UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of: June 2021 | Commission File Number: 001-40509 |
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
(Name of Registrant)
73 Front Street, Fifth Floor
Hamilton, Bermuda, HM 12
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Exhibit Index
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit |
|
99.1 | Rights Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and among Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. and Wilmington Trust, National Association | |
99.2 | Administration Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and between Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. | |
99.3 | Equity Commitment Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and between Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. | |
99.4 | Trademark Sublicence Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and between Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. | |
99.5 | Support Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and between Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. | |
99.6 | Credit Agreement, effective as of June 28, 2021, by and among BAM Re Holdings Ltd., North End Re (Cayman) SPC, North End Re Ltd. and Brookfield Annuity Company as Borrowers; BAM Re Holdings Ltd., as Guarantor; and Brookfield US Holdings Inc. and Brookfield International Holdings Inc., as Lenders. | |
99.7 | Amendment to Investment Agreement, dated June 10, 2021, by and among Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., North End Re (Cayman) SPC and American Equity Investment Life Holding Company. |
SIGNATURE
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, thereunto duly authorized.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. | ||||
Date: June 29, 2021 | By: |
/s/ Thomas Corbett |
||
Name: Thomas Corbett | ||||
Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 99.1
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
and
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
and
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Rights Agent
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 28, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
Section 1. |
Certain Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 2. |
Appointment of Rights Agent | 3 | ||||
Section 3. |
Exchange Rights | 3 | ||||
Section 4. |
Satisfaction of Exchange Rights | 4 | ||||
Section 5. |
Exercise of Rights | 5 | ||||
Section 6. |
Confirmation Procedures | 5 | ||||
Section 7. |
BAM Shares Record Date | 6 | ||||
Section 8. |
Concerning BAM | 6 | ||||
Section 9. |
Rights of Action | 7 | ||||
Section 10. |
Concerning the Rights Agent | 8 | ||||
Section 11. |
Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent | 9 | ||||
Section 12. |
Duties of Rights Agent | 9 | ||||
Section 13. |
Change of Rights Agent | 12 | ||||
Section 14. |
Notices | 13 | ||||
Section 15. |
Supplements and Amendments | 14 | ||||
Section 16. |
Successors | 15 | ||||
Section 17. |
Benefits of this Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries | 15 | ||||
Section 18. |
Severability | 15 | ||||
Section 19. |
Governing Law; Forum Selection | 15 | ||||
Section 20. |
Counterparts | 16 | ||||
Section 21. |
Descriptive Headings | 16 | ||||
Section 22. |
Term | 16 | ||||
Section 23. |
No Waiver; Cumulative Rights | 16 | ||||
Section 24. |
Fractional Shares | 17 | ||||
Section 25. |
Book Entry | 17 |
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Rights Agreement (this Agreement) is dated as of June 28, 2021 between Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, Canada (BAM), Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., an exempted company limited by shares existing under the laws of Bermuda (the Company) and Wilmington Trust, National Association (the Rights Agent).
WHEREAS, BAM has agreed to distribute class A exchangeable limited voting shares of the Company (the Class A Shares) to the holders of class A limited voting shares of BAM (the BAM Shares) and class B limited voting shares of BAM pursuant to a special dividend (the Special Dividend);
WHEREAS, the dividend date of the Special Dividend is expected to occur on or before June 28, 2021 (the Dividend Date);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Companys Bye-Laws, each Class A Shareholder will have an Exchange Right to require BAM to exchange all or a portion of the Class A Shares held by such Class A Shareholder (such Class A Shares being hereafter referred to as Subject Class A Shares and such exchanging Class A Shareholder, the Exchanging Class A Shareholder) for the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Companys Bye-Laws;
WHEREAS, BAM wishes, in its sole and absolute discretion (including by means of a standing resolution adopted by the board of directors of BAM, which may be amended or withdrawn at any time) to satisfy the Exchange Right obligation and acquire the Subject Class A Shares from such Exchanging Class A Shareholder in exchange for the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Companys Bye-Laws and this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Rights Agent desires to serve as agent for the Class A Shareholders with respect to the administration of the Exchange Right pursuant to this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, BAM and the Rights Agent desire to set forth their rights and obligations with respect to the Exchange Right and the delivery of the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount, in each case at BAMs sole election, in satisfaction of the Exchange Right.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
Administration Agreement means the administrative services agreement to be entered into between BAM and the Company as of the Dividend Date.
