to the Employee's Base Salary through the date of such termination, and shall not be entitled to any other compensation, including, without limitation, any severance compensation. Without limitation of the foregoing, on termination pursuant to this Section 7.1, the Employee shall forfeit: (i) his Bonus under Section 4.2 for the year in which such termination occurs; and (ii) all outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee that as of the termination date are still unvested and subject to restrictions on transfer.

      2. Without Cause. The employment of the Employee may be terminated without Cause at any time by the Company on delivery to the Employee of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9.1). On the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9.2) pursuant to this Section 7.2, the Company shall, in lieu of any payments under Section 4.1 and 4.2 for the remainder of the Term, pay to the Employee an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) the Employee's Base Salary for a period of one (1) year from the date of termination, and (b) the Employee's Base Salary for the remainder of the Term. In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to the pro-rated maximum Bonus available to the Employee under Section 4.2 for the year in which the termination occurs. Such payment by the Company shall be paid in accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices and not as a lump sum payment. In addition, the Company will pay as incurred the Employee's expenses, up to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), associated with career counseling and resume development. The Company shall also pay to the Employee an amount equal to the Company's portion (but not the Employee's portion) of the cost of medical insurance at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination for a period of one (1) year from the Date of Termination. In addition, on termination of the Employee under this Section 7.2, all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Employee's termination. The Employee acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock options pursuant to this Section 7.2 or Sections 7.3, 7.4 or 8.1 below, could cause such option to lose its tax-qualified status if it is an incentive stock option under the Code and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Employee for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.
      3. Termination on Disability . If during the Term the Employee should fail to perform his duties hereunder on account of physical or mental illness or other incapacity which the Company shall in good faith determine renders the Employee incapable of performing his duties hereunder, and such illness or other incapacity shall continue for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months (" Disability "), the Company shall have the right, on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Employee to terminate the Employee's employment under this Agreement. During the period that the Employee shall have been incapacitated due to physical or mental illness, the Employee shall continue to receive the full Base Salary provided for in Section 4.1 hereof at the rate then in effect until the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7.3. On the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7.3, the Company shall pay to the Employee the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7.2 hereof, other than those related to career counseling and resume development. The Company shall also pay, on behalf of the Employee, an amount equal to the Company's portion (not the Employee's portion) of the cost of medical insurance at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination for a period of one (1) year from the Date of Termination. In addition, on such termination, all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Employee's termination.
      4. Termination on Death . If the Employee shall die during the Term, the employment of the Employee shall thereupon terminate. On the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7.4, the Company shall pay to the Employee's estate the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7.2 hereof, other than those related to career counseling and resume development. In addition, on termination of the Employee under this Section 7.4, all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the first anniversary of the Employee's termination. The provisions of this Section 7.4 shall not affect the entitlements of the Employee's heirs, executors, administrators, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under any employee benefit plan, fund or program of the Company.
      5. No Limitation on Company's Right to Terminate. Any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall have the right, in its absolute discretion, to terminate this Agreement and the Employee's employment hereunder at any time in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, it being the intent and purpose of the foregoing provisions of this Section 7 only to set forth the consequences of termination with respect to severance or other compensation payable to the Employee on termination in the circumstances indicated.

    8. Termination by Employee . The Employee may terminate his employment hereunder on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Company setting forth the effective date of termination. If the Employee terminates his employment hereunder, he shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay on the effective date of termination specified in the Notice of Termination, his current Base Salary under Section 4.1 hereof on a prorated basis to such date of termination. On termination pursuant to this Section 8.2, the Employee shall forfeit: (i) his Bonus under Section 4.2 for the year in which such termination occurs; and (ii) all outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee that as of the termination date are still unvested and subject to restrictions on transfer.
    9. Provisions Applicable to Termination of Employment .
      1. Notice of Termination . Any purported termination of Employee's employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the Employee as provided herein, and shall state the specific termination provisions in this Agreement relied on and set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Employee's employment (" Notice of Termination "). If the Employee terminates under Section 8, he shall give the Company a Notice of Termination.
      2. Date of Termination . For all purposes, " Date of Termination " shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Employee (provided the Employee has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), or, if the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason or by the Employee, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given.
      3. Benefits on Termination . On termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 7 or by the Employee pursuant to Section 8, all profit-sharing, deferred compensation and other retirement benefits payable to the Employee under benefit plans in which the Employee then participated shall be paid to the Employee in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans.

    10. Change In Control .
      1. Payments on Change in Control . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Employee elects in writing to waive this provision, a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company shall be deemed a termination of the Employee without Cause, and the Employee shall be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to the Employee the same amount determined under Section 7.2 that is payable to the Employee on termination without Cause provided, however, that such amount shall be payable in a lump sum on the Date of Termination and not in installments as provided in Section 7.2. In addition, on a Change of Control, all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, the term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the first anniversary of the Employee's termination, and all RSUs and shares of the Company's restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable.
      2. After a Change in Control, if any previously outstanding option or right (the " Terminated Option ") relating to the Company's capital stock does not remain outstanding, the successor to the Company or its then Parent (as defined below) shall either:

        1. Issue an option, warrant or right, as appropriate (the " Successor Option "), to purchase common stock of such successor or Parent in an amount such that on exercise of the Successor Option the Employee would receive the same number of shares of the successor's/Parent's common stock as the Employee would have received had the Employee exercised the Terminated Option immediately prior to the transaction resulting in the Change in Control and received shares of such successor/Parent in such transaction. The aggregate exercise price for all of the shares covered by such Successor Option shall equal the aggregate exercise price of the Terminated Option; or
        2. Pay the Employee a bonus within ten (10) days after the consummation of the Change in Control in an amount agreed to by the Employee and the Company. Such amount shall be at least equivalent on an after-tax basis to the net after-tax gain that the Employee would have realized if the Employee had been issued a Successor Option under clause 10.1(a) above and had immediately exercised such Successor Option and sold the underlying stock, taking into account the different tax rates that apply to such bonus and to such gain, and such amount shall also reflect other differences to the Employee between receiving a bonus under this clause 10.1(b) and receiving a Successor Option under clause 10.1(a) above.

      3. Definitions . For the purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) there shall be consummated (aa) any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, and (bb) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; or (ii) if any "person" (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " Exchange Act ")), shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this Section 10.2, "person" shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of this Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company); or (iii) if during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half (½) of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

      The term " Parent " means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that is the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined above) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities.

    11. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .
      1. In consideration of the provisions hereof, for the Restricted Period (as defined below), the Employee will not, except as specifically provided below, anywhere in any county in the State of California or anywhere in any other state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date (the " Restricted Territory "), directly or indirectly, acting individually or as the owner, shareholder, partner or management employee of any entity: (i) engage in the operation of a solid waste collection, transporting or disposal business, transfer facility, recycling facility, materials recovery facility or solid waste landfill; or (ii) enter the employ as a manager of, or render any personal services to or for the benefit of, or assist in or facilitate the solicitation of customers for, or receive remuneration in the form of management salary, commissions or otherwise from, any business engaged in such activities in such counties; or (iii) receive or purchase a financial interest in, make a loan to, or make a gift in support of, any such business in any capacity, including without limitation, as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal agent or trustee; provided, however, that the Employee may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any business traded on any national securities exchange or quoted on any NASDAQ market, provided the Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such business and further provided that the Employee does not, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such business. The term " Restricted Period " shall mean the earlier of: (i) the maximum period allowed under applicable law; and (ii) (aa) in the case of a Change of Control, until the first anniversary of the effective date of the Change of Control, (bb) in the case of a termination by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7.2 and provided the Company has made the payments required under Section 7.2, as the case may be, until the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Date of Termination, or (cc) in the case of Termination for Cause by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1 or by the Employee pursuant to Section 8.2, until the first anniversary of the Date of Termination. If the Company terminates the Employee without cause, the Employee may shorten the Restricted Period by the length of any period that the Employee elects to waive his right to receive severance payments under Section 7.2. For example, if the Employee waives the right to receive all severance payments under Section 7.2, the Restricted Period shall be zero (0) months; if the Employee elects to receive severance payments under Section 7.2 for eight months, the Restricted Period shall be eight (8) months.
      2. After termination of this Agreement by the Company or the Employee pursuant to Section 7 or 8 or termination of this Agreement upon a Change in Control pursuant to Section 10, the Employee shall not: (i) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to whom the Company provides service pursuant to a franchise agreement with a public entity in the Restricted Territory; or (ii) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to enter into a solid waste collection account relationship with a competitor of the Company in the Restricted Territory; or (iii) solicit any such public entity to enter into a franchise agreement with any such competitor, or (iv) solicit any officer, employee or contractor of the Company to enter into an employment or contractor agreement with a competitor of the Company or otherwise interfere in any such relationship; or (v) solicit on behalf of a competitor of the Company any prospective customer of the Company in the Restricted Territory that the Employee called on or was involved in soliciting on behalf of the Company during the Term, in each case until the first (1 st ) anniversary of the date of such termination or the effective date of such change of control (whichever is later), unless otherwise permitted to do so by Section 11.1.
      3. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Section 11 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specified words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.

    12. Indemnification . As an officer and agent of the Company, the Employee shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with his employment hereunder.
    13. Survival of Provisions . The obligations of the Company under Section 12 of this Agreement, and of the Employee under Section 11 of this Agreement, shall survive both the termination of the Employee's employment and this Agreement.
    14. No Duty to Mitigate; No Offset . The Employee shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other sources or offset against any other payments made to him or required to be made to him pursuant to this Agreement.
    15. Assignment; Binding Agreement . The Company may assign this Agreement to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor of the Company. This Agreement is not assignable by the Employee and is binding on him and his executors and other legal representatives. This Agreement shall bind the Company and its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the Employee and his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, legatees or devisees. The Company shall assign this Agreement to any entity that acquires its assets or business.
    16. Notice . Any written notice under this Agreement shall be personally delivered to the other party or sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth in the records of the Company or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice.
    17. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the Employee's employment and supersedes all oral or written prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature between them. This Agreement may not be changed except by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Employee.
    18. Waiver . The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or as be construed to be a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
    19. Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any court, federal or state, situated within Sacramento County, California, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, this Agreement.
    20. Severability . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is, for any reason, held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
    21. Enforcement . It is agreed that it is impossible to measure fully, in money, the damage which will accrue to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Sections 5, 6, or 11 of this Agreement, and, in any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of Sections 5, 6 or 11 hereof, the Employee waives the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law and will not assert the claim or defense that such a remedy at law exists. The Company is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such sections as well as any and all other remedies available to it at law or in equity without the posting of any bond. The Employee agrees that if the Employee breaches any provision of Section 11, the Company may recover as partial damages all profits realized by the Employee at any time prior to such recovery on the exercise of any warrant, option or right to purchase the Company's Common Stock and the subsequent sale of such stock, and may also cancel all outstanding such warrants, options and rights.
    22. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more facsimile or original counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signatures appear on the following page]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Employment Agreement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.

    Waste Connections, Inc.  
/s/ David Eddie        
David Eddie   By: /s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt,  
    Ronald J. Mittelstaedt,  
    Chief Executive Officer  
Address:        
         

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of September 13, 1999, or such earlier date as the parties agree (the "Effective Date"), by and between James Little (the "Employee") and Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with reference to the following facts.

 

The Company desires to engage the services and employment of the Employee, and the Employee is willing to accept employment by the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions herein, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:

 

1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee, and the Employee agrees to accept employment with the Company, on the terms and conditions stated herein.

 

2. Position and Responsibilities. During the Term, the Employee shall serve as Vice President Engineering of the Company, reporting directly to the Company's President. The Employee shall be based in the Company's corporate headquarters in California and shall be responsible for oversight of all environmental engineering relating to the Company's operations and properties.

 

The employee shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as the President or the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company may reasonably assign to the Employee from time to time. The Employee shall devote such time and attention to his duties as are necessary to the proper discharge of his responsibilities hereunder. The Employee agrees to perform all duties consistent with (a) policies established from time to time by the Company and (b) all applicable legal requirements.

 

3. Term. The period of the Employee's employment under this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until the second anniversary of the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier as provided herein or extended by the Board. At the end of the initial Term, this Agreement shall be renewed automatically for successive Terms of one year, unless either party shall have given the other notice of termination hereof as provided herein.

 

4. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses.

 

(a) Compensation. The Company shall compensate the Employee during the Term of this Agreement as follows:

 

(1) Base Salary. The Employee shall be paid a base salary ("Base Salary") of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per year in installments consistent with the Company's usual practices. The Board shall review the Employee's Base Salary on each anniversary of the Effective Date or more frequently, at the times prescribed in salary administration practices applied generally to management employees of the Company. In addition, if on the first anniversary of the Effective Date the gross in-the-money value of the Options to purchase 6,667 shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to the Employee and vested on such first anniversary pursuant to Section 4(a)(3) below is not at least $50,000, the Employee may elect to have his Base Salary adjusted to One Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Dollars ($122,000) per year as of such date, in which case the Employee shall immediately forfeit those Options to purchase 6,667 shares.

 

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(2) Performance Bonus. The Employee shall be entitled to an annual cash bonus (the "Bonus") based on the Company's attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. The maximum annual Bonus will equal thirty percent (30%) of the applicable year's ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year's financial objectives have been fully met. The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the Company's bonus plan, as approved by the Board; provided that in no case shall any portion of the Bonus with respect to any fiscal year be paid more than seventy-five (75) days after the end of such fiscal year.

 

(3) Grant of Options. On the Effective Date, the Company shall grant to the Employee, for no additional consideration, nonqualified stock options (the "Options") to purchase 20,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan. The Options shall have a term of 10 years from the date of such grant and shall be exercisable at a price of $19.50 per share. The Options shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 6,667 shares on each of the first and second anniversaries of the Effective Date, and with respect to 6,666 shares on the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

The terms of the Options shall be described in more detail in a Stock Option Agreement to be entered into between the Employee and the Company. If at any time while any of the Options are still outstanding the Company amends its Stock Option Plan to provide for a less favorable vesting schedule for stock options than that provided herein, any Options then outstanding shall thereupon be converted to warrants entitling the Employee to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Employee's then outstanding Options may be exercised, on the same terms as provided under such Options.

 

(b) Other Benefits. During the Term, the Company shall provide the Employee with a cellular telephone and will pay or reimburse the Employee's monthly service fee and costs of calls attributable to Company business. During the Term, the Employee shall be entitled to receive all other benefits of employment generally available to other management employees of the Company and those benefits for which management employees are or shall become eligible, including, without limitation and to the extent made available by the Company, medical, dental, disability and prescription coverage, life insurance and tax-qualified retirement benefits. If the Employee is not eligible for coverage under the Company's health insurance policy at the commencement of the Term, the Company shall reimburse the Employee for the expenses of health insurance coverage under COBRA from the commencement of the Term until the Employee becomes eligible for the health insurance benefits offered by the Company. The Employee shall be entitled to three (3) weeks of paid vacation during each of the first three twelve-month periods of his employment, and four (4) weeks per twelve-month period beginning with the fourth twelve-month period of employment.

 

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(c) Relocation Benefits. The Company will provide the following relocation benefits: (i) an initial relocation bonus of $20,000, (ii) the Employee's temporary lodging and commuting expenses between Ohio and California for the longer of 90 days or the period ending on the date on which the Employee sells his home in Ohio (which period may be lengthened by mutual agreement of the Employee and the Company), (iii) expenses of moving the Employee's household goods and horse (the expenses for moving the horse not to exceed $1,500) from the Employee's home in Ohio to the Employee's new home in the Sacramento, California area when the Employee relocates to California (including moving insurance, packing and transportation and temporary storage costs) by a national moving company selected by the Company, (iv) reasonable realtor's fees (or, if the Employee sells his home without the services of a realtor, an amount equal to the reasonable realtor's fees that would have been incurred on such sale) and non-recurring closing costs incurred by the Employee with respect to the sale of the Employee's home in Ohio, and (v) reasonable non-recurring closing costs incurred by the Employee with respect to the purchase of a home in the Sacramento area, and up to 1 point on a mortgage loan on the purchase of such home. If the Employee voluntarily terminates his employment within two years after the Effective Date, the Employee shall on such termination pay the Company an amount equal to the aggregate amount of such benefits, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is 24 minus the number of full months the Employee was employed by the Company, and the denominator of which is 24.

 

If any benefits described in this Section 4(c) are not tax-deductible by the Company, the Company shall treat the cost of such benefits as additional compensation to the Employee ("Relocation Compensation" ) and shall pay the Employee an additional cash bonus ("Relocation Bonus") sufficient to cover any Federal, state or local income or employment taxes on such Relocation Bonus, so that the Employee shall incur no net after-tax expense as a result of any benefits paid pursuant to this Section 4(c).

 

(d) Reimbursement of Other Expenses. The Company agrees to pay or reimburse the Employee for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by the Employee in connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement on presentation of proper expense statements or vouchers. All such supporting information shall comply with all applicable Company policies relating to reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

 

(e) Withholding. All compensation payable to the Employee hereunder is subject to all withholding requirements under applicable law.

 

5. Confidentiality. During the Term of his employment, and at all times thereafter, the Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge to any third party or use for his own benefit or the benefit of any third party or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary business or technical information revealed, obtained or developed in the course of his employment with the Company and which is otherwise the property of the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, customer lists, formulae and processes of manufacture; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the Employee's ability to make such disclosures during the course of his employment as may be necessary or appropriate to the effective and efficient discharge of his duties to the Company.

 

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6. Property. Both during the Term of his employment and thereafter, the Employee shall not remove from the Company's offices or premises any Company documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda and similar materials or property of any kind unless necessary in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of his employment. In the event that any such material or property is removed, it shall be returned to its proper file or place of safekeeping as promptly as possible. The Employee shall not make, retain, remove or distribute any copies, or divulge to any third person the nature or contents of any of the foregoing or of any other oral or written information to which he may have access, except as disclosure shall be necessary in the performance of his assigned duties. On the termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee shall leave with or return to the Company all originals and copies of the foregoing then in his possession or subject to his control, whether prepared by the Employee or by others.

 

7. Termination.

 

(a) Termination by the Company for Cause or by the Employee. The employment of the Employee may be terminated for Cause at any time by the Board, on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 8(a)) delivered to the Employee describing with specificity the grounds for termination. The employment of the Employee may also be terminated at any time by the Employee on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Company. Immediately on termination pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Company shall pay to the Employee in a lump sum his then current Base Salary under Section 4(a)(1) on a prorated basis to the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 8(b)). On termination pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Employee shall forfeit (i) his Bonus under Section 4(a)(2) for the year in which such termination occurs, and (ii) all outstanding but unvested Options and other options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean:

 

(1) a material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach;

 

(2) a breach of any of the provisions of Section 10;

 

(3) repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the other managers of the Company, the Employee is abusive or incapable of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement;

 

(4) conviction of a felony; or

 

(5) misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

 

  4  

 

 

(b) Termination Without Cause. The employment of the Employee may be terminated without Cause at any time by the Board on delivery to the Employee of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 8(a)). On the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 8(b)) pursuant to this Section 7(b), the Company shall pay to the Employee in a lump sum an amount equal to the greater of (i) the Base Salary payable under Section 4(a)(1) through the end of the then-current Term at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination, or (ii) one year's Base Salary at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination. The Employee may elect to forfeit receipt of all or part of the lump sum described in the preceding sentence, in exchange for payment by the Company of all or part of the costs of the Employee's relocating to an area of his choice, with the amount of the lump sum payment forfeited by the Employee and the amount of the relocation costs paid by the Company to be determined by agreement between the Employee and the Company. In addition, on termination of the Employee under this Section 7(b), all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested Options and other options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the third anniversary of the Employee's termination. The Employee acknowledges that extending the term of any option pursuant to this Section 7(b), or Section 7(c) or 7(d), could cause such option to lose its tax-qualified status if it is an incentive stock option under the Code and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Employee for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.

 

(c) Termination on Disability. If during the Term the Employee should fail to perform his duties hereunder on account of physical or mental illness or other incapacity which the Board shall in good faith determine renders the Employee incapable of performing his duties hereunder, and such illness or other incapacity shall continue for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months ("Disability"), the Company shall have the right, on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 8(a)) delivered to the Employee to terminate the Employee's employment under this Agreement. During the period that the Employee shall have been incapacitated due to physical or mental illness, the Employee shall continue to receive the full Base Salary provided for in Section 4(a)(1) hereof at the rate then in effect until the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 8(b)) pursuant to this Section 7(c). On the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7(c), all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested Options and other options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the third anniversary of the Employee's termination.

 

(d) Termination on Death. If the Employee shall die during the Term, the employment of the Employee shall thereupon terminate. On the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 8(b)) pursuant to this Section 7(d), all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested Options and other options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable. The term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the third anniversary of the Employee's termination. The provisions of this Section 7(d) shall not affect the entitlements of the Employee's heirs, executors, administrators, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under any employee benefit plan, fund or program of the Company.

 

8. Provisions Applicable to Termination of Employment.

 

(a) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of Employee's employment by the Company or by the employee pursuant to Section 7 shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the Employee or the Company, as the case may be, as provided herein ("Notice of Termination").

 

(b) Date of Termination. For all purposes, "Date of Termination" shall mean the date on which a Notice of Termination is given.

 

  5  

 

 

(c) Benefits on Termination. On termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7, all profit-sharing, deferred compensation and other retirement benefits payable to the Employee under benefit plans in which the Employee then participated shall be paid to the Employee in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 7(b), 7(c), 7(d) and 9, if the Employee's employment by the Company is terminated before all of the Employee's options, warrants and rights with respect to the Company's capital stock have vested, the Employee shall forfeit any such options, warrants and rights that are unvested as of the termination date.

 

9. Change In Control.

 

(a) Payments on Change in Control. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Employee elects in writing to waive this provision, a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company shall be deemed a termination of the Employee without Cause, and the Employee shall be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to the Employee in a lump sum the same amount determined under Section 7(b) that is payable to the Employee on termination without Cause, and the Employee shall have the right to forfeit all or part of such amount in exchange for payment by the Company of certain relocation costs, as described in Section 7(b). In addition, on a Change of Control, all of the Employee's outstanding but unvested Options and other options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and the term of any such options and rights shall be extended to the third anniversary of the Employee's termination.

 

After a Change in Control, if any previously outstanding Option or other option or right (the "Terminated Option") relating to the Company's capital stock does not remain outstanding, the successor to the Company or its then Parent (as defined below) shall either:

 

(i) Issue an option, warrant or right, as appropriate (the "Successor Option"), to purchase common stock of such successor or Parent in an amount such that on exercise of the Successor Option the Employee would receive the same number of shares of the successor's/Parent's common stock as the Employee would have received had the Employee exercised the Terminated Option immediately prior to the transaction resulting in the Change in Control and received shares of such successor/Parent in such transaction. The aggregate exercise price for all of the shares covered by such Successor Option shall equal the aggregate exercise price of the Terminated Option; or

 

(ii) Pay the Employee a bonus within ten (10) days after the consummation of the Change in Control in an amount agreed to by the Employee and the Company. Such amount shall be at least equivalent on an after-tax basis to the net after-tax gain that the Employee would have realized if he had been issued a Successor Option under clause (i) above and had immediately exercised such Successor Option and sold the underlying stock, taking into account the different tax rates that apply to such bonus and to such gain, and such amount shall also reflect other differences to the Employee between receiving a bonus under this clause (ii) and receiving a Successor Option under clause (i) above.

 

  6  

 

 

(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (aa) any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, (bb) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or if(ii) any "person" (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities

 

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this Section 10(b), "person" shall not include any person or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person, who as of the date of this Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company) or if (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

 

The term "Parent" means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that is the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined above) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities.

 

10. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.

 

(a) In consideration of the provisions hereof, for the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the first anniversary of the termination of this Agreement, the Employee will not, except as specifically provided below, anywhere in any county in any state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date, directly or indirectly, acting individually or as the owner, shareholder, partner or management employee of any entity, (i) engage in the operation of a solid waste collection, transporting or disposal business, transfer facility, recycling facility, materials recovery facility or solid waste landfill; (ii) enter the employ as a manager of, or render any personal services to or for the benefit of, or assist in or facilitate the solicitation of customers for, or receive remuneration in the form of management salary, commissions or otherwise from, any business engaged in such activities in such counties; or (iii) receive or purchase a financial interest in, make a loan to, or make a gift in support of, any such business in any capacity, including without limitation, as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal agent or trustee; provided, however, that the Employee may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any business traded on any national securities exchange or quoted on any NASDAQ market, provided the Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such business and further provided that the Employee does not, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such business.

 

  7  

 

 

(b) After termination of this Agreement, the Employee shall not (i) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to whom the Company provides service pursuant to a franchise agreement with a public entity in any county in any state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date, (ii) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to enter into a solid waste collection account relationship with a competitor of the Company in any such county, (iii) solicit any such public entity to enter into a franchise agreement with any such competitor, (iv) solicit any officer, employee or contractor of the Company to enter into an employment or contractor agreement with a competitor of the Company or otherwise interfere in any such relationship, or (v) solicit on behalf of a competitor of the Company any prospective customer of the Company that the Employee called on or was involved in soliciting on behalf of the Company during the Term, in each case until the second anniversary of the date of such termination, unless otherwise permitted to do so by Section 10(a); provided that if the Employee is terminated by the Company without Cause by the Company pursuant to Section 7(b), the restrictions in this Section 10(b) shall apply only for as many months after such termination as are used to calculate the amount actually paid under Section 7(b)(iii) to the Employee on such termination. For example, if the Employee waives his right to be paid any amount under Section 7(b)(iii) (relating to the Total Compensation paid to him during the previous twelve months), the restrictions in this Section 10(b) shall not apply at all; if the Employee elects to receive under Section 7(b)(iii) an amount equal to only eight months' Total Compensation, the restrictions shall apply for only eight months.

 

(c) If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Section 10 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specified words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.

 

11. Indemnification. As an employee and agent of the Company, the Employee shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with his employment hereunder.

 

12. Survival of Provisions. The obligations of the Company under Section 11 of this Agreement, and of the Employee under Sections 5, 6 and 10 of this Agreement, shall survive both the termination of the Employee's employment and this Agreement.

 

13. No Duty to Mitigate; No Offset. The Employee shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other sources or offset against any other payments made to him or required to be made to him pursuant to this Agreement.

 

  8  

 

 

14. Assignment; Binding Agreement. The Company may assign this Agreement to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor of the Company. This Agreement is not assignable by the Employee and is binding on him and his executors and other legal representatives. This Agreement shall bind the Company and its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the Employee and his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, legatees or devisees. The Company shall assign this Agreement to any entity that acquires its assets or business.

 

15. Notice. Any written notice under this Agreement shall be personally delivered to the other party or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth in the records of the Company or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice.

 

16. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the Employee's employment and supersedes all oral or written prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature between them. This Agreement may not be changed except by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Employee.

 

17. Waiver. The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or as be construed to be a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

 

18. Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

 

19. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is, for any reason, held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

 

20. Enforcement. It is agreed that it is impossible to measure fully, in money, the damage which will accrue to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Sections 5, 6, or 10 of this Agreement, and, in any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of Sections 5, 6 or 10 hereof, the Employee waives the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law and will not assert the claim or defense that such a remedy at law exists. The Company is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such sections as well as any and all other remedies available to it at law or in equity without the posting of any bond. The Employee agrees that if the Employee breaches any provision of Section 10, the Company may recover as partial damages all profits realized by the Employee at any time prior to such recovery on the exercise of any warrant, option or right to purchase the Company's Common Stock and the subsequent sale of such stock, and may also cancel all outstanding such warrants, options and rights.

 

21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

22. Due Authorization. The execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action.

 

  9  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Employment Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.

 

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.,
  a Delaware corporation
     
  By: /s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt  
  Printed Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  Title: President

 

 

EMPLOYEE:

 

/s/ James Little

James Little

 

  10  


Exhibit 10.5
 
AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), is made and entered into effective as of [__________________], 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [_________________] (the “ Employee ”).
 
WHEREAS , the Company and the Employee desire to amend that certain Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Employee, dated as of [_________________] (the “ Agreement ”), in order to ensure that the benefits to be provided by the Agreement comply with, or are exempt from, the provisions of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “ Code ”).
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions herein, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows effective as of the Effective Date.  Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.
 
1.            Amendment .  The Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to provide the following:
 
(a)            Separation from Service .  No benefits payable upon Employee’s termination of employment that are deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall be payable upon Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to the Agreement unless such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (a “ Separation from Service ”).
 
(b)            Change in Control .  No benefits deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable upon a Change in Control pursuant to the Agreement unless such Change in Control constitutes a “change in control event” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
 
(c)            Waiver .  Employee shall not waive any provision of the Agreement if the effect of such waiver would be to delay the payment of an amount that is, or as a result of such waiver becomes, subject to Section 409A of the Code, and any attempt to waive such provision shall be deemed void ab initio .
 
(d)            Specified Employee .  If Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under the Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death.  Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee, and any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 1
 
 
 

 
 
(e)            Expense Reimbursements .  To the extent that any reimbursements payable pursuant to the Agreement are subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements payable to Employee pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under the Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
 
(f)            Installments .  For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under the Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.
 
(g)            Extensions .  To the extent the exercisability or term of any option, warrant or other right relating to the capital stock of the Company is extended pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the exercisability or term of such option, warrant or other right shall in no event extend to a date later than the date such option, warrant or other right would have expired under any circumstances pursuant to its original terms.
 
(h)            Bonus .  Any Bonus payable pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid no later than the fifteenth (15 th ) day of the third (3 rd ) month following the end of the fiscal year to which such Bonus relates.
 
(i)            Date of Termination .  For the purposes of the Agreement, “ Date of Termination ” shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Employee ( provided the Employee has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Disability, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, or if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Employee for any reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination which shall be within thirty (30) days of the date of such Notice of Termination.
 
(j)            Exchange of Benefits .  No benefits payable under the Agreement that are deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be subject to forfeiture in exchange for another benefit under the Agreement.
 
2.            Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in one or more facsimile or original counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
3.            Ratification .  All terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended hereby, either expressly or by necessary implication, shall remain in full force and effect.  From and after the date of this Amendment, all references to the term “ Agreement ” in this Amendment and in the original Agreement shall include the terms contained in this Amendment.
 
4.            Conflicting Provisions .  In the event of any conflict between the original terms of the Agreement and this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall prevail.
 
5.            Authorization .  Each party executing this Amendment represents and warrants that it is duly authorized to cause this Amendment to be executed and delivered.
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 2
 
 
 

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Amendment to Employment Agreement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.
 
   
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
         
         
         
 
 
By:
   
      Ronald J. Mittelstaedt  
     
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 3

Exhibit 10.6
 
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), is made and entered into effective as of February 1, 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Patrick J. Shea (the “ Employee ”) and amends and restates in its entirety that certain Employment Agreement effective as of February 23, 2004 between the Company and the Employee.
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions herein, the Company and the Employee agree as follows:
 
1.            Employment; Acceptance.   The Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts employment by the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
 
2.            Duties and Powers.   From the Effective Date to and through February 22, 2008, the Employee shall continue serving in his current capacity as Corporate Counsel of the Company, reporting directly to the Company's Executive Vice President and General Counsel.  Beginning February 23, 2008, and during the Term, the Employee shall serve as acting General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, reporting directly to the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company may reasonably assign to the Employee from time to time; provided, however, that upon the Company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or around February 2009 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, subject to the Board’s approval, the Employee shall from that point forward serve as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. The Employee shall be based at the Company's corporate headquarters in Folsom, California. The Employee shall devote such time and attention to his duties as are reasonably necessary to the proper discharge of his responsibilities hereunder. The Employee agrees to perform all duties consistent with (a) policies established from time to time by the Company and (b) all applicable legal requirements.
 
3.              Term.   The employment of the Employee by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall continue until January 31, 2011 (the “ Term ”) or until terminated prior to such date when and as provided in Sections 7 and 8.  On each January 31 following the Effective Date, this Agreement shall be extended automatically for an additional year, thus extending the Term to three (3) years from each such date, unless either party shall have given the other notice of termination hereof as provided herein.
 
4.              Compensation.
 
4.1            Base Salary.   Commencing on the Effective Date, the Company hereby agrees to pay to the Employee an annual base salary of One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000); provided, however, that upon the Board’s appointment of Employee as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company as described in Section 2, and as of February 1, 2009, the Company hereby agrees to pay to the Employee an annual base salary of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000).  When used herein, “ Base Salary ” shall refer to the base salary described in the preceding sentence that is in effect at that time, and as may be increased from time to time.  Such Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, and such Base Salary is subject to withholding and social security, unemployment and other taxes.  Increases in Base Salary shall be considered by the Board.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
 

 
 
4.2            Performance Bonus .  For the calendar year commencing January 1, 2008, and for each calendar year thereafter , the Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the “ Bonus ”) based on the Company’s attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board.  The annual Bonus target will equal forty percent (40%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year’s financial objectives have been fully met; provided, however, that upon the Board’s appointment of Employee as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company as described in Section 2, the annual Bonus target will equal fifty percent (50%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary.  The Bonus shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s bonus plan, as approved by the Board, and, in any event, within two and a half (2 1/2) months after the end of the fiscal year to which the bonus relates.
 
4.3            2008 Annual Equity Grant .  On or about the Effective Date, the Company will grant Employee three thousand (3,000) Restricted Stock Units under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the RSUs will vest and the shares of common stock underlying them will become issuable in a series of five (5) successive equal annual installments upon Employee’s completion of each year of continuous status as an employee over the five (5) year vesting period measured from the grant date.
 
4.4            Grants of Equity Compensation.   Employee shall be entitled to participate in Stock Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) and other equity incentive plans presently in effect or in effect from time to time in the future on such terms and to such level of participation as the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall determine to be appropriate, bearing in mind the Employee’s position and responsibilities.
 
Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms of any Options, Restricted Stock, RSUs and other equity incentives shall be governed by the relevant plans under which they are issued and described in detail in applicable agreements between the Company and the Employee.
 
4.5            Bar Dues and Continuing Education . The Company shall reimburse Employee for dues payable to the State Bar of California and the American Bar Association, or other professional organizations reasonably related to the Employee's duties and shall pay or reimburse the Employee for costs reasonably incurred in attending seminars and conferences to satisfy minimum continuing education requirements of the State Bar of California or to further his expertise in areas relevant to his employment by the Company. The Company recognizes that some conferences may require travel by the Employee and the Company agrees to reimburse Employee for the reasonable costs of travel.
 
4.6            Other Benefits.   The Company shall provide the Employee with a cellular telephone and will pay or reimburse the Employee’s monthly service fee and costs of calls attributable to Company business.  The Employee shall be entitled to paid annual vacation, which shall accrue on the same basis as for other employees of the Company of similar rank, but which shall in no event be less than three (3) weeks for any twelve (12) month period through February 2010, and four (4) weeks for any twelve (12) month period thereafter.  The Employee also shall be entitled to participate, on the same terms as other employees of the Company participate, in any medical, dental or other health plan, pension plan, profit-sharing plan and life insurance plan that the Company may adopt or maintain, any of which may be changed, terminated or eliminated by the Company at any time in its exclusive discretion.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
2

 
 
5.              Confidentiality .  During the Term of his employment, and at all times thereafter, the Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge to any third party or use for his own benefit or the benefit of any third party or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary business or technical information revealed, obtained or developed in the course of his employment with the Company and which is otherwise the property of the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, customer lists, formulae and processes of manufacture; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the Employee’s ability to make such disclosures during the course of his employment as may be necessary or appropriate to the effective and efficient discharge of his duties to the Company.
 
6.              Property.   Both during the Term of his employment and thereafter, the Employee shall not remove from the Company’s offices or premises any Company documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda and similar materials or property of any kind unless necessary in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of his employment.  In the event that any such material or property is removed, it shall be returned to its proper file or place of safekeeping as promptly as possible.  The Employee shall not make, retain, remove or distribute any copies, or divulge to any third person the nature or contents of any of the foregoing or of any other oral or written information to which he may have access, except as disclosure shall be necessary in the performance of his assigned duties.  On the termination of his employment with the Company, the Employee shall leave with or return to the Company all originals and copies of the foregoing then in his possession or subject to his control, whether prepared by the Employee or by others.
 
7.              Termination.
 
7.1            For Cause.   The Company, by action of the Board, may terminate this Agreement and the Employee’s employment for Cause (as defined below) on delivery to the Employee of a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9.1 below).  For purposes of this agreement, the term “ Cause ” shall mean:
 
 
(a)
a material breach by the Employee of any of the terms of this Agreement that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach;
 
 
(b)
conviction of a felony;
 
 
(c)
a breach of any of the provisions of Section 11 below;
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
3

 
 
 
(d)
repeated intoxification with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the other managers of the Company, the Employee is abusive or incapable of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; and
 
 
(e)
misappropriation of  property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.
 
On such termination for Cause, the Employee shall be entitled only to the Employee’s Base Salary through the date of such termination, and shall not be entitled to any other compensation, including, without limitation, any severance compensation.  Without limitation of the foregoing, on termination pursuant to this Section 7.1, the Employee shall forfeit: (i) his Bonus under Section 4.2 for the year in which such termination occurs; and (ii) all outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee that as of the termination date are still unvested and subject to restrictions on transfer.

7.2            Without Cause.   The employment of the Employee may be terminated without Cause at any time by the Company on delivery to the Employee of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9.1).  In the event of such a termination without Cause pursuant to this Section 7.2 that constitutes Employee’s Separation From Service (as defined in Section 9.3), then on the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9.2) pursuant to this Section 7.2, the Company shall, in lieu of any payments under Section 4.1 and 4.2 for the remainder of the Term, pay to the Employee an amount equal to the lesser of: (a) the Employee’s Base Salary for a period of one (1) year from the date of termination, and (b) the Employee’s Base Salary for the remainder of the Term.  In addition, the Employee shall be entitled to the pro-rated target Bonus available to the Employee under Section 4.2 for the year in which the termination occurs.  Such payment by the Company shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and not as a lump sum payment.  In addition, the Company will pay as incurred the Employee’s expenses, up to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), associated with career counseling and resume development.  The Company shall also pay to the Employee an amount equal to the Company’s portion (but not the Employee’s portion) of the cost of medical, dental and other health plan insurance for Employee, his wife and children at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination for a period of one (1) year from the Date of Termination.  In addition, on termination of the Employee under this Section 7.2, all of the Employee’s outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable.  The exercisability of any such options and rights shall be extended to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of such options and rights or (B) the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Date of Termination.  The Employee acknowledges that extending the exercisability of any incentive stock options pursuant to this Section 7.2 or Sections 7.3 or 7.4 below, could cause such option to lose its tax-qualified status if it is an incentive stock option under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Employee for any additional taxes he incurs as a result.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
4

 
 
7.3            Termination on Disability .  If during the Term the Employee should fail to perform his duties hereunder on account of physical or mental illness or other incapacity which the Company shall in good faith determine renders the Employee incapable of performing his duties hereunder, and such illness or other incapacity shall continue for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months (“ Disability ”), the Company shall have the right, on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Employee, to terminate the Employee’s employment under this Agreement.  During the period that the Employee shall have been incapacitated due to physical or mental illness, the Employee shall continue to receive the full Base Salary provided for in Section 4.1 hereof at the rate then in effect until the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7.3.  In the event of Employee’s termination for Disability pursuant to this Section 7.3 that constitutes Employee’s Separation from Service, then on the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to the Employee the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7.2 hereof, other than those related to career counseling and resume development.  The Company shall also pay, on behalf of the Employee, an amount equal to the Company’s portion (not the Employee’s portion) of the cost of medical, dental and other health plan insurance for Employee, his wife and children at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination for a period of one (1) year from the Date of Termination.  In addition, on such termination, all of the Employee’s outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable.  The exercisability of any such options and rights shall be extended to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of such options or rights or (B) the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Employee’s termination.
 
7.4            Termination on Death .  If the Employee shall die during the Term, the employment of the Employee shall thereupon terminate.  On the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 7.4, the Company shall pay to the Employee’s estate the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7.2 hereof, other than those related to career counseling and resume development.  In addition, on termination of the Employee under this Section 7.4, all of the Employee’s outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable.  The exercisability of any such options and rights shall be extended to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of such options or rights or (B) the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Employee’s termination.  The provisions of this Section 7.4 shall not affect the entitlements of the Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under any employee benefit plan, fund or program of the Company.
 
7.5            No Limitation on Company’s Right to Terminate.   Any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall have the right, in its absolute discretion, to terminate this Agreement and the Employee’s employment hereunder at any time in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 7, it being the intent and purpose of the foregoing provisions of this Section 7 only to set forth the consequences of termination with respect to severance or other compensation payable to the Employee on termination in the circumstances indicated.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
5

 
 
8.              Termination by Employee .  The Employee may terminate his employment hereunder on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Company setting forth the effective Date of Termination.  If the Employee terminates his employment hereunder, he shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay on the effective Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination, his current Base Salary under Section 4.1 hereof on a prorated basis to such Date of Termination.  On termination pursuant to this Section 8, the Employee shall forfeit: (i) his Bonus under Section 4.2 for the year in which such termination occurs; and (ii) all outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee that as of the termination date are still unvested and subject to restrictions on transfer.
 
9.              Provisions Applicable to Termination of Employment .
 
9.1            Notice of Termination .  Any purported termination of Employee’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the Employee as provided herein, and shall state the specific termination provisions in this Agreement relied on and set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Employee’s employment (“ Notice of Termination ”).  If the Employee terminates under Section 8, he shall give the Company a Notice of Termination.
 
9.2            Date of Termination .  For all purposes, “ Date of Termination ” shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Employee (provided the Employee has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), or, if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for any other reason or by the Employee, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given.
 
9.3            Separation from Service .  For all purposes, “ Separation from Service ” shall mean Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
 
9.4            Benefits on Termination .  On termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 7 or by the Employee pursuant to Section 8, all profit-sharing, deferred compensation and other retirement benefits payable to the Employee under benefit plans in which the Employee then participated shall be paid to the Employee in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans.
 
9.5            Section 409A .  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Agreement, if Employee is deemed at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (B) the date of Employee’s death.  Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee, and any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
6

 
 
10.            Change In Control .
 
10.1           Payments on Change in Control .  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, unless the Employee elects in writing to waive this provision, a Change in Control (as defined below) that constitutes a “change in control” of the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder) shall be deemed a termination of the Employee without Cause, and, in lieu of any benefits payable to the Employee under Section 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8, the Employee shall be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to the Employee the same amount determined under Section 7.2 that is payable to the Employee on a termination without Cause that constitutes a Separation from Service provided, however, that such amount shall be payable in a lump sum on the date of such Change in Control (which shall be deemed the Employee’s Date of Termination) and not in installments as provided in Section 7.2.  In addition, on a Change in Control, all of the Employee’s outstanding but unvested options and rights relating to capital stock of the Company shall immediately vest and become exercisable, the exercisability of any such options and rights shall be extended to the earlier of (A) the expiration of the term of such options or rights or (B) the first anniversary of the date of such Change in Control, and all RSUs and shares of the Company’s restricted stock issued to the Employee shall immediately vest and become unrestricted and freely transferable.  For the avoidance of doubt, upon payment to the Employee of the benefits provided by this paragraph of this Section 10.1, the Employee shall no longer be entitled to any benefits otherwise payable to the Employee under Section 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 8 of this Agreement regardless of the Employee’s termination of employment with the Company.
 
After a Change in Control, if any previously outstanding option or right (the “ Terminated Option ”) relating to the Company’s capital stock does not remain outstanding, the successor to the Company or its then Parent (as defined below) shall either:
 
 
(a)
Issue an option, warrant or right, as appropriate (the “ Successor Option ”), to purchase common stock of such successor or Parent in an amount such that on exercise of the Successor Option the Employee would receive the same number of shares of the successor’s/Parent’s common stock as the Employee would have received had the number of shares of Company common stock subject to the Terminated Option been realized by the Employee immediately prior to the transaction resulting in the Change in Control and the Employee received shares of such successor/Parent in such transaction.  The aggregate exercise price for all of the shares covered by such Successor Option shall equal the aggregate exercise price of the Terminated Option; or
 
 
(b)
Pay the Employee a bonus within ten (10) days after the consummation of the Change in Control in an amount agreed to by the Employee and the Company.  Such amount shall be at least equivalent on an after-tax basis to the net after-tax gain that the Employee would have realized if the Employee had been issued a Successor Option under clause 10.1(a) above and had immediately exercised, or otherwise received the stock subject to, such Successor Option and sold the underlying stock, taking into account the different tax rates that apply to such bonus and to such gain, and such amount shall also reflect other differences to the Employee between receiving a bonus under this clause 10.1(b) and receiving a Successor Option under clause 10.1(a) above.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
7

 
 
10.2           Definitions .  For the purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) there shall be consummated (aa) any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, and (bb) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; or (ii) if any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)), shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this Section 10.2, “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of this Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company); or (iii) during any two (2) year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half (½) of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.
 
The term “ Parent ” means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that is the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined above) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities.
 
11.            Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .
 
11.1           In consideration of the provisions hereof, for the Restricted Period (as defined below), the Employee will not, except as specifically provided below, anywhere in any county in the State of California or anywhere in any other state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date (the “ Restricted Territory ”), directly or indirectly, acting individually or as the owner, shareholder, partner or management employee of any entity: (i) engage in the operation of a solid waste collection, transporting or disposal business, transfer facility, recycling facility, materials recovery facility or solid waste landfill; or (ii) enter the employ as a manager of, or render any personal services to or for the benefit of, or assist in or facilitate the solicitation of customers for, or receive remuneration in the form of management salary, commissions or otherwise from, any business engaged in such activities in such counties; or (iii) receive or purchase a financial interest in, make a loan to, or make a gift in support of, any such business in any capacity, including without limitation, as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal agent or trustee; provided, however, that the Employee may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any business traded on any national securities exchange or quoted on any NASDAQ market, provided the Employee is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such business and further provided that the Employee does not, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such business.  The term “ Restricted Period ” shall mean the earlier of: (i) the maximum period allowed under applicable law; and (ii) (aa) in the case of a Change in Control, until the first anniversary of the effective date of the Change in Control, (bb) in the case of a termination by the Company without Cause pursuant to Section 7.2 and provided the Company has made the payments required under Section 7.2, as the case may be, until the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Date of Termination, or (cc) in the case of Termination for Cause by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1 or by the Employee pursuant to Section 8, until the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Date of Termination.  If the Company terminates the Employee without Cause, the Employee may shorten the Restricted Period by the length of any period that the Employee elects to waive his right to receive severance payments under Section 7.2.  For example, if the Employee waives the right to receive all severance payments under Section 7.2, the Restricted Period shall be zero (0) months; if the Employee elects to receive severance payments under Section 7.2 for eight (8) months, the Restricted Period shall be eight (8) months.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
8

 
 
11.2          After termination of this Agreement by the Company or the Employee pursuant to Section 7 or 8 or termination of this Agreement upon a Change in Control pursuant to Section 10, the Employee shall not: (i) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to whom the Company provides service pursuant to a franchise agreement with a public entity in the Restricted Territory; or (ii) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to enter into a solid waste collection account relationship with a competitor of the Company in the Restricted Territory; or (iii) solicit any such public entity to enter into a franchise agreement with any such competitor, or (iv) solicit any officer, employee or contractor of the Company to enter into an employment or contractor agreement with a competitor of the Company or otherwise interfere in any such relationship; or (v) solicit on behalf of a competitor of the Company any prospective customer of the Company in the Restricted Territory that the Employee called on or was involved in soliciting on behalf of the Company during the Term, in each case until the first (1 st ) anniversary of the Termination Date or the effective date of such Change in Control (whichever is later), unless otherwise permitted to do so by Section 11.1.
 
11.3          If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Section 11 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specified words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
9

 
 
12.            Indemnification .  As an officer and agent of the Company, the Employee shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with his employment hereunder.
 
13.            Survival of Provisions .  The obligations of the Company under Section 12 of this Agreement, and of the Employee under Section 11 of this Agreement, shall survive both the termination of the Employee’s employment and this Agreement.
 
14.            No Duty to Mitigate; No Offset .  The Employee shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other sources or offset against any other payments made to him or required to be made to him pursuant to this Agreement.
 
15.            Assignment; Binding Agreement .  The Company may assign this Agreement to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor of the Company.  This Agreement is not assignable by the Employee and is binding on him and his executors and other legal representatives.  This Agreement shall bind the Company and its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the Employee and his heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, legatees or devisees.  The Company shall assign this Agreement to any entity that acquires its assets or business.
 
16.            Notice .  Any written notice under this Agreement shall be personally delivered to the other party or sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth in the records of the Company or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice.
 
17.            Entire Agreement; Amendments .  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the Employee’s employment and supersedes all oral or written prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature between them, except for that certain Indemnification Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2006, by and between the Company and the Employee, which shall remain in full force and effect.  This Agreement may not be changed except by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Employee.
 
18.            Waiver .  The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach of this Agreement.
 
19.            Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any court, federal or state, situated within Sacramento County, California, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, this Agreement.
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
10

 
 
20.            Severability .  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is, for any reason, held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Agreement, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.
 
21.            Enforcement .  It is agreed that it is impossible to measure fully, in money, the damage which will accrue to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Sections 5, 6, or 11 of this Agreement, and, in any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of Sections 5, 6 or 11 hereof, the Employee waives the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law and will not assert the claim or defense that such a remedy at law exists.  The Company is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such sections as well as any and all other remedies available to it at law or in equity without the posting of any bond.  The Employee agrees that if the Employee breaches any provision of Section 11, the Company may recover as partial damages all profits realized by the Employee at any time prior to such recovery on the exercise of any warrant, option or right to purchase the Company’s Common Stock and the subsequent sale of such stock, and may also cancel all outstanding such warrants, options and rights.
 
22.            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more facsimile or original counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
23.            Due Authorization . The execution of this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action.
 

 
[Signatures appear on the following page]
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
11

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Employment Agreement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.
 
    Waste Connections, Inc.
       
       
/s/ Patrick J. Shea
 
By: 
/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Patrick J. Shea
   
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt,
     
Chief Executive Officer
Address:
     
 
 
 
Employment Agreement: P. Shea
 
S-1

Exhibit 10.7
 
AMENDMENT TO
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”), is made and entered into effective as of [_________________], 2008 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [_________________] (the “ Employee ”).
 
WHEREAS , the Company and the Employee desire to amend that certain Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Employee, dated as of [_________________] (the “ Agreement ”), in order to ensure that the benefits to be provided by the Agreement comply with, or are exempt from, the provisions of Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “ Code ”).
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and conditions herein, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows effective as of the Effective Date.  Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.
 
1.            Amendment .  The Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to provide the following:
 
(a)            Separation from Service .  No benefits payable upon Employee’s termination of employment that are deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall be payable upon Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to the Agreement unless such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (a “ Separation from Service ”).
 
(b)            Change in Control .  No benefits deemed deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable upon a Change in Control pursuant to the Agreement unless such Change in Control constitutes a “change in control event” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
 
(c)            Waiver .  Employee shall not waive any provision of the Agreement if the effect of such waiver would be to delay the payment of an amount that is, or as a result of such waiver becomes, subject to Section 409A of the Code, and any attempt to waive such provision shall be deemed void ab initio .
 
(d)            Specified Employee .  If Employee is deemed by the Company at the time of Employee’s Separation from Service to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the benefits to which Employee is entitled under the Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Employee’s benefits shall not be provided to Employee prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Employee’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of Employee’s death.  Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to Employee, and any remaining payments due under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
 
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 1
 
 
 

 
 
(e)            Expense Reimbursements .  To the extent that any reimbursements payable pursuant to the Agreement are subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements payable to Employee pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid to Employee no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, the amount of expenses reimbursed in one year shall not affect the amount eligible for reimbursement in any subsequent year, and Employee’s right to reimbursement under the Agreement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
 
(f)            Installments .  For purposes of Section 409A of the Code (including, without limitation, for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), Employee’s right to receive any installment payments under the Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.
 
(g)            Extensions .  To the extent the exercisability or term of any option, warrant or other right relating to the capital stock of the Company is extended pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the exercisability or term of such option, warrant or other right shall in no event extend to a date later than the date such option, warrant or other right would have expired under any circumstances pursuant to its original terms.
 
(h)            Bonus .  Any Bonus payable pursuant to the Agreement shall be paid no later than the fifteenth (15 th ) day of the third (3 rd ) month following the end of the fiscal year to which such Bonus relates.
 
(i)            Date of Termination .  For the purposes of the Agreement, “ Date of Termination ” shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Employee ( provided the Employee has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Disability, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, or if the Employee’s employment is terminated by the Employee for any reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination which shall be within thirty (30) days of the date of such Notice of Termination.
 
2.            Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in one or more facsimile or original counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
3.            Ratification .  All terms and provisions of the Agreement not amended hereby, either expressly or by necessary implication, shall remain in full force and effect.  From and after the date of this Amendment, all references to the term “ Agreement ” in this Amendment and in the original Agreement shall include the terms contained in this Amendment.
 
4.            Conflicting Provisions .  In the event of any conflict between the original terms of the Agreement and this Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall prevail.
 
5.            Authorization .  Each party executing this Amendment represents and warrants that it is duly authorized to cause this Amendment to be executed and delivered.
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 2
 
 
 

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Amendment to Employment Agreement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto as of the date first above written.
 
   
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
         
         
         
 
 
By:
   
 
 
Amendment To Employment Agreement
Page 3

Exhibit 10.8

SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN

(AND SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION)

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 13, 2012

THIS SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN (this “Plan”) was established effective February 13, 2012 (the “Effective Date”). One of the purposes of this Plan is to provide for severance and change of control benefits to certain eligible executives of Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) in the event that employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated.

This Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” welfare plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). This Plan document is also the summary plan description of this Plan.

 

  1. General Eligibility . An executive is eligible for the benefits provided under this Plan (a “Participant”) only if (i) the Compensation Committee of the Board designates the executive as eligible to participate in the Plan and (ii) the Company provides the executive with a letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”) signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company confirming the executive’s eligibility for this Plan. The Letter Agreement shall be in the form attached hereto (which form may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator).

 

  2. Position and Responsibilities . The Participant’s position and responsibilities shall be as set forth in his or her Letter Agreement. The Participant shall devote such time and attention to his or her duties as are necessary to the proper discharge of his or her responsibilities hereunder. The Participant agrees to perform all duties consistent with (a) policies established from time to time by the Company and (b) all applicable legal requirements.

 

  3. Term . The period of this Plan shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue through to the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”). On each anniversary of the Effective Date of this Plan, commencing on the first anniversary of the Effective Date, this Plan shall be extended automatically an additional year, thus extending the Term of this Plan to three years from such date, unless the Company shall have given notice of termination or non-renewal hereof to the Participant or the Participant shall have given notice of termination to the Company, as provided herein.

 

  4. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses . The Participant’s base salary (“Base Salary”), performance bonus (“Bonus”), equity grant eligibility and benefits shall be as set forth in his or her Letter Agreement.

 

  5. Confidentiality . During the Term of the Participant’s employment with the Company and at all times thereafter, the Participant shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, divulge to any third party or use for his or her own benefit or the benefit of any third party or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary business or technical information revealed, obtained or developed in the course of his or her employment with the Company and which is otherwise the property of the Company or any of its affiliated corporations, including, but not limited to, trade secrets, customer lists, formulae and processes of manufacture; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall restrict the Participant’s ability to make such disclosures during the course of his or her employment as may be necessary or appropriate to the effective and efficient discharge of his or her duties to the Company.

 

  6.

Property . Both during the Term of his or her employment and thereafter, the Participant shall not remove from the Company’s offices or premises any Company documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda and similar materials or property of any kind unless necessary in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of his or her employment. In the event that any such material or property is removed, it shall be returned to its proper file or place of safekeeping as promptly as possible. The Participant shall not make, retain, remove or distribute any copies, or divulge to any third person the nature or contents of any of the foregoing or of any other oral or written information to which he may have access, except as disclosure shall be necessary in the performance of his or her assigned duties.


  On the termination of his or her employment with the Company, the Participant shall leave with or return to the Company all originals and copies of the foregoing then in his or her possession or subject to his or her control, whether prepared by the Participant or by others.

 

  7. Termination By Company .

 

  a. Termination for Cause . The employment of the Participant may be terminated for Cause at any time by the Board of Directors (the “Board”); provided, however, that before the Company may terminate the Participant’s employment for Cause for any reason that is susceptible to cure, the Company shall first send the Participant written notice of its intention to terminate the Participant’s employment with the Company for Cause, specifying in such notice the reasons for such Cause and those conditions that, if satisfied by the Participant, would cure the reasons for such Cause, and the Participant shall have 60 days from receipt of such written notice to satisfy such conditions. If such conditions are satisfied within such 60-day period, the Company shall so advise the Participant in writing. If such conditions are not satisfied within such 60-day period, the Company may thereafter terminate the Participant’s employment with the Company for Cause on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)) delivered to the Participant describing with specificity the grounds for termination.

Immediately on termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Company shall pay to the Participant in a lump sum his or her then current Base Salary on a prorated basis to the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9(b)). For the avoidance of doubt, upon termination of employment for Cause, the Participant shall be subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Section 12. On the Participant’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Participant shall not be entitled to any additional benefits or compensation above accrued but unpaid amounts, to the extent required by applicable law. On termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Participant shall forfeit his or her Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs. In addition, on termination pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Participant shall forfeit all outstanding but unvested stock options, unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and any other unvested equity awards related to the capital stock of the Company (such stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and other equity awards together, the “equity awards”).

For purposes of this Plan, “Cause” shall mean:

 

  1. a material breach of any of the terms of this Plan that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach;

 

  2. a breach of any of the provisions of Section 12;

 

  3. repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the other managers of the Company, the Participant is abusive or incapable of performing his or her duties and responsibilities under this Plan;

 

  4. conviction of a felony; or

 

  5. misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

 

  b.

Termination Without Cause . The employment of the Participant may be terminated without Cause at any time by the Board on delivery to the Participant of a written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)). On a termination of Participant’s employment without Cause, the Company shall pay to the Participant, in lieu of any payments under Section 4 for the remainder of the Term, an amount as set forth in the Participant’s Letter Agreement. Unless otherwise provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement, such amount shall be paid as follows: one-third on the Date of Termination and provided that the Participant has complied with the provisions of Section 12 hereof, one-third on each of the first and second anniversaries of the Date of Termination. In addition, on termination of the Participant under this Section 7(b), all of the Participant’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable


  and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Participant’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Participant was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Participant’s termination (or such other date, as provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Participant acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Participant for any additional taxes that he or she incurs as a result.

 

  c. Termination on Disability . If during the Term the Participant should fail to perform his or her duties hereunder on account of physical or mental illness or other incapacity which the Board shall in good faith determine renders the Participant incapable of performing his or her duties hereunder, and such illness or other incapacity shall continue for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months (“Disability”), the Company shall have the right, on written Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 9(a)) delivered to the Participant to terminate the Participant’s employment under this Plan. During the period that the Participant shall have been incapacitated due to Disability, the Participant shall continue to receive the full Base Salary at the rate then in effect until the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 9(b)) pursuant to this Section 7(c). On the Date of Termination, unless otherwise provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to (i) the Base Salary remaining payable to the Participant for the full remaining Term, plus (ii) a pro-rated portion of the target Bonus available to the Participant under Section 4 for the year in which the termination occurs. Unless otherwise provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement, such amount shall be paid as follows: one-third on the Date of Termination and provided that the Participant has complied with the provisions of Section 12 hereof, one-third on each of the first and second anniversaries of the Date of Termination; provided, however, that following the Participant’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(c) but before the installments have commenced or concluded, the installments (or any remaining portion thereof) shall be aggregated and made in a lump sum upon the earlier of the Participant’s death or disability (as such term is defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(4)). In addition, on such termination, all of the Participant’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Participant’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Participant was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Participant’s termination (or such other date, as provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Participant acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Participant for any additional taxes that he or she incurs as a result.

 

  d.

Death . If the Participant dies during the Term the Company shall pay to the Participant’s estate the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7(b) hereof. Any cash payments shall be paid in a lump sum on or within 60 days following the date of death. In addition, on termination of the Participant under this Section 7(d), all of the Participant’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Participant’s outstanding but unvested


  equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Participant was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Participant’s termination (or such other date, as provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the original term of the stock options. The Participant acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Participant for any additional taxes that he or she incurs as a result. The provisions of this Section 7(d) shall not affect the entitlements of the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, legatees, beneficiaries or assigns under any employee benefit plan, fund or program of the Company.

 

  8. Termination By Participant .

 

  a. Termination for Good Reason . Unless otherwise provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement, in the event the Participant terminates his or her employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below), the Participant shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay and deliver, the payments and other benefits applicable to termination without Cause set forth in Section 7(b) hereof at the times and subject to the conditions set forth therein. In addition, on termination of the Participant under this Section 8(a), all of the Participant’s outstanding but unvested time-based equity awards shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, as applicable. The Participant’s outstanding but unvested equity awards that vest or become earned based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals or criteria over a specified time period shall vest or become earned on a pro-rata basis following the Board’s or Compensation Committee’s determination of actual achievement of the Company’s performance measures following the end of the performance cycle, based on the total number of months in the performance cycle that the Participant was employed by the Company. The term of any stock options shall be extended to the earlier of (i) the third anniversary of the Participant’s termination (or such other date, as provided for in the Participant’s Letter Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the original term of such stock options. The Participant acknowledges that extending the term of any incentive stock option pursuant to this Section could cause such stock option to lose its tax-qualified status under the Code, and agrees that the Company shall have no obligation to compensate the Participant for any additional taxes that he or she incurs as a result.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

 

  1. assignment to the Participant of duties inconsistent with and resulting in a diminution of his or her position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as they existed on the Effective Date of this Plan; or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; a substantial alteration in the title(s) of the Participant (so long as the existing corporate structure of the Company is maintained); provided, however, that the Participant’s failure to serve in the same position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements) with the ultimate parent of the Company shall constitute “Good Reason”;

 

  2. the relocation of the Participant’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles from its present location without the Participant’s prior approval;

 

  3. a material reduction by the Company in the Participant’s total annual cash compensation, defined as Base Salary and target Bonus, without the Participant’s prior approval;

 

  4. on or after a Change in Control (as defined in Section 10(b) herein), a material reduction by the Company in the Participant’s total annual compensation, defined as Base Salary, target Bonus and equity incentive compensation opportunities, without the Executive’s prior approval;


  5. a failure by the Company to continue in effect, without substantial change, any benefit plan or arrangement in which the Participant was participating or the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect the Participant’s participation in or materially reduce his or her benefits under any benefit plan (unless such changes apply equally to all other management employees of Company);

 

  6. any material breach by the Company of any provision of this Plan without the Participant having committed any material breach of his or her obligations hereunder, which breach is not cured within twenty (20) days following written notice thereof to the Company of such breach; or

 

  7. the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Plan by any successor entity.

 

  b. Termination Without Good Reason . The Participant may terminate his or her employment hereunder without Good Reason on written Notice of Termination delivered to the Company setting forth the effective date of termination. If the Participant terminates his or her employment without Good Reason, he shall be entitled to receive, and the Company agrees to pay on the Date of Termination, his or her current Base Salary on a prorated basis to such Date of Termination. For the avoidance of doubt, upon termination of employment without Good Reason, the Participant shall be subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of Section 12. On the Participant’s termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Participant shall not be entitled to any additional benefits or compensation above accrued but unpaid amounts, to the extent required by applicable law; and, the Participant shall forfeit his or her Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs. In addition, the Participant shall forfeit all outstanding but unvested equity awards.

 

  9. Provisions Applicable to Termination of Employment .

 

  a. Notice of Termination . Any purported termination of Participant’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the Participant as provided herein, and shall state the specific termination provisions in this Plan relied on and set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant’s employment (“Notice of Termination”). If the Participant terminates under Section 8, he or she shall give the Company a Notice of Termination.

 

  b. Date of Termination . For the purposes of this Plan, “Date of Termination” shall mean, for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given to the Participant (provided the Participant has not returned to duty on a full-time basis during such 30-day period), if the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Disability, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, or if the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Participant for any reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination which shall be within 30 days of the date such Notice of Termination is given.

 

  c. Benefits on Termination . On termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company pursuant to Section 7 or by the Participant pursuant to Section 8, all profit-sharing, deferred compensation and other retirement benefits payable to the Participant under benefit plans in which the Participant then participated shall be paid to the Participant in accordance with the provisions of the respective plans.

 

  d.

Required Payment Delay . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, no compensation or benefits payable by reason of the Participant’s termination of employment that are deemed non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be payable by reason of the Participant’s termination of employment pursuant to this Plan unless such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” with the Company (“Separation from Service”) within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). If the Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” (as determined by the Company in accordance with Section 409A) at the time of the Participant’s Separation from Service, to the extent delayed


  commencement of any portion of the benefits to which the Participant is entitled under this Plan is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such portion of the Participant’s benefits shall not be provided to the Participant prior to the first business day following the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of Participant’s death). Upon the first business day following the expiration of the applicable period described in the foregoing sentence, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant, and any remaining payments due under this Plan shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.

 

  e. Non-Renewal of Plan . For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company’s notice of its intent not extend the Term of this Plan nor the expiration of the Term of this Plan shall be treated as a termination of the Participant by the Company without Cause.

 

  10. Change In Control .

 

  a. Payments on Change in Control . Subject to Section 9(d) above, if a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs during the Term and the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, then, and the Participant shall be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to the Participant, in lieu of payments under Section 4 for the remainder of the Term, an amount as set forth in the Participant’s Letter Agreement. Such amount shall be paid in a lump sum on or within 60 days following the Date of Termination.

 

  b. Definitions . For the purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) there shall be consummated (aa) any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction, (bb) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or if (ii) any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this Section 10(b), “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of this Plan owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company) or if (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

The term “Parent” means a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that is the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined above) of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities.


No benefits deemed non-qualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A shall be payable upon a Change in Control pursuant to this Plan unless such Change in Control constitutes a “change in control event” with respect to the Company within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

  11. Limitation on Payments . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Participant, whether pursuant to the terms of this Plan or any other plan, arrangement or agreement (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”), would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the Total Payments shall be reduced as set forth herein, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the amount of all federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to the Participant (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing) on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the amount of all federal, state and local income and employment taxes payable with respect to the foregoing calculated at the maximum marginal income tax rate for each year in which the foregoing shall be paid to the Participant (based on the rate in effect for such year as set forth in the Code as in effect at the time of the first payment of the foregoing) on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Participant would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). The Total Payments shall be reduced by the Company in its reasonable discretion in the following order: (A) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to the Participant that are exempt from Section 409A, (B) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Participant that are exempt from Section 409A, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A, (C) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Participant on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting and payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A, and (D) reduction of any payments attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any equity award that is exempt from Section 409A. For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Participant shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of independent counsel, consultants or advisors of nationally recognized standing (“Independent Advisors”) selected by the Company, does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation, and (iii) the value of any non cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.

 

  12. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .

 

  a.

In consideration of the provisions hereof and the payments provided under Sections 7, 8 and 10(a), for the Restricted Period (as hereinafter defined), the Participant will not, except as specifically provided below, anywhere in any county in any state in which the Company is engaged in business as of such termination date (the “Restricted Territory”), directly or indirectly, acting individually or as the owner, shareholder, partner or management employee of any entity, (i) engage in the operation of a solid waste collection, transporting or disposal business, transfer


  facility, recycling facility, materials recovery facility or solid waste landfill; (ii) enter the employ as a manager of, or render any personal services to or for the benefit of, or assist in or facilitate the solicitation of customers for, or receive remuneration in the form of management salary, commissions or otherwise from, any business engaged in such activities in such counties; or (iii) receive or purchase a financial interest in, make a loan to, or make a gift in support of, any such business in any capacity, including without limitation, as a sole proprietor, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal agent or trustee; provided, however, that the Participant may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any business traded on any national securities exchange, provided the Participant is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such business and further provided that the Participant does not, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, own two percent (2%) or more of any class of securities of such business. The term “Restricted Period” shall mean the earlier of (i) the maximum period allowed under applicable law, and (ii) until the end of the 12th full month following the Date of Termination.

 

  b. During the Restricted Period, the Participant shall not (i) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to whom the Company provides service pursuant to a franchise agreement with a public entity in the Restricted Territory (ii) solicit any residential or commercial customer of the Company to enter into a solid waste collection account relationship with a competitor of the Company in the Restricted Territory, (iii) solicit any such public entity to enter into a franchise agreement with any such competitor, (iv) solicit any officer, employee or contractor of the Company to enter into an employment or contractor agreement with a competitor of the Company or otherwise interfere in any such relationship, or (v) solicit on behalf of a competitor of the Company any prospective customer of the Company in the Restricted Territory that the Participant called on or was involved in soliciting on behalf of the Company during the Term, in each case until the end of the 12th full month following the Date of Termination.

 

  c. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of this Section 12 is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration or area of the term or provision, to delete specified words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Plan shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed.

 

  13. Indemnification . As an employee and agent of the Company, the Participant shall be fully indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with his or her employment hereunder.

 

  14. Survival of Provisions . The obligations of the Participant under Sections 5, 6 and 12 of this Plan and of the Company under Section 13 of this Plan shall survive both the termination of the Participant’s employment and this Plan.

 

  15. ERISA Matters .

 

  a. Generally . This Plan is intended to be an unfunded “top hat” welfare plan within the meaning of US Department of Labor Regulation Section 2540.104-24 (a “Top Hat Plan”), and, to the extent applicable, shall be subject to ERISA.

 

  b.

Funding . This Plan shall be maintained in a manner to be considered “unfunded” for purposes of ERISA. The Company shall be required to make payments only as benefits become due and payable. No person shall have any right, other than the right of an unsecured general creditor against the Company, with respect to the benefits payable hereunder, or which may be payable hereunder, to any Participant, surviving spouse or beneficiary hereunder. If the Company, acting in its sole discretion, establishes a reserve or other fund associated with this Plan, no person shall have any right to or interest in any specific amount or asset of such reserve or fund by reason of


  amounts which may be payable to such person under this Plan, nor shall such person have any right to receive any payment under this Plan except as and to the extent expressly provided in this Plan. The assets in any such reserve or fund shall be part of the general assets of the Company, subject to the control of the Company.

 

  c. Claims Procedures .

 

  1. Participant does not normally need to present a formal claim to receive benefits payable under this Plan.

 

  2. If any person (the “Claimant”) believes that benefits are being denied improperly, that the Plan is not being operated properly, that fiduciaries of the Plan have breached their duties, or that the Claimant’s legal rights are being violated with respect to the Plan, the Claimant must file a formal claim, in writing, with the Board. This requirement applies to all claims that any Claimant has with respect to the Plan, including claims against fiduciaries and former fiduciaries, except to the extent the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that it does not have the power to grant all relief reasonably being sought by the Claimant.

 

  3. A formal claim must be filed within 90 days after the date the Claimant first knew or should have known of the facts on which the claim is based, unless Board in writing consents otherwise. The Board will provide a Claimant, on request, with a copy of the claims procedures established under subsection (d).

 

  4. The Board has adopted procedures for considering claims (which are set forth in Appendix A), which it may amend from time to time, as it sees fit. These procedures will comply with all applicable legal requirements. These procedures may provide that final and binding arbitration will be the ultimate means of contesting a denied claim (even if the Board or its delegates have failed to follow the prescribed procedures with respect to the claim). The right to receive benefits under this Plan is contingent on a Claimant using the prescribed claims procedures to resolve any claim.

 

  d. Rights Under ERISA . Appendix B sets forth certain rights and information to which the Participant is entitled under ERISA.

 

  16. Section 409A Matters .

 

  a. To the extent applicable, this Plan shall be interpreted and applied consistent and in accordance with or exempt from Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Plan may not either be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A, the Company may, with the Participant’s prior written consent, adopt such amendments to this Plan or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Plan from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of such compensation and benefits, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A; provided, however, that this Section 16(a) does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, and in any event, no such action shall reduce the amount of compensation that is owed to the Participant under this Plan without the Participant’s prior written consent.

 

  b. To the extent permitted under Section 409A, any separate payment or benefit under this Plan or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A.


  c. To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Participant under this Plan are deemed to constitute compensation to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed to the Participant reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the Participant’s right to such payments or reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

  d. For purposes of Section 409A, the Participant’s right to receive any installment payments under this Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment.

 

  17. No Duty to Mitigate; No Offset . The Participant shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment contemplated by this Plan, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Participant may receive from any other sources or offset against any other payments made to him or required to be made to him pursuant to this Plan.

 

  18. Assignment; Binding Plan . The Company may assign this Plan to any parent, subsidiary, affiliate or successor of the Company. This Plan is not assignable by the Participant and is binding on him and his or her executors and other legal representatives. This Plan shall bind the Company and its successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, legatees or devisees. The Company shall assign this Plan to any entity that acquires its assets or business.

 

  19. Notice . Any written notice under this Plan shall be personally delivered to the other party or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to such party at the address set forth in the records of the Company or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify by written notice.

 

  20. Entire Plan; Amendments . This Plan contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the Participant’s employment and supersedes all oral or written prior discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature between them. This Plan may not be amended except by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Participant.

 

  21. Waiver . The waiver of a breach of any provision of this Plan shall not operate or as be construed to be a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach of this Plan.

 

  22. Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement . This Plan is intended to be a Top Hat Plan and shall be interpreted, administered and enforced in accordance with ERISA. It is expressly intended that ERISA preempt the application of state laws to this Plan to the maximum extent permitted by Section 514 of ERISA. To the extent that state law is applicable, the statutes and common law of the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides shall apply, excluding any that mandate the use of another jurisdiction’s laws. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any court, federal or state, situated within Montgomery County, Texas, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, this Plan.

 

  23. Severability . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Plan is, for any reason, held invalid in any respect, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Plan, and such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

 

  24.

Enforcement . It is agreed that it is impossible to measure fully, in money, the damage which will accrue to the Company in the event of a breach or threatened breach of Section 5, 6 or 12 of this Plan, and, in any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions of Section 5, 6 or 12 hereof, the Participant waives the claim or defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law and will not assert the claim or defense that


  such a remedy at law exists. The Company is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of such sections as well as any and all other remedies available to it at law or in equity without the posting of any bond. The Participant agrees that if the Participant breaches any provision of Section 12, the Company may discontinue and terminate all severance payments and benefits under the Plan and recover as partial damages all profits realized by the Participant at any time prior to such recovery on the exercise of any equity award and the subsequent sale of the underlying stock and may also cancel any or all outstanding equity awards held by the Participant.

 

  25. Counterparts . This Plan may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  26. Due Authorization . The execution of this Plan has been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action.


APPENDIX A

Detailed Claims And Arbitration Procedures

 

  1. Claims Procedure

Initial Claims

All claims shall be presented to the Plan Administrator in writing. Within ninety (90) days after receiving a claim, a claims official appointed by the Plan Administrator shall consider the claim and issue his or her determination thereon in writing. If the Plan Administrator or claims official determines that an extension of time is necessary, the claims official may extend the determination period for up to an additional ninety (90) days by giving the Claimant written notice indicating the special circumstances requiring the extension of time prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) day period. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the initial claims stage shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

Claims Decisions

If the claim is granted, the benefits or relief the Claimant seeks shall be provided. If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claims official shall, within ninety (90) days (or a longer period, as described above), provide the Claimant with written notice of the denial, setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant: (1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (2) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based; (3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, together with an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and (4) an explanation of the procedures for appealing denied claims. If the Claimant can establish that the claims official has failed to respond to the claim in a timely manner, the Claimant may treat the claim as having been denied by the claims official.

Appeals of Denied Claims

Each Claimant shall have the opportunity to appeal the claims official’s denial of a claim in writing to an appeals official appointed by the Plan Administrator (which may be a person, committee, or other entity). A Claimant must appeal a denied claim within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice of denial of the claim, or within sixty (60) days after it was due if the Claimant did not receive it by its due date. The Claimant shall have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the Claimant’s claim. The Claimant (or the Claimant’s duly authorized representative) shall be provided upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim. The appeals official shall take into account during its review all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefits review. Any claims that the Claimant does not pursue in good faith through the appeals stage, such as by failing to file a timely appeal request, shall be treated as having been irrevocably waived.

Appeals Decisions

The decision by the appeals official shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after the written appeal is received by the Plan Administrator, however, if the appeals official determines that an extension

 

Appendix A-


of time is necessary, the appeals official may extend the determination period for up to an additional sixty (60) days by giving the Claimant written notice indicating the special circumstances requiring the extension of time prior to the termination of the initial sixty (60) day period. The appeal decision shall be in writing, shall be set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and shall include the following: (1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (2) specific references to the provisions on which the denial is based; (3) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim. If a Claimant does not receive the appeal decision by the date it is due, the Claimant may deem the appeal to have been denied.

Procedures

The Plan Administrator shall adopt procedures by which initial claims shall be considered and appeals shall be resolved; different procedures may be established for different claims. All procedures shall be designed to afford a Claimant full and fair consideration of his or her claim.

Arbitration of Rejected Appeals

If a Claimant has pursued a claim through the appeal stage of these claims procedures, the Claimant may contest the actual or deemed denial of that claim through arbitration, as described below. In no event shall any denied claim be subject to resolution by any means (such as in a court of law) other than arbitration in accordance with the following provisions.

 

  2. Arbitration Procedure

Request for Arbitration

A Claimant must submit a request for arbitration to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receipt of the written denial of an appeal (or within sixty (60) days after he or she should have received the determination). The Claimant or the Plan Administrator may bring an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction to compel arbitration in accordance with these procedures.

Applicable Arbitration Rules

If the Claimant has entered into a valid arbitration agreement with the Company, the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with that agreement. If not, the rules set forth in the balance of this Appendix shall apply: The arbitration shall be held under the auspices of the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (“JAMS”), whichever is chosen by the party who did not initiate the arbitration. Except as provided below, the arbitration shall be in accordance with JAMS’ then-current employment dispute resolution rules. The Arbitrator shall apply the Federal Rules of Evidence and shall have the authority to entertain a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment by any party and shall apply the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern all arbitrations that take place under these Detailed Claims and Arbitration Procedures (or that are required to take place under them), and shall govern the interpretation or enforcement of these Procedures or any arbitration award. To the extent that the Federal Arbitration Act is inapplicable, Texas law pertaining to arbitration agreements shall apply.

Arbitrator

The arbitrator (the “Arbitrator”) shall be an attorney familiar with employee benefit matters who is licensed to practice law in the state in which the arbitration is convened. The Arbitrator shall be

 

Appendix A-


selected in the following manner from a list of eleven arbitrators drawn by the sponsoring organization under whose auspices the arbitration is being conducted and taken from its panel of labor and employment arbitrators. Each party shall designate all arbitrators on the list whom they find acceptable; the parties shall then alternately strike arbitrators from the list of arbitrators acceptable to both parties, with the party who did not initiate the arbitration striking first. If only one arbitrator is acceptable to both parties, he or she will be the Arbitrator. If none of the arbitrators is acceptable to both parties, a new panel of arbitrators shall be obtained from the sponsoring organization and the selection process shall be repeated.

Location

The arbitration will take place in or near the city in which the Claimant is or was last employed by the Company or in which the Plan is principally administered, whichever is specified by the Plan Administrator, or in such other location as may be acceptable to both the Claimant and the Plan Administrator.

Authority of Arbitrator

The Arbitrator shall have the authority to resolve any factual or legal claim relating to the Plan or relating to the interpretation, applicability, or enforceability of these arbitration procedures, including, but not limited to, any claim that these procedures are void or voidable. The Arbitrator may grant a Claimant’s claim only if the Arbitrator determines that it is justified because: (1) the appeals official erred on an issue of law; or (2) the appeals official’s findings of fact, if applicable, were not supported by substantial evidence. The arbitration shall be final and binding on all parties.

Limitation on Scope of Arbitration

The Claimant may not present any evidence, facts, arguments, or theories at the arbitration that the Claimant did not pursue in his or her appeal, except in response to new evidence, facts, arguments, or theories presented on behalf of the other parties to the arbitration. However, an arbitrator may permit a Claimant to present additional evidence or theories if the Arbitrator determines that the Claimant was precluded from presenting them during the claim and appeal procedures due to procedural errors of the Plan Administrator or its delegates.

Administrative Record

The Plan Administrator shall submit to the Arbitrator a certified copy of the record on which the appeals official’s decision was made.

Experts, Depositions, and Discovery

Except as otherwise permitted by the Arbitrator on a showing of substantial need, either party may: (1) designate one expert witness; (2) take the deposition of one individual and the other party’s expert witness; (3) propound requests for production of documents; and (4) subpoena witnesses and documents relating to the discovery permitted in this paragraph.

Pre-Hearing Procedures

At least thirty (30) days before the arbitration hearing, the parties must exchange lists of witnesses, including any expert witnesses, and copies of all exhibits intended to be used at the hearing. The Arbitrator shall have jurisdiction to hear and rule on pre-hearing disputes and is authorized to hold pre-hearing conferences by telephone or in person, as the Arbitrator deems necessary.

 

Appendix A-


Transcripts

Either party may arrange for a court reporter to provide a stenographic record of the proceedings at the party’s own cost.

Post-Hearing Procedures

Either party, on request at the close of the hearing, may be given leave to file a post-hearing brief within the time limits established by the Arbitrator.

Costs and Attorneys’ Fees

The prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled, except as required by applicable law.

Procedure for Collecting Costs From Claimant

Before the arbitration commences, the Claimant must deposit with the Plan Administrator his or her share of the anticipated fees and costs of the Arbitrator, as reasonably determined by the Plan Administrator. At least two weeks before delivering his or her decision, the Arbitrator shall send his or her final bill for fees and costs to the Plan Administrator for payment. The Plan Administrator shall apply the amount deposited by the Claimant to pay the Claimant’s share of the Arbitrator’s fees and costs and return any surplus deposit. If the Claimant’s deposit is insufficient, the Claimant will be billed for any remaining amount due. Failure to pay any amount within 10 days after it is billed shall constitute the Claimant’s irrevocable election to withdraw his or her arbitration request and abandon his or her claim.

Arbitration Award

The Arbitrator shall render an award and opinion in the form typically rendered in labor arbitrations. Within twenty (20) days after issuance of the Arbitrator’s award and opinion, either party may file with the Arbitrator a motion to reconsider, which shall be accompanied by a supporting brief. If such a motion is filed, the other party shall have twenty (20) days from the date of the motion to respond, after which the Arbitrator shall reconsider the issues raised by the motion and either promptly confirm or promptly change his or her decision. The decision shall then be final and conclusive on the parties. Arbitrator fees and other costs of a motion for reconsideration shall be borne by the losing party, unless the Arbitrator orders otherwise. Either party may bring an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction to enforce an arbitration award. A party opposing enforcement of an arbitration award may not do so in an enforcement proceeding, but must bring a separate action in a court of competent jurisdiction to set aside the award. In any such action, the standard of review shall be the same as that applied by an appellate court reviewing the decision of a trial court in a nonjury trial.

Severability

The invalidity or unenforceability of any part of these arbitration procedures shall not affect the validity of the rest of the procedures.

 

Appendix A-


APPENDIX B

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

RIGHTS UNDER ERISA

As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA. ERISA provides that all Plan participants will be entitled to:

Receive Information About Your Plan and Benefits

1. Examine, without charge, at the Company’s headquarters, all documents governing the Plan including collective bargaining agreements, if any, and annual reports and Plan descriptions.

2. Obtain, upon written request to the Plan administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan, including collective bargaining agreements, if any, and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and summary plan description. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies.

3. Receive a summary of the Plan’s annual financial report, if any. The Plan administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of this summary annual report.

Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries

In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan, called “fiduciaries” of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including the Company, your union, or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or exercising your right under ERISA.

Enforce Your Rights

If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan and do not receive them within thirty (30) days, you may file suit in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan administrator. If you have a claim for benefits, which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court. In addition, if you disagree with the Plan’s decision or lack thereof concerning the qualified status of a domestic relations order or a medical child support order, you may file suit in Federal court. If it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan’s money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.

 

Appendix B-


Assistance with Your Questions

If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you should have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N. W., Washington, D. C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Name of Plan:    Separation Benefits Plan
Plan Administrator and Sponsor:   

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442-2290

Type of Administration:    Self-Administered
Type of Plan:    Severance Pay “Top Hat” Welfare Benefit Plan
Employer Identification Number:    94-3283464
Direct Questions Regarding the Plan to:   

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442-2290

Agent for Service of Legal Process:   

Corporate Secretary

Waste Connections

10001 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 400

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Tel: (832) 442-2200

Fax: (832) 442-2290

Service of Legal Process may also be made upon the Plan

Administrator

Plan Year End:    December 31
Plan Number:    502

 

Appendix B-

Exhibit 10.9

 

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February 13, 2012                                

Steve Bouck

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Re: The Waste Connections, Inc. Separation Benefits Plan

Dear Steven:

This letter agreement (“ Letter Agreement ”) relates to the Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Company ”) Separation Benefits Plan (the “ Plan ”).

Through this Letter Agreement, you are being offered the opportunity to become a participant in the Plan (a “ Participant ”), and thereby to be eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits set forth therein. A copy of the Plan is attached to this Letter Agreement. You should read it carefully and become comfortable with its terms and conditions, and those set forth below.

By signing below, you will be acknowledging and agreeing to the following provisions:

 

  1. that you have received and reviewed a copy of the Plan;

 

  2. that terms not defined in this Letter Agreement but beginning with a capital letter have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan;

 

  3. that participation in the Plan requires that you agree irrevocably and voluntarily to the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, the covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 12 of the Plan) and the terms set forth below; and

 

  4. that you have had the opportunity to carefully evaluate this opportunity, and desire to participate in the Plan according to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Subject to the foregoing, we invite you to become a Participant in the Plan. Your participation in the Plan will be effective upon your signing and returning this Letter Agreement to the Company within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this Letter Agreement.

You and the Company (hereinafter referred to as “the parties”) hereby AGREE as follows:

 

  1.

Position and Responsibilities . During the Term, you will serve as President of the Company. You will devote your attention, energies and abilities in that capacity to

 

 

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  the proper oversight and operation of the Company’s business, to the exclusion of any other occupation. As President of the Company, you will: (i) report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee, (ii) be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, and (iii) be responsible for all duties, authority and responsibility customary for such position. You will perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company may reasonably assign to you from time to time. You will devote such time and attention to your duties as are reasonably necessary to the proper discharge of your responsibilities hereunder. You agree to perform all duties consistent with: (a) policies established from time to time by the Company; and (b) all applicable legal requirements

 

  2. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses .

 

  a. Base Salary . The Company hereby agrees to pay you an annual base salary of Four Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand Dollars ($483,000) (“ Base Salary ”). Your Base Salary will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, and your Base Salary is subject to withholding and social security, unemployment and other taxes. Further increases in Base Salary will be considered by the Board.

 

  b.

Performance Bonus . You shall be entitled to an annual cash bonus (the “ Bonus ”) based on the Company’s attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. Your target annual Bonus will equal seventy-five percent (75%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year’s financial objectives have been fully met. Nothing in the Plan or in this Letter Agreement shall invalidate any cash bonus plan approval by the Board or a Committee of the Board providing for higher payments in the event extraordinary or “stretch” goals are met. The Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Company’s bonus plan, as approved by the Board; provided, that in no case shall any portion of the Bonus with respect to any such fiscal year be paid more than two and one-half (2  1 / 2 ) months after the end of such fiscal year.

 

  c. Grants of Equity Awards . You shall be eligible for annual grants of management stock options or other equity awards on such terms and to such level of participation as the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board determine to be appropriate, bearing in mind your position and responsibilities. The terms of any such equity awards shall be governed by the relevant plans under which they are issued and described in detail in applicable agreements between the Company and you.

 

  d.

Other Benefits . You will be entitled to paid annual vacation, which will accrue on the same basis as for other employees of the Company of similar rank, but which will in no event be less than four (4) weeks for any twelve (12) month period commencing January 1st of each year. You also will be

 

 

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  entitled to participate, on the same terms as other employees of the Company participate, in any medical, dental or other health plan, pension plan, profit-sharing plan and life insurance plan that the Company may adopt or maintain, any of which may be changed, terminated or eliminated by the Company at any time in its exclusive discretion.

 

  e. Reimbursement of Other Expenses . The Company agrees to pay or reimburse you for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your duties on presentation of proper expense statements or vouchers. All such supporting information shall comply with all applicable Company policies relating to reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

 

  3. Severance and Change of Control Benefits

 

  a. Termination without Cause . If your employment is terminated without Cause, the Company will pay you, in lieu of any payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,900,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  b. Payments on Change in Control . If a Change in Control occurs during the Term and your employment with the Company is terminated without Cause or by you for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, then you will be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to you, in lieu of payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,900,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 10(a) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  4. Right to Other Payments . In consideration of becoming eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits provided under the terms and conditions of the Plan, you agree to waive any and all rights, benefits, and privileges to severance benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to receive under any other plan or arrangement.

 

  5. Entire Agreement . You understand that the waiver set forth in Section 4 above is irrevocable for so long as this Letter Agreement is in effect, and that this Letter Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to any subject matter covered herein. You agree and acknowledge that this Letter Agreement and the Plan supersede and replace that certain Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between you and the Company dated as of October 1, 2004, as amended from time to time.

 

  6. Termination . This Letter Agreement will terminate, and your status as a Participant in the Plan will end, at the end of the Term.

 

 

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  7. Survival . Your participation in the Plan will continue in effect following any termination that occurs while you are a Participant in the Plan with respect to all rights and obligations accruing as a result of such termination.

 

  8. Execution . You recognize and agree that your execution of this Letter Agreement results in your enrollment and participation in the Plan, that you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Letter Agreement, and that you understand that this Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified except pursuant to Section 20 of the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Letter Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

PARTICIPANT

/s/ Steven Bouck

Name: Steven Bouck

 

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

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February 13, 2012                                

Worthing Jackman

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Re: The Waste Connections, Inc. Separation Benefits Plan

Dear Worthing:

This letter agreement (“ Letter Agreement ”) relates to the Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Company ”) Separation Benefits Plan (the “ Plan ”).

Through this Letter Agreement, you are being offered the opportunity to become a participant in the Plan (a “ Participant ”), and thereby to be eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits set forth therein. A copy of the Plan is attached to this Letter Agreement. You should read it carefully and become comfortable with its terms and conditions, and those set forth below.

By signing below, you will be acknowledging and agreeing to the following provisions:

 

  1. that you have received and reviewed a copy of the Plan;

 

  2. that terms not defined in this Letter Agreement but beginning with a capital letter have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan;

 

  3. that participation in the Plan requires that you agree irrevocably and voluntarily to the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, the covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 12 of the Plan) and the terms set forth below; and

 

  4. that you have had the opportunity to carefully evaluate this opportunity, and desire to participate in the Plan according to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Subject to the foregoing, we invite you to become a Participant in the Plan. Your participation in the Plan will be effective upon your signing and returning this Letter Agreement to the Company within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this Letter Agreement.

 

 

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You and the Company (hereinafter referred to as “the parties”) hereby AGREE as follows:

1. Position and Responsibilities . During the Term, you will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. You will devote your attention, energies and abilities in that capacity to the proper oversight and operation of the Company’s business, to the exclusion of any other occupation. As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, you will: (i) report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee, (ii) be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, and (iii) be responsible for all duties, authority and responsibility customary for such position. You will perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company may reasonably assign to you from time to time. You will devote such time and attention to your duties as are reasonably necessary to the proper discharge of your responsibilities hereunder. You agree to perform all duties consistent with: (a) policies established from time to time by the Company; and (b) all applicable legal requirements

 

  2. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses .

 

  a. Base Salary . The Company hereby agrees to pay you an annual base salary of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) (“ Base Salary ”). Your Base Salary will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, and your Base Salary is subject to withholding and social security, unemployment and other taxes. Further increases in Base Salary will be considered by the Board.

 

  b.