Affiliate shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any future Affiliates.
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
BAM shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
BAM Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
BAM Shares Amount shall have the meaning as provided in the Companys Bye-Laws.
Brookfield means BAM, its subsidiaries and controlled companies and any investment fund sponsored, managed or controlled by Brookfield Asset Management or its subsidiaries, and does not, for greater certainty, include the Company and the Companys subsidiaries or Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Atlas OCM Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries.
Business Day shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Toronto, Ontario or Hamilton, Bermuda are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Cash Amount shall have the meaning as provided in the Companys Bye-Laws.
Cash Collateral Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) of this Agreement.
Class A Shareholder shall mean any registered holder of at least one Class A Share.
Class A Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Company shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Companys Bye-Laws shall mean the Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of the Company substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, as amended from time to time following the Dividend Date in accordance with their terms.
Dividend Date shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals, and BAM shall notify the Rights Agent in writing immediately following the determination of such date.
DTC means The Depository Trust Company.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Right shall have the meaning as provided in the Companys Bye-Laws.
Exchanging Class A Shareholder shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Investments shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c) of this Agreement.
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Notice of Exchange shall have the meaning as provided in the Companys Bye-Laws.
Participant means, with respect to a Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.
Person shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, business trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
Reserve shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) of this Agreement.
Rights Agent shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Special Dividend shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Specified Exchange Date shall have the meaning as provided in the Companys Bye-Laws.
Subject Class A Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent.
The Rights Agent is hereby appointed to act as agent for each holder of the Exchange Right in accordance with the express terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The obligations of the Rights Agent hereunder shall become effective as of the Dividend Date. The Rights Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of the terms and conditions of any other agreement, instrument, or document (including, without limitation, the Companys Bye-Laws or the Class A Shares) other than this Agreement, except to the extent that defined terms set forth in the Companys Bye-Laws are expressly incorporated herein, whether or not an original or a copy of such agreement, instrument, or document has been provided to the Rights Agent; and the Rights Agent shall have no duty to know or inquire as to the performance or nonperformance of any provision of any such agreement, instrument, or document. Except to the extent that defined terms set forth in the Companys Bye-Laws are expressly incorporated herein, references in this Agreement to any other agreement, instrument, or document are for the convenience of the parties and the Rights Agent has no duties or obligations with respect thereto.
(a) The Exchange Rights are a part of the terms of the Class A Shares and shall not be transferred or assigned separate or apart from the Class A Shares. The Exchange Rights shall not be separately evidenced. Any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of a Class A Share shall also constitute the sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of the Exchange Right associated with such Class A Share.
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(b) Until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, physical certificates for Class A Shares, if any, shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to the Exchange Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Rights Agent, dated as of June 28, 2021, as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented pursuant to its terms (the Agreement), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. The Company will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. The Exchange Rights are a part of the terms of the Class A Shares and shall not be transferred or assigned separate or apart from the Class A Shares.
Notwithstanding this Section 3(b), the omission of a legend shall not affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any holder of the Exchange Rights.
Section 4. Satisfaction of Exchange Rights.
(a) BAM hereby agrees to satisfy, or cause to be satisfied, its obligations with respect to the Exchange Right contained in the Companys Bye-Laws in accordance with the terms thereof and the terms of this Agreement.
(b) In accordance with the Companys Bye-Laws, BAM will, on or prior to the Specified Exchange Date, deliver or cause to be delivered the BAM Shares Amount or Cash Amount to the Exchanging Class A Shareholder.
(c) In the event that, in connection with any Subject Class A Share, BAM has not satisfied its obligation under the Companys Bye-Laws to deliver the BAM Shares Amount or Cash Amount within ten (10) Business Days after the Specified Exchange Date, the holder of the Subject Class A Shares or the Rights Agent, on behalf and at the written direction of a holder of the Subject Class A Shares that also provides the Rights Agent with the unsatisfied Notice of Exchange previously submitted in accordance the Companys Bye-Laws, without the consent of any other holder of Class A Shares, shall have the right, pursuant to this Agreement, to institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against BAM in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, the obligations of BAM to exchange the Subject Class A Shares for the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount, plus unpaid distributions. The Rights Agent may engage one or more co-agents in connection with instituting or maintaining any such action.
(d) The obligation to satisfy the Exchange Right or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement is the obligation of BAM, and the Company has no obligation to deliver BAM Shares or the Cash Amount, to deliver any unpaid distributions, or to cause BAM to do so.
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Section |
5. Exercise of Rights. |
BAM shall cause the BAM Shares Amount delivered to any Exchanging Class A Shareholder pursuant to Section 4(a) to be delivered to or upon the order of the Exchanging Class A Shareholder, registered in such name or names as such Exchanging Class A Shareholder held such Subject Class A Shares (all as set forth in the Notice of Exchange).
Section 6. Confirmation Procedures.
(a) If the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount to be delivered pursuant to Section 4 above is to be delivered in a name other than that in which the Subject Class A Shares surrendered in exchange therefor are registered in the stock transfer books or ledger of the Company, the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount may be delivered to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Subject Class A Shares so surrendered are registered in the stock transfer books or ledger of the Company only if such Subject Class A Shares are properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for surrender and transfer and the Person requesting such delivery has paid to BAM (or any agent designated by BAM) any transfer taxes reasonably expected to be required by reason of the payment of the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount to a Person other than the registered holder of such Subject Class A Shares, or established to the reasonable satisfaction of BAM (or any agent designated by BAM) that such transfer taxes have been paid or are otherwise not payable. Upon satisfaction of the condition in the immediately preceding sentence, BAM shall deliver such BAM Shares Amount or Cash Amount to such other Person.
(b) All Subject Class A Shares shall be delivered free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances whatsoever, and should any such liens, claims and encumbrances exist or arise with respect to such Subject Class A Shares, the Exchanging Class A Shareholder shall not be entitled to exercise its Exchange Rights with respect to such Subject Class A Shares. Each Exchanging Class A Shareholder will pay to BAM the amount of any tax withholding due upon the exchange of Subject Class A Shares pursuant to this Agreement and, in the event BAM elects to acquire some or all of the Subject Class A Shares from the Exchanging Class A Shareholder in exchange for the Cash Amount in accordance with Section 4, will authorize BAM to retain such portion of the Cash Amount as BAM reasonably determines is necessary to satisfy its tax withholding obligations. In the event BAM elects to acquire some or all of the Subject Class A Shares from the Exchanging Class A Shareholder in exchange for the BAM Shares Amount, BAM may elect to either satisfy the amount of any tax withholding due upon the exchange of Subject Class A Shares by retaining BAM Shares with a fair market value, as reasonably determined by BAM in good faith, equal to the amount of such obligation, or satisfy such tax withholding obligation using amounts paid by BAM, which amounts shall be treated as a loan by BAM to the Exchanging Class A Shareholder, in each case, unless the Exchanging Class A Shareholder, at the Exchanging Class A Shareholders election, has paid or has made arrangements satisfactory to BAM, in its sole discretion, to pay, the amount of any such tax withholding. BAM shall notify the Exchanging Class A Shareholder within three (3) Business Days following the date of the receipt of the Notice of Exchange of BAMs good faith estimate of the amount of any tax withholding due upon the exchange of the Subject Class A Shares subject to such Notice of Exchange, provide the Exchanging Class A Shareholder with sufficient opportunity to provide any forms or other documentation or take such other steps in order to avoid or reduce such withholding, and reasonably cooperate with the Exchanging Class A Shareholder in good faith to attempt to reduce any amounts that would otherwise be withheld pursuant to this Section 6(b); provided that any determination with respect to the withholding shall be made by BAM, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6(b), in no event shall an Exchanging Class A Shareholder be subject to withholding both under the Companys Bye-Laws and under this Section 6(b), and any amounts paid or withheld with respect to a Subject Class A Share pursuant to the Companys Bye-Laws shall be credited against and deemed to satisfy the Exchanging Class A Shareholders withholding obligation pursuant to this Section 6(b).
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Section 7. BAM Shares Record Date.