Performance Bonus . You shall be entitled to an annual cash bonus (the “ Bonus ”) based on the Company’s attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. Your target annual Bonus will equal seventy-five percent (75%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year’s financial objectives have been fully met. Nothing in the Plan or in this Letter Agreement shall invalidate any cash bonus plan approval by the Board or a Committee of the Board providing for higher payments in the event extraordinary or “stretch” goals are met. The Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Company’s bonus plan, as approved by the Board; provided, that in no case shall any portion of the Bonus with respect to any such fiscal year be paid more than two and one-half (2  1 / 2 ) months after the end of such fiscal year.

 

  c. Grants of Equity Awards . You shall be eligible for annual grants of management stock options or other equity awards on such terms and to such level of participation as the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board determine to be appropriate, bearing in mind your position and responsibilities. The terms of any such equity awards shall be governed by the relevant plans under which they are issued and described in detail in applicable agreements between the Company and you.

 

 

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  d. Other Benefits . You will be entitled to paid annual vacation, which will accrue on the same basis as for other employees of the Company of similar rank, but which will in no event be less than four (4) weeks for any twelve (12) month period commencing January 1st of each year. You also will be entitled to participate, on the same terms as other employees of the Company participate, in any medical, dental or other health plan, pension plan, profit-sharing plan and life insurance plan that the Company may adopt or maintain, any of which may be changed, terminated or eliminated by the Company at any time in its exclusive discretion.

 

  e. Reimbursement of Other Expenses . The Company agrees to pay or reimburse you for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your duties on presentation of proper expense statements or vouchers. All such supporting information shall comply with all applicable Company policies relating to reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

 

  3. Severance and Change of Control Benefits

 

  a. Termination without Cause . If your employment is terminated without Cause, the Company will pay you, in lieu of any payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  b. Payments on Change in Control . If a Change in Control occurs during the Term and your employment with the Company is terminated without Cause or by you for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, then you will be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to you, in lieu of payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 10(a) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  4. Right to Other Payments . In consideration of becoming eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits provided under the terms and conditions of the Plan, you agree to waive any and all rights, benefits, and privileges to severance benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to receive under any other plan or arrangement.

 

  5. Entire Agreement . You understand that the waiver set forth in Section 4 above is irrevocable for so long as this Letter Agreement is in effect, and that this Letter Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to any subject matter covered herein. You agree and acknowledge that this Letter Agreement and the Plan supersede and replace that certain Employment Agreement between you and the Company dated as of April 11, 2003, as amended from time to time.

 

 

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  6. Termination . This Letter Agreement will terminate, and your status as a Participant in the Plan will end, at the end of the Term.

 

  7. Survival . Your participation in the Plan will continue in effect following any termination that occurs while you are a Participant in the Plan with respect to all rights and obligations accruing as a result of such termination.

 

  8. Execution . You recognize and agree that your execution of this Letter Agreement results in your enrollment and participation in the Plan, that you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Letter Agreement, and that you understand that this Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified except pursuant to Section 20 of the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Letter Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Name:   Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

PARTICIPANT
/s/ Worthing Jackman
Name: Worthing Jackman

 

 

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Exhibit 10.11

 

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February 13, 2012                                

Darrell Chambliss

####

####

 

Re: The Waste Connections, Inc. Separation Benefits Plan

Dear Darrell:

This letter agreement (“ Letter Agreement ”) relates to the Waste Connections, Inc. (the “ Company ”) Separation Benefits Plan (the “ Plan ”).

Through this Letter Agreement, you are being offered the opportunity to become a participant in the Plan (a “ Participant ”), and thereby to be eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits set forth therein. A copy of the Plan is attached to this Letter Agreement. You should read it carefully and become comfortable with its terms and conditions, and those set forth below.

By signing below, you will be acknowledging and agreeing to the following provisions:

 

  1. that you have received and reviewed a copy of the Plan;

 

  2. that terms not defined in this Letter Agreement but beginning with a capital letter have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan;

 

  3. that participation in the Plan requires that you agree irrevocably and voluntarily to the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, the covenants set forth in Sections 5 and 12 of the Plan) and the terms set forth below; and

 

  4. that you have had the opportunity to carefully evaluate this opportunity, and desire to participate in the Plan according to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

Subject to the foregoing, we invite you to become a Participant in the Plan. Your participation in the Plan will be effective upon your signing and returning this Letter Agreement to the Company within thirty (30) days of your receipt of this Letter Agreement.

 

 

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You and the Company (hereinafter referred to as “the parties”) hereby AGREE as follows:

 

  1. Position and Responsibilities . During the Term, you will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. You will devote your attention, energies and abilities in that capacity to the proper oversight and operation of the Company’s business, to the exclusion of any other occupation. As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, you will: (i) report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee, (ii) be based at the Company’s corporate headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, and (iii) be responsible for all duties, authority and responsibility customary for such position. You will perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company may reasonably assign to you from time to time. You will devote such time and attention to your duties as are reasonably necessary to the proper discharge of your responsibilities hereunder. You agree to perform all duties consistent with: (a) policies established from time to time by the Company; and (b) all applicable legal requirements

 

  2. Compensation, Benefits and Reimbursement of Expenses .

 

  a. Base Salary . The Company hereby agrees to pay you an annual base salary of Three Hundred Ninety-One Thousand Dollars ($391,000) (“ Base Salary ”). Your Base Salary will be payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, and your Base Salary is subject to withholding and social security, unemployment and other taxes. Further increases in Base Salary will be considered by the Board.

 

  b.

Performance Bonus . You shall be entitled to an annual cash bonus (the “ Bonus ”) based on the Company’s attainment of reasonable financial objectives to be determined annually by the Board. Your target annual Bonus will equal seventy-five percent (75%) of the applicable year’s ending Base Salary and will be payable if the Board determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that that year’s financial objectives have been fully met. Nothing in the Plan or in this Letter Agreement shall invalidate any cash bonus plan approval by the Board or a Committee of the Board providing for higher payments in the event extraordinary or “stretch” goals are met. The Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Company’s bonus plan, as approved by the Board; provided, that in no case shall any portion of the Bonus with respect to any such fiscal year be paid more than two and one-half (2  1 / 2 ) months after the end of such fiscal year.

 

  c. Grants of Equity Awards . You shall be eligible for annual grants of management stock options or other equity awards on such terms and to such level of participation as the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board determine to be appropriate, bearing in mind your position and responsibilities. The terms of any such equity awards shall be governed by the relevant plans under which they are issued and described in detail in applicable agreements between the Company and you.

 

 

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  d. Other Benefits . You will be entitled to paid annual vacation, which will accrue on the same basis as for other employees of the Company of similar rank, but which will in no event be less than three (3) weeks for any twelve (12) month period commencing January 1st of each year. You also will be entitled to participate, on the same terms as other employees of the Company participate, in any medical, dental or other health plan, pension plan, profit-sharing plan and life insurance plan that the Company may adopt or maintain, any of which may be changed, terminated or eliminated by the Company at any time in its exclusive discretion.

 

  e. Reimbursement of Other Expenses . The Company agrees to pay or reimburse you for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by you in connection with the performance of your duties on presentation of proper expense statements or vouchers. All such supporting information shall comply with all applicable Company policies relating to reimbursement for travel and other expenses.

 

  3. Severance and Change of Control Benefits

 

  a. Termination without Cause . If your employment is terminated without Cause, the Company will pay you, in lieu of any payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  b. Payments on Change in Control . If a Change in Control occurs during the Term and your employment with the Company is terminated without Cause or by you for Good Reason, in each case within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, then you will be entitled to receive and the Company agrees to pay to you, in lieu of payments under Section 4 of the Plan for the remainder of the Term, Three Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,300,000). This amount will be paid in accordance with Section 10(a) of the Plan, subject to Section 9(d) of the Plan.

 

  4. Right to Other Payments . In consideration of becoming eligible to receive the severance and change of control benefits provided under the terms and conditions of the Plan, you agree to waive any and all rights, benefits, and privileges to severance benefits that you might otherwise be entitled to receive under any other plan or arrangement.

 

  5. Entire Agreement . You understand that the waiver set forth in Section 4 above is irrevocable for so long as this Letter Agreement is in effect, and that this Letter Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to any subject matter covered herein. You agree and acknowledge that this Letter Agreement and the Plan supersede and replace that certain Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between you and the Company dated as of June 1, 2000, as amended from time to time.

 

 

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  6. Termination . This Letter Agreement will terminate, and your status as a Participant in the Plan will end, at the end of the Term.

 

  7. Survival . Your participation in the Plan will continue in effect following any termination that occurs while you are a Participant in the Plan with respect to all rights and obligations accruing as a result of such termination.

 

  8. Execution . You recognize and agree that your execution of this Letter Agreement results in your enrollment and participation in the Plan, that you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Letter Agreement, and that you understand that this Letter Agreement may not be amended or modified except pursuant to Section 20 of the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Letter Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

PARTICIPANT

/s/ Darrell W. Chambliss

Name: Darrell Chambliss

 

 

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Exhibit 10.12

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT is entered into as of ●, 2016, by and between WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC., an Ontario corporation (the “ Company ”), and [name] (“ Indemnitee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.           The Company is aware that because of the increased exposure to litigation costs, talented and experienced persons are increasingly reluctant to serve or continue serving as directors and officers of and/or in certain professional positions with corporations unless they are protected by comprehensive liability insurance and indemnification.

 

B.           The statutes and judicial decisions regarding the duties of directors, officers and certain other professional employees are often difficult to apply, ambiguous, or conflicting, and therefore often fail to provide such individuals with adequate guidance regarding the proper course of action.

 

C.           The Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”), has concluded that, in order to retain and attract talented and experienced individuals to serve as officers and directors of and/or in certain professional positions with the Company and its subsidiaries and to encourage such individuals to take the business risks necessary for the success of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Company should contractually indemnify such individuals, including certain of those that serve in such capacities with its subsidiaries, in connection with claims against such individuals relating to their services to the Company and its subsidiaries, and has further concluded that the failure to provide such contractual indemnification could be detrimental to the Company, its subsidiaries and shareholders.

 

D.           The Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “ OBCA ”) permits an Ontario corporation to indemnify a director or officer of the corporation against all costs, charges and expenses, including the amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of the individual's association with the corporation, provided the individual acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation.

 

E.           The OBCA does not prohibit an Ontario corporation from indemnifying other employees and agents of the corporation, including those employees or agents in a professional position with the Corporation, against costs, charges and expenses, including the amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of the individual's association with the corporation.

 

F.           Indemnitee’s willingness to serve as a director or officer of and/or in his or her position as an employee or agent with the Company is predicated, in substantial part, upon the Company’s willingness to indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the principles reflected above, to the fullest extent permitted by the OBCA, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
 

 

 

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of and/or in his or her professional position with the Company, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1.            Definitions .

 

(a)            Agent . “ Agent ” with respect to the Company means any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; or acts or acted at the Company's request as a director or officer, or acts or acted in a similar capacity, or as an employee or agent, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity (including without limitation any employee benefit plan whether or not subject to the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)); or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a predecessor corporation (or other predecessor entity or enterprise) of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, or was a director or officer, or acts or acted in a similar capacity, or as employee or agent, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity (including without limitation any employee benefit plan whether or not subject to the ERISA) at the request of such predecessor.

 

(b)            Company . References to the “ Company ” shall include, in addition to Waste Connections, Inc., any subsidiary of Waste Connections, Inc. and any predecessor corporation (including any predecessor of a predecessor) absorbed in an amalgamation or arrangement to which Waste Connections, Inc. (or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, so that if Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of such predecessor corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such predecessor corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as Indemnitee would have with respect to such predecessor corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

(c)            Expenses . “ Expenses ” means all direct and indirect costs, charges, damages, awards, settlements, liabilities, fines, penalties, statutory obligations or other costs or expenses of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all legal counsel and experts’ fees, costs of investigation and related disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation (whether formal or informal), settlement, defense or appeal of a Proceeding covered hereby or the establishment or enforcement of a right to indemnification under this Agreement, including without limitation in the case of an appeal the premium for, and other costs relating to, any costs bond or supercedes bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent, if applicable.

 

(d)            Other References . References to “ other enterprises ” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “ fines ” shall include any excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “ acts or acted at the Company's request ” shall include any present or past service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes or imposed duties on, or involves or involved services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or its beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have fulfilled the conditions set out in Section 4 .

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 2 of 11

 

 

(e)            Proceeding . “ Proceeding ” means any threatened, pending, or completed claim, suit, demand, inquiry, action, proceeding or alternative dispute resolution mechanism, or any hearing or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, including without limitation any situation which Indemnitee believes in good faith might lead to the institution of any such proceeding, and any appeal of the foregoing, and whether or not brought by the Company.

 

(f)            Subsidiary . “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation or other entity of which more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting securities or other voting interests is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, and one or more other Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

2.            Maintenance of Liability Insurance .

 

(a)           The Company hereby covenants and agrees with Indemnitee that, subject to Section 2(b) , the Company shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“ D&O Insurance ”), in reasonable amounts as the Board of Directors shall determine from established and reputable insurers with an AM Best rating of A.VI or better (or a substantially equivalent rating from S&P and/or Moody’s), but no less than the amounts in effect upon initial procurement of the D&O Insurance. In all policies of D&O Insurance, Indemnitee (by reference to his or her position) shall be named as an insured.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain D&O Insurance if the Company determines in good faith that the premium costs for such insurance are (i) disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided after giving effect to exclusions, and (ii) substantially more burdensome to the Company than the premiums charged to the Company for its initial D&O Insurance.

 

(c)           To the extent the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 3 of 11

 

 

3.            Mandatory Indemnification . The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law:

 

(a)            Third Party Actions . If Indemnitee was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or is claimed to be an Agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee personally guaranteed any obligation of the Company at any time, against any and all Expenses and liabilities or any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, legal fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such Proceeding, if Indemnitee fulfilled the conditions set out in Section 4 . The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not fulfil the conditions set out in Section 4 .

 

(b)            Derivative Actions . Subject to court approval, if required by applicable law, if Indemnitee was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an Agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, against any and all Expenses and liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, legal fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such Proceeding, if Indemnitee fulfilled the conditions set out in Section 4(a) . The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not fulfil the conditions set out in Section 4(a) .

 

If prior court approval is required under applicable law in connection with any claim for Expense or liabilities incurred by the Indemnitee, the Company will promptly seek at its sole expense and use all reasonable efforts to obtain that approval as soon as reasonably possible in the circumstances. The Company will also pay the expenses of the Indemnitee, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in connection with any such approval process. The obligations of the Company under this Section 3(b) will apply, subject to applicable law, even if the position of the Company on the substantive right to indemnification is or may be that the Indemnitee is not entitled to same.

 

(c)            Presumptions; Burden of Proof . In making any determination concerning Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, there shall be a presumption that Indemnitee has fulfilled the conditions set out in Section 4 and any other applicable standard of conduct and, and the Company may overcome such presumption only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not fulfil the conditions set out in Section 4 or meet any other particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or applicable law.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 4 of 11

 

 

(d)            Actions Where Indemnitee Is Deceased . If the Indemnitee was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an Agent of the Company or another entity, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, and prior to, during the pendency of, or after completion of, such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall die, then the Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the estate, heirs and legatees of Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and liabilities incurred by or for such persons or entities in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such Proceeding on the same basis as provided for Indemnitee in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) above.

 

(e)            Extent of Insurance . The Expenses and liabilities covered hereby shall be net of any payments made by D&O Insurance carriers or others.

 

4.            Entitlement to Indemnification. The rights provided to an Indemnitee hereunder will, subject to applicable law, apply without reduction to an Indemnitee provided that:

 

(a)           the Indemnitee acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company or other entity of which the Indemnitee was an Agent; and

 

(b)           in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the Indemnitee had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.

 

5.            Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is found under Sections 3 , 7 or 10 hereof not to be entitled to indemnification for all of the Expenses relating to a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any portion of such Expenses not specifically precluded by the operation of such Sections 3 , 7 or 10 .

 

6.            Indemnification Procedures; Mandatory Advancement of Expenses .

 

(a)           Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice to him or her of the commencement or threat of any Proceeding covered hereby, Indemnitee shall notify the Company of the commencement or threat thereof, provided that any failure to so notify shall not relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder.

 

(b)           If, at the time of the receipt of a notice pursuant to Section 6(a) above, the Company has D&O Insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the Proceeding or claim to its insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c)           Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain one or more counsel from time to time selected by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s sole discretion to act as its counsel in and for the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of each Proceeding. The Company shall not waive any privilege or right available to Indemnitee in any such Proceeding.

 

(d)           The Company shall bear all fees and Expenses (including invoices for advance retainers) of such counsel, and all fees and Expenses invoiced by other persons or entities, in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of each such Proceeding. Such fees and Expenses are referred to herein as “ Covered Expenses.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 5 of 11

 

 

(e)           Until a determination to the contrary under Section 7 hereof is made, the Company shall advance all Covered Expenses in connection with each Proceeding. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement which shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee undertakes to the fullest extent permitted by law to repay the advance if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee did not fulfil the conditions set out in Section 4 . No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(f)           Each advance to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee within ten (10) days following delivery of a written request therefor by Indemnitee to the Company.

 

(g)           The Company acknowledges the potentially severe damage to Indemnitee should the Company fail timely to make such advances to Indemnitee.

 

(h)           The Company shall not settle any proceeding if a result of such settlement, fine or obligation is imposed on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

(i)           If Indemnitee is the subject of or is implicated in any way during any proceeding, the Company will share with Indemnitee any information it has turned over to any third parties concerning the investigation.

 

(j)           The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

(k)           For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Company, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Company (other than Indemnitee) in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or the Board or counsel selected by any committee of the Board or on information or records given or reports made to the Company by an independent certified public accountant under applicable law or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or the Board or any committee of the Board. The provisions of this Section 6(k) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have fulfilled the conditions set out in Section 4 or met any other applicable standard of conduct.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 6 of 11

 

 

(l)            Notice to Insurers . If, at the time of the receipt by the Company of a notice of a Proceeding subject to Sections 3(a) or 3(b) hereof, the Company has D&O Insurance or other liability insurance in effect which may cover such Proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(m)            Selection of Counsel . In the event the Company shall be obligated hereunder to provide indemnification for or make any advancement of Expenses with respect to the Expenses of any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company’s election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of separate counsel subsequently retained by or on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding; provided that: (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s separate counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s separate counsel shall be Expenses for which Indemnitee may receive indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder.

 

7.            Determination of Right to Indemnification .

 

(a)           Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent the Indemnitee was not judged by a court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the Indemnitee ought to have done, and is determined by a court to have fulfilled the applicable conditions set out in Section 4 , the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnity under Section 3(a) in respect of the applicable Proceeding and shall not be required to repay any of the Expenses advanced in connection with the investigation, defense or appeal of such Proceeding.

 

(b)           Indemnitee shall have the right to advancement by the Company prior to the final disposition of any Proceeding of any and all Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Proceeding paid or incurred by Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines are reasonably likely to be paid or incurred by Indemnitee.

 

(c)           The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding under Sections 7(b) and against all Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any other Proceeding between the Company and Indemnitee involving the interpretation or enforcement of the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement unless a court of competent jurisdiction finds that each of the material claims and/or defenses of Indemnitee in any such Proceeding were frivolous or made in bad faith.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 7 of 11

 

 

(d)           The Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute. In the event of any change after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, statute or rule which expands the right of an Ontario corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits afforded by such change. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of an Ontario corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, employee, agent or fiduciary, such change, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder except as set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

(e)            Nonexclusivity . The indemnification and the payment or advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any other agreement, any vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, the OBCA, or otherwise. The indemnification and the payment or advancement of Expenses provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity even though subsequent thereto Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity.

 

(f)            No Duplication of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any Proceeding to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (under any insurance policy, provision of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.

 

(g)            Partial Indemnification . If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

8.            Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws . The Company agrees that the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws in effect on the date hereof shall not be amended to reduce, limit, hinder or delay (a) the rights of Indemnitee granted hereby, or (b) the ability of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee as required hereby. The Company further agrees that it shall exercise the powers granted to it under its Articles of Incorporation, its By-Laws and by applicable law to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent possible as required hereby.

 

9.            Witness Expenses . The Company agrees to compensate Indemnitee for the reasonable value of Indemnitee’s time spent, and to reimburse Indemnitee for all Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and travel costs) incurred by Indemnitee, in connection with being a witness, or if Indemnitee is threatened to be made a witness, with respect to any Proceeding, by reason of Indemnitee serving or having served as an Agent.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 8 of 11

 

 

10.            Exceptions . Notwithstanding any other provision hereunder to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

(a)            Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense (other than: (i) Proceedings under Sections 7(b) ; (ii) proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous; or (iii) proceedings or claims instituted by Indemnitee with the approval by the Board); or

 

(b)            Unauthorized Settlements . To indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding covered hereby without the prior written consent of the Company to such settlement, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed provided that the Company’s consent is not required if the Company is refusing to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee.

 

11.            Tax Adjustment . Should any payment made pursuant to this Agreement, including the payment of insurance premiums or any payment made by an insurer under an insurance policy, be deemed to constitute a taxable benefit or otherwise be or become subject to any tax or levy, then the Company will pay any amount necessary to ensure that the amount received by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, after the payment of or withholding for tax, fully reimburses the Indemnitee for the actual cost, expense or liability incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee. However, the foregoing sentence will not apply to any compensation paid to the Indemnitee pursuant to Section 9 .

 

12.            Non-exclusivity . This Agreement is not the exclusive arrangement between the Company and Indemnitee regarding the subject matter hereof and shall not diminish or affect any other rights which Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, under other agreements, or otherwise.

 

13.            Continuation After Term; Binding Effect . Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased acting as an Agent and the benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, arrangement, amalgamation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

14.            Interpretation of Agreement . This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law.

 

15.            Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed or altered by the court so as to remain enforceable and to provide Indemnitee with as many of the benefits contemplated hereby as are permitted under law.

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 9 of 11

 

 

16.            Counterparts, Modification and Waiver . This Agreement may be signed in counterparts. This Agreement constitutes a separate agreement between the Company and Indemnitee and may be supplemented or amended as to Indemnitee only by a written instrument signed by the Company and Indemnitee, with such amendment binding only the Company and Indemnitee. All waivers must be in a written document signed by the party to be charged. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be implied by the conduct of the parties. A waiver of any right hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any other right hereunder.

 

17.            Notices . All notices, demands, consents, requests, approvals and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if hand delivered (effective upon receipt or when refused), or if sent by a courier freight prepaid (effective upon receipt or when refused), in the case of the Company, at the addresses listed below, or to such other addresses as the parties may notify each other in writing.

 

  To Company:

Waste Connections, Inc.
3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 110

The Woodlands, Texas USA 77380
Attention: General Counsel

 

  To Indemnitee: At Indemnitee’s residence address and facsimile number on the records of the Company from time to time.

18.            Evidence of Coverage . Upon request by Indemnitee, the Company shall provide evidence of the liability insurance coverage required by this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee of any change in the Company’s D&O Insurance coverage.

 

19.            Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

20.            Attornment . The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement.

 

21.            No Construction as Employment Agreement . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;
Signatures appear on the following page . ]

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 10 of 11

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have entered into this Indemnification Agreement effective as of the date first above written.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.  
     
     
 

By:

 

 
 

 

 

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
Chief Executive Officer
 
     
 

INDEMNITEE:

 
     
     
  [Name]  

 

 

  Indemnification Agreement:
[name]
Page 11 of 11

   

Exhibit 10.13

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

1. PURPOSE.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means for the Company and any Subsidiary, through the grant of Options, Warrants, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Deferred Share Units, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalents, and Share Payments to selected Employees (including officers), Directors and Consultants, to attract and retain persons of ability as Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and any Subsidiary.

 

2. DEFINITIONS.

 

(a)          " Administrator " means the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Section 4. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 4(f), or as to which the Board has assumed, the term "Administrator" shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

 

(b)          " Applicable Accounting Standards " shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States or Canada, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company's financial statements under Applicable Securities Laws from time to time.

 

(c)          " Applicable Law " means any applicable law, including without limitation: (i) the OBCA; (ii) Applicable Securities Laws; (iii) the Code and the Tax Act; (iv) any other applicable corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, provincial, state, local or foreign; and (v) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

 

(d)          " Applicable Securities Laws " means: (i) the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder and any applicable state securities laws; and (ii) the OSA and the equivalent thereof in each province and territory of Canada in which the Company is a "reporting issuer" or the equivalent thereof, together with the regulations, rules and blanket orders of the securities commission or similar regulatory authority in each of such jurisdictions.

 

(e)          " Award " means an Option, a Warrant, a Restricted Share, a Restricted Share Unit, a Deferred Share Unit, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalent, or a Share Payment, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan.

 

(f)          " Award Agreement " means any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.

 

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(g)          " Award Limit " means with respect to Awards that shall be payable in Shares or in cash, as the case may be, the respective limit set forth in Section 3(b).

 

(h)          " Blackout Period " means the period of time during which the relevant Participant is prohibited from exercising or trading securities of the Company due to restrictions on the trading of the Company's securities imposed by the Company in accordance with its trading policies affecting trades by persons designated by the Company.

 

(i)          " Board " means the board of directors of the Company.

 

(j)          " Canadian Employee Participant " means a Canadian Participant who is granted an Award in respect of, in the course of, or by virtue of such Participant's "office or employment" within the meaning of the Tax Act.

 

(k)          " Canadian Participant " means a Participant who is resident in Canada for the purposes of the Tax Act and/or who is subject to taxation under the Tax Act in respect of any Award awarded or granted under the Plan.

 

(l)          " Change in Control " means:

 

(i)          any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger, amalgamation, arrangement or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction;

 

(ii)         any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company;

 

(iii)        a transaction or series of related transactions in which any "person" (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this definition, "person" shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of an Award Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the Shareholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company); or

 

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(iv)        individuals who were proposed as nominees (but not including any nominee under a shareholder proposal or under a shareholder resolution proposed in connection with a requisitioned meeting) to become directors of the Company immediately prior to a meeting of shareholders involving a contest for, or an item of business relating to the election of directors of the Company, not constituting a majority of the directors of the Company following such election.

 

A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of an Award awarded or granted to a US Participant that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) must also constitute a "change in control event", as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A. The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a "change in control event" as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation to the extent relevant to Awards awarded or granted to US Participants.

 

(m)          " Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

(n)          " Committee " means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee, appointed as provided in Section 4(a).

 

(o)          " Company " means Waste Connections, Inc., a corporation existing under the OBCA.

 

(p)          " Consultant " means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render consulting services and who is compensated for such services; provided that: (i) if such person is a US Participant, such person qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement; (ii) if such person is a Canadian Participant, such person does not constitute an "employee" within the meaning of the Tax Act, and, to the extent required by any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary for an initial, renewable or extended period of twelve months or more; and (iii) the term "Consultant" shall not include Directors.

 

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(q)          " Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant " means the individual's employment as an Employee or relationship as a Consultant is not interrupted or terminated, or, in the case of a Director who is not otherwise an Employee, the term means the Director remains a Director of the Company, and provided further that an individual's employment as an Employee shall be deemed to have terminated on the date the Employee ceases to actively provide services to the Company or a Subsidiary, regardless of any subsequent notice period under applicable statute or common law or pay in lieu of such notice. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, parental leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and a Subsidiary or their successors.

 

(r)          " Covered Employee " means any US Participant who is an Employee and who is, or could be, a "covered employee" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(s)          " Deferred Share Unit " means a unit credited by means of a bookkeeping entry on the books of the Company, awarded to a Director pursuant to Section 9, representing the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in Shares (or a combination thereof) on the applicable Deferred Share Unit Settlement Date.

 

(t)          " Deferred Share Unit Agreement " means the Award Agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual grant of Deferred Share Units. Each Deferred Share Unit Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Deferred Share Units.

 

(u)          " Deferred Share Unit Award " means an award of Deferred Share Units made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(v)         " Deferred Share Unit Settlement Date " in respect of a particular Director means the third business day following the earliest time of: (i) the Director's death; or (ii) the latest time that the Director ceases to be an employee, officer or director of the Company and any affiliate (within the meaning of that term in paragraph 8 of Interpretation Bulletin IT-337R4, Retiring Allowances [Consolidated] , or any successor publication thereto).

 

(w)          " Director " means a member of the Company's Board.

 

(x)          " Disability " means, (i) in respect of a US Participant, permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code, and, (ii) in respect of a Canadian Participant, means any physical or mental incapacity, disease or affliction as determined by a legally qualified medical practitioner selected by the Company, which prevents the Canadian Participant from performing his employment or consulting obligations for at least one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days or an aggregate of two hundred and seventy (270) days during the terms of his employment or consulting relationship.

 

(y)          " Dividend Equivalent " means a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 12(b).

 

(z)          " DRO " means, in respect of a US Participant, a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

 

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(aa)         " Effective Date " means the date the Plan is approved by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan and/or Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan by the Company's shareholders.

 

(bb)         " Eligible Individual " means any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Committee.

 

(cc)         " Employee " means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any officer of the Company or a Subsidiary is an Employee. A Director is not an Employee unless he or she has an employment relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary in addition to being a Director. Service as a Consultant shall not be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(i)          " Equity Restructuring " means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its shareholders, such as a share dividend, share split, share consolidation, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Shares (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Shares underlying outstanding Awards.

 

(dd)         " Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(ee)          " Fair Market Value " means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows:

 

(i)          If the Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, in each case as reported by such stock exchange or national market system or such other sources as the Board deems reliable,;

 

(ii)         If the Shares are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but are listed on any other established stock exchange or a national market system in Canada or the United States, including without limitation the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, in each case as reported by such stock exchange or national market system or such other sources as the Board deems reliable;

 

(iii)        If (i) or (ii) do not apply, but the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination; or

 

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(iv)        In absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board;

 

provided that in the case of any of (i) through (iv), for any particular Award, the Board may convert such price to currency other than the currency of trading, quotation or determination based on the applicable noon exchange rate posted for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

(ff)         " Insider " has the meaning given to such term by the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

 

(gg)       " Insider and Non-Employee Director Participation Limits " has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(b).

 

(hh)       " Non-Employee Director " means a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

 

(ii)         " Nonqualified Share Option " means an option to acquire one Share, awarded under Section 5, that is not intended to qualify as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(jj)         " OBCA " means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), together with the regulations thereto, as may be amended from time to time.

 

(kk)        " Option Agreement " means the Award Agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Options.

 

(ll)         " Optionee " means an Employee, Director or Consultant who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(mm)      " Options " means:

 

(A)         in respect of a US Participant, Nonqualified Share Options awarded under Section 5; and

 

(B)         in respect of a Canadian Participant, an option to acquire one Share awarded under Section 5.

 

(nn)       " OSA " means the Securities Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time.

 

(oo)       " Participant " means a person who has been granted an Award.

 

(pp)       " Performance Award " means a cash bonus award, share bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 12(a).

 

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(qq)       " Performance-Based Compensation " means, in respect of any US Participant, any compensation that is intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

(rr)         " Performance Criteria " means the criteria (and adjustments) that the Committee selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period, determined as follows:

 

(i)          The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation and (D) amortization), expressed in dollars or as a percent of revenues; (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit; (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on invested capital; (ix) return on shareholders' equity; (x) total shareholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit margin or operating margin; (xiii) costs; (xiv) expenses; (xv) working capital; (xvi) earnings per share; (xvii) adjusted earnings per share; (xviii) price per share; (xix) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xx) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxi) market share; (xxii) economic value; (xxiii) gross profit; (xxiv) net cash provided by operating activities as a percentage of revenue; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) safety performance; (xxvii) compound annual growth rate; (xxviii) total debt, interest expense, or total capital; (xxix) expense reduction and/or cash flow savings from integration of acquisitions; or (xxx) capital expenditures, any of which may be utilized in combination or measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices or to historic results.

 

(ii)          The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under Applicable Accounting Standards; (ix) items attributable to any share dividend, share split, share consolidation, combination or exchange of shares occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company's core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; (xix) items related to commodities prices and fuel costs; (xx) items related to organized labor efforts; (xxi) items related to relocation of corporate offices; (xxii) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in Applicable Law, accounting principles or business conditions; or (xxiii) changes in currency exchange rates. For all Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation in respect of US Participants, such determinations shall be made within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with, Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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(ss)        " Performance Goals " means, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. The achievement of each Performance Goal shall be determined, to the extent applicable, with reference to Applicable Accounting Standards.

 

(tt)         " Performance Period " means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant's right to, and the payment of, an Award.

 

(uu)        " Performance Share Unit " means a Performance Award awarded under Section 12(a) which is denominated in units of value including dollar value of Shares.

 

(vv)        " Plan " means this Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

 

(ww)      " Program " means any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

 

(xx)        " Restricted Share " means a Share awarded under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 7 which is subject to forfeiture or buyback by the Company over the Restriction Period.

 

(yy)         " Restricted Share Agreement " means the Award Agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual grant of Restricted Shares. Each Restricted Share Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Shares.

 

(zz)         " Restricted Share Award " means Restricted Shares awarded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(aaa)      " Restricted Share Unit " means a unit credited by means of a bookkeeping entry on the books of the Company, awarded pursuant to Section 8, representing the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in Shares (or a combination) upon the attainment of designated performance milestones or the completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary or upon a specified date or dates following the attainment of such milestones or the completion of such service period.

 

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(bbb)     " Restricted Share Unit Agreement " means the Award Agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual grant of Restricted Share Units. Each Restricted Share Unit Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Share Units.

 

(ccc)      " Restricted Share Unit Award " means an award of Restricted Share Units made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ddd)     " Restriction Period " means a time period, which may or may not be based on Performance Goals and/or the satisfaction of vesting provisions (which may depend on the Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant of the applicable Restricted Share Participant), that applies to, and is established or specified by the Administrator at the time of, each Restricted Share Award.

 

(eee)      " RSU Service Year " has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8(b)(ii).

 

(fff)        " Rule 16b-3 " means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as amended from time to time.

 

(ggg)     " Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(hhh)     " Shares " means common shares in the capital of the Company.

 

(iii)         " Share Payment " means (i) a payment in the form of Shares, or (ii) an option or other right to purchase Shares, as part of a bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, awarded under Section 12.

 

(jjj)         " Substitute Award " means an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or shares; provided, however, that in no event shall the term "Substitute Award" be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Warrant.

 

(kkk)      " Subsidiary " means any body corporate that, at the time an Award is granted under the Plan, qualifies as a subsidiary of the Company under Section 1(2) of the OBCA, provided that: (i) in respect of US Participants, a body corporate will only be a Subsidiary if it qualifies as a "subsidiary" under Section 424(f) of the Code; and (ii) in respect of Canadian Employee Participants, a body corporate will only be a Subsidiary to the extent it does not deal at arm's length, within the meaning of the Tax Act, with the Company.

 

(lll)         " Tax Act " means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, together with the regulations thereto.

 

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(mmm)   " US Participant " means a Participant who is a resident or citizen of the United States for the purposes of the Code and/or who is subject to taxation under the Code in respect of any Award awarded or granted under the Plan.

 

(nnn)     " Warrant " means a warrant awarded under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.

 

(ooo)     " Warrant Agreement " means the Award Agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Warrant grant. Each Warrant Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Warrants.

 

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Shares Available for Awards .

 

(i)          Subject to Sections 3(a)(ii) and 12(a), the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is 5,000,000 Shares (not including any Shares purchased on the open market).

 

(ii)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be returned or re-added to the Shares authorized for issuance under Section 3(a)(i): (A) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or purchase price of a Warrant; (B) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; and (C) Shares reserved for issuance on the exercise of any Options or Warrants which are settled for cash proceeds instead of through the issuance of Shares upon the exercise of such Options or Warrants. Any Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 7(d) at the same price paid by the Participant shall again be available for Awards. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(iii)        Subject to any approval required from any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, subject to any approval required from any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, the shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common shares of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

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(b)           Award Limits . Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 13:

 

(i)          the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 500,000;

 

(ii)         the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to Options that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 500,000;

 

(iii)        the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to Warrants that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 250,000;

 

(iv)        the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be U.S.$7,500,000;

 

(v)         the aggregate number of Shares issuable to Insiders under the Plan and all other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares;

 

(vi)        during any one-year period, the aggregate number of Shares issued to Insiders under the Plan and all other Security-Based Compensation Arrangements of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding Shares; and

 

(vii)       notwithstanding the foregoing or any other incentive compensation plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any other compensatory policy or program of the Company applicable to its non-employee directors (collectively, the " Director Programs "), the sum of "A" and "B" below for any individual, non-employee director for any calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2016 shall not exceed U.S.$350,000 (or U.S.$700,000 for any non-employee director: (y) in the first calendar year of such non-employee director's service to the Company; or (z) for any calendar year that such non-employee director serves as the non-executive Chair of the Board), where:

 

"A"       equals the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of all Awards and any other security-based awards granted under the Director Programs (other than with respect to any compensation described in "B" below) to such director during such calendar year, subject to a maximum fair value of Cdn.$150,000 per calendar year (excluding (i) the fair value of any Awards and any other security-based awards granted under the Director Programs issued in lieu of cash fees, where the applicable award has the same value as such cash fees, (ii) a one-time initial grant of Awards to a new director upon joining the Board, (iii) and any Awards expressly permitted to be settled only in cash and not in Shares); and

 

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"B"       equals the aggregate cash value of such director's retainer, meeting attendance fees, committee assignment fees, lead director retainer, committee chair and member retainers and other Board fees related to service on the Board or committee(s) of the Board that are initially denominated as a cash amount or any other property, other than Shares or securities of the Company (whether paid currently or on a deferred basis or in cash or other property), for such calendar year;

 

provided, however, that the limitations described in this clause (vii) shall be determined without regard to grants of awards under the Director Programs and compensation, if any, paid to a non-employee director during any period in which such individual was an Employee or Consultant; and

 

(viii)      non-employee directors of the Company shall not be eligible to receive grants of Options or Warrants under the Plan.

 

Collectively, the restrictions referred to in Sections 3(b)(v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) are referred to as the " Insider and Non-Employee Director Participation Restrictions ".

 

(c)           Shares Distributed . Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or Shares purchased on the open market, provided that, notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, all Options and Warrants granted to Canadian Participants shall be settled by way of the issuance of previously unissued Shares from treasury of the Company.

 

4. ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)           Administrator . The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). To the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and with respect to Awards that are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation, including Options or Warrants, then the Committee (or another committee or subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall take all action with respect to such Awards, and the individuals taking such action shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a "non-employee director" as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule and an "outside director" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Additionally, to the extent required by Applicable Law, each of the individuals constituting the Committee (or another committee or subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall be an "independent director" under Applicable Law and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 4(a) or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms "Administrator" and "Committee" as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (ii) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 4(f).

 

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(b)           Duties and Powers of Committee . It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Participant that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected adversely by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 10(k) or Section 18(h). Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Participant. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

 

(c)           Action by the Committee . Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

(d)           Authority of Administrator . Subject to the Company's Bylaws, the Committee's Charter, the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, any specific designation in the Plan and Section 15, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

 

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(i)          Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

 

(ii)         Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;

 

(iii)        Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

 

(iv)        Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any Performance Criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

 

(v)         Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

 

(vi)        Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(vii)       Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(viii)      Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(ix)         Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement;

 

(x)          Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and

 

(xi)         Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects and Section 13.

 

(e)           Decisions Binding . The Administrator's interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all parties.

 

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(f)           Delegation of Authority . To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Section 4; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, or amend awards held by, the following individuals: (i) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (ii) Covered Employees or (iii) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code and other Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 4(f) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.

 

(g)           Modification of Terms and Conditions through Employment or Consulting Agreements . Notwithstanding the provisions of any Award Agreement, any modifications to the terms and conditions of any Award permitted by Section 4(b) and Section 15 with respect to any Employee or Consultant may be effected by including the modification in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Participant.

 

5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

 

Each Option granted shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Option Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate and, in respect of Options granted to Canadian Employee Participants, any additional terms and conditions required to ensure that such Options are governed, at all times, by the provisions of Section 7 of the Tax Act:

 

(a)           Option Term . Each Option Agreement shall specify the term for which the Option thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Option shall expire at the end of such term.

 

(b)           Exercise Price . Each Option Agreement shall specify the exercise price per Share, as determined by the Administrator at the time the Option is granted, which exercise price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

 

(c)           Vesting . Each Option Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable. The total number of Shares subject to an Option may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not, be equal). An Option Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Option may become exercisable ("vest") with respect to some or all of the Shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the Shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Option shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised. An Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

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(d)           Company's Repurchase Right on Option Shares . Each Option Agreement may, but is not required to, include provisions whereby the Company shall have the right, subject to Applicable Law, to repurchase any and all Shares acquired by an Optionee on exercise of any Option granted under the Plan, at such price and on such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may approve and as may be set forth in the Option Agreement; provided that, in respect of any Option granted to a Canadian Participant who would otherwise be eligible for preferential tax treatment under paragraph 110(1)(d) of the Tax Act in respect of such Option, the applicable Option Agreement shall provide that any such repurchase right cannot be exercised until (i) two years plus a day following the exercise of the Option, or (ii) after termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, whenever such termination may occur and whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, with cause or without cause, without regard to the reason therefor, if any.

 

(e)           Substitute Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 to the contrary, but subject to the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant of the Substitute Award; provided that the excess of: (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (ii) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.

 

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF WARRANTS.

 

Each Warrant granted shall be evidenced by a Warrant Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Warrant Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate, and, in respect of Warrants granted to Canadian Employee Participants, any additional terms and conditions required to ensure that such Warrants are governed, at all times, by the provisions of Section 7 of the Tax Act:

 

(a)           Warrant Term . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the term for which the Warrant thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Warrant shall expire at the end of such term.

 

(b)           Exercise Price . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the purchase price per share, as determined by the Administrator at the time the Warrant is granted, which purchase price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

 

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(c)           Vesting . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable. The total number of Shares subject to a Warrant may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not, be equal). A Warrant Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Warrant may become exercisable ("vest") with respect to some or all of the Shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Warrant shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised. A Warrant may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

(d)           Company's Repurchase Right on Warrant Shares . Each Warrant Agreement may, but is not required to, include provisions whereby the Company shall have the right, subject to Applicable Law, to repurchase any and all Shares acquired by a Participant on exercise of any Warrant granted under the Plan, at such price and on such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may approve and as may be set forth in the Warrant Agreement; provided that, in respect of any Warrant granted to a Canadian Participant who may otherwise be eligible for preferential tax treatment under paragraph 110(1)(d) of the Tax Act in respect of such Warrant, the applicable Warrant Agreement shall provide that any such repurchase right cannot be exercised until (i) two years plus a day following the exercise of the Warrant, or (ii) after termination of a Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, whenever such termination may occur and whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, with cause or without cause, without regard to the reason therefor, if any.

 

(e)           Substitute Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6 to the contrary, but subject to the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, in the case of a Warrant that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Warrant may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant of such Substitute Award; provided that the excess of: (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (ii) the aggregate purchase price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate purchase price of such shares.

 

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS.

 

(a)           Restricted Share Award Agreement . Each Restricted Share Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Share Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Restricted Share Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Share Participant to whom such Restricted Share Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Share Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Share Awards granted to a single Restricted Share Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Share Agreement. A Restricted Share Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Share Award; no person shall have any rights under any Restricted Share Award, however, unless and until the Restricted Share Participant to whom the Restricted Share Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Share Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Share Award, unless such Restricted Share Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied the applicable federal, provincial, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the Shares which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Share Award, and (iii) has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Share Award.

 

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(b)           Restricted Share Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Share Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Administrator shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Share Agreement.

 

(i)          The Restricted Shares subject to a Restricted Share Award shall entitle the Restricted Share Participant to receive Restricted Shares, which are subject to forfeiture until the end of the Restriction Period. The Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to authorize Restricted Share Awards and determine the restrictions or Restriction Period for each such Award. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Participant's duration of employment, directorship or consultancy with the Company, the Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator. By action taken after the Restricted Shares are issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Shares by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Restricted Shares may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire.

 

(ii)         Subject to the terms and restrictions of this Section 7 or the applicable Restricted Share Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Administrator, upon delivery of Restricted Shares to a Restricted Share Participant, or upon creation of a book entry evidencing a Restricted Share Participant's ownership of Restricted Shares, pursuant to Section 7(e), the Restricted Share Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares.

 

(c)           Cash Payment . The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Shares. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Shares.

 

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(d)           Forfeiture of Restricted Shares . If, during the Restriction Period, the Restricted Share Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of such Restricted Share Participant's Restricted Shares as to which the Restriction Period has not yet expired shall be forfeited and revert to the Plan, unless the Administrator has provided otherwise in the Restricted Share Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Share Participant, or the Administrator, in its discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture. If a price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Shares, if the Restricted Share Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Shares then subject to restrictions at a cash price per Share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Shares or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that upon certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant's death, retirement or Disability or any other specified termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant or any other event, the Participant's rights in unvested Restricted Shares shall not lapse, such Restricted Shares shall vest and, if applicable, the Company shall not have a right of repurchase.

 

(e)           Receipt of Share Certificates . Each Restricted Share Participant who receives a Restricted Share Award shall be issued one or more share certificates in respect of such Restricted Shares. Any such share certificates for Restricted Shares shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Share Participant but shall be appropriately legended and returned to the Company or its agent by the recipient, together with a Share power or other appropriate instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank by the recipient. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, in lieu of the issuance of certificates for any Restricted Shares during the applicable Restriction Period, a "book entry" (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) may be made in the records of the Company, or its designated agent, as the Administrator, in its discretion, may deem appropriate, to evidence the ownership of such Restricted Shares in the name of the applicable Restricted Share Participant. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Restricted Share Participants hereunder. The holding of Restricted Shares by the Company or its agent, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of Restricted Shares, in accordance with this Section 7(e), shall not affect the rights of Restricted Share Participants as owners of their Restricted Shares, nor affect the Restriction Period applicable to such shares under the Plan or the Restricted Share Agreement.

 

(f)           Dividends . Subject to Applicable Law, a Restricted Share Participant who holds outstanding Restricted Shares shall not be entitled to any dividends paid thereon, other than dividends in the form of the Company's securities. In addition, subject to Applicable Law, with respect to a Restricted Share with performance-based vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Restricted Share Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Restricted Share vests.

 

(g)           Expiration of Restriction Period . Upon a Restricted Share Participant's Restricted Shares becoming free of the foregoing restrictions, the Company shall, subject to Sections 10(j), 10(k) and 11(m), deliver share certificates evidencing such Share to such Restricted Share Participant. Such certificates shall be freely transferable, subject to any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Share Participant may at the time be subject.

 

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(h)           Section 83(b) Election . If a US Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Share as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Share rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

(i)           Trust. The Company or Administrator may, at its discretion, establish a trust governed by Section 7(2) of the Tax Act in respect of any Restricted Shares awarded to Canadian Employee Participants.

 

(j)           Substitution of Restricted Share Awards . The Administrator may accept the surrender of outstanding Restricted Shares (to the extent that the Restriction Period or other restrictions applicable to such shares have not yet lapsed) and grant new Restricted Share Awards in substitution for such Restricted Shares.

 

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARDS.

 

(a)           Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement . Each Restricted Share Unit Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Share Unit Agreement in substantially the form or forms as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Restricted Share Unit Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Share Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Share Unit Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Share Unit Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Share Unit Awards granted to a single Restricted Share Unit Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Share Unit Agreement. A Restricted Share Unit Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Share Unit Award; however, no person shall be entitled to receive any Shares pursuant to a Restricted Share Unit Award unless and until the Restricted Share Unit Participant to whom the Restricted Share Unit Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Share Unit Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Share Unit Award, unless such Restricted Share Unit Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied or made arrangements to satisfy the applicable federal, provincial, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the Shares which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Share Unit Award, and (iii) has otherwise complied with all the other applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Share Unit Award.

 

(b)           Restricted Share Unit Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Share Unit Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Administrator shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Share Unit Agreement; provided that (i) all Restricted Share Units granted to US Participants shall be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) all Restricted Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Participants shall have terms and conditions necessary to ensure that such Restricted Share Units comply, at all times, with the requirements of paragraph (k) of the exception to the definition of "salary deferral arrangement" in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act or are governed by the provisions of section 7 of the Tax Act.

 

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(i)          The Restricted Share Units subject to a Restricted Share Unit Award shall entitle the Restricted Share Unit Participant to receive the Shares underlying those Restricted Share Units upon the attainment of designated performance goals, including but not limited to one or more Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance, the satisfaction of specified employment or service requirements, upon the expiration of a designated time period following the attainment of such goals or the satisfaction of the applicable service period or other specific criteria, in each case, subject to the remainder of this Section 8, on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. Except for Restricted Share Units granted to a Canadian Employee Participant, the Administrator may provide the Restricted Share Unit Participant with the right to elect the issue date or dates for the Shares which vest under his or her Restricted Share Unit Award. Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 8, the issuance of vested Shares under the Restricted Share Unit Award may be deferred to a date following the termination of the Restricted Share Unit Participant's employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)         At the time of grant of any Restricted Share Units to a Canadian Employee Participant, the Administrator shall specify the year of service of the Canadian Employee Participant in respect of which the Restricted Share Units are granted (the " RSU Service Year "). Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, all such Restricted Share Units shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or in lieu of, ordinary salary and wages received by such Canadian Employee Participant in respect of his services to the Company or a Subsidiary.

 

(iii)        The Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Share Units, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Participant (if permitted by Section 8(b)(i) above and the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, (A) in the case of Restricted Share Units granted to a Canadian Employee Participant, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each such Restricted Share Units occur later than December 15 th of the third year following the applicable RSU Service Year; and (B) in the case of Restricted Share Units granted to a US Participant, in no event shall the maturity date relating to such Restricted Share Units occur following the later of: (a) the 15 th day of the third month following the end of calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Share Unit vests; or (b) the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the Company's fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Share Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, subject to Section 10(j)(v), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Share Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator and if permitted in the Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Shares as determined by the Administrator.

 

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(iv)        The Restricted Share Unit Participant shall not have any shareholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to his or her Restricted Share Unit Award until that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder. However, Dividend Equivalents with respect to a Restricted Share Unit award may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be paid or credited, (A) in the case of a Canadian Employee Participant, in the form of additional Restricted Share Units having the same vesting and payout conditions as the original Restricted Share Unit Award; or (B) in the case of a US Participant, either in cash or in actual or phantom Shares, on one or more outstanding Restricted Share Units, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate; provided, however, that Dividend Equivalents with respect to a Restricted Share Unit award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Restricted Share Unit award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and such Restricted Share Unit award vests.

 

(v)         An outstanding Restricted Share Unit Award shall automatically terminate, and no Shares shall actually be issued in satisfaction of that Award, if the performance goals or service requirements established for such Award are not attained or satisfied. The Administrator, however, shall have the discretionary authority to issue vested Shares under one or more outstanding Restricted Share Unit Awards as to which the designated performance goals or service requirements have not been attained or satisfied, subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

(vi)        Service requirements for the vesting of Restricted Share Unit Awards may include service as an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director.

 

(c)           No Cash Payment . Restricted Share Unit Awards shall not require any cash payment from the Restricted Share Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Share Unit Award is made, either at the time such Award is made or at the time any Shares become issuable under that Award. However, the issuance of such shares shall be subject to the Restricted Share Unit Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, provincial, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes.

 

(d)           Forfeiture of Restricted Share Units . If the Restricted Share Unit Participant's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of the Restricted Share Units subject to his or her outstanding Restricted Share Unit Awards shall, to the extent not vested at that time, be forfeited, and no Shares shall be issued pursuant to those forfeited Restricted Share Units, unless the Administrator has provided in the Restricted Share Unit Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Share Unit Participant that no such forfeiture shall occur, or the Administrator, in its sole discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture.

 

(e)           Issuance of Share Certificates . Each Restricted Share Unit Participant who becomes entitled to an issuance of Shares following the vesting of his or her Restricted Share Unit Award shall, subject to Sections 10(j), 10(k) and 10(m), be issued one or more share certificates for those Shares. Subject to such Sections 10(j), 10(k) and 10(m), each such share certificate shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Share Unit Participant and shall be freely transferable, subject to Applicable Law and any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Share Unit Participant may at the time be subject.

 

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(f)           No Rights as a Shareholder . Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Participant of Restricted Share Units shall possess no incidents of ownership with respect to the Shares represented by such Restricted Share Units, unless and until such Shares are transferred to the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement.

 

9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DEFERRED SHARE UNIT AWARDS.

 

(a)           Deferred Share Unit Award Agreement . Each Deferred Share Unit Award shall be evidenced by a Deferred Share Unit Agreement in substantially the form or forms as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Deferred Share Unit Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Director to whom such Deferred Share Unit Award has been granted, unless the Deferred Share Unit Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Deferred Share Unit Awards granted to a single Director may, however, be combined in a single Deferred Share Unit Agreement. A Deferred Share Unit Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Deferred Share Unit Award; however, no person shall be entitled to receive any Shares pursuant to a Deferred Share Unit Award unless and until the Deferred Share Unit Participant to whom the Deferred Share Unit Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Deferred Share Unit Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Deferred Share Unit Award, unless such Deferred Share Unit Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied or made arrangements to satisfy the applicable federal, provincial, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the Shares which vest or become issuable under the Deferred Share Unit Award and (iii) has otherwise complied with all the other applicable terms and conditions of the Deferred Share Unit Award.

 

(b)           Deferred Share Unit Awards Subject to Plan . All Deferred Share Unit Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Administrator shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Deferred Share Unit Agreement; provided that (i) all Deferred Share Units granted to US Participants shall be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) all Deferred Share Units granted to Canadian Participants shall have terms and conditions necessary to ensure that such Deferred Share Units comply, at all times, with the requirements of Regulation 6801(d) and paragraph (l) of the exception to the definition of "salary deferral arrangement" in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act or are governed by the provisions of section 7 of the Tax Act.

 

(i)          Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no payment shall be made in respect of a Deferred Share Unit until after the earliest time of: (A) the Director's death; or (B) the latest time that the Director ceases to be an employee, officer or director of the Company or any affiliate (within the meaning of that term in paragraph 8 of Interpretation Bulletin IT-337R4, Retiring Allowances [Consolidated] , or any successor publication thereto) of the Company (such time is referred to as the " Triggering Event "). All payments in respect of a Deferred Share Unit shall be made no later than December 31st of the year commencing immediately after the occurrence of the Triggering Event.

 

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(ii)         On the Deferred Share Unit Settlement Date, the Company shall transfer or issue to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Deferred Share Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator and if permitted in the Deferred Share Unit Award Agreement, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the Deferred Share Unit Settlement Date or a combination of cash and Shares as determined by the Administrator, provided that a Deferred Share Unit, at the time of grant, may be expressly limited to be settled only in cash and not in Shares. All amounts to be paid in respect of any Deferred Share Unit granted to a Director shall depend on the Fair Market Value of a Share at a time within the period that commences one year before the date of the Triggering Event and ends at the time the amount is paid.

 

(iii)        The Deferred Share Unit Participant shall not have any shareholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to his or her Deferred Share Unit Award until that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder. However, Dividend Equivalents with respect to a Deferred Share Unit award may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be paid or credited, (A) in the case of a Canadian Participant, in the form of additional Deferred Share Units having the same vesting and payout conditions as the original Deferred Share Unit Award; or (B) in the case of a US Participant, either in cash or in actual or phantom Shares, on one or more outstanding Deferred Share Units, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate.

 

(c)           No Cash Payment . Deferred Share Unit Awards shall not require any cash payment from the Deferred Share Unit Participant to whom such Deferred Share Unit Award is made, either at the time such Award is made or at the time any Shares become issuable under that Award. However, the issuance of such Shares shall be subject to the Deferred Share Unit Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, provincial, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes.

 

(d)           Issuance of Share Certificates . Each Deferred Share Unit Participant who becomes entitled to an issuance of Shares following a Deferred Share Unit Settlement Date shall, subject to Sections 10(j), 10(k) and 10(m), be issued one or more share certificates for those Shares. Subject to such Sections 10(j), 10(k) and 10(m), each such share certificate shall be registered in the name of the Deferred Share Unit Participant and shall be freely transferable, subject to Applicable Law and any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Deferred Share Unit Participant may at the time be subject.

 

(e)           No Rights as a Shareholder . Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Deferred Share Unit Participant shall possess no incidents of ownership with respect to the Shares represented by such Deferred Share Units, unless and until such Shares are transferred to the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement.

 

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(f)           No Additional Amounts . No Canadian Participant or any person who deals at non-arm's length, within the meaning of the Tax Act, with the Participant, shall be entitled, under the Plan or otherwise, either immediately or in the future, either absolutely or contingently, to receive or obtain any amount or benefit granted or to be granted for the purposes of reducing the impact, in whole or in part, of any reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Shares.

 

(g)           Conversion of Compensation into Deferred Share Units . Subject to such rules, regulations and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose, a Participant may elect, irrevocably, no later than December 15th of the calendar year preceding the year in which the election is to be effective, to have all or a portion of his ordinary cash compensation (the " Participant Compensation ") to be paid by his employer to such Participant for services to be performed in the calendar year following the date of the election, satisfied by way of Deferred Share Units (with the remainder to be received in cash), by completing and delivering to the Company an initial written election, in such form as may be approved by the Committee. Such election shall set out the percentage of such Participant's compensation that the Participant wishes to be satisfied in the form of Deferred Share Units (with the remaining percentage to be paid in cash), within the limitations of this Section 9(g), for the calendar year for which the election is made and for subsequent years unless the Participant amends his election pursuant to this Section 9(g).

 

(i)          A Participant may initiate or change the percentage of his Participant Compensation to be satisfied in the form of Deferred Share Units for any subsequent calendar year by completing and delivering to the Company a new written election no later than December 15 of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year to which the Participant Compensation relates.

 

(ii)         Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9(g), no election will be permitted to be made during a Blackout Period or made or altered after December 31th of the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the election is to be effective.

 

(iii)        Any election made by a Participant under this Section 9(g) shall designate the percentage, if any, of the Participant Compensation that is to be satisfied in the form of Deferred Share Units, all such designations to be in increments of five percent (5%).

 

(iv)        A Participant's election received by the Company under this Section 9(g) shall be irrevocable and shall continue to apply with respect to his Participant Compensation for any subsequent calendar year unless the Participant amends his election under this Section 9(g).

 

(v)         Where there is no election that complies with this Section 9(g) in effect for a Participant for a particular calendar year, such Participant shall be deemed to have elected to receive his Participant Compensation for the applicable calendar year in cash.

 

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10. GRANTING OF AWARDS AND CONDITIONS ON EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND WARRANTS AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.

 

(a)           Participation . The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 10(f) regarding the grant of Awards pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy, no Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

(b)           Award Agreement . Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award, which may include the term of the Award, the provisions applicable in the event of the Participant's termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, and the Company's authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award. Award Agreements evidencing Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(c)           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

(d)           No Right to Employment; Voluntary Participation . Neither this Plan nor any Awards shall confer on any Participant or other person: (i) any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Program or Award Agreement; (ii) any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or engagement as a Consultant or Director, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs or engages a Participant to terminate that person's employment or engagement at any time with or without cause; (iii) any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or (iv) any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Shares, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee or consultant bonus, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.

 

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(e)           Foreign Holders . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than Canada or the United States in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any securities exchange outside Canada or the United States, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which Eligible Individuals outside Canada and the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside Canada and the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3(a) and 3(b); and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than Canada and the United States or a political subdivision thereof.

 

(f)           Non-Employee Director Awards . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be granted pursuant to a written nondiscretionary formula established by the Administrator (the " Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy "), subject to the limitations of the Plan. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy shall set forth the type of Award(s) to be granted to Non-Employee Directors, the number of Shares to be subject to Non-Employee Director Awards, the conditions on which such Awards shall be granted, become exercisable and/or payable and expire, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy may be modified by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

(g)           Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards . Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

 

(h)           Payment . Subject to the provisions of any particular Award, the Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (i) cash or check, (ii) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award, provided that Canadian Employee Participants shall not be entitled to pay the exercise price with any Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Warrant in the preceding two year period) or Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (iii) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, or (iv) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an "executive officer" of the Company within the meaning of either the OSA or Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a Subsidiary or a loan arranged by the Company or a Subsidiary in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(i)           Transferability of Awards .

 

(i)          Except as otherwise provided in Section 10(i)(ii):

 

(A)         No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

 

(B)         No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant's successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 10(i)(i)(A); and

 

(C)         During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to such Participant under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant's personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant's will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

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(ii)         Notwithstanding Section 10(i)(i), a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant's death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married, in a common law relationship, or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant's spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Participant's beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant's interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant's spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant's will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time; provided that the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Participant's death. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the beneficiary of a Canadian Participant in respect of Deferred Share Units shall be a dependent or relation of the Canadian Participant or the legal representative of the Canadian Participant (within the meaning of the Tax Act).

 

(j)           Conditions to Issuance of Shares .

 

(i)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law and the Shares are covered by, as applicable: (A) an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration pursuant to Applicable Securities Laws in the United States; and (B) an exemption from the prospectus requirements pursuant to Applicable Securities Laws in Canada. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.

 

(ii)         All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.

 

(iii)        The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

 

(iv)        No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

 

(v)         Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or plan administrator).

 

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(k)           Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that:

 

(i)          Any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, shall be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (y) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Participant incurs a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant for "cause" (as such term is defined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, or as set forth in a written agreement relating to such Award between the Company and the Participant); and

 

(ii)         All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(l)           Prohibition on Repricing . Subject to Section 13 and Section 15, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Warrant to reduce its exercise or purchase price per Share, or (ii) cancel any Option or Warrant in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Warrant exercise or purchase price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Subject to Section 13, the Administrator shall have the authority, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the exercise or purchase price per Share or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share that is greater than or equal to the price per share of the original Award. Furthermore, for purposes of this Section 10(l), except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any share dividend, share split, share consolidation, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise or purchase price per share of outstanding Options or Warrants or cancel outstanding Options or Warrants in exchange for cash, other Awards, Options or Warrants with an exercise or purchase price per share that is less than the exercise or purchase price per share of the original Options or Warrants without the approval of the Shareholders of the Company.

 

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(m)           Investment Representations . The Company may require any Participant, or any person to whom an Award is transferred, as a condition of exercising such Award, to (i) give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to such person's knowledge and experience in financial and business matters or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Option or Warrant or receiving such Share, and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that such person is acquiring the Share for such person's own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Share. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall not apply if (1) the issuance of the Share has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (2) counsel for the Company determines as to any particular requirement that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under Applicable Securities Laws. The Company may, with the advice of its counsel, place such legends on Share certificates issued under the Plan as the Company deems necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Securities Laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Share.

 

11. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS INTENDED TO QUALIFY AS PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION FOR US PARTICIPANTS.

 

(a)           Purpose . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine at the time an Award is granted or at any time thereafter whether such Award is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its sole discretion, decides to grant such an Award to an Eligible Individual that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation (other than an Option or Warrant), then the provisions of this Section 11 shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards to other Eligible Individuals that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals or any such other criteria and goals as the Administrator shall establish, but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 11 and that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to an Award intended to be Performance-Based Compensation payable to a Covered Employee shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Standards.

 

(b)           Applicability . The grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual for a particular Performance Period shall not require the grant of an Award to such Eligible Individual in any subsequent Performance Period and the grant of an Award to any one Eligible Individual shall not require the grant of an Award to any other Eligible Individual in such period or in any other period.

 

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(c)           Types of Awards . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant any Award to an Eligible Individual intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, including, without limitation, Restricted Shares the restrictions with respect to which lapse upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals, Restricted Share Units that vest and become payable upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals and any Performance Awards described in Section 12 that vest or become exercisable or payable upon the attainment of one or more specified Performance Goals; provided that such Awards granted to Canadian Participants shall also have the terms and conditions specified in the Plan.

 

(d)           Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards . To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted to one or more Eligible Individuals which is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no later than 90 days following the commencement of any Performance Period or any designated fiscal period or period of service (or such earlier time as may be required under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (i) designate one or more Eligible Individuals, (ii) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (iii) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period based on the Performance Criteria, and (iv) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether and the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned under such Awards, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant, including the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

 

(e)           Payment of Performance-Based Awards . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the US Participant must be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary throughout the Performance Period. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Performance Goals, Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to such Awards for a Performance Period only if and to the extent the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

 

(f)           Additional Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, any Award which is granted to an Eligible Individual and is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as Performance-Based Compensation, and the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

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12. AWARD OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, SHARE PAYMENTS.

 

(a)           Performance Awards .

 

(i)          The Administrator is authorized to grant Performance Awards, including Awards of Performance Share Units, to any Eligible Individual and to determine whether such Performance Awards shall be Performance-Based Compensation. The value of Performance Awards, including Performance Share Units, may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific criteria determined by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods and in such amounts as may be determined by the Administrator. Performance Awards, including Performance Share Unit awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator. Performance Share Units granted to Canadian Employee Participants shall have terms and conditions necessary to ensure that such Performance Share Units comply, at all times, with the requirements of paragraph (k) or (l) of the exception to the definition of "salary deferral arrangement" in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act or are governed by the provisions of section 7 of the Tax Act.

 

(ii)         Without limiting Section 12(a)(i), the Administrator may grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals, or such other criteria, whether or not objective, which are established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Any such bonuses paid to a Participant which are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.

 

(b)           Dividend Equivalents .

 

(i)          Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator based on dividends declared on the Shares, to be credited as of dividend payment dates with respect to dividends with record dates that occur during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Participant and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests.

 

(ii)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Warrants.

 

(iii)        Dividend Equivalents, if any, granted to Canadian Participants shall be granted as a bonus for services rendered in the year of payment.

 

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(c)           Share Payments . The Administrator is authorized to make Share Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Share Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Subsidiary, determined by the Administrator. Shares underlying a Share Payment which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator shall not be issued until those conditions have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Participant of a Share Payment shall have no rights as a Company Shareholder with respect to such Share Payment until such time as the Share Payment has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Participant. Share Payments may, but are not required to, be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.

 

(d)           Term . Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, the term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award and/or a Share Payment award shall be established by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(e)           Purchase Price . The Administrator may establish the purchase price of a Performance Award or Shares distributed as a Share Payment award.

 

(f)           Termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant . A Performance Award, Share Payment award and/or a Dividend Equivalent award is distributable only while the Participant is an Employee, Director or Consultant, as applicable. The Administrator, however, in its sole discretion, may provide that the Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award and/or Share Payment award may be distributed subsequent to a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant's death, retirement or Disability or any other specified termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

13. ADJUSTMENTS ON CERTAIN EVENTS.

 

(a)          In the event of any share dividend, share split, share consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to Shareholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or price of the Shares other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the number and kind of shares (or other securities or property) that may be issued by a single officer under the Plan; (iv) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (v) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. Any adjustment to an Option granted to a Canadian Employee Participant shall be made consistent with the requirements of subsection 7(1.4) of the Tax Act.

 

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(b)          In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant's request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

 

(i)          To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant's rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant's rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant's rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

 

(ii)         To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the shares of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

 

(iii)        To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of the Company (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Shares and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future;

 

(iv)        To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement; and

 

(v)         To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

 

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(c)          In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 13(a) and 13(b):

 

(i)          The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or

 

(ii)         The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit). The adjustments provided under this Section 13(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

 

(d)          The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(e)          With respect to Awards which are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no adjustment or action described in this Section 13 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause such Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, unless the Administrator determines that the Award should not so qualify. No adjustment or action described in this Section 13 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.

 

(f)          The existence of the Plan, the Program, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of shares or of options, warrants or rights to purchase shares or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference shares whose rights are superior to or affect the Shares or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

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(g)          No action shall be taken under this Section 13 which shall cause an Award granted to a US Participant to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder. No action shall be taken under this Section 13 which shall cause any Option granted to a Canadian Employee Participant to fail to be governed by the provisions of section 7 of the Tax Act or which shall cause any Restricted Share Unit or Performance Share Unit granted to a Canadian Employee Participant to cease to qualify with the requirements for the exception in paragraph (k) of the definition of "salary deferral arrangement in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act or which shall cause any Deferred Share Unit to cease to qualify with the requirements for the exception in Regulation 6801(d) and paragraph (l) of the definition of "salary deferral arrangement" in subsection 248(l) of the Tax Act.

 

(h)          In the event of any pending share dividend, share split, share consolidation, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to shareholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the price of the Shares including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

 

(i)           No Effect on Powers of Board or Shareholders . The existence of the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the Shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any merger or consolidation of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, any issue of debt, preferred or prior preference Share ahead of or affecting Share, the authorization or issuance of additional Shares, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or its subsidiaries, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

(j)           Fractional Shares . All calculations under this Section 13 shall be, in the case of exercise price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share.

 

(k)           Uniformity of Actions Not Required . Any actions or determinations by the Board under this Section 13 need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, and need not treat all Participants identically.

 

14. TAX WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

 

(a)           Tax Withholding . The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company or Subsidiary, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, provincial, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant's FICA, Canada Pension Plan contributions, employment tax, Employment Insurance (Canada) premiums, or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of the Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, may withhold, or allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, provincial, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Plan, the Code and the Tax Act, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Warrant exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Warrant exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

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15. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Amendment, Termination or Suspension of Plan . Except as otherwise provided in Section 15(b), the Plan or any Award may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee, including, without limitation, for any of the following types of amendments or modifications:

 

(i)          amendments for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, error or omission in the Plan or Award or to correct or supplement any provision of the Plan or Award that is inconsistent with any other provision of the Plan or Award;

 

(ii)         amendments necessary to comply with Applicable Law or the requirements of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed;

 

(iii)        amendments to the Plan respecting administration of the Plan;

 

(iv)        amendments of a "housekeeping" nature;

 

(v)         changes to the terms and conditions on which Awards may be or have been granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

(vi)        amendments to the treatment of Awards on ceasing Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant;

 

(vii)       a change to the termination provisions of Awards which does not entail an extension beyond the original expiry date;

 

(viii)      any amendment to give effect to Section 13;

 

(ix)         any amendment to ensure that Awards granted under the Plan will comply with any provisions of the Code or the Tax Act respecting employee security based compensation arrangements; and

 

(x)          any amendment to an Award that is not exercisable into, settled with, or involve the issuance of, Shares.

 

(b)          Without approval of the Company's Shareholders, no action of the Administrator, or amendment or modification of the Plan may:

 

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(i)          increase the limits imposed in Section 3(a) on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan,

 

(ii)         reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Warrant granted under the Plan, reduce any purchase price for any other Award as set at the time of grant, or take any action prohibited under Section 10(l),

 

(iii)        extend the term of any Award;

 

(iv)        make any amendment to remove or exceed the Insider and Non-Employee Director Participation Limits;

 

(v)         cancel any Option or Warrant in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Warrant price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Share;

 

(vi)        make any amendment which would permit Awards granted under the Plan to be transferable or assignable other than for normal estate settlement purposes or as otherwise permitted in Section 10(i); or

 

(vii)       amend Section 15(a) or Section 15(b).

 

(c)           Amendment of Awards . Subject to compliance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, the Board may amend the terms of any Award previously granted, including any Award Agreement, retroactively or prospectively, but no such amendment shall materially impair the previously accrued rights of any Participant with respect to any such Award without his or her written consent. Except as provided in Section 10(k) and Section 18(h), no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.

 

16. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS

 

(a)           Compliance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act . So long as a class of the Company's equity securities is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Company intends that the Plan shall comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3 with respect to US Participants. If during such time any provision of this Plan concerning US Participants is found not to be in compliance with Rule 16b-3, that provision shall be deemed to have been amended or deleted as and to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3, and the remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without change. All transactions under the Plan with respect to US Participants during such time shall be executed in accordance with the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(b)          The obligation of the Company to issue and deliver Shares pursuant to Awards in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan is subject to Applicable Securities Laws and to the receipt of any approvals that may be required from any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed. If Shares cannot be issued pursuant to an Award for any reason whatsoever, the obligation of the Company to issue such Shares shall terminate and any monies paid to the Company in connection with the exercise of the Option will be returned to the Participant as soon as practicable.

 

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17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND indemnification.

 

(a)           Contractual Liability Limitation . Any liability of the Company or its subsidiaries to any Participant with respect to any Award shall be based solely on contractual obligations created by the Plan and the Award Agreements outstanding thereunder.

 

(b)           Indemnification . In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or officers, Directors and officers to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

 

18. MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)           No Shareholders Rights . Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a Shareholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares.

 

(b)           Paperless Administration . In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

(c)           Acceptance of Terms and Conditions of Plan . By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Company, the Board or the Committee, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(d)           No Effect on Other Arrangements . Neither the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or its subsidiaries, or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any subsidiary to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for their Employees, Directors or Consultants or grant or assume restricted Share or other rights otherwise than under the Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary: (i) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (ii) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, shares or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

 

(e)           Compliance with Laws . The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to Applicable Securities Laws and margin requirements), the rules of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

(f)           Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superceded by applicable United States federal law.

 

(g)           Section 409A . To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section.

 

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(h)           No Rights to Awards . No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

 

(i)           Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an "unfunded" plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(j)           Relationship to other Benefits . No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

(k)           Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(l)           Blackout Periods . If the date under any Award on which: (i) cash is to be issued in settlement of the Award, or (ii) Performance Criteria are to be evaluated by the Company, occurs during a Blackout Period or within three business days of the expiry of a Blackout Period applicable to the relevant Participant, then, subject to Section 8(b)(ii) in respect of Restricted Share Units and 9(i) in respect of Deferred Share Units, the settlement date or evaluation date, as applicable, shall be deemed to be the 10th business day after expiry of the Blackout Period, or such earlier date following the expiry of the Blackout Period as determined by the Administrator. Where a Blackout Period is continuing as of December 15th of the third year following the RSU Service Year in respect of Restricted Share Units or as of December 15th of the calendar year following the Triggering Event in respect of Deferred Share Units, the Restricted Share Units or Deferred Share Units, as the case may be, shall be paid out automatically on such December 15th date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares may be issued in settlement of, or upon exercise of, an Award during a Blackout Period, provided that such Shares are subject to restrictions on trading in accordance with the Company's blackout policy.

 

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Exhibit 10.14

 

Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

(WITH ONE-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

 

Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Company ”), has granted to Participant (as designated below) a Restricted Share Unit Award pursuant to the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Plan ”). Each Restricted Share Unit represents the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in common shares of the Company (“ Shares ”), subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement (which includes, for Participants who are US Participants, the additional terms and conditions provided under Exhibit A hereto). By electronically accepting this Award Agreement through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital, Participant is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement.

 

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall supersede and govern in all respects. Any capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

1.           Grant Terms .

 

Participant Name: _____________________

 

Participant is a (check one box) : US Participant ¨ or Canadian Participant ¨ or Both ¨

 

Award Date: ________________

 

RSU Service Year (Canadian Participants only): ______

 

Shares Subject to Award: _______ Shares

 

Performance Period: [Insert dates of one-year performance period.]

 

Performance Goal(s): The performance standard reviewed and approved by the Committee and reflected in the resolutions of the Committee.

 

Maturity Date: _______ (if left blank, the “maturity date” shall be the outer time limits prescribed by Section 8(b)(iii) of the Plan).

 

Determination Date: The date the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether the Performance Goal(s) have been achieved, such date being as soon as administratively practicable following the Performance Period after all necessary Company information is available and prior to the maturity date.

 

2.           Vesting; Earned Award Units; Vested Award Units . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the Participant’s Restricted Share Units shall become vested in a series of installments over the Participant’s period of continued service with the Company as set forth herein, subject to the achievement of the Performance Goal(s) over the Performance Period. If the Committee determines on the Determination Date that the Performance Goal has been achieved, then such “ Earned Award Units ” shall vest as follows:

 

[Insert vesting schedule]

 

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The Restricted Share Units subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “ Vested Award Units .”

 

Following the Determination Date, the Company shall notify the Participant as to whether the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award have become Earned Award Units that may be satisfied in accordance with the Time-Vesting Schedule provided above. If the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award do not become Earned Award Units, the Participant will automatically forfeit any rights in the Award as of the Determination Date.

 

Should the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award, then the Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of Restricted Share Units will be reduced accordingly, and the Participant will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares or any other payment under those cancelled units.

 

3.          Settlement . Any Vested Award Units shall be settled as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Vested Award Unit; and at all times prior to the applicable time period prescribed by the Plan. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, all distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional Share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

4.          Acknowledgement . The Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Share Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in the Plan, including Section 13 of the Plan. The Participant has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

5.          Additional Provisions .

 

a.            Additional Terms . The terms and conditions of this Award are governed by the Plan, and this Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan.

 

b.            Entire Agreement . The Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede in their entirety all other prior undertakings, agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) of you and the Company which relate to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply, and further provided that in case of inconsistencies or ambiguities, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail over the provisions of the Award Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Award Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Award Agreement.

 

c.            Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of the Award Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Award Agreement.

 

d.            Service Provider Relationship . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan or the award of the Restricted Share Units thereunder pursuant to the Award Agreement shall confer any right on a Participant with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs such Participant or engages such Participant as a consultant or director to terminate the Participant’s employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause.

 

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e.            Governing Law . The Award Agreement and the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superseded by applicable United States federal law.

 

f.             Electronic Delivery . The Company may deliver any documents related to the Award granted under this Award Agreement and participation in the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and sign the Award Agreement through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

g.            Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, the Award Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of the Award Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Share Units in any material way without your prior written or electronic consent.

 

h.            Notices . Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address on file with the Company or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

i.             Transferability . Any attempt by you to transfer any interest in your Award or any underlying Shares in violation of the transferability provisions in the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

j.             Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 5(i) of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and to the Participant, the Participant’s executors, administrators, heirs, successors, representatives and assignees.

 

k.           Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Award Agreement.

 

l.             Data Privacy Waiver . By accepting the grant of the Restricted Share Units, the Participant hereby agrees and consents to:

 

i.            the collection, use, processing and transfer by the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Group ”) of certain personal information about the Participant (the “ Data ”);

 

ii.         any members of the Group transferring Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan;

 

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iii.         the use of such Data by any such person for such purposes; and

 

iv.         the transfer to and retention of such Data by third parties in connection with such purposes.

 

For the purposes of clause (i) above, “ Data ” means the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, other employee information, any tax or other identification number, details of all rights to acquire Shares granted to the Participant and of Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to the Plan.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  Title:  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit A

 

Additional Provisions for

Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement

(With One-Year Performance Period)

For US Participants in the

Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

The additional terms and conditions of this Exhibit A shall apply to the Restricted Share Unit Award for any Participant who is a US Participant.

 

1.          Settlement of Awards . In no event shall the Company deliver (i) the first installment of the Vested Award Units to you later than March 15 of the calendar year following the end of the Performance Period, or (ii) the remaining installments of the Vested Award Units to you later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the respective portion of the Vested Award Units vest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Vested Award Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section 1 if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.          Taxation and Withholding .

 

(A)          Federal Income Tax . You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per common share on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

(B)          FICA Taxes. You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.

 

(C)          Withholding Taxes . You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.

 

i.            In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.

 

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ii.         Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:

 

1.          your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or

 

2.          the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of common shares, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares, and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

3.           Claw-Back . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the Committee shall have the right to require the Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument that the Units (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt of the Restricted Share Units or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

4.           Code Section 409A . This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Award Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or the Award Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment or benefit constitutes non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such payment or benefit would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, all references to the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “ Separation from Service ”), and the Participant shall not be considered to have a Termination of Employment unless such termination constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to the Participant.

 

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5.           Employment Relationship . Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, Participant’s employment by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either Participant or the Company or Subsidiary for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Administrator, and its determination shall be final.

 

6.           Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Share Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

7.           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Award Agreement or this Exhibit A, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Share Units, including Restricted Share Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

8.           Additional Disclosure . Along with the Award Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award.

 

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Exhibit 10.15

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC. 2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

Performance-Based Restricted SHARE Unit Award Agreement

(WITH THREE-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD)

 

Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “Company”), has granted to Participant a Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award pursuant to the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”). Each Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit represents the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in common shares of the Company (“Shares”), subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement (which includes, for Participants who are US Participants, the additional terms and conditions provided under Exhibit A hereto). By electronically accepting this Award Agreement through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital, Participant is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement.

 

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall supersede and govern in all respects. Any capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

1.          Grant Terms .

 

Participant Name: _____________________

 

Participant is a (check one box): US Participant ¨ or Canadian Participant ¨ or Both ¨

 

Award Date: _______________________

 

PBRSU Service Year (Canadian Participants only): _______

 

Target Number of Shares Subject to Award: _______ Shares

 

Performance Period: [Insert dates of three-year performance period.]

 

Performance Goal(s): The performance standard reviewed and approved by the Committee and reflected in the resolutions of the Committee.

 

Maturity Date: _______ (if left blank, the “maturity date” shall be the outer time limits prescribed by Section 8(b)(iii) of the Plan).

 

Determination Date: The date the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether the Performance Goal(s) have been achieved, such date being as soon as administratively practicable following the Performance Period after all necessary Company information is available and prior to the maturity date.

 

2.          Vesting; Earned Award Units; Vested Award Units .

 

a.            General Rule . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the Participant’s Restricted Share Units shall become vested subject to the achievement of the Performance Goal(s) by the Company over the Performance Period, as determined by the Committee on the Determination Date, s ubject to the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant through the Determination Date. If the Committee determines on the Determination Date that the Performance Goal(s) have been achieved, then such “ Earned Award Units ” shall vest on the Determination Date. The Restricted Share Units subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “ Vested Award Units .”

 

 

 

  

Within 15 business days following the Determination Date, but in no event later than March 15th of the fiscal year following the end of the Performance Period (the “ Settlement Date ”), the Company shall notify the Participant of the number of Restricted Share Units, if any, that have become Vested Award Units and the corresponding number of Shares to be issued to the Participant in satisfaction of this Award. If the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award do not become Earned Award Units, the Participant will automatically forfeit any rights in the Award as of the Determination Date. Each Vested Award Unit shall be settled by delivering to the Participant one Share, subject to withholding as described below. The number of Restricted Share Units which may become Earned Award Units will be between 0% and [___]% of the Target Number of Shares depending on whether and to what extent the Performance Goals are achieved by the Company.

 

The Participant shall have no rights to dividends or other rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Share Units unless and until such time as the award of Restricted Share Units has been settled by the issuance of Shares to the Participant. The Participant shall have the right to receive a cash dividend equivalent payment with respect to the Earned Award Units for cash dividends payable to holders of Shares as of a record date designated by the Company that is within the period beginning on the Award Date and ending on the Settlement Date, which dividend equivalent payment shall be payable to the Participant on the Settlement Date, without interest. In the event of forfeiture of the Restricted Share Units, the Participant shall have no further rights with respect to such Restricted Share Units.

 

b.            Post-Employment Vesting . Should the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award, then the Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of Restricted Share Units will be reduced accordingly, and the Participant will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares or any other payment under those cancelled units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause (or by the Participant for Good Reason, but only to the extent an Individual Agreement (as defined below) provides for the right to terminate employment for Good Reason and further provides for severance payments and benefits due to such Termination of Employment) or Termination of Employment due to Disability or the Participant’s death, the number of Restricted Share Units earned shall be determined as follows: first, the Committee shall determine the number of Units earned based on actual achievement of the Performance Goals following the end of the Performance Period; and second, the number of Restricted Share Units so obtained shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of full months elapsed from the first day of the Performance Period to the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment and the denominator of which is the total number of whole months in the Performance Period.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be considered to be for “Cause” if it is a termination for “Cause” pursuant to an employment or separation agreement between the Company and the Participant or a Company severance or separation plan applicable to the Participant (the “ Individual Agreement ”) to which the Participant is a party that is then in effect or, if there is no Individual Agreement in effect that defines “Cause,” “ Cause ” shall mean (a) a material breach by the Participant of any of the terms of the Individual Agreement, or any other agreement between the Company and the Participant, that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach; (b) conviction of a felony or indictable offense; (c) a breach of any non-competition or non-solicitation covenants in any agreement between the Company and the Participant; (d) repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel of the Company, the Participant is abusive or incapable of performing his or her duties and responsibilities after being accommodated in accordance with applicable laws; or (e) misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

 

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3.          Settlement . Any Vested Award Units shall be settled as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Vested Award Unit; and at all times prior to the applicable time period prescribed by the Plan. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, all distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional Share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

4.          Acknowledgement . The Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Share Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in the Plan, including Section 13 of the Plan. The Participant has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

5.          Additional Provisions .

 

a.            Additional Terms . The terms and conditions of this Award are governed by the Plan, and this Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan.

 

b.            Entire Agreement . The Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede in their entirety all other prior undertakings, agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) of you and the Company which relate to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply, and further provided that in case of inconsistencies or ambiguities, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail over the provisions of the Award Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Award Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the provisions of any Individual Agreement, (i) in the case of a conflict between the terms of the Participant’s Individual Agreement and this Award Agreement, the terms of this Award Agreement shall govern, and (ii) the vesting and settlement of Restricted Share Units shall in all events occur in accordance with this Award Agreement to the exclusion of any provisions contained in an Individual Agreement regarding the vesting or settlement of the Restricted Share Units, and any such Individual Agreement provisions shall have no force or effect with respect to the Restricted Share Units.

 

c.            Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of the Award Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Award Agreement.

 

d.            Service Provider Relationship . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan or the award of the Restricted Share Units thereunder pursuant to the Award Agreement shall confer any right on a Participant with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs such Participant or engages such Participant as a consultant or director to terminate the Participant’s employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause.

 

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e.            Governing Law . The Award Agreement and the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superseded by applicable United States federal law.

 

f.             Electronic Delivery . The Company may deliver any documents related to the Award granted under this Award Agreement and participation in the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and sign the Award Agreement through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

g.            Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, the Award Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of the Award Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Share Units in any material way without your prior written or electronic consent.

 

h.            Notices . Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address on file with the Company or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

i.             Transferability . Any attempt by you to transfer any interest in your Award or any underlying Shares in violation of the transferability provisions in the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

j.             Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 5(i) of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and to the Participant, the Participant’s executors, administrators, heirs, successors, representatives and assignees.

 

k.           Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Award Agreement.

 

l.             Data Privacy Waiver . By accepting the grant of the Restricted Share Units, the Participant hereby agrees and consents to:

 

i.            the collection, use, processing and transfer by the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Group ”) of certain personal information about the Participant (the “ Data ”);

 

ii.         any members of the Group transferring Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan;

 

iii.         the use of such Data by any such person for such purposes; and

 

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iv.         the transfer to and retention of such Data by third parties in connection with such purposes.

 

For the purposes of clause (i) above, “ Data ” means the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, other employee information, any tax or other identification number, details of all rights to acquire Shares granted to the Participant and of Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to the Plan.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit A

 

Additional Provisions for

Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement

(With Three-Year performance Period)

For US Participants in the

Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

The additional terms and conditions of this Exhibit A shall apply to the Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit Award for any Participant who is a US Participant.

 

1.          Settlement of Awards . In no event shall the Company deliver the Vested Award Units to you later than March 15 of the calendar year following the end of the Performance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Vested Award Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section 1 if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.          Taxation and Withholding .

 

(A)          Federal Income Tax . You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per common share on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

(B)          FICA Taxes . You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.

 

(C)          Withholding Taxes . You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.

 

i.            In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.

 

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ii.         Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:

 

1.          your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or

 

2.          the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of common shares, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares, and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

3.           Claw-Back . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the Committee shall have the right to require the Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument that the Units (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt of the Restricted Share Units or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

4.           Code Section 409A . This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Award Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or the Award Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment or benefit constitutes non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such payment or benefit would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, all references to the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “ Separation from Service ”), and the Participant shall not be considered to have a Termination of Employment unless such termination constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to the Participant.

 

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5.           Employment Relationship . Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, Participant’s employment by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either Participant or the Company or Subsidiary for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Administrator, and its determination shall be final.

 

6.           Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Share Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

7.           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Award Agreement or this Exhibit A, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Share Units, including Restricted Share Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

8.           Additional Disclosure . Along with the Award Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award.

 

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Exhibit 10.16

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC. 2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

 

Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “Company”), has granted to Participant (as designated below) a Restricted Share Unit Award pursuant to the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”). Each Restricted Share Unit represents the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in common shares of the Company (“Shares”), subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement (which includes, for Participants who are US Participants, the additional terms and conditions provided under Exhibit A hereto). By electronically accepting this Award Agreement through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital, Participant is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement.

 

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall supersede and govern in all respects. Any capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

1.           Grant Terms :

 

Participant Name: _____________________

 

Participant is a (check one box): US Participant ¨ or Canadian Participant ¨ or Both ¨

 

Award Date: ____________________

 

RSU Service Year (Canadian Participants only): _______

 

Shares Subject to Award: _______ Shares

 

Maturity Date: _______ (if left blank, the “maturity date” shall be the outer time limits prescribed by Section 8(b)(iii) of the Plan).

 

2.           Vesting; Vested Award Units : Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the Participant’s Restricted Share Units shall become vested and issuable in a series of two (2) successive equal annual installments upon the Award Date and the first anniversary of the Award Date, subject to earlier forfeitability. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until the Participant satisfies all applicable income and employment withholding taxes, if applicable. The Restricted Share Units subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “ Vested Award Units .”

 

Should the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease because (i) the Participant was not nominated for or elected to a new term to serve as a Director or (ii) the Participant resigned as a Director at the Company’s convenience, which shall include, without limitation, the Participant’s resignation resulting from the Participant’s failure to receive a majority of the votes cast in an election for Directors in accordance with the majority voting policy of the Company, prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to the Award, then the Award shall be fully vested. Should the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason other than (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award, then the Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of Restricted Share Units will be reduced accordingly, and the Participant will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares or any other payment under those cancelled units.

 

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3.          Settlement : Any Vested Award Units shall be settled as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Vested Award Unit in Shares (either in book-entry form or otherwise) or, at the option of the Company, paid in an amount of cash as described further below; and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following such vesting. In the event that the Company elects to make payment of the Restricted Share Units in cash, the amount of cash payable with respect to each Restricted Share Unit shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the day immediately preceding the applicable distribution or payment date. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, all distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional Share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

4.          Acknowledgement . The Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Share Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in the Plan, including Section 13 of the Plan. The Participant has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

5.          Additional Provisions .

 

a.            Additional Terms . The terms and conditions of this Award are governed by the Plan, and this Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan.

 

b.            Entire Agreement . The Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede in their entirety all other prior undertakings, agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) of you and the Company which relate to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply, and further provided that in case of inconsistencies or ambiguities, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail over the provisions of the Award Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Award Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Award Agreement.

 

c.            Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of the Award Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Award Agreement.

 

d.            Service Provider Relationship . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan or the award of the Restricted Share Units thereunder pursuant to the Award Agreement shall confer any right on a Participant with respect to continuation of a directorship, consulting or other employment arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs such Participant or engages such Participant as a consultant or director to terminate the Participant’s employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause.

 

e.            Governing Law . The Award Agreement and the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superseded by applicable United States federal law.

 

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f.             Electronic Delivery . The Company may deliver any documents related to the Award granted under this Award Agreement and participation in the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and sign the Award Agreement through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

g.            Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, the Award Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of the Award Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Share Units in any material way without your prior written or electronic consent.

 

h.            Notices . Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address on file with the Company or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

i.             Transferability . Any attempt by you to transfer any interest in your Award or any underlying Shares in violation of the transferability provisions in the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

j.             Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 5(i) of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and to the Participant, the Participant’s executors, administrators, heirs, successors, representatives and assignees.

 

k.           Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Award Agreement.

 

l.             Data Privacy Waiver . By accepting the grant of the Restricted Share Units, the Participant hereby agrees and consents to:

 

i.            the collection, use, processing and transfer by the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Group ”) of certain personal information about the Participant (the “ Data ”);

 

ii.         any members of the Group transferring Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan;

 

iii.         the use of such Data by any such person for such purposes; and

 

iv.         the transfer to and retention of such Data by third parties in connection with such purposes.

 

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For the purposes of clause (i) above, “ Data ” means the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, other employee information, any tax or other identification number, details of all rights to acquire Shares granted to the Participant and of Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to the Plan.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit A

 

Additional Provisions for

Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement

For Non-Employee Directors

For US Participants in the

Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

The additional terms and conditions of this Exhibit A shall apply to the Restricted Share Unit Award for any Participant who is a US Participant.