Each former Exchanging Class A Shareholder who receives the BAM Shares Amount upon the exercise of the Exchange Right with respect to any Subject Class A Share pursuant to this Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the owner of the BAM Shares representing the BAM Shares Amount for which the Exchange Right with respect to such Subject Class A Share is exercisable as of the date upon which such Class A Shareholders Subject Class A Share is duly surrendered in accordance with this Agreement. Prior to such Class A Shareholders surrender of such Subject Class A Share in accordance with this Agreement and the Companys Bye-Laws, the Class A Shareholder shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of such BAM Shares for which the Exchange Right with respect to such Subject Class A Share shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of BAM with respect to such BAM Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, any Class A Shareholder who receives the Cash Amount in satisfaction of the Exchange Right with respect to any Class A Share pursuant to this Agreement and the Companys Bye-Laws shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of BAM Shares at any time with respect to the BAM Shares for which the Exchange Right with respect to such Subject Class A Share was exercisable prior to the receipt of such Cash Amount.
(a) BAM agrees that its obligations hereunder shall in no way be terminated, affected or impaired by reason of (a) the assertion by any Class A Shareholder of any rights or remedies which it may have under or with respect to this Agreement or against any Person obligated hereunder, (b) any Class A Shareholders failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any such right or remedy or any right or remedy such Class A Shareholder may have hereunder, (c) any change in the structure or ownership of the Company, (d) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Company, BAM or any other Person, (e) the existence of any claim, set-off or other right that BAM may have at any time against the Company or any of its respective Affiliates, whether in connection with the Exchange Right or otherwise; (f) the validity or enforceability of the Exchange Right; or (g) any other circumstance whatsoever which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of BAM with respect to the Exchange Right, in bankruptcy or any other instance, other than as provided herein.
(b) BAM hereby unconditionally waives any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the Company or its subsidiaries that arise from the existence, payment, performance, or enforcement of BAMs obligations under or in respect of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification.
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(c) BAM hereby represents and warrants that:
(i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action, and do not contravene any provision of BAMs organizational documents or any applicable law, order, judgment or contractual restriction binding on BAM or its assets;
(ii) all consents, approvals, authorizations, permits of, filings with and notifications to, any governmental entity necessary for the due execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by BAM have been obtained or made and all conditions thereof have been duly complied with, and no other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental entity is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement;
(iii) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the BAM enforceable against BAM in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar applicable laws affecting creditors rights generally, and (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and
(iv) as of the date hereof, BAM has the financial capacity to pay and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under Section 10 hereof, are vested in the Class A Shareholders; and any Class A Shareholder may, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of any other Class A Shareholder, on such holders own behalf and for such holders own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against BAM to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holders right to exercise the Exchange Right and the Class A Shareholders rights under this Agreement, in each case in the manner provided in the Companys Bye-Laws and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the Class A Shareholders, it is specifically acknowledged that the Class A Shareholders would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement. BAM agrees to pay all expenses, including all reasonable and documented third party costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel), actually paid or incurred by such Class A Shareholder in enforcing any of such Class A Shareholders rights hereunder or otherwise relating to any litigation or other proceeding brought by such Class A Shareholder to enforce such Class A Shareholders rights hereunder, if such Class A Shareholder prevails in such litigation or proceeding.
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Section 10. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) BAM agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in accordance with Exhibit C attached hereto and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. BAM also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim or liability in connection therewith. The indemnification provided for hereunder shall survive the expiration of the Exchange Rights and the termination of this Agreement. The costs and expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification shall also be paid by BAM.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 10(a), BAM hereby further agrees that so long as this Agreement has not been terminated in accordance with its terms, it will deposit and maintain at all times in a cash collateral account (a Cash Collateral Account) with the Rights Agent an amount equal to $500,000.00 (the Reserve). As security for the obligations of the Rights Agent under Section 4(c) of this Agreement, BAM hereby irrevocably assigns and pledges to the Rights Agent, and hereby grants to the Rights Agent, all cash from time to time deposited into the Cash Collateral Account, all Investments (as defined in Section 10(c) hereof) and certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing the Cash Collateral Account; provided that the Rights Agent shall be entitled to be compensated out of the Reserve only (i) for reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses and counsel fees incurred by the Rights Agent to enforce the provisions of Section 4(c) (including, without limitation, any and all fees and expenses set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto to the extent not promptly paid by BAM) of this Agreement and (ii) after the Rights Agent makes a written demand to BAM for payment for the fees and expenses contemplated by (b)(i) and BAM fails to pay such expenses and fees for thirty (30) days following the date of such request. So long as this Agreement has not been terminated in accordance with its terms and subject to Section 10(c), cash, Investments, security entitlements or other investments held or carried in the Cash Collateral Account shall not be available for use by BAM. If at any time the Reserve balance drops below $500,000.00, BAM will, within five (5) Business Days, deposit cash into the Cash Collateral Account in immediately available funds to bring the Reserve balance back to $500,000.00.