 

1.           Settlement of Awards . In no event shall the Company deliver the Vested Award Units to you later than March 15 of the calendar year (or, for an Award which becomes vested in installments over more than one calendar year, calendar years) following the calendar year in which the Vested Award Units vest. The Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Vested Award Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.           Federal Income Tax . You generally will recognize ordinary income for US federal income tax and/or Canadian income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income, if applicable. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per common share on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

3.           Claw-Back . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the Committee shall have the right to require the Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument that the Units (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt of the Restricted Share Units or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

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4.           Code Section 409A . This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Award Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or the Award Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment or benefit constitutes non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such payment or benefit would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, all references to the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “ Separation from Service ”), and the Participant shall not be considered to have a Termination of Employment unless such termination constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to the Participant.

 

5.           Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Share Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

6.           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Award Agreement or this Exhibit A, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Share Units, including Restricted Share Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

7.           Additional Disclosure . Along with the Award Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award.

 

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Exhibit 10.17

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC. 2016 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “Company”), has granted to Participant (as designated below) a Restricted Share Unit Award pursuant to the Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”). Each Restricted Share Unit represents the right to receive a cash payment or its equivalent in common shares of the Company (“Shares”), subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement (which includes, for Participants who are US Participants, the additional terms and conditions provided under Exhibit A hereto). By electronically accepting this Award Agreement through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital, Participant is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement.

 

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall supersede and govern in all respects. Any capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

1.           Grant Terms .

 

Participant Name: _____________________

 

Participant is a (check one box): US Participant ¨ or Canadian Participant ¨ or Both ¨

 

Award Date: ________________

 

RSU Service Year (Canadian Participants only): _______

 

Shares Subject to Award: _______ Shares

 

Maturity Date: _______ (if left blank, the “maturity date” shall be the outer time limits prescribed by Section 8(b)(iii) of the Plan).

 

2.           Vesting; Vested Award Units . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the Participant’s Restricted Share Units shall become vested and issuable in a series of [three (3)/four (4)] successive equal annual installments upon the Participant’s completion of each year of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant over the [three (3)/four (4)-year] period measured from the Award Date. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until the Participant satisfies all applicable income and employment withholding taxes. The Restricted Share Units subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “ Vested Award Units .”

 

Should the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Restricted Share Units subject to the Award, then the Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of Restricted Share Units will be reduced accordingly, and the Participant will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares or any other payment under those cancelled units.

 

3.           Settlement . Any Vested Award Units shall be settled as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Vested Award Unit; and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following such vesting. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, all distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional Share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

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4.          Acknowledgement . The Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Share Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Share Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in the Plan, including Section 13 of the Plan. The Participant has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

5.          Additional Provisions .

 

a.            Additional Terms . The terms and conditions of this Award are governed by the Plan, and this Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan.

 

b.            Entire Agreement . The Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. They supersede in their entirety all other prior undertakings, agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) of you and the Company which relate to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply, and further provided that in case of inconsistencies or ambiguities, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail over the provisions of the Award Agreement. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Award Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Award Agreement.

 

c.            Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of the Award Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of the Award Agreement.

 

d.            Service Provider Relationship . Nothing in the adoption of the Plan or the award of the Restricted Share Units thereunder pursuant to the Award Agreement shall confer any right on a Participant with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs such Participant or engages such Participant as a consultant or director to terminate the Participant’s employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause.

 

e.            Governing Law . The Award Agreement and the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superseded by applicable United States federal law.

 

f.             Electronic Delivery . The Company may deliver any documents related to the Award granted under this Award Agreement and participation in the Plan by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and sign the Award Agreement through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

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g.          Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, the Award Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of the Award Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Share Units in any material way without your prior written or electronic consent.

 

h.          Notices . Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address on file with the Company or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

i.           Transferability . Any attempt by you to transfer any interest in your Award or any underlying Shares in violation of the transferability provisions in the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

j.           Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 5(i) of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns and to the Participant, the Participant’s executors, administrators, heirs, successors, representatives and assignees.

 

k.          Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Award Agreement.

 

l.            Data Privacy Waiver . By accepting the grant of the Restricted Share Units, the Participant hereby agrees and consents to:

 

i.            the collection, use, processing and transfer by the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Group ”) of certain personal information about the Participant (the “ Data ”);

 

ii.         any members of the Group transferring Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan;

 

iii.         the use of such Data by any such person for such purposes; and

 

iv.         the transfer to and retention of such Data by third parties in connection with such purposes.

 

For the purposes of clause (i) above, “ Data ” means the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, other employee information, any tax or other identification number, details of all rights to acquire Shares granted to the Participant and of Shares issued or transferred to the Participant pursuant to the Plan.

 

3  

 

  

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

4  

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Additional Provisions for

Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement

For US Participants in the

Waste Connections, Inc. 2016 Incentive Award Plan

 

The additional terms and conditions of this Exhibit A shall apply to the Restricted Share Unit Award for any Participant who is a US Participant.

 

1.          Settlement of Awards . In no event shall the Company deliver the Vested Award Units to you later than March 15 of the calendar year (or, for an Award which becomes vested in installments over more than one calendar year, calendar years) following the calendar year in which the Vested Award Units vest. The Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Vested Award Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.          Taxation and Withholding .

 

(A)          Federal Income Tax . You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per common share on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

(B)          FICA Taxes. You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.

 

(C)          Withholding Taxes . You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.

 

i.            In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.

 

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ii.         Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:

 

1.          your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or

 

2.          the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of common shares, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares, and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

3.           Claw-Back . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the Committee shall have the right to require the Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument that the Units (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt of the Restricted Share Units or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Restricted Share Units) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

4.           Code Section 409A . This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the Award Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or the Award Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment or benefit constitutes non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such payment or benefit would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, all references to the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “ Separation from Service ”), and the Participant shall not be considered to have a Termination of Employment unless such termination constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to the Participant.

 

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5.           Employment Relationship . Unless otherwise provided in a written employment agreement or by applicable law, Participant’s employment by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be on an at-will basis, and the employment relationship may be terminated at any time by either Participant or the Company or Subsidiary for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Any question as to whether and when there has been a Termination of Employment, and the cause of such termination, shall be determined by the Administrator, and its determination shall be final.

 

6.           Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Share Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

7.           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Award Agreement or this Exhibit A, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Share Units, including Restricted Share Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Award Agreement and this Exhibit A shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

8.           Additional Disclosure . Along with the Award Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award.

 

A- 3  

 

 

Exhibit 10.18

 

Warrant No. ___ Warrant to Purchase
  _______ Common Shares
  (Subject to Adjustment)

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON SHARES

of

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

 

Void on the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of ###GRANT_DATE###

 

This certifies that for value received, ###PARTICIPANT_NAME### (the “ Holder ”) is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, at any time or from time to time beginning on ###GRANT_DATE### and before 5:00 p.m., Central standard time on the fifth (5 th ) anniversary of ###GRANT_DATE###, to purchase from Waste Connections, Inc., an Ontario corporation (the “ Company ”), up to ______________ common shares of the Company (the “ Common Shares ”) as constituted on _____________________ (the “ Issue Date ”), upon proper exercise through the Holder’s Shareworks account with Solium Capital, and simultaneous payment therefor in lawful money of the United States at the price of $______ per share, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan (as defined below) (the “ Purchase Price ”). The number and character of such Common Shares are also subject to adjustment as provided in the Company’s 2016 Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”). Such number shall be reduced at such time or times as the Warrant is exercised in part by the number of Common Shares as to which the Warrant is then exercised. The term “ Warrant Shares ” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, the Common Shares and other securities and property at any time receivable upon the exercise of the Warrant. The term “ Warrant ” as used herein shall include the warrant granted under this Agreement and any warrants delivered in substitution or exchange therefor as provided herein.

 

The grant under this Warrant Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Consultants and is made pursuant to the Plan. By electronically accepting this Agreement through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital, Holder is deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall supersede and govern in all respects. Any capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

1.           Method of Exercise; Payment . The Warrant may be exercised as a whole, or in part from time to time, by the Holder through his or her Shareworks account with Solium Capital. The Holder shall exercise the Warrant by having the Company withhold Warrant Shares issuable on such exercise having a Fair Market Value at the close of business on the date of exercise in an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price as then adjusted times the number of Warrant Shares as to which the Warrant is then being exercised. In the event of any such exercise that is partial, the Company shall update the Holder’s Shareworks account with Solium Capital to indicate that the Warrant has been exercised to that extent. The Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of its surrender for exercise as provided above, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of such shares of record as of the close of business on such date.

 

1  

 

  

2.           Transfer . Any attempt by the Holder to transfer any interest in the Warrant or any underlying Common Shares in violation of the transferability provisions in the Plan shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

3.           Reservation of Common Shares . The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of the Warrant such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Warrant Shares as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrant.

 

4.           Notices . Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to the Holder, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed the Holder at the address on file with the Company or at such other address as the Holder may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

5.           Change; Waiver . Subject to Sections 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 and 16 hereof, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

6.           Attorneys’ Fees . In the event any party is required to engage the services of attorneys for the purpose of enforcing this Agreement, or any provision hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and any other costs or expenses.

 

7.           Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience in reference only, and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof.

 

8.           Law Governing . This Agreement and the Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario, except with respect to those provisions of this Agreement and the Plan concerning the Code, which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware as superseded by applicable United States federal law.

 

9.           Agreement Subject to Plan . This Agreement is subject to all provisions of the Plan, which is made part of this Agreement, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control. The Holder has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

10.          Administration . The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon the Holder, the Company and all other interested persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

2  

 

  

11.          Conformity to Applicable Law . The Holder acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Warrant is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

12.          Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Warrant in any material way without the Holder’s prior written consent.

 

13.          Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2 hereof and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

14.          Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Holder is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Warrant and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

15.          Entire Agreement . The Plan and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

16.          Section 409A . The Warrant is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that the Warrant (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify the Holder or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for the Warrant either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

3  

 

  

17.          Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

18.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

19.          Black-Out Periods . Holder acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the Warrant granted hereunder are subject to Holder’s agreement to at all times comply with the Company’s policies with respect to black-out periods and insider trading, if and when applicable.

 

20.          Electronic Delivery . The Company may deliver any documents related to the Warrant granted under this Agreement and participation in the Plan by electronic means or to request the Holder’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Holder hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and sign this Agreement through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

DATED: _______________

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  
    Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

4  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.19

 

PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS LTD.

 

(the “Corporation”)

 

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

RECITALS:

 

(a) The Corporation adopted a Share Option Plan effective October 1, 2008, which Plan was amended and restated effective July 22, 2009 (the “ Plan ”); and

 

(b) Pursuant to Section 2.4 (a) of the Plan, the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”) may increase to the number of Shares issuable under the Plan subject to shareholder approval.

 

Capitalized terms used in this amendment that are not defined in it have the meanings given to them in the Plan.

 

Section 3.1 of the Plan (Shares Reserved for Issuance) is amended to increase the maximum number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan to 6,260,565 Shares.

 

Any reference to “this Plan” in the Plan and any reference to the Plan in any other agreements will mean the Plan, as amended by this amendment. Except as specifically amended by this amendment, the provisions of the Plan remain in full force and effect.

 

Approved by a resolution of the Board adopted effective as of February 24, 2015.

 

 

 

   

IESI-BFC LTD.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1. INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 1
1.1 Purpose 1
1.2 Definitions 1
1.3 Interpretation 3
1.4 Effective Date 3
     
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION AND AMENDMENT 3
2.1 Administration 3
2.2 Amendment and Termination 4
2.3 Amendment on Consent 4
2.4 Amendments with Shareholder Approval 4
2.5 Section 409A of the Code. 5
     
SECTION 3. GRANTS OF OPTIONS AND RIGHTS OF OPTION HOLDERS 5
3.1 Shares Reserved for Issuance 5
3.2 Grant of Options and Option Agreement 6
3.3 Exercise of Options 6
3.4 Acceleration of Exercise of Options 6
3.5 Exercise Price 6
3.6 Exercise Procedure 7
3.7 Prohibition on Transfer or Assignment of Options 7
3.8 Participants are not Shareholders 7
3.9 No Special Rights of Employment or Office 7
3.10 No Other Benefits of Employment of Office 7
     
SECTION 4. SHARE APPRECIATION RIGHTS 7
4.1 Grants of Share Appreciation Rights 7
4.2 Exercise 8
     
SECTION 5. RESIGNATION, TERMINATION, DEATH, DISABILITY, EXPIRY 8
5.1 Resignation 8
5.2 Without Cause or Cessation of Eligible Participant 8
5.3 For Cause 8
5.4 Disability or Death 8
5.5 Expiry 9
5.6 End of Participation 9
     
SECTION 6. GENERAL 9
6.1 Capital Adjustments 9
6.2 Non-Exclusivity 9
6.3 Compliance with Articles of Amalgamation 10
6.4 Tax Consequences 10
6.5 No Liability 10
6.6 Notices 11
6.7 Unfunded Plan 11
6.8 Costs 11
6.9 Governing Law 11
6.10 Severability 11
6.11 Successors and Assigns 11
6.12 Survival 11

 

- i

 

   

IESI-BFC LTD.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

Section 1.        Interpretation and Administrative Provisions

 

1.1 Purpose

 

The purposes of this Plan are to provide Eligible Participants with compensation opportunities that will encourage ownership of Shares, enhance the Participating Entities’ ability to attract, retain and motivate senior employees, and reward them for significant performance.

 

This Plan was adopted by the Corporation effective October 1, 2008, in connection with the plan of arrangement whereby the Corporation becomes the successor to the Fund and assumes the Fund’s obligations in respect of options granted and outstanding at that date under the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Unit Option Plan (the “Prior Plan”). As at that date, options to acquire an aggregate of 2,070,500 Units were outstanding under the Prior Plan, which options will be deemed to be issued and outstanding on the same terms pursuant to this Plan and Section 6.1 of the Prior Plan, except that an option to acquire Units shall be changed to an Option to acquire an equivalent number of Shares.

 

The Plan has been amended and restated effective July 22, 2009, in connection with the Corporation’s name change and its listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

1.2 Definitions

 

Unless the context otherwise specifies or specifically requires, in this Plan:

 

“Affiliate” means in respect of a person or company, another person or company that would be considered to be an “affiliate” in respect of such person or company for the purpose of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus and Registration Exemptions.

 

“Blackout Period” means any period during which insiders of the Corporation or a Participating Entity are prohibited from trading Shares as described in the Corporation’s Disclosure Policy, but excludes any period during which a regulator has halted trading in the Shares.

 

“Board” means the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

“Cause” means (a) “cause”, “just cause” or a similar term as defined in the Participant’s employment agreement, if any; or (b) if there is no such definition or agreement, means:

 

(i) the failure by a Participant to perform his duties with a Participating Entity;

 

(ii) theft, fraud, dishonesty or willful misconduct by the Participant involving the property, business or affairs of a Participating Entity or the carrying-out of the Participant’s duties with a Participating Entity;

 

 

 

 

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Share Option Plan  
   

 

(iii) the breach by a Participant who has an employment agreement of any material term of the Participant’s employment agreement; or

 

(iv) any other conduct that would be determined by the courts of the jurisdiction in which the Participant is employed with or providing services to a Participating Entity to constitute cause for termination of employment or a fundamental breach of the Participant’s obligations to such Participating Entity.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Corporation, or if there is no such committee for any reason at any relevant time, the Board.

 

“Corporation” means IESI-BFC Ltd., a corporation amalgamated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on May 27, 2009, and includes its successors.

 

“Eligible Participant” means any director, officer or management employee of a Participating Entity, other than a director who is not an employee (and includes any such person who is on a leave of absence authorized by a Participating Entity).

 

“Fair Market Value” means the closing trading price of a Share on the primary exchange on which the Shares are traded on the business day immediately preceding the relevant date; provided that, in the event that such Shares are not listed as posted for trading on any stock exchange, the Fair Market Value in respect thereof shall be the fair market value of such Shares as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, who will take into account conformity with Regulation Section 1.409A - 1(b)(iv)(B).

 

“Fund” means BFI Canada Income Fund, established by declaration of trust dated February 28, 2002 as amended and restated from time to time.

 

“Option” means a right granted to an Eligible Participant to purchase Shares of the Corporation pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

 

“Participant” means any person to whom an Option has been granted pursuant to this Plan and whose grant is outstanding.

 

“Participating Entity” means the Corporation, 1ESI Corp. and any of their Affiliates as designated by the Committee from time to time.

 

“Plan” means this Share Option Plan of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

 

“Share” means a common share in the capital in the Corporation.

 

“Shareholder” means the holder of a Share.

 

 

 

 

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Share Option Plan  
   

 

“Termination Date” means the date a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason including the death of a Participant or the Participant’s employer ceasing to be a Participating Entity, and excludes any period of statutory, contractual or reasonable notice or deemed employment.

 

“Treasury Regulations” means the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

“Unit” means an equal undivided beneficial interest in the Fund, designated as ordinary trust units.

 

“U.S. Participant” means a Participant who is a United States citizen or United States resident alien as defined for purposes of Code Section 7701(b)(1)(A).

 

1.3 Interpretation

 

In this Plan, references to Sections and Schedules are references to sections in and schedules to this Plan, unless specified otherwise. Where the context so requires, words importing the singular number include the plural and vice versa, and words importing the masculine gender also include the feminine and neuter genders. The use of headings in this Plan is for convenience only and does not affect the interpretation of this Plan.

 

1.4 Effective Date

 

This Plan, as amended and restated, shall become effective on July 22, 2009. Any grants of Options, and related Option Agreements entered into, prior to that effective date, as described in Section 1.1, shall remain outstanding but shall be governed by the terms of this Plan.

 

Section 2.        Administration and Amendment

 

2.1 Administration

 

The Board delegates the administration of this Plan and any and all matters related to, connected with or arising out of this Plan to the Committee. The Board may revoke or amend this delegation from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion. Subject to the Committee reporting to the Board on matters relating to this Plan and obtaining the approval of the Board for those matters required by the Committee’s mandate, and subject to Sections 2.4 and 2.5 with respect to a U.S. Participant, the Committee has the sole and absolute discretion to: (a) grant Options to Eligible Participants; (b) determine the exercise price, vesting, terms, limitations, restrictions and conditions upon such grants; (c) interpret and administer the Plan; (d) establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and (e) make any other determinations that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems, in its sole and absolute discretion, necessary or desirable, subject to obtaining the required approval, if any, from Shareholders, regulatory authorities or otherwise. Any decision of the Committee with respect to the administration and interpretation of the Plan shall be conclusive and binding on the Participants.

 

 

 

 

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Share Option Plan  
   

 

2.2 Amendment and Termination

 

Subject to Sections 2.4 and 2.5 with respect to a U.S. Participant, the Committee may amend, suspend or terminate this Plan or any portion thereof at any time in accordance with applicable legislation, and subject to the required approvals, if any, from the Shareholders, regulatory authorities or otherwise. No amendment, suspension or termination may materially adversely affect any Options, or any rights pursuant thereto, granted previously to any Participant without the consent of that Participant.

 

2.3 Amendment on Consent

 

Subject to Sections 2.4 and 2.5, with the consent of the Participant affected thereby, the Committee may amend or modify any outstanding Option in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority to initially grant the award as so modified or amended including, without limitation, to change the date or dates as of which, or the price at which, an Option becomes exercisable, subject to obtaining the required approvals, if any, of the Shareholders, regulatory authorities or otherwise.

 

2.4 Amendments with Shareholder Approval

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, Shareholder approval will be required for the following types of amendments:

 

(a) increases to the number of Shares issuable under the Plan, including an increase to a fixed maximum number of Shares or a change from a fixed maximum number of Shares to a fixed maximum percentage;

 

(b) amendments that increase the length of the period after a Blackout Period during which Options, awards or any rights pursuant thereto may be exercised;

 

(c) amendments that would reduce the exercise price for an Option or that would result in the exercise price for any Option being lower than the Fair Market Value of a Share at the time the Option is granted, except a reasonable and appropriate reduction pursuant to Section 6.1;

 

(d) any amendment expanding the categories of Eligible Participants which would have the potential of broadening or increasing insider participation;

 

(e) amendments to termination provisions providing an extension beyond the original expiry date, except an automatic extension of an Option expiring during a Blackout Period on the terms set out in this Plan;

 

(f) the addition of any other provision that results in Participants receiving Shares while no cash consideration is received by the Corporation; and

 

 

 

 

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(g) amendments required to be approved by Shareholders under applicable law (including, without limitation, the rules, regulations and policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange);

 

(h) amendments that would allow for the transfer or assignment of Options by Participants, should that be permitted under applicable stock exchange rules;

 

(i) amendment provisions granting additional powers to the Board to amend the Share Option Plan or entitlement;

 

(j) extension to the term of Options held by Insiders; and

 

(k) changes to the Insider participation limits which result in securityholder approval to be required on a disinterested basis.

 

2.5 Section 409A of the Code.

 

Since the exercise price of an Option or Share Appreciation Right, granted pursuant to Sections 3.5 and 4.1, respectively, of this Plan, shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a Share at the time of grant, each such Option and Share Appreciation Right is intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Plan to the contrary, to the extent that any Option or Share Appreciation Right is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the 409A Award, with respect to U.S. Participants, shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Code Section 409A. If any provision of the Plan contravenes Code Section 409A or could cause the U.S. Participant to incur any tax, interest or penalties under Code Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and without the U.S. Participant’s consent, modify such provision to (i) comply with, or avoid being subject to, Code Section 409A, or to avoid the incurrence of taxes, interest and penalties under Code Section 409A, and/or (ii) maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent and economic benefit to the U.S. Participant of the applicable provision without materially increasing the cost to the Corporation or contravening of Code Section 409A. However, this provision does not create an obligation on the part of the Corporation to modify the Plan and does not guarantee that Options will not be subject to taxes, interest and penalties under Code Section 409A.

 

Section 3.        Grants of Options and Rights of Option Holders

 

3.1 Shares Reserved for Issuance

 

The Corporation reserves 4,000,000 Shares for issuance under this Plan. Any Share subject to an Option that, for any reason, has been cancelled or terminated without having been exercised will again be available for issuance under this Plan.

 

 

 

 

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The number of securities issuable to insiders, at any time, under all security based arrangements, including this Plan, cannot exceed 10% of issued and outstanding securities; and the number securities issued to insiders, within any one-year period, under all security based compensation arrangements, including this Plan, cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding securities.

 

3.2 Grant of Options and Option Agreement

 

The Committee may grant Options only to Eligible Participants. Each grant of Options must be confirmed by an agreement (an “Option Agreement”) in the form attached as Schedule A signed by the Corporation and by the Participant acknowledging that the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms of this Plan.

 

3.3 Exercise of Options

 

The Committee may determine when any Option will become exercisable and may determine that the Option will be exercisable in installments. In the absence of any other determination, including, without limitation, in a Participant’s employment agreement, Options will become exercisable as follows:

 

(a) as to 25% on and after the first anniversary of the date of grant;

 

(b) as to an additional 25%, on and after the second anniversary of the date of grant;

 

(c) as to an additional 25%, on and after the third anniversary of the date of grant; and

 

(d) as to the balance, on and after the fourth anniversary of the date of grant, and Options expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.

 

3.4 Acceleration of Exercise of Options

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, the Committee may at any time give written notice to all Participants advising that their respective Options are all immediately exercisable and may be exercised only within 30 days of such written notice or such other period as determined by the Committee and not thereafter and that all rights of the Participants under any Options not exercised within such period will terminate at the expiration of such period.

 

3.5 Exercise Price

 

The exercise price of an Option granted pursuant to this Plan shall be not less than the Fair Market Value per Share, provided such grant prices must also be in accordance with applicable laws and stock exchange and regulatory policies.

 

 

 

 

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3.6 Exercise Procedure

 

In order to exercise an Option, the Participant must file with the Chief Financial Officer or Secretary of the Corporation a completed Notice of Exercise in the form attached as Schedule B. The exercise price of each Share purchased under an Option must be paid in full by bank draft or certified cheque at the time of exercise. Upon receipt of payment in full and subject to the terms of this Plan, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised will be duly issued as fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.7 Prohibition on Transfer or Assignment of Options

 

Options are personal to the Participant. No Participant may deal with any Option or any interest in it or transfer or assign any Option now or hereafter held by the Participant. A purported transfer or assignment of any Option will not be valid and the Corporation will not issue any Share upon the attempted exercise of a transferred or assigned Option.

 

3.8 Participants are not Shareholders

 

Except as expressly set out in this Plan, a Participant is not and is not deemed to be a Shareholder and has no rights as a Shareholder, as a result of participating in this Plan.

 

3.9 No Special Rights of Employment or Office

 

Nothing in this Plan or in any grant under this Plan will confer upon any Participant any right to the continuation of the Participant’s employment, position or office with, or the Participant continuing to act as a director, trustee, partner, officer or employee of, a Participating Entity or interfere in any way with the right of any Participating Entity at any time to terminate that employment, position or office or to increase or decrease the compensation of a Participant.

 

3.10 No Other Benefits of Employment of Office

 

The amount of compensation received or deemed to be received by a Participant as a result of the grant of Options or the sale of Shares received upon an exercise of an Option will not constitute compensation with respect to which any other benefits of employment, position or office of that Participant are determined including, without limitation, benefits under any bonus, pension, profit-sharing, insurance or salary continuation plan, except as otherwise specifically determined by the Committee.

 

Section 4.        Share Appreciation Rights

 

4.1 Grants of Share Appreciation Rights

 

(a) The Committee may, from time to time, grant rights (“Share Appreciation Rights”) to any Eligible Participant in connection with the grant of any Option. Any such grant of Share Appreciation Rights shall be included in the Option Agreement.

 

 

 

 

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(b) A Share Appreciation Right is the right to surrender to the Corporation all or a portion of an Option in exchange for an amount equal to the excess, if any, of:

 

(i) the Fair Market Value as of the date such Option or portion thereof is surrendered of the Shares issuable on exercise of such Option or portion thereof over

 

(ii) the exercise price of such Option or portion thereof, relating to such Shares and any amount required to be withheld by applicable law.

 

4.2 Exercise

 

Share Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at the same time, by the same persons and to the same extent, that the Option related thereto is exercisable. Upon exercise of any Share Appreciation Right, the related Option shall be surrendered to the Corporation, and the number of Shares reserved for issuance under this Plan shall be reduced by the total number of Shares underlying the related Option.

 

Section 5.        Resignation, Termination, Death, Disability, Expiry

 

5.1 Resignation

 

If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant as a result of resignation of employment, then as at the Termination Date, each Option held by the Participant ceases to vest and those which are exercisable as at the Termination Date may be exercised during the period ending 30 days after the Termination Date, after which all unexercised Options held by the Participant will expire, subject to Section 5.5.

 

5.2 Without Cause or Cessation of Eligible Participant

 

If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant as a result of termination of employment or services without Cause or as a result of the employer of the Eligible Participant ceasing to be a Participating Entity, then as at the Termination Date each Option held by the Participant ceases to vest and those which are exercisable as at the Termination Date may be exercised during the period ending 90 days after the Termination Date after which all unexercised Options held by the Participant will expire, subject to Section 5.5.

 

5.3 For Cause

 

If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant as a result of termination of employment or services for Cause, then as at the Termination Date each Option held by the Participant ceases to vest and Options which are exercisable cease to be exercisable, subject to Section 5.5.

 

 

 

 

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5.4 Disability or Death

 

If a Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant as a result of disability, then as at the Termination Date each Option held by the Participant ceases to vest and those which are exercisable as at the Termination Date may be exercised during the period ending 12 months after the Termination Date after which all unexercised Options held by the Participant will expire, subject to Section 5.5. If a Participant dies, then as at the Termination Date each Option held by the Participant ceases to vest and those which are exercisable as at the Termination Date may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representatives during the period ending 12 months after the date of the Termination Date after which all of such Participant’s unexercised Options will expire, subject to Section 5.5.

 

5.5 Expiry

 

Notwithstanding Sections 5.1 to 5.5 inclusive, the Committee may, in its discretion, either at the time of the grant or thereafter provide that Options, whether or not exercisable prior to a Participant’s Termination Date, shall be exercisable thereafter, to the extent and for such period of time as the Committee, in its discretion, determines, provided that no Option may be exercised after its stated expiration. Options granted must be exercised no later than 10 years after the date of grant or such shorter period as the Committee may require. However, if an Option expires during or shortly after the end of a Blackout Period or the Participant’s Termination Date pursuant to Sections 5.1, 5.2 or 5.4 falls within or shortly after the end of a Blackout Period, the term of the Option or the Termination Date, as applicable, is automatically extended until ten business days after the end of the Blackout Period.

 

5.6 End of Participation

 

At the time a Participant ceases to hold Options which are or may become exercisable, the Participant ceases to be a Participant.

 

Section 6.        General

 

6.1 Capital Adjustments

 

In the event of any stock dividend, share split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, arrangement, reorganization, consolidation, spin-off or other distribution, other than normal cash dividends, of the Corporation’s assets to Shareholders, or any other change in the capital of the Corporation affecting Shares, the Committee will make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change, with respect to (a) the number or kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance pursuant to this Plan; and (b) the number or kind of Shares or other securities subject to unexercised Options previously granted and the exercise price of those Options, subject to Shareholder approval if required; provided, however, that no substitution or adjustment will obligate the Corporation or any successor entity to issue or sell fractional securities. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, with respect to U.S. Participants, all adjustments made pursuant to this Section 6.1 are intended to be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.

 

6.2 Non-Exclusivity

 

Nothing contained herein will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for the benefit of any Participant, subject to any required regulatory or Shareholder approval.

 

 

 

 

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6.3 Compliance with Articles of Amalgamation

 

The Committee may postpone any exercise of any Option or the issue of any Shares pursuant to this Plan for as long as the Committee in its discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Corporation to effect or maintain qualification of the Shares issuable pursuant thereto under the articles of amalgamation of the Corporation. The Corporation is not obligated by any provision of this Plan or grant hereunder to sell or issue Shares in violation of the articles of incorporation of the Corporation or the law of any government having jurisdiction therein. In addition, if the Shares are listed on a stock exchange, the Corporation will have no obligation to issue any Shares pursuant to this Plan until such Shares have been duly listed.

 

6.4 Tax Consequences

 

It is the responsibility of the Participant to complete and file any tax returns which may be required under any applicable tax laws within the periods specified in those laws as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Corporation shall not be responsible for any tax consequences to the Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Corporation shall make any withholdings or deductions in respect of taxes as required by law or the interpretation or administration thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to make arrangements to sell a sufficient number of Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option to fund the payment and remittance of such taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld and any associated costs.

 

6.5 No Liability

 

The Participating Entities and their owners, shareholders, Shareholders, employees and officers, along with their boards of directors and trustees and each respective member or trustee thereof, as applicable, will not be liable or responsible:

 

(a) for any act or omission, whether or not negligently taken or omitted in good faith, or for the exercise of an authority or discretion granted in connection with this Plan to the Committee;

 

(b) for any tax consequences to the Participant as a result of the Participant’s participation in this Plan; or

 

(c) to any Participant for any loss resulting from a decline in the value of an Option or Share, if any.

 

The liabilities of the Corporation with respect to its obligations under this Plan are not personally binding upon, and resort shall not be had to, nor may recourse or satisfaction be sought from, the private property of any Shareholder, director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, but only property of the Corporation or a specific portion thereof only shall be bound, and such obligations and liabilities shall be satisfied only out of, and recourse under this Plan shall be limited to, the property and assets of the Corporation.

 

 

 

 

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6.6 Notices

 

All notices under the Plan will be in writing and if to a Participating Entity will be delivered to the Participating Entity by first class post to its head office, and if to a Participant, will be delivered personally or sent by first class post to the Participant at the address which the Participant will give for the purpose, or failing any such address to the Participant’s last known place of residence. If a notice is sent by post, service thereof will be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, prepaying and posting a letter containing the same to such address and will be deemed to be served forty-eight hours after such posting.

 

6.7 Unfunded Plan

 

To the extent any individual holds any rights under the Plan, such rights (unless otherwise determined by the Committee) shall be no greater than the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Corporation.

 

6.8 Costs

 

The costs of the operation of this Plan will be borne by the Participating Entities as they determine.

 

6.9 Governing Law

 

This Plan is to be governed by, and interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

6.10 Severability

 

If any provision, or part thereof, in this Plan is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision, or part thereof, will be severed from this Plan only in respect of such persons, circumstances and jurisdictions where it was determined to be invalid or unenforceable, and the rest of the Plan as it applies to other persons, circumstances or jurisdictions, will remain in full force and effect.

 

6.11 Successors and Assigns

 

The Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Corporation and each Participant, including without limitation, the legal representative of a Participant, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the Corporation’s or Participant’s creditors.

 

6.12 Survival

 

If this Plan is terminated, the provisions of this Plan and any administrative guidelines, and other rules adopted by the Committee and in force at the time of this Plan, will continue in effect as long as any Options or any rights pursuant thereto remain outstanding. However, notwithstanding the termination of this Plan, the Committee may make any amendments to this Plan or the Options that it would be entitled to make if this Plan were still in effect.

 

 

 

 

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* * * * *

 

 

 

   

IESI-BFC LTD. AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

SCHEDULE A

OPTION AGREEMENT

 

[Name of Employee] (the “Participant”)

 

Pursuant to the IESI-BFC Ltd. Amended and Restated Share Option Plan (the “Plan”) effective July 22, 2009 and in consideration of services provided to any Participating Entity by the Participant, IESI-BFC Ltd. (the “Corporation”) hereby grants to the Participant an option (the “Option”) to acquire ___________ common shares (“Shares”) of the Corporation at an exercise price of $ __________per Share [and tandem Share Appreciation Right].

 

All capitalized terms not defined in this agreement have the meaning set out in the Plan.

 

Subject to earlier expiry in accordance with the Plan, the Option shall cease to be exercisable and shall expire on _______________, _________. The Option will vest and become exercisable as follows:

 

(a) as to 25%, on and after the first anniversary of the date of grant of the Option;

 

(b) as to an additional 25%, on and after the second anniversary of the date of grant of the Option;

 

(c) as to an additional 25%, on and after the third anniversary of the date of grant of the Option; and

 

(d) as to the remaining 25%, on and after the fourth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option.

 

Any period of statutory, contractual or reasonable notice of termination of employment or deemed employment following a Participant’s Termination Date shall not be recognized for vesting or any other purpose under the Plan.

 

The Corporation and the Participant understand and agree that the granting and exercise of this Option and the issue of Shares are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, all of which are incorporated into and form a part of this agreement.

 

  IESI-BFC LTD.  
     
  By  
     
  Date  

 

I agree to the terms and conditions set out herein.

 

         
Signature   Print Name   Date

 

 

 

   

IESI-BFC LTD.

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE OPTION PLAN

 

SCHEDULE B

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO: The Corporation

Attention: The Secretary or Chief Financial Officer

 

Pursuant to the IESI-BFC Ltd. Amended and Restated Share Option Plan (the “Plan”), the undersigned elects to:

 

exercise an Option to purchase ______ common shares (“Shares”) of IESI-BFC Ltd. (the “Corporation”), which are the subject of an option granted on ____________, _______, and encloses a bank draft or a certified cheque payable to the Corporation in the aggregate amount of $____________ , being $__________ per Share.

 

The Corporation is directed by the undersigned to deliver to the following account, particulars and other details necessary to record through the CDS Clearing and Depositary Services Inc. (“CDS”) (or through a broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution or other person who, directly or indirectly, from time to time effects book-based transfers with CDS and pledges of securities deposited with CDS) the undersigned’s interest in the Shares that are deliverable on exercise of the option.

 

 

 

 

(Insert financial institution name and account particulars and contact information; account must be maintained with a CDS participant. Note: It is very important that contact information in Toronto be provided.)

 

- OR -

 

exercise __________________ Share Appreciation Rights, which were granted on _____, ________________, ____________

 

         
Signature   Print Name   Date

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.20

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
2014 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

 

1.           PURPOSE.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means for the Company and any Subsidiary, through the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Warrants, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit awards, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalent awards and Stock Payment awards to selected Employees (including officers), Directors and Consultants, to attract and retain persons of ability as Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and any Subsidiary.

 

2.           DEFINITIONS.

 

(a)            “Administrator” means the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Section 4. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan which have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 4(f), or as to which the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

 

(b)           “Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.

 

(c)            “Applicable Law” means any applicable law, including without limitation: (i) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (iii) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

 

(d)           “Award” means an Option, a Warrant, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalents award or a Stock Payment award, which may be awarded or granted under the Plan (collectively, “ Awards ”).

 

(e)            “Award Agreement” means any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.

 

(f)            “Award Limit” means with respect to Awards that shall be payable in Shares or in cash, as the case may be, the respective limit set forth in Section 3(b).

 

(g)           “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

(h)           “Change in Control” means:

 

(i)          any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction;

 

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(ii)         any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company;

 

(iii)        a transaction or series of related transactions in which any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this definition, “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of an Award Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company); or

 

(iv)        during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute at least one-half of the membership thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least one-half of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

 

A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of an Award that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A. The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

(i)             “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

(j)             “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board or the Compensation Committee, appointed as provided in Section 4(a).

 

(k)            “Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

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(l)            “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render consulting services and who is compensated for such services; provided, that such person qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement; and, provided, further, that the term “Consultant” shall not include Directors.

 

(m)           “Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant” means the individual’s employment as an Employee or relationship as a Consultant is not interrupted or terminated, or, in the case of a Director who is not an Employee, the term means the Director remains a Director of the Company. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and a Subsidiary or their successors.

 

(n)           “Covered Employee” means any Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(o)           “Director” means a member of the Company’s Board.

 

(p)           “Disability” means permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code.

 

(q)           “Dividend Equivalent” means a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 11(b).

 

(r)            “DRO” means a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

 

(s)            “Effective Date” means the date the Plan is approved by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

 

(t)            “Eligible Individual” means any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Committee.

 

(u)           “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any officer of the Company or a Subsidiary is an Employee. A Director is not an Employee unless he or she has an employment relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary in addition to being a Director. Service as a Consultant shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(i)            “Equity Restructuring” means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

 

(v)           “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

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(w)           Fair Market Value means, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows:

 

(i)          If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, in each case as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other sources as the Board deems reliable;

 

(ii)         If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Stock on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination; or

 

(iii)        In absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

 

(x)           “Non-Employee Director” means a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

 

(y)           “Nonqualified Stock Options” means Options that are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(z)           “Option Agreement” means a written certificate or agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Options.

 

(aa)          “Optionee” means an Employee, Director or Consultant who holds an outstanding Option.

 

(bb)          “Options” means Nonqualified Stock Options.

 

(cc)          “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award.

 

(dd)          “Performance Award” means a cash bonus award, stock bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 11(a).

 

(ee)          “Performance-Based Compensation” shall mean any compensation that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

(ff)          “Performance Criteria” means the criteria (and adjustments) that the Committee selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period, determined as follows:

 

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(i)          The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation and (D) amortization), expressed in dollars or as a percent of revenues; (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings or profit; (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, cash flow from operating activities and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on invested capital; (ix) return on stockholders’ equity; (x) total stockholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit margin or operating margin; (xiii) costs; (xiv) expenses; (xv) working capital; (xvi) earnings per share; (xvii) adjusted earnings per share; (xviii) price per share; (xix) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xx) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxi) market share; (xxii) economic value; (xxiii) gross profit; (xxiv) net cash provided by operating activities as a percentage of revenue; (xxv) customer satisfaction; (xxvi) safety performance; (xxvii) compound annual growth rate or (xxviii) total debt, interest expense, or total capital, any of which may be utilized in combination or measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices or to historic results.

 

(ii) The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under Applicable Accounting Standards; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; (xix) items related to commodities prices and fuel costs; (xx) items related to organized labor efforts; (xxi) items related to relocation of corporate offices or (xxii) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in Applicable Law, accounting principles or business conditions. For all Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, such determinations shall be made within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with, Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(gg)          “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. The achievement of each Performance Goal shall be determined, to the extent applicable, with reference to Applicable Accounting Standards.

 

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(hh)         “Performance Period” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, an Award.

 

(ii)           “Performance Stock Unit” means a Performance Award awarded under Section 11(a) which is denominated in units of value including dollar value of Shares.

 

(jj)           “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act, after taking into account Applicable Law.

 

(kk)          “Plan” means this 2014 Incentive Award Plan, as it may be amended and restated from time to time.

 

(ll)           “Program” means any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

 

(mm)        “Restricted Stock” means Stock awarded under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 7.

 

(nn)         “Restricted Stock Agreement” means a written certificate or Award Agreement between the Company and a Restricted Stock Participant evidencing a Restricted Stock Award. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Stock.

 

(oo)          “Restricted Stock Award” means shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(pp)          “Restricted Stock Unit” means a contractual right to receive Stock under the Plan upon the attainment of designated performance milestones or the completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary or upon a specified date or dates following the attainment of such milestones or the completion of such service period.

 

(qq)          “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Restricted Stock Unit Participant evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Stock Units.

 

(rr)           “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an award of Restricted Stock Units made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(ss)          “Restriction Period” means a time period, which may or may not be based on Performance Goals and/or the satisfaction of vesting provisions (which may depend on the Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant of the applicable Restricted Stock Participant), that applies to, and is established or specified by the Administrator at the time of, each Restricted Stock Award.

 

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(tt)           “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as amended from time to time.

 

(uu)          “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(vv)          “Shares” means shares of Stock.

 

(ww)        “Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.

 

(xx)           “Stock Payment” means (a) a payment in the form of Shares, or (b) an option or other right to purchase Shares, as part of a bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, awarded under Section 11.

 

(yy)          “Substitute Award” means an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Warrant.

 

(zz)           “Subsidiary” means any corporation that at the time an Award is granted under the Plan qualifies as a subsidiary of the Company under the definition of “subsidiary corporation” contained in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any similar provision hereafter enacted.

 

(aaa)        “Warrant” means the warrants awarded under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.

 

(bbb)       “Warrant Agreement” means a written certificate or agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Warrant grant. Each Warrant Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Warrants.

 

3.           SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Stock Available for Awards .

 

(i)          Subject to Sections 3(a)(ii) and 11(a), the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is 3,250,000.

 

(ii)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 3(a)(i) and shall not be available for future grants of Awards: (A) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or purchase price of a Warrant; (B) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award; and (C) Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options or Warrants. Any Shares repurchased by the Company under Section 7(b) at the same price paid by the Participant so that such Shares are returned to the Company shall again be available for Awards. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

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(iii)        Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

(b)           Annual Award Limit . Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 12, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 500,000, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to Options that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 500,000, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to Warrants that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 250,000 and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $7,500,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to Section 12, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall be 25,000 Shares.

 

(c)           Stock Distributed . Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.

 

4.           ADMINISTRATION.

 

(a)           Administrator . The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein). To the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and with respect to Awards that are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation, including Options or Warrants, then the Committee (or another committee or subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall take all action with respect to such Awards, and the individuals taking such action shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule and an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Additionally, to the extent required by Applicable Law, each of the individuals constituting the Committee (or another committee or subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall be an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 4(a) or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms “Administrator” and “Committee” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 4(f).

 

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(b)           Duties and Powers of Committee . It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Participant that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected adversely by such amendment, unless the consent of the Participant is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 9(k) or Section 17(h). Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Participant. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

 

(c)           Action by the Committee . Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

(d)           Authority of Administrator . Subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the Committee’s Charter and any specific designation in the Plan, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

 

(i)          Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

 

(ii)         Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;

 

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(iii)        Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

 

(iv)        Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any Performance Criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

 

(v)         Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

 

(vi)        Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(vii)       Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(viii)      Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(ix)         Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement;

 

(x)          Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and

 

(xi)         Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects and Section 12.

 

(e)           Decisions Binding . The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all parties.

 

(f)           Delegation of Authority . To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Section 4; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, or amend awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees or (c) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code and other Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 4(f) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.

 

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(g)           Modification of Terms and Conditions through Employment or Consulting Agreements . Notwithstanding the provisions of any Award Agreement, any modifications to the terms and conditions of any Award permitted by Section 4(b) with respect to any Employee or Consultant may be effected by including the modification in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Participant.

 

5.           TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

 

Each Option granted shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Option Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate:

 

(a)           Option Term . Each Option Agreement shall specify the term for which the Option thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Option shall expire at the end of such term. The Administrator may extend such term; provided that the term of any Option, including any such extensions, shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

(b)           Exercise Price . Each Option Agreement shall specify the exercise price per share, as determined by the Administrator at the time the Option is granted, which exercise price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

 

(c)           Vesting . Each Option Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable. The total number of Shares subject to an Option may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not, be equal). An Option Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Option may become exercisable (“vest”) with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Option shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised. An Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

(d)           Company’s Repurchase Right on Option Shares . Each Option Agreement may, but is not required to, include provisions whereby the Company shall have the right to repurchase any and all shares acquired by an Optionee on exercise of any Option granted under the Plan, at such price and on such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may approve and as may be set forth in the Option Agreement. Such right shall be exercisable by the Company after termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, whenever such termination may occur and whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, with cause or without cause, without regard to the reason therefor, if any.

 

(e)           Substitute Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.

 

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6.           terms and conditions of warrants.

 

Each Warrant granted shall be evidenced by a Warrant Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Warrant Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate:

 

(a)           Warrant Term . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the term for which the Warrant thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Warrant shall expire at the end of such term. The Administrator may extend such term; provided that the term of any Warrant, including any such extensions, shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

 

(b)           Exercise Price . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the purchase price per share, as determined by the Administrator at the time the Warrant is granted, which purchase price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

 

(c)           Vesting . Each Warrant Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable. The total number of Shares subject to a Warrant may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not, be equal). A Warrant Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Warrant may become exercisable (“vest”) with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Warrant shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised. A Warrant may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

(d)           Company’s Repurchase Right on Warrant Shares . Each Warrant Agreement may, but is not required to, include provisions whereby the Company shall have the right to repurchase any and all shares acquired by a Participant on exercise of any Warrant granted under the Plan, at such price and on such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may approve and as may be set forth in the Warrant Agreement. Such right shall be exercisable by the Company after termination of a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, whenever such termination may occur and whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, with cause or without cause, without regard to the reason therefor, if any.

 

(e)           Substitute Awards . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6 to the contrary, in the case of a Warrant that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Warrant may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate purchase price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate purchase price of such shares.

 

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7.           terms and conditions of restricted stock awards.

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement in substantially the form as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Stock Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Stock Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Stock Awards granted to a single Restricted Stock Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Stock Agreement. A Restricted Stock Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Stock Award; no person shall have any rights under any Restricted Stock Award, however, unless and until the Restricted Stock Participant to whom the Restricted Stock Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Stock Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award, unless such Restricted Stock Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied the applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the Shares which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Stock Award, and (iii) has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Award.

 

(b)           Restricted Stock Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Administrator shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

(i)          The Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall entitle the Restricted Stock Participant to receive shares of Restricted Stock, which vest over the Restriction Period. The Administrator shall have the discretionary authority to authorize Restricted Stock Awards and determine the restrictions or Restriction Period for each such Award. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Participant’s duration of employment, directorship or consultancy with the Company, the Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire.

 

(ii)         Subject to the terms and restrictions of this Section 7 or the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Administrator, upon delivery of Restricted Stock to a Restricted Stock Participant, or upon creation of a book entry evidencing a Restricted Stock Participant’s ownership of shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to Section 7(e), the Restricted Stock Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares.

 

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(c)           Cash Payment . The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock.

 

(d)           Forfeiture of Restricted Stock . If, during the Restriction Period, the Restricted Stock Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of such Restricted Stock Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock as to which the Restriction Period has not yet expired shall be forfeited and revert to the Plan, unless the Administrator has provided otherwise in the Restricted Stock Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Stock Participant, or the Administrator, in its discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture. If a price was paid by the Participant for the Restricted Stock, if the Restricted Stock Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Participant the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that upon certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant or any other event, the Participant’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock shall not lapse, such Restricted Stock shall vest and, if applicable, the Company shall not have a right of repurchase.

 

(e)           Receipt of Stock Certificates . Each Restricted Stock Participant who receives a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued one or more stock certificates in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock. Any such stock certificates for shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Stock Participant but shall be appropriately legended and returned to the Company or its agent by the recipient, together with a stock power or other appropriate instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank by the recipient. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, in lieu of the issuance of certificates for any shares of Restricted Stock during the applicable Restriction Period, a “book entry” (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) may be made in the records of the Company, or its designated agent, as the Administrator, in its discretion, may deem appropriate, to evidence the ownership of such shares of Restricted Stock in the name of the applicable Restricted Stock Participant. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Restricted Stock Participants hereunder. The holding of shares of Restricted Stock by the Company or its agent, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of shares of Restricted Stock, in accordance with this Section 7(e), shall not affect the rights of Restricted Stock Participants as owners of their shares of Restricted Stock, nor affect the Restriction Period applicable to such shares under the Plan or the Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

(f)           Dividends . A Restricted Stock Participant who holds outstanding shares of Restricted Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends paid thereon, other than dividends in the form of the Company’s stock. In addition, with respect to a share of Restricted Stock with performance-based vesting, dividends which are paid prior to vesting shall only be paid out to the Restricted Stock Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.

 

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(g)           Expiration of Restriction Period . Upon a Restricted Stock Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock becoming free of the foregoing restrictions, the Company shall, subject to Sections 9(j), 9(k) and 9(m), deliver stock certificates evidencing such Stock to such Restricted Stock Participant. Such certificates shall be freely transferable, subject to any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Stock Participant may at the time be subject.

 

(h)           Section 83(b) Election . If a Participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

(i)           Substitution of Restricted Stock Awards . The Administrator may accept the surrender of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock (to the extent that the Restriction Period or other restrictions applicable to such shares have not yet lapsed) and grant new Restricted Stock Awards in substitution for such Restricted Stock.

 

8.           terms and conditions of restricted stock UNIT awards.

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in substantially the form or forms as may be approved by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Unit Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Stock Unit Awards granted to a single Restricted Stock Unit Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. A Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award; however, no person shall be entitled to receive any Shares pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award unless and until the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom the Restricted Stock Unit Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Unit Award, unless such Restricted Stock Unit Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied the applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the Shares which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Stock Unit Award and (iii) has otherwise complied with all the other applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.

 

(b)           Restricted Stock Unit Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Stock Unit Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Administrator shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

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(i)          The Restricted Stock Units subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall entitle the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to receive the Shares underlying those Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of designated performance goals, including but not limited to one or more Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance, the satisfaction of specified employment or service requirements, upon the expiration of a designated time period following the attainment of such goals or the satisfaction of the applicable service period or other specific criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may alternatively provide the Restricted Stock Unit Participant with the right to elect the issue date or dates for the Shares which vest under his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award. The issuance of vested shares under the Restricted Stock Unit Award may be deferred to a date following the termination of the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)         At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Participant (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, set forth in any applicable Award Agreement, and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the 15 th day of the third month following the end of calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, subject to Section 9(j)(v), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator.

 

(iii)        The Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award until that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder. However, Dividend Equivalents with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit award may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be paid or credited, either in cash or in actual or phantom Shares, on one or more outstanding Restricted Stock Units, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may deem appropriate; provided, however, that Dividend Equivalents with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and such Restricted Stock Unit award vests.

 

(iv)        An outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Award shall automatically terminate, and no Shares shall actually be issued in satisfaction of that Award, if the performance goals or service requirements established for such Award are not attained or satisfied. The Administrator, however, shall have the discretionary authority to issue vested Shares under one or more outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Awards as to which the designated performance goals or service requirements have not been attained or satisfied, subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation.

 

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(v)         Service requirements for the vesting of Restricted Stock Unit Awards may include service as an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director.

 

(c)           No Cash Payment . Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall not require any cash payment from the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, either at the time such Award is made or at the time any Shares become issuable under that Award. However, the issuance of such shares shall be subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes.

 

(d)           Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units . If the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of the Restricted Stock Units subject to his or her outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall, to the extent not vested at that time, be forfeited, and no Shares shall be issued pursuant to those forfeited Restricted Stock Units, unless the Administrator has provided in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Stock Unit Participant that no such forfeiture shall occur, or the Administrator, in its sole discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture.

 

(e)           Issuance of Stock Certificates . Each Restricted Stock Unit Participant who becomes entitled to an issuance of Shares following the vesting of his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award shall, subject to Sections 9(j), 9(k) and 9(m), be issued one or more stock certificates for those shares. Subject to such Sections 9(j), 9(k) and 9(m), each such stock certificate shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Stock Unit Participant and shall be freely transferable, subject to any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Stock Unit Participant may at the time be subject.

 

(f)           No Rights as a Stockholder . Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Participant of Restricted Stock Units shall possess no incidents of ownership with respect to the Shares represented by such Restricted Stock Units, unless and until such Shares are transferred to the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement.

 

9.           GRANTING OF AWARDS AND CONDITIONS ON EXERCISE OF OPTIONS and warrants AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.

 

(a)           Participation . The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 9(f) regarding the grant of Awards pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy, no Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

(b)           Award Agreement . Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award, which may include the term of the Award, the provisions applicable in the event of the Participant’s termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award. Award Agreements evidencing Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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(c)           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

(d)           At-Will Employment; Voluntary Participation . Neither this Plan nor any Awards shall confer on any Participant or other person: (i) any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Program or Award Agreement; (ii) any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or engagement as a Consultant or Director, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs or engages a Participant to terminate that person’s employment or engagement at any time with or without cause; (iii) any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or (iv) any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee or consultant bonus, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.

 

(e)           Foreign Holders . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3(a) and 3(b); and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.

 

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(f)           Non-Employee Director Awards . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be granted pursuant to a written nondiscretionary formula established by the Administrator (the “ Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy ”), subject to the limitations of the Plan. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy shall set forth the type of Award(s) to be granted to Non-Employee Directors, the number of Shares to be subject to Non-Employee Director Awards, the conditions on which such Awards shall be granted, become exercisable and/or payable and expire, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. The Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Policy may be modified by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

(g)           Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards . Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

 

(h)           Payment . The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) or Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, or (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

 

(i)           Transferability of Awards .

 

(i)          Except as otherwise provided in Section 9(i)(ii) and 9(i)(iii):

 

(A)          No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

 

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(B)          No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 9(i)(i)(A); and

 

(C)          During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to such Participant under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

(ii)         Notwithstanding Section 9(i)(i), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer an Award to any one or more Permitted Transferees, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a DRO; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); (iii) the Participant and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer and (iv) any transfer of an Award to a Permitted Transferee shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law.

 

(iii)        Notwithstanding Section 9(i)(i), a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Participant’s beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time; provided that the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

 

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(j)           Conditions to Issuance of Shares .

 

(i)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.

 

(ii)         All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.

 

(iii)        The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

 

(iv)        No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

 

(v)         Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

 

(k)           Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or to require a Participant to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that:

 

(i)          Any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, shall be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (y) the Participant at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Participant incurs a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant for “cause” (as such term is defined in the sole discretion of the Administrator, or as set forth in a written agreement relating to such Award between the Company and the Participant); and

 

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(ii)         All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(l)           Prohibition on Repricing . Subject to Section 12, the Administrator shall not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (i) authorize the amendment of any outstanding Option or Warrant to reduce its exercise or purchase price per share, or (ii) cancel any Option or Warrant in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Warrant exercise or purchase price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Subject to Section 12, the Administrator shall have the authority, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the exercise or purchase price per share or to cancel and replace an Award with the grant of an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share that is greater than or equal to the price per share of the original Award. Furthermore, for purposes of this Section 9(l), except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares), the terms of outstanding Awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise or purchase price per share of outstanding Options or Warrants or cancel outstanding Options or Warrants in exchange for cash, other Awards, Options or Warrants with an exercise or purchase price per share that is less than the exercise or purchase price per share of the original Options or Warrants without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

 

(m)           Investment Representations . The Company may require any Participant, or any person to whom an Award is transferred, as a condition of exercising such Award, to (A) give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to such person’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Option or Warrant or receiving such Stock, and (B) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that such person is acquiring the Stock for such person’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall not apply if (1) the issuance of the Stock has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (2) counsel for the Company determines as to any particular requirement that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, with the advice of its counsel, place such legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as the Company deems necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Stock.

 

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10.          Provisions applicable to awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation.

 

(a)           Purpose . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine at the time an Award is granted or at any time thereafter whether such Award is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its sole discretion, decides to grant such an Award to an Eligible Individual that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation (other than an Option or Warrant), then the provisions of this Section 10 shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards to other Eligible Individuals that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals or any such other criteria and goals as the Administrator shall establish, but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Section 10 and that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to an Award intended to be Performance-Based Compensation payable to a Covered Employee shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Standards.

 

(b)           Applicability . The grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual for a particular Performance Period shall not require the grant of an Award to such Eligible Individual in any subsequent Performance Period and the grant of an Award to any one Eligible Individual shall not require the grant of an Award to any other Eligible Individual in such period or in any other period.

 

(c)           Types of Awards . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant any Award to an Eligible Individual intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, including, without limitation, Restricted Stock the restrictions with respect to which lapse upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals, Restricted Stock Units that vest and become payable upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals and any Performance Awards described in Section 11 that vest or become exercisable or payable upon the attainment of one or more specified Performance Goals.

 

(d)           Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards . To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted to one or more Eligible Individuals which is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no later than 90 days following the commencement of any Performance Period or any designated fiscal period or period of service (or such earlier time as may be required under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Eligible Individuals, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, which may be earned for such Performance Period based on the Performance Criteria, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether and the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned under such Awards, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant, including the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

 

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(e)           Payment of Performance-Based Awards . Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Participant must be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary throughout the Performance Period. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Performance Goals, Program or Award Agreement, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to such Awards for a Performance Period only if and to the extent the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

 

(f)           Additional Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, any Award which is granted to an Eligible Individual and is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as Performance-Based Compensation, and the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

11.          award of performance awards, dividend equivalents, stock payments.

 

(a)           Performance Awards .

 

(i)          The Administrator is authorized to grant Performance Awards, including Awards of Performance Stock Units, to any Eligible Individual and to determine whether such Performance Awards shall be Performance-Based Compensation. The value of Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Units, may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific criteria determined by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods and in such amounts as may be determined by the Administrator. Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Unit awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator.

 

(ii)         Without limiting Section 11(a)(i), the Administrator may grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals, or such other criteria, whether or not objective, which are established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Any such bonuses paid to a Participant which are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.

 

(b)           Dividend Equivalents .

 

(i)          Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates with respect to dividends with record dates that occur during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Participant and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests.

 

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(ii)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Warrants.

 

(c)           Stock Payments . The Administrator is authorized to make Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Subsidiary, determined by the Administrator. Shares underlying a Stock Payment which is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator shall not be issued until those conditions have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Participant of a Stock Payment shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Stock Payment until such time as the Stock Payment has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Participant. Stock Payments may, but are not required to, be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual.

 

(d)           Term . The term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award and/or a Stock Payment award shall be established by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(e)           Purchase Price . The Administrator may establish the purchase price of a Performance Award or Shares distributed as a Stock Payment award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.

 

(f)           Termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant . A Performance Award, Stock Payment award and/or a Dividend Equivalent award is distributable only while the Participant is an Employee, Director or Consultant, as applicable. The Administrator, however, in its sole discretion, may provide that the Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award and/or Stock Payment award may be distributed subsequent to a termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant in certain events, including a Change in Control, the Participant’s death, retirement or disability or any other specified termination of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

12.          ADJUSTMENTS ON CERTAIN EVENTS.

 

(a)          In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to: (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) that may be issued by a single officer under the Plan; (iv) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (v) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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(b)          In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 12(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary, or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

 

(i)          To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 12 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

 

(ii)         To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

 

(iii)        To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the future;

 

(iv)        To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement; and

 

(v)         To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

 

(c)          In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 12(a) and 12(b):

 

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(i)          The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or

 

(ii)         The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) on the maximum number and kind of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit). The adjustments provided under this Section 12(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

 

(d)          The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(e)          With respect to Awards which are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no adjustment or action described in this Section 12 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause such Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, unless the Administrator determines that the Award should not so qualify. No adjustment or action described in this Section 12 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.

 

(f)          The existence of the Plan, the Program, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

(g)          No action shall be taken under this Section 12 which shall cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

(h)          In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

 

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(i)           No Effect on Powers of Board or Stockholders . The existence of the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any merger or consolidation of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, any issue of debt, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting Stock, the authorization or issuance of additional Shares, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or its subsidiaries, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

(j)           Fractional Shares . All calculations under this Section 12 shall be, in the case of exercise price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share.

 

(k)           Uniformity of Actions Not Required . Any actions or determinations by the Board under this Section 12 need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, and need not treat all Participants identically.

 

13.          TAX WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

 

(a)           Tax Withholding . The Company or any Subsidiary shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of the Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, may withhold, or allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares which may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Warrant exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Warrant exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

14.          AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

 

(a)           Amendment, Termination or Suspension of Plan . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 14(a), the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee. However, without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 12, (i) increase the limits imposed in Section 3(a) on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, (ii) reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option or Warrant granted under the Plan or take any action prohibited under Section 9(l), or (iii) cancel any Option or Warrant in exchange for cash or another Award when the Option or Warrant price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares. Except as provided in Section 9(k) and Section 17(h), no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Participant, impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.

 

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(b)           Amendment of Awards . The Board may amend the terms of any Award previously granted, including any Award Agreement, retroactively or prospectively, but no such amendment shall materially impair the previously accrued rights of any Participant with respect to any such Award without his or her written consent.

 

15.          COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.

 

So long as a class of the Company’s equity securities is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Company intends that the Plan shall comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3. If during such time any provision of this Plan is found not to be in compliance with Rule 16b-3, that provision shall be deemed to have been amended or deleted as and to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3, and the remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without change. All transactions under the Plan during such time shall be executed in accordance with the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

16.          LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND indemnification.

 

(a)           Contractual Liability Limitation . Any liability of the Company or its subsidiaries to any Participant with respect to any Award shall be based solely on contractual obligations created by the Plan and the Award Agreements outstanding thereunder.

 

(b)           Indemnification . In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or officers, Directors and officers to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.

 

17.          MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)           Approval of Plan by Stockholders . The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that such Awards shall not be exercisable, shall not vest and the restrictions thereon shall not lapse and no Shares shall be issued pursuant thereto prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve (12) month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

 

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(b)           No Stockholders Rights . Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares.

 

(c)           Paperless Administration . In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

(d)           Acceptance of Terms and Conditions of Plan . By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Company, the Board or the Committee, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(e)           No Effect on Other Arrangements . Neither the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or its subsidiaries, or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any subsidiary to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for their Employees, Directors or Consultants or grant or assume restricted stock or other rights otherwise than under the Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

 

(f)            Compliance with Laws . The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

(g)            Governing Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to such state’s conflict of law provisions, and, in any event, except as superseded by applicable Federal law.

 

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(h)           Section 409A . To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section.

 

(i)            No Rights to Awards . No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

 

(j)            Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(k)           Relationship to other Benefits . No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

(l)             Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Exhibit 10.21

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Dear ______:

 

Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to inform you that you have been awarded Restricted Stock Units (the “Award”) under the Company’s 2014 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) pursuant to the Plan, to the extent vested on the vesting date of that unit. The Award will vest in a series of installments over your period of continued service with the Company as set forth herein. Unlike a typical stock option program, the shares will be issued to you as a bonus for your continued service over the vesting period, without any cash payment required from you. However, you must pay the applicable income and employment withholding taxes (described below) when due.

 

The award under this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Employees, Directors and Consultants. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

This Agreement sets the number of shares of the Common Stock subject to your award, the applicable vesting schedule for the issuance of those shares, and the remaining terms and conditions governing your award.

 

Award Date : _____________

 

Number of Shares Subject to Award : ______________ shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”)

 

Vesting Schedule : The Award will vest and become issuable in a series of four (4) successive equal annual installments upon your completion of each year of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant over the four (4)-year period measured from the Award Date. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until you satisfy all applicable income and employment withholding taxes. The Shares subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “Vested Award Units.”

 

Other important features of your Award may be summarized as follows:

 

1.             Forfeitability: Should your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to your Award, then your Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of your Restricted Stock Units will be reduced accordingly, and you will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares under those cancelled units.

 

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2.             Distribution .

 

(a)           The Restricted Stock Units shall be distributed in Shares (either in book-entry form or otherwise), as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit, and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following such vesting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Restricted Stock Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section 2(a) if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)           All distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

3.             Transferability: Prior to your actual receipt of the Shares pursuant to your Award, you may not transfer any interest in your Award or the underlying Shares in any manner (including pledging or hedging the sale of the Shares, including without limitation, any short sale, put or call option or any other instrument tied to the value of the Shares) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and no Restricted Stock Units or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of you or your successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy). Any attempt by you to do so will result in an immediate forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units awarded to you hereunder. However, your right to receive any Shares which have vested under your Restricted Stock Units but which remain unissued at the time of your death may be transferred pursuant to the provisions of your will or the laws of inheritance or to your designated beneficiary following your death. In the event the Shares which vest hereunder are to be issued to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of your estate or to your designated beneficiary, the Company shall be under no obligation to effect such issuance unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the person to receive those Shares is the duly appointed legal representative of your estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or your named beneficiary.

 

Any Shares issued to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may not be sold or transferred in contravention of (i) any market black-out periods the Company may impose from time to time or (ii) the Company’s insider trading policies to the extent applicable to you.

 

4.             Adjustments: The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of your Award in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. You acknowledge that the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan, including Section 12 of the Plan.

 

5.             Federal Income Taxation: You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

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6.             FICA Taxes: You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.

 

7.             Withholding Taxes: You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.

 

(a)           In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.

 

(b)           Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:

 

·           your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or

·           the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of Common Stock, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

8.             Stockholder Rights: Neither you nor any person claiming under or through you will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book-entry form) will have been issued and recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to you (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). Except as otherwise provided herein, after such issuance, recordation and delivery, you will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

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9.           Dividend Equivalent Rights: Should the Board in its discretion declare an extraordinary cash dividend on the Common Stock at a time when unissued shares of such Common Stock are subject to your Award, then the number of Shares at that time subject to your Award will automatically be increased on the date the dividend is paid by an amount determined in accordance with the following formula, rounded down to the nearest whole share:

 

X = (A x B)/C, where

 

X = the additional number of Shares which will become subject to your Award by reason of the extraordinary cash dividend;

 

A = the number of unissued Shares subject to this Award as of the record date for such dividend;

 

B = the per Share amount of the cash dividend; and

 

C = the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the payment date of such dividend.

 

The additional Shares resulting from such calculation will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the unissued Shares to which they relate under your Award. The Board has the discretion to determine when a cash dividend shall be considered extraordinary. Your Award will not be adjusted to reflect regular or periodic cash dividends. In order for you to receive a dividend equivalent increase to the number of Shares subject to your Award, you must be in Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant on the date the extraordinary dividend is actually paid. These dividend equivalent rights and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the Restricted Stock Units and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

10.          Change in Control: In the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of the Shares subject to your Award will accelerate in full immediately upon such Change in Control.

 

11.          Securities Law Compliance: No Shares will be issued pursuant to your Award if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Shares will be issued unless:

 

(a)           a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at that time with respect to the Shares to be issued; or

 

(b)           in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, those Shares may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of any Shares, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

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12.          Notice: Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

13.          Remaining Terms: The remaining terms and conditions of your Award are governed by the Plan, and your Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan. Along with this Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling.

 

14.          Limitations: Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer on you or any other person:

 

(a)           Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement;

 

(b)           Any right with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs you or engages you as a consultant or director to terminate your employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause;

 

(c)           Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or

 

(d)           Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee, consultant or director bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.

 

15.          Section 409A: This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

Page 5
 

 

16.          Administration . The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon you, the Company and all other interested persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

17.          Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

18.          Governing Law . The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

 

19.          Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Stock Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

20.          Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Stock Units in any material way without your prior written consent.

 

21.          Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3 and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

22.          Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

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23.          Entire Agreement . The Plan and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

24.          Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

25.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  BY:  
     
  TITLE: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Page 7
 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

 

SIGNATURE:                                                   

 

PRINTED NAME:                                           

 

DATE:                                                     , 20__       

 

KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

Page 8
 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

 

SIGNATURE:                                                 

 

PRINTED NAME:

 

HOME ADDRESS:  
   
   
   
CITY, STATE, ZIP:  

 

DATE:                                                 , 20__

 

PRINT, SIGN AND RETURN ONLY THIS PAGE VIA REGULAR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FIRST CLASS MAIL SERVICE WITHIN 7 DAYS OF RECEIPT TO:

 

  [NAME]
  STOCK PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
  3 WATERWAY SQUARE PLACE
  SUITE 110
  THE WOODLANDS, TX 77380

 

ORIGINAL SIGNATURE REQUIRED – PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR PDF

 

Page 9

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.22

 

Grant Agreement for
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

 

Holder: [Name]
   
Address: [Address]
   
Date of Grant: [__________], 2014
   
Target Number: [PBRSU Shares]
   
Performance Period: [_______________________]
   
Plan Name: Waste Connections, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan
   

 

Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) has adopted the 2014 Incentive Award Plan (the “ Plan ”) for the granting to selected employees of awards based upon shares of Stock of the Company. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “ Committee ”) has approved the execution of this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) between the Company and the Holder, as specified in this Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan.

 

1.           Grant . The Company grants to the Holder the number of restricted stock units based on shares of Stock set forth in this Agreement (the “ Units ”), subject to adjustment, forfeiture and the other terms and conditions set forth below, as of the effective date of the grant (the “ Grant Date ”) specified in this Agreement. The number of Units specified in this Agreement reflects the target number of Units that may be earned by the Holder. The Company and the Holder acknowledge that the Units will, except as provided in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, be forfeited by the Holder if the Holder’s termination of employment occurs before the Settlement Date (as defined in Section 2, below).

 

2.           Determination of Earned Performance Units . The number of Units that may be earned by and issuable to the Holder (the “ Earned Units ”) shall be based upon the achievement by the Company of the performance standards as reviewed and approved by the Committee and reflected in the resolutions of the Committee (the “ Performance Goals ”) over the three-year period indicated above (the “ Performance Period ”). The determination by the Committee with respect to the achievement of the Performance Goals shall be made in its sole discretion and as soon as administratively practicable following the Performance Period after all necessary Company information is available. The specific date on which such determination is formally made and approved by the Committee is referred to as the “ Determination Date .” Within 15 business days following the Determination Date, but in no event later than March 15th of the fiscal year following the end of the Performance Period (the “ Settlement Date ”), the Company shall notify the Holder of the number of Units, if any, that have become Earned Units and the corresponding number of shares of Stock to be issued to the Holder in satisfaction of this award of Units, and settle each Earned Unit by delivering to the Holder one share of Stock, subject to withholding as described in Section 9 below. The number of Units which may become Earned Units will be between 0% and [____]% of the Target Number of Units depending on whether and to what extent the Performance Goals are achieved by the Company. The Company shall (a) issue or cause to be delivered to the Holder (or the Holder’s Heir, as defined below, if applicable) one or more unlegended stock certificates representing such shares, or (b) cause a book entry for such shares to be made in the name of the Holder (or the Holder’s Heir, if applicable). In the case of the Holder’s death, Stock to be delivered in settlement of Units as described above shall be delivered to the Holder’s beneficiary or beneficiaries (as designated in the manner determined by the Committee), or if no beneficiary is so designated or if no beneficiary survives the Holder, then the Holder’s administrator, executor, personal representative, or other person to whom the Units are transferred by means of the Holder’s will or the laws of descent and distribution (such beneficiary, beneficiaries or other person(s), the “ Holder’s Heir ”).

 

 
 

  

3.           Dividend Equivalent Rights . The Holder shall have no rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to the Units unless and until such time as the award of Units has been settled by the issuance of Stock to the Holder. The Holder shall have the right to receive a cash dividend equivalent payment with respect to the Earned Units for cash dividends payable to holders of Stock as of a record date designated by the Company that is within the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the Settlement Date, which dividend equivalent payment shall be payable to the Holder on the Settlement Date, without interest. In the event of forfeiture of the Units, the Holder shall have no further rights with respect to such Units.

 

4.           Consequences of Termination of Employment . The consequences of the Holder’s termination of employment with the Company (a “ Termination of Employment ”) during the Performance Period shall be as follows:

 

i.          In the case of a Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause, the Units shall be forfeited as of the date of the Termination of Employment.

 

ii.         In the case of a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause (or by the Holder for Good Reason, but only to the extent an Individual Agreement (as defined below) provides for the right to terminate employment for Good Reason and further provides for severance payments and benefits due to such Termination of Employment) or Termination of Employment due to Disability or the Holder’s death, the number of Units earned shall be determined as follows: first, the Committee shall determine the number of Units earned based on actual achievement of the Performance Goals following the end of the Performance Period; and second, the number of Units so obtained shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of full months elapsed from the first day of the Performance Period to the date of the Holder’s Termination of Employment and the denominator of which is the total number of whole months in the Performance Period. Such number of Units shall then be settled in accordance with Section 2 as for all other holders whose awards are settled on the Settlement Date.

 

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iii.         In all other cases, the Units shall be forfeited as of the date of the Termination of Employment.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the Holder’s Termination of Employment shall be considered to be for “Cause” if it is a termination for “Cause” pursuant to an employment or separation agreement between the Company and the Holder or a Company severance or separation plan applicable to the Holder (the “ Individual Agreement ”) to which the Holder is a party that is then in effect or, if there is no Individual Agreement in effect that defines “Cause,” “ Cause ” shall mean (a) a material breach by the Holder of any of the terms of the Individual Agreement, or any other agreement between the Company and the Holder, that is not immediately corrected following written notice of default specifying such breach; (b) conviction of a felony; (c) a breach of any non-competition or non-solicitation covenants in any agreement between the Company and the Holder; (d) repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on Company premises during its regular business hours to such a degree that, in the reasonable judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel of the Company, the Holder is abusive or incapable of performing his or her duties and responsibilities; or (e) misappropriation of property belonging to the Company and/or any of its affiliates.

 

5.           Change in Control . If a Change in Control occurs and the Holder has remained continuously employed by the Company until at least immediately prior to the Change in Control, the number of Units earned shall be determined as follows:

 

i.          If the Committee reasonably determines in good faith, prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, that the Units will not be honored or assumed, or new rights that substantially preserve the terms of the Units substituted therefor, by the Holder’s employer (or the parent of such employer) immediately following the Change in Control, the number of Earned Units shall equal the greater of (a) the number that equals 100% of the target award level payout and (b) the number that would have been earned based on actual achievement of the Company Performance Goals through the most recently completed fiscal year prior to such Change in Control (calculated as if the most recently completed fiscal year prior to such Change in Control had been the end of the applicable Performance Period).

 

ii.         If the Committee determines that the Units have been assumed and, before the Determination Date, the Holder has a Termination of Employment by the Company without Cause or by the Holder for Good Reason within the 24-month period immediately following a Change in Control, in lieu of the earnout and settlement of the Units pursuant to Section 4 above, the number of Units earned shall equal the greater of (a) the number that equals 100% of the target award level payout and (b) the number that would have been earned based on actual achievement of the Performance Goals through the most recently completed fiscal year prior to such Termination of Employment (calculated as if the most recently completed fiscal year prior to such Termination of Employment had been the end of the applicable Performance Period).

 

- 3 -
 

  

For purposes of this Agreement, the Holder’s Termination of Employment shall be considered to be with “Good Reason” if it is a termination for “Good Reason” pursuant to an Individual Agreement to which the Holder is a party that is then in effect or, if there is no Individual Agreement in effect that defines “Good Reason,” “ Good Reason ” shall mean: (a) assignment to the Holder of duties inconsistent with and resulting in a diminution of his or her position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as they existed on the Grant Date, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities; a substantial alteration in the title(s) of the Holder (so long as the existing corporate structure of the Company is maintained); provided, however, that the Holder’s failure to serve in the same position (including status, offices, titles, responsibilities and reporting requirements) with the ultimate parent of the Company shall constitute “Good Reason;” (b) the relocation of the Holder’s principal place of employment to a location more than fifty (50) miles from its present location without the Holder’s prior approval; (c) a material reduction by the Company in the Holder’s total annual cash compensation, defined as base salary and target bonus, without the Holder’s prior approval; (d) a material reduction by the Company in the Holder’s total annual compensation, defined as base salary, target bonus and equity incentive compensation opportunities, without the Holder’s prior approval; (e) a failure by the Company to continue in effect, without substantial change, any benefit plan or arrangement in which the Holder was participating or the taking of any action by the Company which would adversely affect the Holder’s participation in or materially reduce his or her benefits under any benefit plan (unless such changes apply equally to all other similarly situated employees of Company); (f) any material breach by the Company of any provision of the Individual Agreement or any other agreement between the Company and the Holder, without the Holder having committed any material breach of his or her obligations hereunder, which breach is not cured within twenty (20) days following written notice thereof to the Company of such breach; or (g) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor entity.

 

Any Units which are earned pursuant to this Section 5 shall be settled on or within 60 days after the Change in Control or Termination of Employment, as applicable, but in no event later than the Settlement Date, in accordance with Section 2.

 

6.           Claw-Back . Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to the Units, the Committee shall have the right to require the Holder to agree by separate written or electronic instrument that the Units (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt of the Units or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Units) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy.

 

- 4 -
 

  

7.           Vesting; Service Requirement . Except as provided in Sections 4 and 5, subject to the Holder’s continuous employment through the Determination Date, the number of Earned Units determined pursuant to Section 2 shall vest on the Determination Date.

 

8.           Code Section 409A . The Company intends that the Units shall not constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement shall be interpreted based on such intent. In view of uncertainty surrounding Section 409A of the Code, however, if the Company determines after the Grant Date that an amendment to this Agreement is necessary or advisable so that the Units will not be subject to Section 409A of the Code, or alternatively so that they comply with Section 409A of the Code, it may make such amendment, effective as of the Grant Date or at any later date, without the consent of the Holder.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment or benefit constitutes non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and such payment or benefit would otherwise be payable or distributable hereunder by reason of the Holder’s Termination of Employment, all references to the Holder’s Termination of Employment shall be construed to mean a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “ Separation from Service ”), and the Holder shall not be considered to have a Termination of Employment unless such termination constitutes a Separation from Service with respect to the Holder.

 

9.           Tax Withholding . The Company shall withhold from the Stock delivered in settlement of Units shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value on the Settlement Date, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy the minimum required withholding, if any, of any income tax, social tax, or other taxes (but rounding up to the nearest whole number of shares). In lieu of withholding shares of Stock, the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize the satisfaction of tax withholding by a cash payment to the Company, by withholding an appropriate amount of cash from base pay, or by such other method as the Committee determines may be appropriate to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes. If any such taxes are required to be withheld at a date earlier than the Settlement Date, then notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company may (i) satisfy such obligation by causing the forfeiture of a number of Units having a Fair Market Value, on such earlier date, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy the minimum required amount of such withholding, or (ii) make such other arrangements with the Holder for such withholding as may be satisfactory to the Company in its sole discretion. The obligations of the Company under this award of Units will be conditioned on such satisfaction of the required withholding. The Holder acknowledges that the tax consequences associated with this award of Units are complex and that the Company has urged the Holder to review with the Holder’s own tax advisors the federal, state and local tax consequences of this award of Units. The Holder is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. The Holder understands that he or she (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Holder’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of the award of Units.

 

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10.          Compliance with Law .

 

i.           No shares of Stock shall be issued and delivered pursuant to a Unit unless and until all applicable registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, all applicable listing requirements of any national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed, and all other requirements of law or of any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such issuance and delivery, shall have been complied with. In particular, the Committee may require certain investment (or other) representations and undertakings in connection with the issuance of securities in connection with the Plan in order to comply with Applicable Law.

 

ii.         If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable or invalid under any Applicable Law, such provision will be applied to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, and shall automatically be deemed amended in a manner consistent with its objectives to the extent necessary to conform to any limitations required under Applicable Law. Furthermore, if any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal under any Applicable Law, such provision shall be null and void to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law, but the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

11.          Assignability . Except as may be effected by designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries in such manner as may be determined by the Committee, or as may be effected by will or other testamentary disposition or by the laws of descent and distribution, any attempt to assign the Units before they are settled shall be of no effect.

 

12.          Certain Corporate Transactions . In the event of certain corporate transactions, the Units shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

 

13.          No Additional Rights .

 

i.           Neither the granting of the Units nor their settlement shall (a) affect or restrict in any way the power of the Company to undertake any corporate action otherwise permitted under Applicable Law, (b) confer upon the Holder the right to continue performing services for the Company, or (c) interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the services of the Holder at any time, with or without Cause. The Holder expressly acknowledges and agrees that he or she is an employee at will.

 

ii.         The Holder acknowledges that (a) this is a one-time grant, (b) the making of this grant does not mean that the Holder will receive any similar grant or grants in the future, or any future grants at all, and (c) this grant does not in any way entitle the Holder to future grants under the Plan, if any, and the Committee retains sole and absolute discretion as to whether to make any additional grants to the Holder in the future and, if so, the quantity, terms, conditions and provisions of any such grants.

 

- 6 -
 

  

iii.        Without limiting the generality of subsections i. and ii. immediately above and subject to Sections 4 and 5 above, if the Holder’s employment with the Company terminates, the Holder shall not be entitled to any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit or prospective right or benefit relating to the Units or under the Plan which he or she might otherwise have enjoyed, whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful dismissal or other breach of contract or by way of compensation for loss of office or otherwise.

 

14.          Rights as a Stockholder . Neither the Holder nor the Holder’s Heir shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares represented by the Units unless and until shares of Stock have been issued in settlement thereof.

 

15.          Data Privacy Waiver . By accepting the grant of the Units, the Holder hereby agrees and consents to:

 

i.           the collection, use, processing and transfer by the Company and its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Group ”) of certain personal information about the Holder (the “ Data ”);

 

ii.         any members of the Group transferring Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan;

 

iii.        the use of such Data by any such person for such purposes; and

 

iv.        the transfer to and retention of such Data by third parties in connection with such purposes.

 

For the purposes of clause (i) above, “ Data ” means the Holder’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, other employee information, any tax or other identification number, details of all rights to acquire Stock granted to the Holder and of Stock issued or transferred to the Holder pursuant to the Plan.

 

16.          Compliance with Plan . The Units and this Agreement are subject to, and the Company and the Holder agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan as it shall be amended from time to time, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company hereby reserves the right to amend, modify, restate, supplement or terminate the Plan without the consent of the Holder, so long as such amendment, modification, restatement or supplement shall not materially reduce the rights and benefits available to the Holder hereunder, and this award of Units shall be subject, without further action by the Company or the Holder, to such amendment, modification, restatement or supplement unless provided otherwise therein. In the case of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern.

 

17.          Effect of Agreement on Individual Agreements . Notwithstanding the provisions of any Individual Agreement, (i) in the case of a conflict between the terms of the Holder’s Individual Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern, and (ii) the vesting and settlement of Units shall in all events occur in accordance with this Agreement to the exclusion of any provisions contained in an Individual Agreement regarding the vesting or settlement of the Units, and any such Individual Agreement provisions shall have no force or effect with respect to the Units.

 

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18.          Governing Law and Jurisdictional Agreement . The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. The Holder may only exercise his or her rights in respect of the Plan to the extent that it would be lawful to do so, and the Company would not, in connection with this Agreement, be in breach of the laws of any jurisdiction to which the Holder may be subject. The Holder shall be solely responsible to seek advice as to the laws of any jurisdiction to which he or she may be subject, and participation by the Holder in the Plan shall be on the basis of a warranty by the Holder that the Holder may lawfully so participate without the Company being in breach of the laws of any such jurisdiction. The Company and Holder irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction and venue of any state court situated within Montgomery County, Texas, and any federal court closest to or serving Montgomery County, Texas, for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of, or relating to or in connection with, this Agreement. THE PARTIES ALSO EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY HAVE OR MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. If any one or more provisions of this Section 18 shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, it is the specific intent of the parties to this Agreement that such provisions shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it or its application valid and enforceable.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement to be effective as of the Grant Date.

 

  Waste Connections, Inc.
   
  Name:  
  Title:  [Title]
   
  The Holder’s acceptance of this Agreement indicates that he or she accepts and agrees to all the terms and provisions of the foregoing Agreement and to all the terms and provisions of the Plan, as amended to date, incorporated by reference herein.
   
   
  Name:  [Name]

 

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Exhibit 10.23

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

Dear ______:

 

Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to inform you that you have been awarded Restricted Stock Units (the “Award”) under the Company’s 2014 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) pursuant to the Plan, to the extent vested on the vesting date of that unit. The Award will vest in a series of installments over your period of continued service with the Company as set forth herein. Unlike a typical stock option program, the shares will be issued to you as a bonus for your continued service over the vesting period, without any cash payment required from you. However, you must pay the applicable income and employment withholding taxes (described below) when due.

 

The award under this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Employees, Directors and Consultants. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

This Agreement sets the number of shares of the Common Stock subject to your award, the applicable vesting schedule for the issuance of those shares, and the remaining terms and conditions governing your award.

 

Award Date : _____________

 

Number of Shares Subject to Award : ______________ shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”)

 

Vesting Schedule : The Award will vest and become issuable in a series of four (4) successive equal annual installments upon your completion of each year of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant over the four (4)-year period measured from the Award Date. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until you satisfy all applicable income and employment withholding taxes. The Shares subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “Vested Award Units.”

 

Other important features of your Award may be summarized as follows:

 

1.             Forfeitability: Should your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to your Award, then your Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of your Restricted Stock Units will be reduced accordingly, and you will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares under those cancelled units.

 

Page 1
 

 

2.             Distribution .

 

(a)           The Restricted Stock Units shall be distributed in Shares (either in book-entry form or otherwise), as soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit, and, in any event, within sixty (60) days following such vesting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay a distribution or payment in settlement of Restricted Stock Units if it reasonably determines that such payment or distribution will violate federal securities laws or any other Applicable Law, provided that such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii), and provided further that no payment or distribution shall be delayed under this Section 2(a) if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(b)           All distributions shall be made by the Company in the form of whole Shares, and any fractional share shall be applied to the payment of withholding taxes.

 

3.             Transferability: Prior to your actual receipt of the Shares pursuant to your Award, you may not transfer any interest in your Award or the underlying Shares in any manner (including pledging or hedging the sale of the Shares, including without limitation, any short sale, put or call option or any other instrument tied to the value of the Shares) other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and no Restricted Stock Units or any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of you or your successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy). Any attempt by you to do so will result in an immediate forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units awarded to you hereunder. However, your right to receive any Shares which have vested under your Restricted Stock Units but which remain unissued at the time of your death may be transferred pursuant to the provisions of your will or the laws of inheritance or to your designated beneficiary following your death. In the event the Shares which vest hereunder are to be issued to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of your estate or to your designated beneficiary, the Company shall be under no obligation to effect such issuance unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the person to receive those Shares is the duly appointed legal representative of your estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or your named beneficiary.

 

Any Shares issued to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may not be sold or transferred in contravention of (i) any market black-out periods the Company may impose from time to time or (ii) the Company’s insider trading policies to the extent applicable to you.

 

4.             Adjustments: The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of your Award in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. You acknowledge that the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and the Plan, including Section 12 of the Plan.

 

5.             Federal Income Taxation: You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.

 

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6.             FICA Taxes: You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.

 

7.             Withholding Taxes: You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.

 

(a)           In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.

 

(b)           Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:

 

·           your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or

·           the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of Common Stock, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

8.             Stockholder Rights: Neither you nor any person claiming under or through you will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book-entry form) will have been issued and recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to you (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account). Except as otherwise provided herein, after such issuance, recordation and delivery, you will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

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9.           Dividend Equivalent Rights: Should the Board in its discretion declare an extraordinary cash dividend on the Common Stock at a time when unissued shares of such Common Stock are subject to your Award, then the number of Shares at that time subject to your Award will automatically be increased on the date the dividend is paid by an amount determined in accordance with the following formula, rounded down to the nearest whole share:

 

X = (A x B)/C, where

 

X = the additional number of Shares which will become subject to your Award by reason of the extraordinary cash dividend;

 

A = the number of unissued Shares subject to this Award as of the record date for such dividend;

 

B = the per Share amount of the cash dividend; and

 

C = the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the payment date of such dividend.

 

The additional Shares resulting from such calculation will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the unissued Shares to which they relate under your Award. The Board has the discretion to determine when a cash dividend shall be considered extraordinary. Your Award will not be adjusted to reflect regular or periodic cash dividends. In order for you to receive a dividend equivalent increase to the number of Shares subject to your Award, you must be in Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant on the date the extraordinary dividend is actually paid. These dividend equivalent rights and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the Restricted Stock Units and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

10.          Change in Control: In the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of the Shares subject to your Award will accelerate in full immediately upon such Change in Control.

 

11.          Securities Law Compliance: No Shares will be issued pursuant to your Award if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Shares will be issued unless:

 

(a)           a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at that time with respect to the Shares to be issued; or

 

(b)           in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, those Shares may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of any Shares, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

 

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12.          Notice: Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

13.          Remaining Terms: The remaining terms and conditions of your Award are governed by the Plan, and your Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan. Along with this Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling.

 

14.          Limitations: Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer on you or any other person:

 

(a)           Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement;

 

(b)           Any right with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs you or engages you as a consultant or director to terminate your employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause;

 

(c)           Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or

 

(d)           Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee, consultant or director bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.

 

15.          Section 409A: This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “ Section 409A ”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify you or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

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16.          Administration . The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon you, the Company and all other interested persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

17.          Titles . Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

18.          Governing Law . The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.

 

19.          Conformity to Applicable Law . You acknowledge that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Restricted Stock Units are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

20.          Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Restricted Stock Units in any material way without your prior written consent.

 

21.          Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3 and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

22.          Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if you are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Restricted Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units resulting from dividend equivalent rights, and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

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23.          Entire Agreement . The Plan and this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of you and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

24.          Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

25.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
     
  BY:  
     
  TITLE: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

 

SIGNATURE:                                                   

 

PRINTED NAME:                                           

 

DATE:                                                     , 20__       

 

KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

 

SIGNATURE:                                                 

 

PRINTED NAME:

 

HOME ADDRESS:  
   
   
   
CITY, STATE, ZIP:  

 

DATE:                                                 , 20__

 

PRINT, SIGN AND RETURN ONLY THIS PAGE VIA REGULAR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE FIRST CLASS MAIL SERVICE WITHIN 7 DAYS OF RECEIPT TO:

 

  [NAME]
  STOCK PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
  3 WATERWAY SQUARE PLACE
  SUITE 110
  THE WOODLANDS, TX 77380

 

ORIGINAL SIGNATURE REQUIRED – PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR PDF

 

Page 9

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.24

 

Warrant No. ___ Warrant to Purchase

_______ shares of
Common Stock (Subject
to Adjustment)

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
of
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

 

Void after __________

 

This certifies that for value received, ______________ (the “Holder”) is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, at any time or from time to time beginning on ______________ and before 5:00 p.m., Central standard time, on _____________________, to purchase from Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______________ fully paid and nonassessable shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as constituted on _____________________ (the “Issue Date”), upon surrender hereof at the principal office of the Company, with the subscription form attached hereto properly completed and duly executed, and simultaneous payment therefor in lawful money of the United States at the price of $______ per share, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3 hereof (the “Purchase Price”). The number and character of such shares of Common Stock are also subject to adjustment as provided below. Such number shall be reduced at such time or times as this Warrant is exercised in part by the number of shares as to which this Warrant is then exercised. The term “Warrant Stock” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, the stock and other securities and property at any time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant. The term “warrant” as used herein shall include this Warrant and any warrants delivered in substitution or exchange therefor as provided herein.