(c) If requested by BAM, the Rights Agent will, from time to time, (a) invest amounts on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account in such deposits, commercial paper and securities (the Investments) as BAM may select and the Rights Agent may approve in its reasonable discretion and (b) invest interest or dividends paid on the Investments and reinvest other proceeds of such Investments which may mature or be sold in new deposits, commercial paper or securities as BAM may select and the Rights Agent may approve in its discretion. Interest and proceeds which are not invested or reinvested shall be deposited and held in the Cash Collateral Account; provided that BAM may at any time or from time to time request release of such interest and proceeds.
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(d) The Rights Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document reasonably believed by it, in good faith, to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of legal counsel to the Rights Agent (who may be an employee of the Rights Agent or outside legal counsel for the Rights Agent). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action.
Section 11. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 13 hereof. The acquisition of substantially all of the Rights Agents assets employed in the exercise of corporate trust powers shall be deemed to be a merger or consolidation for purposes of this Section 11.
Section 12. Duties of Rights Agent.
The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent. Under no circumstances will the Rights Agent be deemed to be a fiduciary to BAM, the Company, any Class A Shareholder or any other person under this Agreement. The Rights Agent will not be responsible or liable for the failure of BAM, the Company, any transfer agent, any Class A Shareholder or any other person to perform in accordance with this Agreement. The Rights Agent shall perform those duties and obligations upon the following terms and conditions:
(a) Before the Rights Agent acts or refrains from acting, it may consult with legal counsel (who may be an employee of the Rights Agent or outside legal counsel for the Rights Agent), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by an authorized signatory of BAM identified in Exhibit B-1 attached hereto and/or the Company identified in Exhibit B-2 (which exhibit may be updated by BAM and/or the Company from time to time in BAMs and/or the Companys reasonable discretion, provided that such update does not adversely affect any Class A Shareholder or its rights hereunder in any respect) and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
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(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Rights Agent shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any special, indirect or consequential damages or losses of any kind whatsoever (including without limitation lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the possibility of such losses or damages and regardless of the form of action.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Companys Bye-Laws or be required to verify the same.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by BAM of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any BAM Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or as to whether any BAM Shares will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) BAM agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept (and shall be entitled to conclusively and exclusively rely upon, without further inquiry) instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any Person reasonably believed by the Rights Agent to be one of the authorized signatories of BAM and the Company listed on Exhibit B-1 and Exhibit B-2, respectively, attached hereto (which exhibit may be updated by BAM and the Company from time to time in BAMs and the Companys reasonable discretion, provided that such update does not adversely affect any Class A Shareholder or its rights hereunder in any respect), and to apply to such Persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, whenever the Rights Agent is unable to decide between alternative courses of action permitted or required by the terms of this Agreement, or in the event that the Rights Agent is unsure as to the application of any provision of this Agreement or believes any such provision is ambiguous as to its application, or is, or appears to be, in conflict with any other applicable provision, or in the event that this Agreement permits any determination or discretion by the Rights Agent or is silent or is incomplete as to the course of action that the Rights Agent is required to take with respect to a particular set of facts, the Rights Agent shall promptly give notice (in such form as shall be appropriate under the circumstances) to BAM requesting instruction as to the course of action to be adopted, and to the extent the Rights Agent acts in good faith in accordance with any written instructions received from BAM the Rights Agent shall not be liable on account of such action to any person. If the Rights Agent shall not have received appropriate instruction within ten (10) days of such notice (or such shorter period as reasonably may be specified in such notice or as may be necessary under the circumstances) it shall be entitled to take no action and shall give prompt written notice of its decision not to take action to BAM, to the Company, and to any Exchanging Class A Shareholder that may be affected by such decision not to take action. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from BAM may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received, in response to such application, written instructions with respect to the proposed action or omission specifying a different action to be taken or omitted.
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(h) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Class A Shares or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which BAM or the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to BAM or the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for BAM, the Company or for any other Person.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to BAM or the Class A Shareholders resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability (other than expenses and overhead incurred in the ordinary course by the Rights Agents performance under this Agreement) in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) The Rights Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any fact, event or determination under this Agreement unless and until the Rights Agent shall be specifically notified in writing by an Exchanging Class A Shareholder of such fact, event or determination.