 

The grant under this Warrant Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Consultants and is made pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

1. Method of Exercise; Payment .

 

A.      Cash Exercise . This Warrant may be exercised as a whole, or in part from time to time, by the Holder by delivering this Warrant, for cancellation if it is exercised as a whole or for endorsement if it is exercised in part, together with a Subscription in the form appearing at the end hereof properly completed and duly executed by or on behalf of the Holder, to the Company at its office in The Woodlands, Texas (or at the office of the agency maintained for such purpose), accompanied by payment in cash or by certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company, in an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price as then adjusted times the number of shares of Warrant Stock as to which this Warrant is then being exercised. In the event of any such exercise that is partial, the Company shall endorse this Warrant as having been exercised to that extent and return this Warrant to the Holder. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of its surrender for exercise as provided above, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of such shares of record as of the close of business on such date.

 

1
 

 

B.      Cashless Exercise . In lieu of exercising this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.A, to the extent permitted by the Company and applicable statutes and regulations, the Holder may exercise this Warrant by having the Company withhold shares of Warrant Stock issuable on such exercise having a Fair Market Value at the close of business on the date of exercise in an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price as then adjusted times the number of shares of Warrant Stock as to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

2.              Transfer . This Warrant and all rights hereunder are generally not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless the Company expressly permits a transfer, such as to a trust or other entity for estate planning purposes, pursuant to a domestic relations order, or as a gift to certain family members. Unless the Company approves such a transfer, this Warrant is exercisable during the Holder’s life only by the Holder. Neither this Warrant nor any interest or right therein or part thereof shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

 

3. Change in Control; Adjustments; No Fractional Shares .

 

A.      Change in Control . In the event that the Company is subject to a Change in Control:

 

(i) immediately prior thereto this Warrant shall be automatically accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to all of the shares of Warrant Stock covered hereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement; and

 

(ii) the Administrator may provide that the shares subject to the Warrant shall be subject to such treatment as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion subject to Section 12 of the Plan.

 

B.      Adjustments . The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Warrant and the Plan, including Section 12 of the Plan.

 

C.      No Fractional Shares . All calculations under this Section 3 shall be, in the case of Purchase Price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares subject to this Warrant, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share on any exercise of this Warrant.

 

4.             Loss or Mutilation . Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will execute and deliver in lieu thereof a new warrant of like tenor.

 

5.             Reservation of Common Stock . The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of this Warrant such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Warrant Stock as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.

 

2
 

 

6.              Notices . All notices and other communications from the Company to the Holder shall be mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the address furnished to the Company in writing by the last Holder who shall have furnished an address to the Company in writing.

 

7.              Change; Waiver . Subject to Sections 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18 hereof, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

8.             Attorneys’ Fees . In the event any party is required to engage the services of attorneys for the purpose of enforcing this Agreement, or any provision hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and any other costs or expenses.

 

9.             Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of convenience in reference only, and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof.

 

10.           Law Governing . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

11.           Agreement Subject to Plan . This Agreement is subject to all provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and made part of this Agreement, is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

 

12.           Administration . The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator will be final and binding upon the Holder, the Company and all other interested persons. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, no member of the Committee or the Board will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

 

13.           Conformity to Applicable Law . The Holder acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Warrant is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

 

14.           Amendment, Suspension and Termination . To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board, provided that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Warrant in any material way without the Holder’s prior written consent.

 

15.           Successors and Assigns . The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2 hereof and the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

 

3
 

 

16.           Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Holder is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Warrant and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

17.           Entire Agreement . The Plan and this Agreement (including any attachment hereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

18.           Section 409A . The Warrant is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that the Warrant (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify the Holder or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for the Warrant either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

19.           Agreement Severable . In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

 

20.           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including by way of any electronic signature, subject to Applicable Law, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

 

21.           Black-Out Periods . Holder acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the Warrant granted hereunder are subject to Holder’s agreement to at all times comply with the Company’s policies with respect to black-out periods and insider trading, if and when applicable.

 

 

 

DATED: ______________

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

 

By:    ___________________________

Ronald J. Mittelstaedt

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

4
 

ATTACHMENTS:

 

Subscription Form

 

Waste Connections, Inc. 2014 Incentive Award Plan

 

5
 

ENDORSEMENTS

 

Exercise Date

Number of Shares

as to Which

Exercised

Number of Shares
Remaining

Available for

Exercise

Signature of Authorized

Officer of the Company

       
       

 

6
 

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

 

(To be executed only upon exercise of warrant)

 

The undersigned Holder of this Warrant irrevocably exercises this Warrant for the purchase of _______ shares of Common Stock of Waste Connections, Inc., purchasable with this Warrant, and herewith makes payment therefor, all at the price and on the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant.

 

Dated: ______________

 

 

_______________________

(signature of Holder)

 

 

_______________________

(Street Address)

 

 

_______________________

(city) (state) (zip Code)

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.25
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE.
The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means for the Company and any Subsidiary, through the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options and/or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to selected Employees (including officers), Directors and Consultants, to attract and retain persons of ability as Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and any Subsidiary.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.
(b) “Change in Control” means:
(i)  any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction;
(ii)  any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; or
(iii)  a transaction or series of related transactions in which any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this definition, “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of an Option Agreement or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company).
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
(c) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(d) “Committee” means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4(b) of the Plan.
(e) “Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(f) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render consulting services and who is compensated for such services; provided that the term “Consultant” shall not include Directors.
(g) “Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant” means the individual’s employment as an Employee or relationship as a Consultant is not interrupted or terminated, or, in the case of a Director who is not an Employee, the term means the Director remains a Director of the Company. The Board, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and a Subsidiary or their successors.

 

 


 

(h) “Director” means a member of the Company’s Board.
(i) “Disability” means permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code.
(j) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company. Any officer of the Company or a Subsidiary is an Employee. A Director is not an Employee unless he or she has an employment relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary in addition to being a Director. Service as a Consultant shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(k) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(l) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows:
(i)  If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, in each case as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other sources as the Board deems reliable;
(ii)  If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Stock on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination; or
(iii)  In absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.”
(m) “Nonqualified Stock Options” means Options that are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(n) “Option Agreement” means a written certificate or agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Options.
(o) “Optionee” means an Employee, Director or Consultant who holds an outstanding Option.
(p) “Options” means Nonqualified Stock Options.
(q) “Plan” means this Waste Connections, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.
(r) “Restricted Stock” means Stock awarded under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.
(s) “Restricted Stock Agreement” means a written certificate or award agreement between the Company and a Restricted Stock Participant evidencing a Restricted Stock Award. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Stock.
(t) “Restricted Stock Award” means shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(u) “Restricted Stock Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant who holds an outstanding Restricted Stock Award.
(v) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a contractual right to receive Stock under the Plan upon the attainment of designated performance milestones or the completion of a specified period of employment or service with the Corporation or any Subsidiary or upon a specified date or dates following the attainment of such milestones or the completion of such service period.
(w) “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Restricted Stock Unit Participant evidencing a Restricted Stock Unit Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan that apply to Restricted Stock Units.
(x) “Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an award of Restricted Stock Units made pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(y) “Restricted Stock Unit Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant who holds an outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(z) “Restriction Period” means a time period, which may or may not be based on performance goals and/or the satisfaction of vesting provisions (which may depend on the Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant of the applicable Restricted Stock Participant), that applies to, and is established or specified by the Board at the time of, each Restricted Stock Award.
(aa) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as amended from time to time.
(bb) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(cc) “Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.
(dd) “Subsidiary” means any corporation that at the time an Option or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award is granted under the Plan qualifies as a subsidiary of the Company under the definition of “subsidiary corporation” contained in Section 424(f) of the Code, or any similar provision hereafter enacted.
3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
(a)  Stock Available for Awards . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 for changes in Stock, the Stock that may be sold or delivered pursuant to Options, Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall not exceed 7,162,500 shares. The Company shall reserve for Options, Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit Awards 7,162,500 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9. If any Option for any reason terminates, expires or is cancelled without having been exercised in full, the Stock not purchased under such Option shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Shares of Stock that are issued pursuant to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be either authorized and unissued shares (which will not be subject to preemptive rights) or previously issued shares acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary. Any shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award that are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. If any Restricted Stock Unit Award terminates or is cancelled for any reason before all the shares of Stock subject to such award vest and become issuable, the shares of Stock which do not vest and become issuable under that Restricted Stock Unit Award shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(b)  Annual Award Limit . The maximum number of shares of Stock for which any one person may be granted Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units in any one calendar year shall not exceed one hundred twelve thousand five hundred (112,500) shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment under Section 9.

 

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4. ADMINISTRATION.
(a)  Board’s Power and Responsibilities . The Plan shall be administered by the Board or, at the election of the Board, by a Committee, as provided in subsection (b), or, as to certain functions, by an officer of the Company, as provided in subsection (c). Subject to the Plan, the Board shall:
(i)  determine and designate from time to time those Employees, Directors and Consultants to whom Options, Restricted Stock Awards and/or Restricted Stock Unit Awards are to be granted;
(ii)  authorize the granting of Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards;
(iii)  determine the number of shares subject to each Option, the exercise price of each Option, the time or times when and the manner in which each Option shall be exercisable, and the duration of the exercise period;
(iv)  determine the number of shares of Stock to be included in any Restricted Stock Award, the Restriction Period for such Award, and the vesting schedule of such Award over the Restriction Period;
(v)  determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to any Restricted Stock Unit Award, the vesting schedule for those shares of Stock and the date or dates on which the shares of Stock which vest under the Award are actually to be issued;
(vi)  construe and interpret the Plan and each Option, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, and establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration, and correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or any Option, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective;
(vii)  adopt such procedures and subplans and grant Options and Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards on such terms and conditions as the Board determines necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by individuals otherwise eligible to so participate who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States, or otherwise to conform to applicable requirements or practices of jurisdictions outside of the United States;
(viii)  prescribe and approve the form and content of certificates and agreements for use under the Plan;
(ix)  establish and administer any terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions, limitations, forfeiture, vesting schedule, and other provisions of or relating to any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award;
(x)  grant waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations under the Plan or applicable to any Option or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, or accelerate the vesting of any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award or the issuance of vested Stock under any Restricted Stock Unit Award;
(xi)  amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any outstanding Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award and/or adjust the number and/or class of shares of Stock subject to any outstanding Option or any outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, provided that no such amendment or adjustment shall reduce the exercise price of any Option to a price lower than the Fair Market Value of the Stock covered by such Option on the date the Option was granted;
(xii)  at any time and from time to time after the granting of an Option or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, specify such additional terms, conditions and restrictions with respect to any such Option or any such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with any and all applicable laws or rules, including, but not limited to, terms, restrictions and conditions for compliance with applicable securities laws and methods of withholding or providing for the payment of required taxes;

 

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(xiii)  offer to buy out a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Board shall establish with and communicate to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant at the time such offer is made;
(xiv)  to the extent permitted under the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement, permit the transfer of a Restricted Stock Award by one other than the Restricted Stock Participant who received the grant of such Restricted Stock Award; and
(xv) take any and all other actions it deems necessary for the purposes of the Plan.
The Board shall have full discretionary authority in all matters related to the discharge of its responsibilities and the exercise of its authority under the Plan. Decisions and actions by the Board with respect to the Plan and any Option Agreement or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in or under the Plan and/or any Option Agreement or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
(b)  Authority to Delegate to Committee . The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to one or more Committees of the Board. Each such Committee shall consist of one or more members appointed by the Board. Subject to the foregoing, the Board may from time to time increase the size of any such Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, or fill vacancies, however caused. If the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Committee shall have the same powers theretofore possessed by the Board with respect to the administration of the Plan (and references in this Plan to the Board shall apply to the Committee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish any such Committee at any time and revest in the Board the previously delegated administration of the Plan.
(c)  Authority to Delegate to Officers . The Board may delegate administration of Sections 4(a)(i) through 4(a)(v) above to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company; provided, however, that such officer may not grant Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards covering more than 3,375,000 shares of Stock in the aggregate.
(d)  Ten Year Grant Period . Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be granted after the expiration of ten years from the effective date of the Plan specified in Section 15 below.
(e)  Modification of Terms and Conditions through Employment or Consulting Agreements . Notwithstanding the provisions of any Option Agreement or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, any modifications to the terms and conditions of any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award permitted by Section 4(a) with respect to any Employee or Consultant may be effected by including the modification in an employment or consulting agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Optionee or the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant.
(f)  Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Vesting Limitations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards made to Employees or Consultants shall become vested over a period of not less than three years (or, in the case of vesting based upon the attainment of performance-based objectives, over a period of not less than one year) following the date the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, and the Board may not waive such vesting periods on a discretionary basis except in the case of the death, disability or retirement of the Restricted Stock Participant or Restricted Stock Unit Participant, a Change in Control, the terms and conditions of an employment or consulting agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Restricted Stock Participant or Restricted Stock Unit Participant (whether entered into prior to, on or after the Effective Date of this Plan, as provided in Section 15(a) hereof) or pursuant to Section 4(e); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards that result in the issuance of an aggregate of up to 5% of the shares of Stock available pursuant to Section 3(a) may be granted to any one or more Employee and/or Consultant without respect to such minimum vesting provisions and restrictions on waiver of this Section 4(f).

 

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5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
Each Option granted shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A or such other form as may be approved by the Board. Each Option Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Board may deem appropriate:
(a)  Option Term . Each Option Agreement shall specify the term for which the Option thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Option shall expire at the end of such term. The Board may extend such term; provided that the term of any Option, including any such extensions, shall not exceed five years from the date of grant.
(b)  Exercise Price . Each Option Agreement shall specify the exercise price per share, as determined by the Board at the time the Option is granted, which exercise price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value when the Option is granted.
(c)  Vesting . Each Option Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable. The total number of shares of Stock subject to an Option may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not, be equal). An Option Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Option may become exercisable (“vest”) with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Option shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised. An Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board deems appropriate.
(d)  Payment of Purchase Price on Exercise . Each Option Agreement shall provide that the purchase price of the shares as to which such Option may be exercised shall be paid to the Company at the time of exercise either (i) in cash, or (ii) in the absolute discretion of the Board (which discretion may be exercised in a particular case without regard to any other case or cases), at the time of the grant or thereafter, (A) by the withholding of shares of Stock issuable on exercise of the Option or the delivery to the Company of other Stock owned by the Optionee, provided in either case that the Optionee has owned shares of Stock equal in number to the shares so withheld for a period sufficient to avoid a charge to the Company’s reported earnings, (B) subject to compliance with applicable law, according to a deferred payment or other arrangement (which may include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of Stock) with the person to whom the Option is granted or to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to Section 5(e), (C) by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the Stock being acquired upon the exercise of the Option, including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (a “cashless exercise”), or (D) in any other form or combination of forms of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.
In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be payable at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate necessary to avoid the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment arrangement, or if less, the maximum rate permitted by law.
(e)  Transferability . An Option shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of by the Optionee during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution applicable to the Optionee, and shall not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process; provided that the Board may in its discretion at the time of approval of the grant of an Option or thereafter permit an Optionee to transfer an Option to a trust or other entity established by the Optionee for estate planning purposes, and may permit further transferability or impose conditions or limitations on any permitted transferability. Otherwise, during the lifetime of an Optionee, an Option shall be exercisable only by such Optionee. In the event any Option is to be exercised by the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Optionee, or such an Optionee’s beneficiary, in any such case pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Board, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Stock thereunder unless and until the Board is satisfied that the person to receive such Stock is the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Optionee’s estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or the named beneficiary of such Optionee.

 

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(f)  Exercise of Option After Death of Optionee . If an Optionee dies (i) while an Employee, Director or Consultant, or (ii) within three months after termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant because of his or her Disability or retirement, his or her Options may be exercised (to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to do so on the date of death or termination) by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who shall have acquired the right to exercise the Options by bequest or inheritance, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the Optionee’s death (or such shorter or longer period specified in the Option Agreement, which period shall not be less than six months), or (B) the expiration date specified in the Option Agreement. If, after the Optionee’s death, the Optionee’s estate or the person who acquired the right to exercise the Optionee’s Options does not exercise the Options within the time specified herein, the Options shall terminate and the shares covered by such Options shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(g)  Exercise of Option After Termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant as a Result of Disability or Retirement. If an Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Optionee’s Disability or retirement, and the Optionee does not die within the following three months, the Optionee may exercise his or her Options (to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise them on the date of termination), but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) six months after Disability or retirement (or such longer period specified in the Option Agreement), and (ii) the expiration of the term set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Options within the time specified herein, the Options shall terminate, and the shares covered by such Options shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(h)  No Exercise of Option After Termination of Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant Other Than as a Result of Death, Disability or Retirement. If an Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates other than as a result of the Optionee’s death, Disability or retirement, all right of the Optionee to exercise his or her Options shall terminate on the date of termination of such Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant. The Options shall terminate on such termination date, and the shares covered by such Options shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(i)  Exceptions . Notwithstanding subsections (f), (g) and (h), the Board shall have the authority to extend the expiration date of any outstanding Option in circumstances in which it deems such action to be appropriate, provided that no such extension shall extend the term of an Option beyond the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement.
(j)  Company’s Repurchase Right or Option Shares . Each Option Agreement may, but is not required to, include provisions whereby the Company shall have the right to repurchase any and all shares acquired by an Optionee on exercise of any Option granted under the Plan, at such price and on such other terms and conditions as the Board may approve and as may be set forth in the Option Agreement. Such right shall be exercisable by the Company after termination of an Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, whenever such termination may occur and whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary, with cause or without cause, without regard to the reason therefor, if any.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
(a)  Restricted Stock Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex B or such other form as may be approved by the Board. Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Stock Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Stock Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Stock Awards granted to a single Restricted Stock Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Stock Agreement. A Restricted Stock Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Stock Award; no person shall have any rights under any Restricted Stock Award, however, unless and until the Restricted Stock Participant to whom the Restricted Stock Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Stock Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Award, unless such Restricted Stock Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied the applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the shares of Stock which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Stock Award, and (iii) has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Award.

 

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(b)  Restricted Stock Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Stock Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Board shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.
(i)  The Restricted Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall entitle the Restricted Stock Participant to receive shares of Restricted Stock, which vest over the Restriction Period. The Board shall have the discretionary authority to authorize Restricted Stock Awards and determine the Restriction Period for each such award.
(ii)  Subject to the terms and restrictions of this Section 6 or the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Board, upon delivery of Restricted Stock to a Restricted Stock Participant, or upon creation of a book entry evidencing a Restricted Stock Participant’s ownership of shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to Section 6(f), the Restricted Stock Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares.
(c)  Cash Payment . The Board may make any such Restricted Stock Award without the requirement of any cash payment from the Restricted Stock Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Award is made, or may require a cash payment from such a Restricted Stock Participant in an amount no greater than the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock as of the date of grant in exchange for, or as a condition precedent to, the completion of such Restricted Stock Award and the issuance of such shares of Restricted Stock.
(d)  Transferability . During the Restriction Period stated in the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Restricted Stock Participant who receives a Restricted Stock Award shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of such Restricted Stock whether by operation of law or otherwise and shall not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempt by such Restricted Stock Participant to do so shall constitute the immediate and automatic forfeiture of such Restricted Stock Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Stock Agreement may permit the payment or distribution of a Restricted Stock Participant’s Award (or any portion thereof) after his or her death to the beneficiary most recently named by such Restricted Stock Participant in a written designation thereof filed with the Company, or, in lieu of any such surviving beneficiary, as designated by the Restricted Stock Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event any Restricted Stock Award is to be paid or distributed to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Restricted Stock Participant, or such a Restricted Stock Participant’s beneficiary, in any such case pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Board, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Stock thereunder unless and until the Board is satisfied that each person to receive such Stock is the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Restricted Stock Participant’s estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or the named beneficiary of such Restricted Stock Participant.
(e)  Forfeiture of Restricted Stock . If, during the Restriction Period, the Restricted Stock Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of such Restricted Stock Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock as to which the Restriction Period has not yet expired shall be forfeited and revert to the Plan, unless the Board has provided otherwise in the Restricted Stock Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Stock Participant, or the Board, in its discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture.
(f)  Receipt of Stock Certificates . Each Restricted Stock Participant who receives a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued one or more stock certificates in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock. Any such stock certificates for shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Stock Participant but shall be appropriately legended and returned to the Company or its agent by the recipient, together with a stock power or other appropriate instrument of transfer, endorsed in blank by the recipient. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, in lieu of the issuance of certificates for any shares of Restricted Stock during the applicable Restriction Period, a “book entry” (i.e., a computerized or manual entry) may be made in the records of the Company, or its designated agent, as the Board, in its discretion, may deem appropriate, to evidence the ownership of such shares of Restricted Stock in the name of the applicable Restricted Stock Participant. Such records of the Company or such agent shall, absent manifest error, be binding on all Restricted Stock Participants hereunder. The holding of shares of Restricted Stock by the Company or its agent, or the use of book entries to evidence the ownership of shares of Restricted Stock, in accordance with this Section 6(f), shall not affect the rights of Restricted Stock Participants as owners of their shares of Restricted Stock, nor affect the Restriction Period applicable to such shares under the Plan or the Restricted Stock Agreement.

 

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(g)  Dividends . A Restricted Stock Participant who holds outstanding shares of Restricted Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends paid thereon, other than dividends in the form of the Company’s stock.
(h)  Expiration of Restriction Period . A Restricted Stock Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock shall become free of the foregoing restrictions on the earlier of a Change in Control or the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period, and the Company shall, subject to Sections 8(a) and 8(b), then deliver stock certificates evidencing such Stock to such Restricted Stock Participant. Such certificates shall be freely transferable, subject to any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Stock Participant may at the time be subject.
(i)  Substitution of Restricted Stock Awards . The Board may accept the surrender of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock (to the extent that the Restriction Period or other restrictions applicable to such shares have not yet lapsed) and grant new Restricted Stock Awards in substitution for such Restricted Stock.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS.
(a)  Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement . Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in substantially the forms attached hereto as Annex C-1, Annex C-2 or such other form as may be approved by the Board. Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall be executed by the Company and the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Unit Award has been granted, unless the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement provides otherwise; two or more Restricted Stock Unit Awards granted to a single Restricted Stock Unit Participant may, however, be combined in a single Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. A Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall not be a precondition to the granting of a Restricted Stock Unit Award; however, no person shall be entitled to receive any shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Unit Award unless and until the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom the Restricted Stock Unit Award shall have been granted (i) shall have executed and delivered to the Company a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or other instrument evidencing the Restricted Stock Unit Award, unless such Restricted Stock Unit Agreement provides otherwise, (ii) has satisfied the applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding tax liability with respect to the shares of Stock which vest or become issuable under the Restricted Stock Unit Award and (iii) has otherwise complied with all the other applicable terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(b)  Restricted Stock Unit Awards Subject to Plan . All Restricted Stock Unit Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan, including the following terms and conditions, and to such other terms and conditions not inconsistent therewith, as the Board shall determine and which are set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
(i)  The Restricted Stock Units subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall entitle the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to receive the shares of Stock underlying those Units upon the attainment of designated performance goals or the satisfaction of specified employment or service requirements or upon the expiration of a designated time period following the attainment of such goals or the satisfaction of the applicable service period. The Board shall have the discretionary authority to determine the performance milestones or service period required for the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units and the date or dates when the shares of Stock which vest under those Restricted Stock Units are actually to be issued. The Board may alternatively provide the Restricted Stock Unit Participant with the right to elect the issue date or dates for the shares of Stock which vest under his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award. The issuance of vested shares under the Restricted Stock Unit Award may be deferred to a date following the termination of the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(ii)  The Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the shares of Stock subject to his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award until that Award vests and the shares of Stock are actually issued thereunder. However, dividend-equivalent units may, in the sole discretion of the Board, be paid or credited, either in cash or in actual or phantom shares of Stock, on one or more outstanding Restricted Stock Units, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may deem appropriate.
(iii)  An outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Award shall automatically terminate, and no shares of Stock shall actually be issued in satisfaction of that Award, if the performance goals or service requirements established for such Award are not attained or satisfied. The Board, however, shall have the discretionary authority to issue vested shares of Stock under one or more outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Awards as to which the designated performance goals or service requirements have not been attained or satisfied.
(iv)  Service requirements for the vesting of Restricted Stock Unit Awards may include service as an Employee, Consultant or non-employee Director.
(c)  No Cash Payment . Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall not require any cash payment from the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to whom such Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, either at the time such Award is made or at the time any shares of Stock become issuable under that Award. However, the issuance of such shares shall be subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes.
(d)  Transferability . The Restricted Stock Unit Participant who receives a Restricted Stock Unit Award shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of his or her interest in such Award or the underlying shares of Stock, whether by operation of law or otherwise, and such Award shall not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempt by such Restricted Stock Unit Participant to do so shall constitute the immediate and automatic forfeiture of such Restricted Stock Unit Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any shares of Stock which vest under the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement but which remain unissued at the time of the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s death shall be issued to the beneficiary most recently named by such Restricted Stock Unit Participant in a written designation thereof filed with the Company, or, in lieu of any such surviving beneficiary, as designated by the Restricted Stock Unit Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event such vested shares of Stock are to be issued to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of the estate of a deceased Restricted Stock Unit Participant, or his or her designated beneficiary, in any such case pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Board, the Company shall be under no obligation to effect such issuance unless and until the Board is satisfied that each person to receive such Stock is the duly appointed legal representative of the deceased Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or the named beneficiary of such Restricted Stock Unit Participant.
(e)  Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units . If the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, all of the Restricted Stock Units subject to his or her outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall, to the extent not vested at that time, be forfeited, and no shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to those forfeited Restricted Stock Units, unless the Board has provided in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or in an employment or consulting agreement with the Restricted Stock Unit Participant that no such forfeiture shall occur, or the Board, in its sole discretion, otherwise determines to waive such forfeiture.
(f)  Issuance of Stock Certificates . Each Restricted Stock Unit Participant who becomes entitled to an issuance of shares of Stock following the vesting of his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award shall, subject to Sections 8(a) and 8(b), be issued one or more stock certificates for those shares. Subject to such Sections 8(a) and 8(b), each such stock certificate shall be registered in the name of the Restricted Stock Unit Participant and shall be freely transferable, subject to any market black-out periods which may be imposed by the Company from time to time or insider trading policies to which the Restricted Stock Unit Participant may at the time be subject.

 

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8. CONDITIONS ON EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
(a)  Securities Law Compliance . The Plan, the grant of Options and Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards thereunder, the exercise of Options thereunder and the obligation of the Company to issue shares of Stock on the exercise of Options, at the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period for Restricted Stock or upon the occurrence of the designated issuance date for shares of Stock subject to vested Restricted Stock Units, shall be subject to all applicable Federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required, in the opinion of the Board. Options may not be exercised, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards may not be granted, and shares of Stock may not be issued if any such action would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No Option may be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. No Stock may be issued in connection with a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of issuance of the Stock be in effect with respect to the shares of Stock to be issued or (ii) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares of Stock to be issued on expiration of the applicable Restriction Period or upon the designated issuance date for vested Restricted Stock Units may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of any Option and the issuance of any Stock in connection with a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Company may require the Optionee or the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
(b)  Investment Representations . The Company may require any Optionee or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant, or any person to whom an Option or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award is transferred, as a condition of exercising such Option or receiving shares of Stock pursuant to such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, to (A) give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to such person’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Option or receiving such Stock, and (B) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that such person is acquiring the Stock for such person’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall not apply if (1) the issuance of the Stock has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (2) counsel for the Company determines as to any particular requirement that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, with the advice of its counsel, place such legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as the Company deems necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Stock.
9. ADJUSTMENTS ON CERTAIN EVENTS.
(a)  No Effect on Powers of Board or Shareholders . The existence of the Plan and any Options or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any merger or consolidation of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, any issue of debt, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting Stock, the authorization or issuance of additional shares of Stock, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or its subsidiaries, any sale or transfer of all or part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

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(b) Changes in Control .
(i)  Options . Each Option Agreement shall provide that in the event that the Company is subject to a Change in Control:
(A)  immediately prior thereto all outstanding Options shall be automatically accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to all of the shares of Stock covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the Option Agreement; and
(B)  the Board may, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, by resolution adopted by the Board or by the terms of any agreement of sale, merger or consolidation giving rise to the Change in Control, provide that, without Optionee’s consent, the shares subject to an Option may (1) continue as an immediately exercisable Option of the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation), (2) be assumed as immediately exercisable Options by the surviving corporation or its parent, (3) be substituted by immediately exercisable options granted by the surviving corporation or its parent with substantially the same terms for the Option, or (4) be cancelled after payment to the Optionee of an amount in cash or other consideration delivered to stockholders of the Company in the transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company equal to the total number of shares subject to the Option multiplied by the remainder of (i) the amount per share to be received by holders of the Company’s Stock in the sale, merger or consolidation, minus (ii) the exercise price per share of the shares subject to the Option.
(ii)  Restricted Stock Awards . Each Restricted Stock Agreement shall provide that, immediately prior to a Change in Control, all restrictions imposed by the Board on any outstanding Restricted Stock Award shall be automatically canceled, the Restriction Period applicable to all outstanding Restricted Stock Awards shall immediately terminate, and such Restricted Stock Awards shall be fully vested, subject to the Restricted Stock Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes. Any applicable performance goals shall be deemed achieved at not less than the target level, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Agreement.
(iii)  Restricted Stock Unit Awards . Each Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall provide that, immediately upon a Change in Control, the Restricted Stock Units subject to such Agreement shall automatically vest in full, and the shares subject to those vested Restricted Stock Units shall be issued, notwithstanding any deferred issuance date otherwise in effect at the time for such shares, subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Participant’s satisfaction of all applicable federal, state, local and/or foreign income and employment withholding taxes. Accordingly, all performance milestones or service requirements in effect for those Restricted Stock Units shall be deemed to have been fully achieved or completed, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
(c)  Adjustment Of Shares . The aggregate number, class and kind of shares of stock available for issuance under the Plan, the aggregate number, class and kind of shares of stock as to which Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards may be granted, the limitation set forth in Section 4(c) on the number of shares of Stock that may be issued by a single officer under the Plan, the number, class and kind of shares under each outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award, the exercise price of each Option and the number of shares purchasable on exercise of such Option shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board in its discretion to preserve the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any outstanding Options or any outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards or otherwise necessary to reflect any such change, if the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on outstanding Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation). An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9(c) shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof. In case of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 9(c) with respect to an Option, the total number of shares and the number of shares or other units of such other securities purchasable on exercise of the Option immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Optionee shall be entitled to receive at the same aggregate purchase price the number of shares of Stock and the number of shares or other units of such other securities that the Optionee would have owned or would have been entitled to receive immediately following the occurrence of any of the events described above had the Option been exercised in full immediately prior to the occurrence (or applicable record date) of such event. If, as a result of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 9(c), the Optionee shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes or series of securities of the Company, the Board shall equitably determine the allocation of the adjusted exercise price between or among shares or other units of such classes or series and shall notify the Optionee of such allocation. Any new or additional shares or securities received by a Restricted Stock Participant shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including the Restriction Period, as related to the original Restricted Stock Award.

 

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(d)  Receipt of Assets Other Than Stock . If at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9, an Optionee or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock or shares or other units of other securities or property or assets other than Stock, the number of such other shares or units so receivable on any exercise of the Option or expiration of the Restriction Period or the designated issuance date for the securities subject to vested Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Stock in this Section 9, and the provisions of this Plan with respect to the shares of Stock shall apply, with necessary changes in points of detail, on like terms to any such other shares or units.
(e)  Fractional Shares . All calculations under this Section 9 shall be, in the case of exercise price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share.
(f)  Inability to Prevent Acts Described in Section 9; Uniformity of Actions Not Required . No Optionee and no Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall have or be deemed to have any right to prevent the consummation of the acts described in this Section 9 affecting the number of shares of Stock subject to any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award held by the Optionee or the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant. Any actions or determinations by the Board under this Section 9 need not be uniform as to all outstanding Options or outstanding Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards, and need not treat all Optionees or all Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participants identically.
10. TAX WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.
(a)  General Authorization . The Company is authorized to take whatever actions are necessary and proper to satisfy all obligations of Optionees and Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Participants (including, for purposes of this Section 10, any other person entitled to exercise an Option or receive shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award under the Plan) for the payment of all federal, state, local and/or foreign taxes in connection with any Option grant or exercise, any Restricted Stock Award or any Stock issuance pursuant to a vested Restricted Stock Unit Award (including, but not limited to, actions pursuant to the following Section 10(b)).
(b) Withholding Requirement and Procedure.
(i)  Options . Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of Stock with respect to an Option, the Company shall have the right to require the grantee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and/or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such shares, including, for each Optionee who is an Employee, the employee portion of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes. Alternatively, the Company may issue or transfer such shares net of the number of shares sufficient to satisfy the minimum withholding tax requirements. For withholding tax purposes, the shares of Stock shall be valued on the date the withholding obligation is incurred.

 

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(ii)  Restricted Stock . Each Restricted Stock Participant shall, no later than the date as of which the value of the Restricted Stock Award first becomes includible in the gross income of the Restricted Stock Participant for income tax purposes, pay to the Company in cash, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment to the Company of, any taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the Stock or other property subject to such Restricted Stock Award, including, for each Restricted Stock Participant who is an Employee, the employee portion of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to the shares of Stock or other property. No Stock shall be delivered to a Restricted Stock Participant with respect to a Restricted Stock Award until such payment or arrangement has been made. The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Restricted Stock Participant. Notwithstanding the above, the Board may, in its discretion and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, permit the Restricted Stock Participant to elect withholding by the Company of Stock or other property otherwise deliverable to such Restricted Stock Participant pursuant to his or her Restricted Stock Award, provided, however, that the amount of any Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income in full or partial satisfaction of such tax obligations, based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the payment date.
(c)  Section 83(b) Election . If a Restricted Stock Participant makes an election under Code Section 83(b), or any successor section thereto, to be taxed with respect to a Restricted Stock Award as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Participant would otherwise be taxable under Code Section 83(a), such Restricted Stock Participant shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company immediately after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility relating to or arising out of the filing or not filing of any such election or any defects in its construction.
(d)  Restricted Stock Units . Each Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall comply with the following tax withholding requirements:
(i)  Income Taxes . The Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall no later than the date as of which the shares of Stock which vest under his or her vested Restricted Stock Unit Award first becomes includible in his or her gross income for income tax purposes, pay to the Company in cash, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding payment to the Company of, any income taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to the Stock or other property issuable pursuant to such vested Restricted Stock Unit Award.
(ii)  Employment Taxes . Any Restricted Stock Unit Participant who is an Employee shall be liable for the payment of the employee portion of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to the shares of Stock subject to his or her Restricted Stock Unit Award at the time those shares vest. The FICA taxes shall be based upon the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock on the date those shares vest under the Restricted Stock Unit Award.
No Stock shall be delivered to a Restricted Stock Unit Participant with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit Award until such income and employment withholding taxes have been collected. The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Restricted Stock Unit Participant. Notwithstanding the above, the Board may, in its discretion and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, permit the Restricted Stock Unit Participant to satisfy the federal, state and local income withholding taxes applicable to the issued shares of Stock, together with any FICA withholding taxes due at the time of such Stock issuance, by having the Company withhold shares of Stock (based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the issuance date) or other property otherwise deliverable to such Restricted Stock Unit Participant in settlement of his or her vested Restricted Stock Unit Award, provided, however, that the amount of any Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required income tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and/or local tax purposes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income
11. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
(a)  Amendment, Termination or Suspension of Plan . The Board, at any time and from time to time, may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required; provided further, however, that unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, no such termination, amendment or alteration shall be made that would materially impair the previously accrued rights of any Optionee or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant with respect to his or her Option or his or her Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award without his or her written consent.

 

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(b)  Amendment of Options and Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards . The Board may amend the terms of any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award previously granted, including any Option Agreement or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, retroactively or prospectively, but no such amendment shall materially impair the previously accrued rights of any Optionee or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant with respect to any such Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award without his or her written consent.
(c)  Automatic Termination of Plan . Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the date that the aggregate the total number of shares of Stock subject to the Plan have been issued pursuant to the Plan’s provisions, and no shares covered by a Restricted Stock Award are any longer subject to any Restriction Period.
12. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, CONSULTANTS AND OTHER PERSONS.
Neither this Plan nor any Options or Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall confer on any Optionee, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant or other person:
(a)  Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable agreement;
(b)  Any right with respect to continuation of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary or engagement as a Consultant or Director, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs or engages an Optionee or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant to terminate that person’s employment or engagement at any time with or without cause.
(c)  Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Option or a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award; or
(d)  Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee or consultant bonus, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.
13. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
So long as a class of the Company’s equity securities is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Company intends that the Plan shall comply in all respects with Rule 16b-3. If during such time any provision of this Plan is found not to be in compliance with Rule 16b-3, that provision shall be deemed to have been amended or deleted as and to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3, and the remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without change. All transactions under the Plan during such time shall be executed in accordance with the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION.
(a)  Contractual Liability Limitation . Any liability of the Company or its subsidiaries to any Optionee or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant with respect to any Option or any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be based solely on contractual obligations created by the Plan and the Option Agreements and the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreements outstanding thereunder.

 

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(b)  Indemnification . In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or officers, Directors and officers to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.
15. MISCELLANEOUS
(a)  Effective Date . The effective date of the Plan shall be the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company or such later date as shall be determined by the Board.
(b)  Acceptance of Terms and Conditions of Plan By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Optionee and each Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant and each person claiming under or through such Optionee or such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Company, the Board or the Committee, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(c)  No Effect on Other Arrangements . Neither the adoption of the Plan nor anything contained herein shall affect any other compensation or incentive plans or arrangements of the Company or its subsidiaries, or prevent or limit the right of the Company or any subsidiary to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for their Employees, Directors or Consultants or grant or assume restricted stock or other rights otherwise than under the Plan.
(d)  Choice of Law . The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to such state’s conflict of law provisions, and, in any event, except as superseded by applicable Federal law.

 

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Annex A
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Dear ________:
Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), has granted to you an option to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company (“Stock”). This option is not intended to qualify and will not be treated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The grant under this Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Employees, Directors and Consultants. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
The option granted hereunder is subject to and governed by the following terms and conditions:
1. Award Date:  _____ 
2. Number of Shares Subject to Option :  _____ 
3. Vesting Schedule. Subject to the limitations herein and in the Plan, this option shall become exercisable (vest) as follows:
     
Number of Shares   Date of Earliest Exercise
(Installment)   (Vesting)
     
     
     
The installments provided for are cumulative. Each such installment that becomes exercisable shall remain exercisable until expiration or earlier termination of the option.
4. Exercise Price.
(a) The exercise price of this option is $ __________ per share.
(b) Payment of the exercise price per share is due in full in cash (including check) on exercise of all or any part of each installment that has become exercisable by you; provided that, if at the time of exercise the Stock is publicly traded and quoted regularly in the Wall Street Journal , payment of the exercise price, to the extent permitted by the Company and applicable statutes and regulations, may be made by having the Company withhold shares of Stock issuable on such exercise, by delivering shares of Stock already owned by you, by cashless exercise described in Section 5(d) of the Plan and complying with its provisions, or by delivering a combination of such forms of payment. Such Stock (i) shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the close of business on the date of exercise, (ii) if originally acquired from the Company, must have been held for the period required to avoid a charge to the Company’s reported earnings, and (iii) must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests.

 

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5. Partial or Early Exercise.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, you may elect at any time during your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant to exercise this option as to any part or all of the shares subject to this option at any time during the term hereof, including, without limitation, a time prior to the date of earliest exercise (vesting) stated in paragraph 3 hereof; provided that:
(i) a partial exercise of this option shall be deemed to cover first vested shares and then unvested shares next vesting;
(ii) any shares so purchased that shall not have vested as of the date of exercise shall be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement available from the Company; and
(iii) you shall enter into an Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement in the form available from the Company with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred.
(b) The election provided in this paragraph 5 to purchase shares on the exercise of this option prior to the vesting dates shall cease on termination of your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant and may not be exercised from or after the date thereof.
6. Fractional Shares. This option may not be exercised for any number of shares that would require the issuance of anything other than whole shares.
7. Securities Law Compliance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this option may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, this option may not be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the option be in effect with respect to the shares issuable upon exercise of the option or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the option may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of any option, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
8. Term. The term of this option commences on the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated as set forth below or in the Plan, terminates on  _____  (which date shall be no more than five years from the award date in Section 1 of this Agreement). In no event may this option be exercised on or after the date on which it terminates. This option shall terminate prior to the expiration of its term on the date of termination of your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant for any reason or for no reason, unless:
(a) such termination is due to your retirement or Disability and you do not die within the three months after such termination, in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the termination date set forth above or six months after such termination of your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant; or
(b) such termination is due to your death, or such termination is due to your retirement or Disability and you die within three months after such termination, in which event the option shall terminate on the earlier of the termination date set forth above or the first anniversary of your death.

 

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Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions to the contrary however, this option may be exercised following termination of your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant only as to that number of shares as to which it shall have been exercisable under Section 2 of this Agreement on the date of such termination.
9. Conditions on Exercise.
(a) This option may be exercised, to the extent specified above, by delivering a notice of exercise (in a form designated by the Company) together with the exercise price to the Secretary of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.
(b) By exercising this option you agree that the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) may, in connection with an underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Exchange Act, require that you not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Stock or other securities of the Company during such period (not to exceed 180 days) following the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the registration statement of the Company filed under the Exchange Act as may be requested by the Company or the representative of the underwriters. For purposes of this restriction, you will be deemed to own securities which (A) are owned directly or indirectly by you, including securities held for your benefit by nominees, custodians, brokers or pledgees, (B) may be acquired by you within sixty days of the Effective Date, (C) are owned directly or indirectly, by or for your brothers or sisters (whether by whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants, or (D) are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which you are a shareholder, partner or beneficiary, but only to the extent of your proportionate interest therein as a shareholder, partner or beneficiary thereof. You further agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.
10. Adjustments on Certain Events.
(a) In the event that the Company is subject to a Change in Control:
(i) immediately prior thereto this option shall be automatically accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to all of the shares of Stock covered hereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement; and
(ii) the Board may, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, by resolution adopted by the Board or by the terms of any agreement of sale, merger or consolidation giving rise to the Change in Control, provide that, without Optionee’s consent, the shares subject to this option may (A) continue as an immediately exercisable option of the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation), (B) be assumed as immediately exercisable options by the surviving corporation or its parent, (C) be substituted by immediately exercisable options granted by the surviving corporation or its parent with substantially the same terms for this option, or (D) be cancelled after payment to Optionee of an amount in cash or other consideration delivered to stockholders of the Company in the transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company equal to the total number of shares subject to this option multiplied by the remainder of (1) the amount per share to be received by holders of the Company’s Stock in the sale, merger or consolidation, minus (2) the exercise price per share of the shares subject to this option.
(b) The exercise price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event that the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on outstanding Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation). An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10(b) shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof. In any such case, the total number of shares and the number of shares or other units of such other securities purchasable on exercise of the option immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Optionee shall be entitled to receive at the same aggregate purchase price the number of shares of Stock and the number of shares or other units of such other securities that the Optionee would have owned or would have been entitled to receive immediately following the occurrence of any of the events described above had the option been exercised in full immediately prior to the occurrence (or applicable record date) of such event. If, as a result of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 10(b), the Optionee shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes or series of securities of the Company, the Board shall equitably determine the allocation of the adjusted exercise price between or among shares or other units of such classes or series and shall notify the Optionee of such allocation.

 

Annex A: Page 3


 

(c) If at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10, the Optionee shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock or shares or other units of other securities or property or assets other than Stock, the number of such other shares or units so receivable on any exercise of the option shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Stock in this Section 10, and the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Stock shall apply, with necessary changes in points of detail, on like terms to any such other shares or units.
(d) All calculations under this Section 10 shall be, in the case of exercise price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares subject to this option, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share on any exercise of the option.
11. Non-Transferability. This option is generally not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, unless the Company expressly permits a transfer, such as to a trust or other entity for estate planning purposes. Unless the Company approves such a transfer, this option is exercisable during your life only by you.
12. Rights of Optionee. This Agreement is not an employment contract and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company, or of the Company to continue your employment with the Company. If this option is granted to you in connection with your performance of services as a Consultant, references to employment, Employee and similar terms shall be deemed to include the performance of services as a Consultant; provided that no rights as an Employee shall arise by reason of the use of such terms.
13. Tax Withholding Obligations. Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of Stock to you with respect to an Option, the Company shall have the right to require you to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any Federal, state or local withholding tax requirements, including your applicable share of any employment taxes, prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such shares. Alternatively, the Company may issue or transfer such shares net of the number of shares sufficient to satisfy the withholding tax requirements. For withholding tax purposes, the shares of Stock shall be valued on the date the withholding obligation is incurred.
14. Notice. Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.
15. Agreement Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to all provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.
         
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.   
 
  By      
    Ronald J. Mittelstaedt   
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 

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ATTACHMENTS:
Waste Connections, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan
Notice of Exercise

 

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The undersigned:
(a) Acknowledges receipt of the foregoing Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement and the attachments referenced therein and understands that all rights and liabilities with respect to the option granted under the Agreement are set forth in such Agreement and the Plan; and
(b) Acknowledges that as of the date of grant set forth in such Agreement, the Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the undersigned optionee and the Company and its Subsidiaries regarding the acquisition of Stock pursuant to the option and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject with the exception of (i) the options, if any, previously granted and delivered to the undersigned under stock option plans of the Company, and (ii) the following agreements only:
         
NONE:
   
 
(Initial)
 
   
OTHER:
   
 
 
       
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
             
         
 
 
  OPTIONEE        
 
           
 
  Address:    
 
   
 
           
 
     
 
   

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
     
Waste Connections, Inc.
   
Waterway Plaza Two, 4th Floor
   
10001 Woodloch Forest Drive
   
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
  Date of Exercise:                            
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This constitutes notice under my Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement that I elect to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock (“Stock”) of Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) for the price set forth below.
         