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(l) The Rights Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligation under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; wars; acts of terrorism; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemic; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental action; it being understood that the Rights Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(m) The Rights Agent may rely upon and shall not be liable for acting or refraining from acting upon any written notice, instruction or request furnished to it hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Rights Agent shall be under no duty to inquire into or investigate the validity, accuracy or content of any such document.
(n) Unless subject to reimbursement by BAM pursuant to Section 10(a), Section 10(b) or reasonably necessary in order for the Rights Agent to perform its express obligations hereunder in accordance herewith, notwithstanding anything contained herein or elsewhere to the contrary, the Rights Agent shall not be required to take any action in any jurisdiction other than in the State of Delaware if the taking of such action will (x) require the Rights Agent in its individual capacity to obtain the consent, approval, authorization or order of or the giving of notice to, or the registration with, or taking of any action in respect of, any state or other governmental authority or agency other than the State of Delaware; (y) result in any fee, tax or other governmental charge under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware becoming payable by the Rights Agent in its individual capacity, or (z) subject the Rights Agent in its individual capacity to personal jurisdiction in any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware for causes of action arising from acts unrelated to the consummation of the transactions by the Rights Agent contemplated hereby.
(o) The right of the Rights Agent to perform any discretionary act (if any) enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as a duty (including, without limitation, the right to institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against BAM under Section 4(c) of this Agreement).
(p) Prior to taking any action in accordance with Section 4(c) of this Agreement, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to request and receive written instructions from the applicable holder of the Subject Class A Shares, and the Rights Agent shall have no liability for any action taken by the Rights Agent in accordance with any written instructions received from such holder.
Section 13. Change of Rights Agent.
The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days notice in writing mailed to BAM and the Company. BAM may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days notice in writing, either (i) mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, by registered or certified mail or (ii) sent to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, via email (with receipt confirmed). If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, BAM shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If BAM shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by a Class A Shareholder, then any Class A Shareholder may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by BAM or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment BAM shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and the Company. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 13, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
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Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by any Exchanging Class A Shareholder, other Class A Shareholder, or other holder of an Exchange Right, to or on BAM shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid or sent via email, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Place, Suite 300
181 Bay Street, P.O. Box 762
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2T3
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
Email address: enquiries@brookfield.com
and
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
73 Front Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton HM 12 Bermuda
Attention: Company Secretary
Email address: BAMR.enquiries@brookfield.com
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Subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by BAM or by any Exchanging Class A Shareholder, other Class A Shareholder, or other holder of an Exchange Right to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by registered or certified mail or sent via email and shall be deemed given upon receipt and, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with BAM) as follows:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
Attn: Robert L. Reynolds
246 Goose Lane, Suite 105
Guilford, CT 06437
Phone: (203) 453-1318
Fax: (203) 453-1183
Email address: rlreynolds@wilmingtontrust.com
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by BAM, the Company or the Rights Agent to any Class A Shareholder shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid or sent via email (with receipt confirmed), addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company or the transfer agent for the Class A Shares.
Section 15. Supplements and Amendments.
BAM may not materially amend, modify or alter this Agreement or repeal, terminate or waive any rights under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence and with the consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, BAM may from time to time, and the Rights Agent shall, if BAM so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any Class A Shareholder in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, to make modifications necessary to reflect changes in applicable law, including, without limitation, tax law, or to make any other change, in each case, provided that such change, amendment, modification or supplementation does not adversely affect any Class A Shareholder, the Company or its rights hereunder in any respect.
Any supplement or amendment authorized by this Section 15 shall be evidenced by a writing signed by BAM, the Company and the Rights Agent. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment that changes the rights and duties of the Rights Agent under this Agreement will be effective against the Rights Agent without the execution of such supplement or amendment by the Rights Agent. In executing any amendment or supplement contemplated hereby, the Rights Agent shall be provided with, and shall be entitled to conclusively and exclusively rely upon, an opinion of counsel (which may be counsel to BAM or the Company) stating that the execution of such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement and all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery thereof have been duly satisfied or waived.