Option Agreement dated:
   
 
   
 
       
Number of shares as to which option is exercised:
   
 
   
 
       
Certificates to be issued in name of:
   
 
   
 
       
Total exercise price:
 
 
   
 
       
Cash payment delivered herewith:
 
 
   
 
       
Value of  _____  shares
       
of  _____  common
       
stock delivered herewith: (1)
 
 
   
By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the Waste Connections, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan or the Option Agreement, and (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option.
I hereby represent, warrant and agree with respect to the shares of Stock of the Company that I am acquiring by this exercise of the option (the “Shares”) that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with an underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Stock or other securities of the Company during such period (not to exceed 180 days) following the effective date of the registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (the “Effective Date”) as may be requested by the Company or the representative of the underwriters. For purposes of this restriction, I will be deemed to own securities that (i) are owned, directly or indirectly by me, including securities held for my benefit by nominees, custodians, brokers or pledgees; (ii) may be acquired by me within sixty days of the Effective Date; (iii) are owned directly or indirectly, by or for my brothers or sisters (whether by whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants; or (iv) are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which I am a shareholder, partner or beneficiary, but only to the extent of my proportionate interest therein as a shareholder, partner or beneficiary thereof. I further agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to this restriction until the end of such period.
Very truly yours,
 
(1)  
Shares must meet the public trading requirements set forth in the Options Agreement. Shares must be valued in accordance with the terms of the option being exercised, must have been owned for the minimum period required in the Option Agreement, and must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests. Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate.

 

Annex A: Page 7


 

Annex B
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
Dear ______________:
Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has granted to you an award of Restricted Stock (“Award”) in shares of common stock of the Company (“Stock”). The Restricted Stock will be issued to you subject to restrictions on transfer and otherwise, which will lapse over the Restricted Period, provided that you maintain Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant.
The grant under this Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Employees, Directors and Consultants. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
The Award granted hereunder is subject to and governed by the following terms and conditions:
1. Award Date: ___________.
2. Number of Shares Subject to Award: __________.
3. Purchase Price. The purchase price for each share of Stock awarded by this Agreement is $ _________.
4. Vesting Schedule. The Award of Restricted Stock shall be deemed non-forfeitable and such Stock shall no longer be considered Restricted Stock on the earlier of a Change in Control or the expiration of the Restriction Period on the following dates with respect to the following percentages of the total shares of Restricted Stock awarded, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time and subject to Section 5, deliver stock certificates evidencing such Stock to you:
(a) Schedule of Expiration of Restriction Period. The overall restriction period, which begins on the date of the grant of the Award and ends on the  _____  anniversary of the grant of the Award (the “Restriction Period”), expires in  _____  equal phases:
             
    Restriction Period Expires with    
    Respect to the Following    
    Percentage of Total Shares of    
Date   Restricted Stock Awarded    
On grant
    0%      
 
           
As of ______, 20  _____ (first anniversary of grant)
     _____ %      
 
           
[As of ______, 20  _____  (second anniversary of grant)]
    [  _____%]      
 
           
[As of ______, 20  _____  (third anniversary of grant)]
    [  _____%]      
 
           
[As of ______, 20  _____  (fourth anniversary of grant)]
    [  _____%]      

 

Annex B: Page 1


 

(b) Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. If, during the Restriction Period, your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates for any reason, you will forfeit any shares of Restricted Stock as to which the Restriction Period has not yet expired.
5. Conditions on Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:
(a) Securities Law Compliance. Awards may not be granted and shares of stock may not be issued if either such action would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Stock may be issued unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of issuance of the Stock be in effect with respect to the shares of Stock to be issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares of Stock to be issued on expiration of the applicable Restriction Period may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of any Stock, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
(b) Investment Representation. The Company may require you, or any person to whom an Award is transferred, as a condition of receiving shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, to (A) give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to your knowledge and experience in financial and business matters or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that you are capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of receiving such Stock, and (B) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that you are acquiring the Stock for your own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall not apply if (1) the issuance of the Stock has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (2) counsel for the Company determines as to any particular requirement that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws.
6. Non-Transferability of Award. During the Restriction Period stated herein, you shall not sell, transfer, pledge, assign, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Restricted Stock whether by operation of law or otherwise and shall not make such Restricted Stock subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempt by you to do so shall constitute the immediate and automatic forfeiture of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may designate the payment or distribution of the Award (or any portion thereof) after your death to the beneficiary most recently named by you in a written designation thereof filed with the Company, or, in lieu of any such surviving beneficiary, as designated by you by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event any Award is to be paid or distributed to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of your estate, or to your beneficiary, in any such case pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be specified from time to time by the Committee, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Stock thereunder unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the person or persons to receive such Stock is the duly appointed legal representative of your estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or your named beneficiary.
7. Adjustments on Certain Events.
(a) Changes in Control. Immediately prior to a Change in Control, all restrictions imposed by the Committee on any outstanding Award shall be immediately automatically canceled, the Restriction Period shall immediately terminate and the Award shall be fully vested, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the Agreement.

 

Annex B: Page 2


 

(b) Adjustment of Shares. The number, class and kind of shares under the Award shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee in its discretion to preserve the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to the Award or otherwise necessary to reflect any such change, if the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on outstanding Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation). An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof. Any new or additional shares or securities that you receive are subject to the same terms and conditions, including the Restriction Period, as related to the original Award.
(c) Receipt of Assets other than Stock. If at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7, you shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock or shares or other units of other securities or property or assets other than Stock, the number of such other shares or units so receivable on expiration of the Restriction Period shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Stock in this Section 7, and the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Stock shall apply, with necessary changes in points of detail, on like terms to any such other shares or units.
(d) Fractional Shares. All calculations under this Section 7 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share.
(e) Inability to Prevent Acts Described in Section 7; Uniformity of Actions Not Required. No Restricted Stock Participant shall have or be deemed to have any right to prevent the consummation of the acts described in this Section 7 affecting the number of shares of Stock subject to any Award held by the Restricted Stock Participant. Any actions or determinations by the Committee under this Section 7 need not be uniform as to all outstanding Awards, and need not treat all Restricted Stock Participants identically.
8. Rights of Restricted Stock Participant. This Plan and the Awards shall not confer on you or any other person:
(a)  Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable agreement;
(b)  Any right with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs you or engages you as a consultant or director to terminate your employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time with or without cause;
(c) Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or
(d)  Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee, consultant or director bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.
9. Tax Withholding Obligations.
(a) Withholding Requirement and Procedure. You shall (and in no event shall Stock be delivered to you with respect to an Award until), no later than the date as of which the value of the Award first becomes includible in your gross income for income tax purposes, pay to the Company in cash, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company, as determined in the Committee’s discretion, regarding payment to the Company of, any taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the Stock or other property subject to such Award, including your applicable share of any employment taxes, and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to you. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its discretion and pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, permit you to elect withholding by the Company of Stock or other property otherwise deliverable to you pursuant to your Award, provided, however, that the amount of any Stock so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for Federal, state and/or local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income in full or partial satisfaction of such tax obligations, based on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the payment date.

 

Annex B: Page 3


 

(b) Section  83(b) Election. If you make an election under Code Section 83(b), or any successor section thereto, to be taxed with respect to an Award as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates on which you would otherwise be taxable under Code Section 83(a), you shall deliver a copy of such election to the Company immediately after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility relating to or arising out of the filing or not filing of any such election or any defects in its construction.
10. Notice. Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.
11. Agreement Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to all provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of this Agreement, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.
         
  WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
 
  By      
    Ronald J. Mittelstaedt   
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   
ATTACHMENT:
Waste Connections, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

 

Annex B: Page 4


 

The undersigned:
(a) Acknowledges receipt of the foregoing Restricted Stock Award Agreement and the attachments referenced therein and understands that all rights and liabilities with respect to the Award granted under the Agreement are set forth in such Agreement and the Plan; and
(b) Acknowledges that as of the date of the Award set forth in such Agreement, the Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the undersigned participant and the Company and it Subsidiaries regarding the acquisition of Stock pursuant to the Award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.
         
     
    RESTRICTED STOCK PARTICIPANT
 
       
 
  Address:    
 
       
 
       
 
       

 

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Annex C-1
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Dear ______:
Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to inform you that you have been awarded Restricted Stock Units (the “Award”) under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) pursuant to the Plan, to the extent vested on the vesting date of that unit. The Award will vest in a series of installments over your period of continued service with the Company as set forth herein. Unlike a typical stock option program, the shares will be issued to you as a bonus for your continued service over the vesting period, without any cash payment required from you. However, you must pay the applicable income and employment withholding taxes (described below) when due.
The award under this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s Employees, Directors and Consultants. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
This Agreement sets the number of shares of the Common Stock subject to your award, the applicable vesting schedule for the issuance of those shares, and the remaining terms and conditions governing your award.
Award Date: _____________
Number of Shares Subject to Award:                                           shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”)
Vesting Schedule: The Award will vest and become issuable in a series of four (4) successive equal annual installments upon your completion of each year of Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant over the four (4)-year period measured from the Award Date. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until you satisfy all applicable income and employment withholding taxes. The Shares subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “Vested Award Units.”
Other important features of your Award may be summarized as follows:
1. Forfeitability: Should your Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant cease for any reason prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to your Award, then your Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of your Restricted Stock Units will be reduced accordingly, and you will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares under those cancelled units.
2. Transferability: Prior to your actual receipt of the Shares pursuant to your Award, you may not transfer any interest in your Award or the underlying Shares or pledge or otherwise hedge the sale of those Shares, including (without limitation) any short sale, put or call option or any other instrument tied to the value of those Shares. Any attempt by you to do so will result in an immediate forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units awarded to you hereunder. However, your right to receive any Shares which have vested under your Restricted Stock Units but which remain unissued at the time of your death may be transferred pursuant to the provisions of your will or the laws of inheritance or to your designated beneficiary following your death. In the event the Shares which vest hereunder are to be issued to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of your estate or to your designated beneficiary, the Company shall be under no obligation to effect such issuance unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the person to receive those Shares is the duly appointed legal representative of your estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or your named beneficiary.
Any Shares issued to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may not be sold or transferred in contravention of (i) any market black-out periods the Company may impose from time to time or (ii) the Company’s insider trading policies to the extent applicable to you.

 

Annex C-1: Page 1


 

3. Adjustments: The number, class and kind of securities subject to your Restricted Stock Units hereunder shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee in its discretion to preserve the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to those Restricted Stock Units or as otherwise necessary to reflect any such change, if the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive such Common Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of such Common Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation). An adjustment made pursuant to this section 3 shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof.
4. Federal Income Taxation: You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.
5. FICA Taxes: You will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.
6. Withholding Taxes: You must pay all applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes when due.
(a)  In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.
(b)  Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:
 your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or
 the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of Common Stock, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
7. Stockholder Rights: You will not have any stockholder rights, including voting rights and actual dividend rights, with respect to the Shares subject to your Award until you become the record holder of those Shares following their actual issuance to you and your satisfaction of the applicable withholding taxes.

 

Annex C-1: Page 2


 

8. Dividend Equivalent Rights: Should the Board in its discretion declare an extraordinary cash dividend on the Common Stock at a time when unissued shares of such Common Stock are subject to your Award, then the number of Shares at that time subject to your Award will automatically be increased on the date the dividend is paid by an amount determined in accordance with the following formula, rounded down to the nearest whole share:
X = (A x B)/C, where
X = the additional number of Shares which will become subject to your Award by reason of the extraordinary cash dividend;
A   =    the number of unissued Shares subject to this Award as of the record date for such dividend;
B   =    the per Share amount of the cash dividend; and
C   =    the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the payment date of such dividend.
The additional Shares resulting from such calculation will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the unissued Shares to which they relate under your Award. The Board has the discretion to determine when a cash dividend shall be considered extraordinary. Your Award will not be adjusted to reflect regular or periodic cash dividends. In order for you to receive a dividend equivalent increase to the number of Shares subject to your Award, you must be in Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant on the date the extraordinary dividend is actually paid. These dividend equivalent rights and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the Restricted Stock Units and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.
9. Change in Control: In the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of the Shares subject to your Award will accelerate in full immediately upon such Change in Control.
10. Securities Law Compliance: No Shares will be issued pursuant to your Award if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Shares will be issued unless:
(a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at that time with respect to the Shares to be issued; or
(b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, those Shares may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of any Shares, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company delays a distribution or payment in settlement of the Award because it reasonably determines that the issuance of shares of Common Stock in settlement of the Award will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law, such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii). The Company shall not delay any payment if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.
11. Notice: Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

 

Annex C-1: Page 3


 

12. Remaining Terms: The remaining terms and conditions of your Award are governed by the Plan, and your Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan. Along with this Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling.
13. Limitations: Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer on you or any other person:
(a)  Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement;
(b)  Any right with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs you or engages you as a consultant or director to terminate your employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause;
(c) Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or
(d)  Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee, consultant or director bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.
14. Section 409A: Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Award agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury thereunder and this Award and the Plan shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. To the extent permitted by such Treasury Regulations or other guidance, this Award agreement may be amended to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
         
    WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
       
 
  BY:    
 
       
 
  TITLE:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Annex C-1: Page 4


 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.
SIGNATURE:                                                               

PRINTED NAME:                                                     
DATE:                                                                , 20__
KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

Annex C-1: Page 5


 

Annex C-2
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Dear _____________:
Waste Connections, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to inform you that you have been awarded Restricted Stock Units (the “Award”) under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) pursuant to the Plan, to the extent vested on the vesting date of that unit. The Award will vest in a series of installments over your period of continued service with the Company as set forth herein, subject to Section 1 below.
The award under this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is in connection with and in furtherance of the Company’s compensatory benefit plan for participation of the Company’s non-employee Directors. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
This Agreement sets the number of shares of the Common Stock subject to your award, the applicable vesting schedule for the issuance of those shares, and the remaining terms and conditions governing your award.
Award Date: _____________
Number of Shares Subject to Award: _____________ shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”)
Vesting Schedule: The Award will vest and become issuable in a series of two (2) successive equal annual installments upon the Award Date and the first anniversary of the Award Date, subject to Section 1 below. However, no Shares with respect to which the Award has vested in accordance with such schedule will actually be issued until you satisfy all applicable income and employment withholding taxes, if applicable. The Shares subject to the Award that have become vested are referred to as “Vested Award Units.”
Other important features of your Award may be summarized as follows:
1. Forfeitability: Should your Continuous Status as a non-employee Director cease because (i) you were not nominated for or elected to a new term to serve as a Director or (ii) you resigned as a Director at the Company’s convenience, which shall include, without limitation, your resignation resulting from your failure to receive a majority of the votes cast in an election for Directors in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to your Award, then your Award shall be fully vested. Should your Continuous Status as a non-employee Director cease for any reason other than (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence prior to vesting in one or more installments of the Shares subject to your Award, then your Award will be cancelled with respect to the unvested Shares and the number of your Restricted Stock Units will be reduced accordingly, and you will cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any Shares under those cancelled units.
2. Transferability: Prior to your actual receipt of the Shares pursuant to your Award, you may not transfer any interest in your Award or the underlying Shares or pledge or otherwise hedge the sale of those Shares, including (without limitation) any short sale, put or call option or any other instrument tied to the value of those Shares. Any attempt by you to do so will result in an immediate forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units awarded to you hereunder. However, your right to receive any Shares which have vested under your Restricted Stock Units but which remain unissued at the time of your death may be transferred pursuant to the provisions of your will or the laws of inheritance or to your designated beneficiary following your death. In the event the Shares which vest hereunder are to be issued to the executors, administrators, heirs or distributees of your estate or to your designated beneficiary, the Company shall be under no obligation to effect such issuance unless and until the Committee is satisfied that the person to receive those Shares is the duly appointed legal representative of your estate or the proper legatee or distributee thereof or your named beneficiary.
Any Shares issued to you pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may not be sold or transferred in contravention of (i) any market black-out periods the Company may impose from time to time or (ii) the Company’s insider trading policies to the extent applicable to you.
3. Adjustments: The number, class and kind of securities subject to your Restricted Stock Units hereunder shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee in its discretion to preserve the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to those Restricted Stock Units or as otherwise necessary to reflect any such change, if the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive such Common Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of such Common Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation). An adjustment made pursuant to this section 3 shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof.

 

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4. Federal Income Taxation: You generally will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes on the date the Shares subject to your Award vest, and you must satisfy the income tax withholding obligation applicable to that income, if applicable. The amount of your taxable income will generally be based on the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date your Vested Award Units are issued and distributed times the number of Shares which are distributed on that date. This is a general summary of the possible tax consequences of the Award and is not tax advice. You are advised to consult with your own advisor as to the possible tax consequences of this Award.
5. FICA Taxes: If applicable, you will be liable for the payment of the employee share of the FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes applicable to your Award, which liability will generally arise at the time your Award vests. If applicable, FICA taxes will generally be based on the closing selling price of the shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date those Shares vest under your Award.
6. Withholding Taxes: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to require payment to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any sums required by federal, state and local tax law to be withheld with respect to the issuance of the Restricted Stock Units, the distribution of the shares of Stock with respect thereto, or any other taxable event related to the Restricted Stock Units. The Company may permit you to make such payment in one or more of the forms specified below:
(a)  In the Company’s sole discretion, the Company may collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes with respect to the Award through an automatic Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold a portion of those vested Shares with a fair market value (measured as of the date the withholding obligation arises) equal to the amount of such withholding taxes (the “Share Withholding Method”); provided, however, that the amount of any Shares so withheld shall not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the Company’s required tax withholding obligations using the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to supplemental taxable income. You shall be notified in writing in the event such Share Withholding Method is no longer available.
(b)  Should any Shares vest under the Award at a time when the Share Withholding Method is not available, then the Company may, in its sole discretion, collect any applicable federal, state and local income and employment withholding taxes from you through any of the following alternatives:
 your delivery of a separate check payable to the Company in the amount of such withholding taxes, or
 the use of the proceeds from a next-day sale of the Shares issued to you; provided and only if (i) such a sale is permissible under the Company’s trading policies governing the sale of Common Stock, (ii) you make an irrevocable commitment, on or before the vesting date for those Shares, to effect such sale of the Shares and (iii) the transaction is not otherwise deemed to constitute a prohibited loan under Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
7. Stockholder Rights: You will not have any stockholder rights, including voting rights and actual dividend rights, with respect to the Shares subject to your Award until you become the record holder of those Shares following their actual issuance to you and your satisfaction of the applicable withholding taxes.
8. Dividend Equivalent Rights: Should the Board in its discretion declare an extraordinary cash dividend on the Common Stock at a time when unissued shares of such Common Stock are subject to your Award, then the number of Shares at that time subject to your Award will automatically be increased on the date the dividend is paid by an amount determined in accordance with the following formula, rounded down to the nearest whole share:
X = (A x B)/C, where
X   =   the additional number of Shares which will become subject to your Award by reason of the extraordinary cash dividend;
A    =    the number of unissued Shares subject to this Award as of the record date for such dividend;
B    =    the per Share amount of the cash dividend; and
C   =   the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the payment date of such dividend.

 

Annex C-2: Page 2


 

The additional Shares resulting from such calculation will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the unissued Shares to which they relate under your Award. The Board has the discretion to determine when a cash dividend shall be considered extraordinary. Your Award will not be adjusted to reflect regular or periodic cash dividends. In order for you to receive a dividend equivalent increase to the number of Shares subject to your Award, you must be in Continuous Status as a Director on the date the extraordinary dividend is actually paid. These dividend equivalent rights and any amounts that may become distributable in respect thereof shall be treated separately from the Restricted Stock Units and the rights arising in connection therewith for purposes of the designation of time and form of payments required by Section 409A of the Code.
9. Change in Control: In the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of the Shares subject to your Award will accelerate in full immediately upon such Change in Control.
10. Securities Law Compliance: No Shares will be issued pursuant to your Award if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system on which the Common Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Shares will be issued unless:
(a) a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect at that time with respect to the Shares to be issued; or
(b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, those Shares may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the issuance of any Shares, the Company may require you to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Company delays a distribution or payment in settlement of the Award because it reasonably determines that the issuance of shares of Common Stock in settlement of the Award will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law, such distribution or payment shall be made at the earliest date at which the Company reasonably determines that the making of such distribution or payment will not cause such violation, as required by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii). The Company shall not delay any payment if such delay will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code.
11. Notice: Any notice or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given on receipt or, in the case of notices from the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the address specified below or at such other address as you may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.
12. Remaining Terms: The remaining terms and conditions of your Award are governed by the Plan, and your Award is also subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be adopted under the Plan. Along with this Agreement, you also received a copy of the official prospectus summarizing the principal features of the Plan. Please review the plan prospectus carefully so that you fully understand your rights and benefits under your Award and the limitations, restrictions and vesting provisions applicable to the Award. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling.
13. Limitations: Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer on you or any other person:

 

Annex C-2: Page 3


 

(a)  Any rights or claims under the Plan except in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award agreement;
(b)  Any right with respect to continuation of employment or a consulting or directorship arrangement with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that employs you or engages you as a consultant or director to terminate your employment or consulting or directorship arrangement at any time, with or without cause;
(c) Any right to be selected to participate in the Plan or to be granted an Award; or
(d)  Any right to receive any bonus, whether payable in cash or in Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, from the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor be construed as limiting in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not it shall pay any employee, consultant or director bonuses, and, if so paid, the amount thereof and the manner of such payment.
14. Section 409A: Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Award agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury thereunder and this Award and the Plan shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. To the extent permitted by such Treasury Regulations or other guidance, this Award agreement may be amended to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Please execute the Acknowledgement section below to indicate your acceptance of the terms and conditions of your Award.
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
BY:
TITLE:

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I hereby acknowledge and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of the restricted stock unit award evidenced hereby. I further acknowledge and agree that the foregoing sets forth the entire understanding between the Company and me regarding my entitlement to receive the shares of the Company’s common stock subject to such award and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.
SIGNATURE:                                                               

PRINTED NAME:                                                               

DATE:                                                                , 20__
KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS.

 

Annex C-2: Page 5


Exhibit 10.26
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONSULTANT INCENTIVE PLAN
 
1.
PURPOSE.
 
The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means for the Company and any Subsidiary, through the grant of Warrants to selected Consultants in connection with business development services rendered by such Consultants relating to acquisitions by the Company or a Subsidiary or other services approved by the Board, to attract and retain persons of ability as Consultants, and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and any Subsidiary.
 
2.
DEFINITIONS.
 
(a)             “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
(b)             “Change in Control” means:
 
(i)           any reorganization, liquidation or consolidation of the Company, or any merger or other business combination of the Company with any other corporation, other than any such merger or other combination that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction;
 
(ii)          any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company; or
 
(iii)         any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding voting securities (except that for purposes of this definition, “person” shall not include any person (or any person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person) who as of the date of a Warrant Agreement owns ten percent (10%) or more of the total voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or a corporation that is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same percentage as their ownership of the Company).
 
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.
 
(c)             “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
 
(d)             “Committee” means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with section 4(b) of the Plan.
 
(e)             “Company” means Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
 
 

 
 
(f)             “Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render business development consulting or other bona fide services to the Company or any Subsidiary as approved by the Board and who is compensated for such services; provided that such services are not in connection with the Company’s sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and provided further that the term “Consultant” shall not include any Officers or Directors.
 
(g)             “Director” means a member of the Company’s Board.
 
(h)             “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
(i)             “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows:
 
(i)            If the Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination, in each case as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other sources as the Board deems reliable;
 
(ii)          If the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Stock on the market trading day of the date of determination, or, if the date of determination is not a market trading day, the last market trading day prior to the date of determination; or
 
(iii)         In absence of an established market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
 
(j)             “Holder” means a Consultant who holds an outstanding Warrant.
 
(k)             “Officer” means any officer of the Company or a Subsidiary.
 
(l)             “Plan” means this Waste Connections, Inc. Consultant Incentive Plan.
 
(m)             “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
(n)             “Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.
 
(o)             “Subsidiary” means any corporation that at the time a Warrant is granted under the Plan qualifies as a subsidiary of the Company under the definition of “subsidiary corporation” contained in section 424(f) of the Code, or any similar provision hereafter enacted.
 
(p)             “Warrant” means a Warrant granted pursuant to this Plan.
 
 
2

 
 
(q)             “Warrant Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Holder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Warrant grant.  Each Warrant Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
 
3.
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
 
Subject to adjustment as provided in section 6 for changes in Stock, the Stock that may be sold pursuant to Warrants shall not exceed in the aggregate 450,000 shares.  Such number of shares shall be reserved for Warrants (subject to adjustment as provided in section 6).  If any Warrant for any reason terminates, expires or is cancelled without having been exercised in full, the Stock not purchased under such Warrant shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan.
 
4.
ADMINISTRATION.
 
(a)            The Plan shall be administered by the Board or, at the election of the Board, by a Committee, as provided in subsection (b).  Subject to the Plan, the Board shall:
 
(i)           determine and designate from time to time those Consultants to whom Warrants are to be granted;
 
(ii)          authorize the granting of Warrants;
 
(iii)        determine the number of shares subject to each Warrant and the Purchase Price of each Warrant;
 
(iv)         determine the time or times when and the manner in which each Warrant shall be exercisable and the duration of the exercise period;
 
(v)           construe and interpret the Plan and the Warrants, and establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration, and correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or any Warrant Agreement in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective;
 
(vi)         approve forms of Warrant Agreements for use under the Plan; and
 
(vii)        make such other determinations as it may be authorized to make in the Plan and as it may deem necessary and desirable for the purposes of the Plan.
 
(b)            The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to one or more Committees of the Board.  Each such Committee shall consist of one or more members appointed by the Board.  Subject to the foregoing, the Board may from time to time increase the size of any such Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, or fill vacancies, however caused.  If the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Committee shall have the same powers theretofore possessed by the Board with respect to the administration of the Plan (and references in this Plan to the Board shall apply to the Committee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.  The Board may abolish any such Committee at any time and revest in the Board the previously delegated administration of the Plan.
 
 
3

 
 
5.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF WARRANTS.
 
Each Warrant granted shall be evidenced by a Warrant Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A or such other form as may be approved by the Board.  Each Warrant Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions and such other terms and conditions as the Board may deem appropriate:
 
(a)             WARRANT TERM.   Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the term for which the Warrant thereunder is granted and shall provide that such Warrant shall expire at the end of such term; provided that the Board may extend such term.
 
(b)             PURCHASE PRICE.   Each Warrant Agreement shall specify the purchase price per share, as determined by the Board at the time the Warrant is granted, which purchase price shall in no event be less than the Fair Market Value when the Warrant is granted.
 
(c)             VESTING.   Each Warrant Agreement shall specify when it is exercisable.  The total number of shares of Stock subject to a Warrant may, but need not, be allotted in periodic installments (which may, but need not be, equal).  A Warrant Agreement may provide that from time to time during each of such installment periods, the Warrant may become exercisable (“vest”) with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to that period, and may be exercised with respect to some or all of the shares allotted to such period or any prior period as to which the Warrant shall have become vested but shall not have been fully exercised.  A Warrant may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board deems appropriate.
 
(d)             PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE ON EXERCISE.   Each Warrant Agreement shall provide that the purchase price of the shares as to which such Warrant may be exercised shall be paid to the Company at the time of exercise either (i) in cash or by certified or official bank check, (ii) by “net issue exercise” described in the Warrant Agreement, or (iii) in any other form or combination of forms of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board.
 
(e)             NONTRANSFERABILITY.   A Warrant shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of by the Holder during his or her lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution applicable to the Holder, and shall not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process; provided that the Board may in its discretion at the time of approval of the grant of a Warrant or thereafter permit a Holder to transfer a Warrant to a trust or other entity established by the Holder for estate planning purposes, pursuant to a domestic relations order, or as a gift to certain family members, and may permit further transferability or impose conditions or limitations on any permitted transferability.  Otherwise, during the lifetime of a Holder, a Warrant shall be exercisable only by such Holder.
 
(f)           CONDITIONS ON EXERCISE OF WARRANTS AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES.
 
(i)            SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE.   The Plan, the grant and exercise of Warrants thereunder and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Stock on exercise of Warrants shall be subject to all applicable Federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required, in the opinion of the Board.  Warrants may not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed.  In addition, no Warrant may be exercised unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of exercise of the Warrant be in effect with respect to the shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Stock hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.  As a condition to the exercise of any Warrant, the Company may require the Holder to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
 
 
4

 
 
(ii)           INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION.   The Company may require any Holder, or any person to whom a Warrant is transferred, as a condition of exercising such Warrant, to (A) give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Holder’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters, and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Warrant, and (B) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that such person is acquiring the shares of Stock subject to the Warrant for such person’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the shares.  The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall not apply if (1) the issuance of the shares of Stock on the exercise of the Warrant has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (2) counsel for the Company determines as to any particular requirement that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws.  The Company may, with the advice of its counsel, place such legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as the Company deems necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Stock.
 
6.
ADJUSTMENTS ON CERTAIN EVENTS.
 
(a)             CHANGE IN CONTROL .  Each Warrant Agreement shall provide that if the Company is subject to a Change in Control:
 
(i)           immediately prior thereto all outstanding Warrants shall be automatically accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to all of the shares of Stock covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the Warrant Agreement; and
 
(ii)          the Board may, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, by resolution adopted by the Board or by the terms of any agreement of sale, merger or consolidation giving rise to the Change in Control, provide that, without the Holder’s consent, the shares subject to a Warrant may (A) continue as an immediately exercisable Warrant of the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation), (B) be assumed as immediately exercisable Warrants by the surviving corporation or its parent, (C) be substituted by immediately exercisable warrants granted by the surviving corporation or its parent with substantially the same terms for the Warrant, or (D) be cancelled after payment to the Holder of an amount in cash or other consideration delivered to stockholders of the Company in the transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company equal to the total number of shares subject to the Warrant multiplied by the remainder of (1) the amount per share to be received by holders of the Company’s Stock in the sale, merger or consolidation, minus (2) the exercise price per share of the shares subject to the Warrant.
 
 
5

 
 
(b)             STOCK DIVIDENDS, STOCK SPLITS, ETC.   The exercise price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event that the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on outstanding Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation).  An adjustment made pursuant to this section 6(b) shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof.  In any such case, the total number of shares and the number of shares or other units of such other securities purchasable on exercise of the Warrant immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Holder shall be entitled to receive at the same aggregate purchase price the number of shares of Stock and the number of shares or other units of such other securities that the Holder would have owned or would have been entitled to receive immediately following the occurrence of any of the events described above had the Warrant been exercised in full immediately prior to the occurrence (or applicable record date) of such event.  If, as a result of any adjustment pursuant to this section 6(b), the Holder shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes or series of securities of the Company, the Board shall equitably determine the allocation of the adjusted exercise price between or among shares or other units of such classes or series and shall notify the Holder of such allocation.
 
(c)             FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS.    If at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this section 6, a Holder shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock or shares or other units of other securities or property or assets other than Stock, the number of such other shares or units so receivable on any exercise of the Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Stock in this section 6, and the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Stock shall apply, with necessary changes in points of detail, on like terms to any such other shares or units.
 
(d)             NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.   All calculations under this section 6 shall be, in the case of purchase price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share on any exercise of a Warrant.
 
 
6

 
 
7.
AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.
 
(a)            The Board may from time to time amend or modify the Plan for any reason; provided that the Company will seek shareholder approval for any change if and to the extent required by applicable law, regulation or rule.
 
(b)            Rights and obligations under any Warrant granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be altered or impaired by any amendment, unless the Holder consents in writing.
 
8.
TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.
 
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time for any reason.  Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day prior to the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.  No Warrants may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.  Rights and obligations under any Warrant granted while the Plan is in effect shall not be altered or impaired by suspension or termination of the Plan, except with the written consent of the Holder.
 
9.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN.
 
The Plan shall be effective immediately upon its adoption by the Board.
 
10.
WITHHOLDING TAXES.
 
Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the grantee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any Federal, state or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such shares.  Alternatively, the Company may issue or transfer such shares net of the number of shares sufficient to satisfy the minimum withholding tax requirements.  For withholding tax purposes, the shares of Stock shall be valued on the date the withholding obligation is incurred.
 
11.
NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER.
 
No Holder, as such, shall have any rights as a stockholder of the Company.
 
12.
NO RIGHTS TO CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT.
 
The Plan and any Warrants granted under the Plan shall not confer on any Holder any right with respect to continuation of engagement by the Company or any Subsidiary as a Consultant or otherwise, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary that engages a Consultant to terminate the Consultant’s engagement at any time.
 
13.
INDEMNIFICATION.
 
In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Officers or Directors, Officers or Directors to whom authority to act for the Board or the Company with respect to the Plan is delegated shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.
 
 
7

 
 
ANNEX A

 
NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASABLE ON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY NOT BE ENCUMBERED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT THEREFOR UNDER SAID ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE TO THE CORPORATION AND CONCURRED IN BY THE CORPORATION’S COUNSEL TO THE EFFECT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR SUCH TRANSACTION COMPLIES WITH RULES PROMULGATED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION UNDER SAID ACT.
 
Warrant No. ___
Warrant to Purchase
 
_________ shares of
 
Common Stock (Subject
 
to Adjustment)
 
 
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
of
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
Void after ________________________
 
This certifies that for value received, _____________ (“Holder”) is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, at any time or from time to time beginning on _______________ and before 5:00 p.m., Pacific standard time, on _______________________, to purchase from Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ____________ fully paid and nonassessable shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as constituted on _______________________ (the “Issue Date”), upon surrender hereof at the principal office of the Company, with the subscription form attached hereto properly completed and duly executed, and simultaneous payment therefor in lawful money of the United States at the price of $______ per share, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4 hereof (the “Purchase Price”).  The number and character of such shares of Common Stock are also subject to adjustment as provided below.  Such number shall be reduced at such time or times as this Warrant is exercised in part by the number of shares as to which this Warrant is then exercised.  The term “Warrant Stock” shall mean, unless the context otherwise requires, the stock and other securities and property at any time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant.  The term “warrant” as used herein shall include this Warrant and any warrants delivered in substitution or exchange therefor as provided herein.
 
1.            Method of Exercise; Payment .  Subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof:
 
A.          Cash Exercise .  This Warrant may be exercised as a whole, or in part from time to time, by the Holder by delivering this Warrant, for cancellation if it is exercised as a whole or for endorsement if it is exercised in part, together with a Subscription in the form appearing at the end hereof properly completed and duly executed by or on behalf of the Holder, to the Company at its office in Folsom, California (or at the office of the agency maintained for such purpose), accompanied by payment in cash or by certified or official bank check payable to the order of the Company, in an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price as then adjusted times the number of shares of Warrant Stock as to which this Warrant is then being exercised.  In the event of any such exercise that is partial, the Company shall endorse this Warrant as having been exercised to that extent and return this Warrant to the Holder.  This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately prior to the close of business on the date of its surrender for exercise as provided above, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the holder of such shares of record as of the close of business on such date.
 
 
Annex A - Page 1

 
 
B.            Net Issue Exercise .  In lieu of exercising this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.A, Holder may elect to receive shares equal to the value of this Warrant (or the portion thereof being cancelled) by surrender of this Warrant at such office together with notice of such election, in which event the Company shall issue to Holder a number of shares of Warrant Stock computed using the following formula:
 
X = Y (A-B)
 
    A
 
Where X =          the number of shares of Warrant Stock to be issued to Holder.
 
Y =          the number of shares of Warrant Stock purchasable under this Warrant at the date of such calculation or, if only a portion of this Warrant is being exercised, the portion of this Warrant being cancelled at the date of such calculation.
 
A =          the fair market value of one share of Warrant Stock purchasable under this Warrant at the date of such calculation.
 
B =           Purchase Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculations).
 
For purposes of this Warrant, fair market value of one share of Warrant Stock shall mean:
 
(1)         The average of the closing price of the Common Stock quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or the closing price quoted on any other national securities exchange or the NASDAQ National Market on which the Common Stock is listed, whichever is applicable, as published in the Western Edition of The Wall Street Journal for the ten trading days prior to the date of determination of fair market value; or
 
(2)          If the Common Stock is not traded on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange or the NASDAQ National Market, an amount reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be the fair market value.
 
C.            Delivery of Stock Certificates .  The Company will, or will direct its transfer agent to, issue, as soon as practicable after any exercise of this Warrant under Section 1 and in any event within thirty days thereafter, at its expense (including the payment by it of any applicable issue taxes), in the name of and deliver to the Holder, or as the Holder may direct (on payment by the Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) a certificate or certificates for the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Warrant Stock as to which this warrant is so exercised.
 
 
Annex A - Page 2

 
 
2.              Payment of Taxes .  All shares of Warrant Stock issued upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the Company shall pay all taxes and other governmental charges that may be imposed in respect of the issuance or delivery thereof.  The Company shall not be required, however, to pay any tax or other charge imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue of any certificate for shares of Warrant Stock in any name other than that of the Holder and, in such case, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any stock certificate until such tax or other charge has been paid, or it has been established to the Company’s satisfaction that no tax or other charge is due.
 
3.            A.           Transfer .  This Warrant and all rights hereunder are generally not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless the Company expressly permits a transfer, such as to a trust or other entity for estate planning purposes, pursuant to a domestic relations order, or as a gift to certain family members.  Unless the Company approves such a transfer, this Warrant is exercisable during the Holder’s life only by the Holder.
 
B.            Exchange .  At the request of the Holder, the Company shall exchange this Warrant for two or more Warrants of like tenor entitling the Holder to purchase the same aggregate number of shares of Warrant Stock, each new Warrant to represent the right to purchase such number of shares of Warrant Stock as the Holder shall designate at the time of such exchange; provided that the Holder shall not be entitled so to exchange this Warrant or any warrant received in any such exchange on more than an aggregate of five occasions.
 
4.             A.           Change in Control .  In the event that the Company is subject to a Change in Control:
 
  (i)         immediately prior thereto this Warrant shall be automatically accelerated and become immediately exercisable as to all of the shares of Warrant Stock covered hereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement; and
 
  (ii)        the Board may, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, by resolution adopted by the Board or by the terms of any agreement of sale, merger or consolidation giving rise to the Change in Control, provide that, without the Holder’s consent, the shares subject to this Warrant may (a) continue as an immediately exercisable warrant of the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation), (b) be assumed as immediately exercisable warrants by the surviving corporation or its parent, (c) be substituted by immediately exercisable warrants granted by the surviving corporation or its parent with substantially the same terms for this Warrant, or (d) be cancelled after payment to the Holder of an amount in cash or other consideration delivered to stockholders of the Company in the transaction resulting in a Change in Control of the Company equal to the total number of shares subject to this Warrant multiplied by the remainder of (1) the amount per share to be received by holders of the Common Stock in the sale, merger or consolidation, minus (2) the exercise price per share of the shares of Warrant Stock subject to this Warrant.
 
 
Annex A - Page 3

 
 
B.           Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, Etc .  The exercise price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in the event that the Company shall (i) pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise entitling a holder thereof to receive Common Stock), or evidences of indebtedness or other property or assets, on outstanding Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting corporation).  An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4.B shall, in the case of a dividend or distribution, be made as of the record date therefor and, in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, be made as of the effective date thereof.  In any such case, the total number of shares and the number of shares or other units of such other securities purchasable on exercise of this Warrant immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the Holder shall be entitled to receive at the same aggregate purchase price the number of shares of Warrant Stock and the number of shares or other units of such other securities that the Holder would have owned or would have been entitled to receive immediately following the occurrence of any of the events described above had the Warrant been exercised in full immediately prior to the occurrence (or applicable record date) of such event.  If, as a result of any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.B, the Holder shall become entitled to receive shares of two or more classes or series of securities of the Company, the Board shall equitably determine the allocation of the adjusted exercise price between or among shares or other units of such classes or series and shall notify the Holder of such allocation.
 
C.           Further Adjustments .  If at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4, the Holder shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock or shares or other units of other securities or property or assets other than Warrant Stock, the number of such other shares or units so receivable on any exercise of the Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares of Warrant Stock in this Section 4, and the provisions of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Warrant Stock shall apply, with necessary changes in points of detail, on like terms to any such other shares or units.
 
D.           No Fractional Shares .  All calculations under this Section 4 shall be, in the case of purchase price, rounded up to the nearest cent or, in the case of shares subject to this warrant, rounded down to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, but in no event shall the Company be obligated to issue any fractional share on any exercise of the Warrant.
 
E.            Certificate as to Adjustments .  Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment pursuant to this Section 4, the Company at its expense shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each Holder of this Warrant a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based.  The Company shall, upon the written request, at any time, of any such Holder, furnish or cause to be furnished to such Holder a like certificate setting forth:  (i) such adjustments and readjustments; (ii) the Purchase Price at the time in effect; and (iii) the number of shares and the amount, if any, of other property that at the time would be received upon the exercise of the Warrant.
 
 
Annex A - Page 4

 
 
F.            No Dilution or Impairment .  The Company will not by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, or through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issuance or sale of securities, sale of assets, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution or other impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) will not increase the par value of any shares of Warrant Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise, (ii) will take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) will take no action to amend its Certificate of Incorporation that would change to the detriment of the holders of Common Stock (whether or not any Common Stock be at the time outstanding) the dividend or voting rights of the Company’s Common Stock (as constituted on the Issue Date).
 
G.            Notices of Record Date .  In case:
 
(i)           The Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock (or other stock or securities at the time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) for the purpose of entitling them to receive any dividend or other distribution or any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other right, or
 
(ii)         Of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification of the capital stock of the Company, any split or combination of shares of any class of capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or any conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation, or
 
(iii)        Of any voluntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company,
 
then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the Holder a notice specifying, as the case may be, (a) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (b) the date on which such reorganization, reclassification, split, combination, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock (or such stock or securities at the time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, split, combination, consolidation, merger, conveyance, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.  Such notice shall be mailed at least 90 days prior to the date therein specified.
 
5.              Loss or Mutilation .  Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will execute and deliver in lieu thereof a new warrant of like tenor.
 
 
Annex A - Page 5

 
 
6.              Reservation of Common Stock .  The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of this Warrant such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Warrant Stock as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.
 
7.              Investment Intent .  The Holder, by accepting this Warrant, represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
 
A.           Acquisition for Own Account .  The Holder is acquiring this Warrant for the Holder’s own account, not as a nominee or agent.  The Holder is not obligated to transfer this Warrant to anyone else nor has any agreements or understandings to do so.  The Holder is acquiring this Warrant for investment for an indefinite period and not with a view to any sale or distribution of it, by public or private sale or other disposition, and has no intention of selling, granting any participation in or otherwise distributing or disposing of it.  The Holder does not intend to subdivide the Warrant with anyone.
 
B.           Restricted Securities .  The Holder is able to bear the economic risk of the Holder’s investment in this Warrant and is aware that the Holder must be prepared to hold this Warrant for an indefinite period and that this Warrant has not been registered under the Act, on the ground that no distribution or public offering of this Warrant is to be effected and this Warrant is being issued by the Company without any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act.
 
C.           Sophistication .  The Holder is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Regulation D under the Act.  The Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the Holder’s investment in this Warrant.
 
D.           Agreement to Refrain from Resales .  Without in any way limiting the Holder’s representations herein, the Holder further agrees that the Holder shall not encumber, pledge, hypothecate, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of this Warrant, unless and until, prior to any proposed encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition, either (i) a registration statement under the Act with respect thereto shall be then effective (ii)(a) the Holder shall have furnished the Company with a statement of the circumstances of the proposed disposition and an opinion of counsel (obtained at the Holder’s expense) satisfactory to the Company to the effect that such disposition will not require registration under the Act and (b) counsel for the Company shall have concurred in such opinion of counsel and the Company shall have advised the Holder of such concurrence.
 
E.            Certificates to be Legended .  The Holder understands and agrees that this Warrant and any warrant issued to replace this Warrant will bear a legend on the face thereof (or on the reverse thereof with a reference to such legend on the face thereof) in substantially the form set forth on the first page of this Warrant and any other legend that the Company considers necessary or appropriate to comply with any applicable securities law.
 
8.              Notices .  All notices and other communications from the Company to the Holder shall be mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the address furnished to the Company in writing by the last Holder who shall have furnished an address to the Company in writing.
 
 
Annex A - Page 6

 
 
9.              Change; Waiver .  Neither this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
 
10.            Attorneys’ Fees .  In the event any party is required to engage the services of attorneys for the purpose of enforcing this Warrant, or any provision hereof, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and any other costs or expenses.
 
11.            Headings .  The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of convenience in reference only, and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof.
 
12.            Law Governing .  This Warrant shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.
 
DATED: __________________
 
 
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
 
       
       
       
 
By:
   
   
Ronald J. Mittelstaedt
 
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Annex A - Page 7

 
 
ENDORSEMENTS
 
Exercise Date
Number of Shares
as to Which
Exercised
Number of Shares
Remaining
Available for
Exercise
Signature of Authorized
Officer of the Company
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
 
 
 

 
 
Annex A - Page 8

 
 
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
 
(To be executed only upon exercise of warrant)
 
The undersigned Holder of this Warrant irrevocably exercises this Warrant for the purchase of _________ shares of Common Stock of Waste Connections, Inc., purchasable with this Warrant, and herewith makes payment therefor, all at the price and on the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant.
 
Dated: __________________
 
     
 
(signature of Holder)
 
     
     
 
(Street Address)
 
     
     
 
(city) (state) (zip Code)
 


 
Annex A - Page 9

 
 
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
 
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned Holder of this Warrant hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the Assignee named below all of the rights of the undersigned under the within Warrant, with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth below:
 
Name of Assignee
Address
No. of Shares
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________ [Attorney] to make such transfer on the books of Waste Connections, Inc., maintained for the purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
Dated:                                           
 
  [Holder]    
         
         
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
 
 
 
Annex A - Page 10

Exhibit 16.1

 

  

  

 

 

  

 

June 7, 2016

 

 

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549-7561

 

Dear Sirs/Madams:

 

We have read Item 4.01 of Waste Connections, Inc.’s (formerly Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.) Form 8-K dated June 7, 2016, and have the following comments:

 

1. We agree with the statements made in the second sentence of the first paragraph, the second paragraph and the first sentence of paragraph four.

 

2. We have no basis on which to agree or disagree with the statements made in the first paragraph (other than the statement in the second sentence), the third paragraph or the second sentence of the fourth paragraph.

 

Yours truly,

 

 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

 

Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

 

 

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-168064) of Waste Connections, Inc. (formerly named Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd.) of our report dated February 9, 2016, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Waste Connections US, Inc. (formerly named Waste Connections, Inc.), which appears in Waste Connections US, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K of Waste Connections, Inc.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Houston, Texas

 

June 7, 2016