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All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of BAM, the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
Section 17. Benefits of this Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than BAM, the Company and the Rights Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, BAM, the Company and the Rights Agent expressly acknowledge and agree that each Class A Shareholder is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement and that each Class A Shareholder shall have the full right to enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms as if it were a signatory hereto.
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
Section 19. Governing Law; Forum Selection.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party to this Agreement irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that any action suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement, and all the rights and obligations governed by this Agreement, including the rights of the Class A Shareholders in accordance with Section 4 and Section 9, shall be brought and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Delaware, or, if both the Delaware Court of Chancery and the federal courts within the State of Delaware decline to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any other state court within the State of Delaware, and, in each case, any appellate court therefrom. No action, suit or proceeding relating thereto shall be commenced in any other court. Service of any process, summons, notice or document if delivered or made pursuant to Section 14 shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding. Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in the aforementioned courts and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives all claims, and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court, that any action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 21. Descriptive Headings.
The table of contents and descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
This Agreement shall have a perpetual term and will terminate automatically on the earlier of such time as (i) no Class A Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire Class A Shares) are held by any person other than Brookfield and (ii) there is an amendment to the terms of the Class A Shares that eliminates the right of the holders to exchange the Class A Shares for the BAM Shares Amount or the Cash Amount (plus unpaid distributions).
Section 23. No Waiver; Cumulative Rights.
No failure on the part of any Class A Shareholder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, remedy or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by any Class A Shareholder of any right, remedy or power hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any right, remedy or power hereunder by such Class A Shareholder or any other Class A Shareholder. Each and every right, remedy and power hereby granted to the Class A Shareholders shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right, remedy or power, and may be exercised by any Class A Shareholder at any time or from time to time.
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Section 24. Fractional Shares.
Class A Shareholders holding a number of Subject Class A Shares which would entitle such holders to receive less than one whole BAM Share pursuant to this Agreement shall receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. Fractional BAM Shares shall not be distributed to Class A Shareholders or credited to book-entry accounts. With respect to any delivery of BAM Shares to a Class A Shareholder under this Agreement, BAM shall promptly instruct the transfer agent for the BAM Shares to, as soon as practicable, (a) determine the number of whole BAM Shares and fractional BAM Shares allocable to each holder of record or beneficial owner of Class A Shares entitled to receive BAM Shares at such time, (b) aggregate all such fractional shares into whole BAM Shares and sell the whole BAM Shares obtained thereby in open market transactions, in each case, at then-prevailing trading prices on behalf of holders who would otherwise be entitled to fractional BAM Shares, and (c) distribute to each such holder, or for the benefit of each such beneficial owner, such holder or owners ratable share of the net proceeds of such sale, based upon the average gross selling price per BAM Share after making appropriate deductions for any amount required to be withheld for tax purposes and any brokerage fees incurred in connection with these sales of fractional BAM Shares. Neither BAM, the Company nor the Rights Agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional BAM Shares. Neither BAM nor the Rights Agent will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional BAM Shares. The transfer agent of the BAM Shares acting on behalf of the applicable party will have the sole discretion to select the broker-dealers through which to sell the aggregated fractional BAM Shares and to determine when, how and at what price to sell such shares, provided that neither the transfer agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional BAM Shares are sold shall be Affiliates of BAM.
Reference in this Agreement to certificates for Class A Shares or BAM Shares shall include, in the case of uncertificated shares, the balances indicated in the book-entry account system of the transfer agent for the Class A Shares or BAM Shares, as applicable. Any legend required to be placed on any certificates for Class A Shares or BAM Shares may instead be included on any book-entry confirmation or notification to the registered holder of such Class A Shares or BAM Shares.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
|||
Name: |
Kathy Sarpash | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. | ||||
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|||
Name: |
James Bodi | |||
Title: | Vice President |
Wilmington Trust, National Association as Rights Agent | ||||
By: |
/s/ Robert L. Reynolds |
|||
Name: |
Robert Reynolds | |||
Title: | Vice President |
[Signature Page to Rights Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
Form of the Companys Bye-Laws
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYE-LAWS
OF
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
The undersigned HEREBY CERTIFIES that the attached Bye-Laws are a true copy of the Bye-Laws of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (Company) adopted by the Shareholder(s) of the Company on June 24, 2021.
/s/ Gregory E.A. Morrison
|
Director |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
73 Front Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYE-LAWS OF BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
INDEX
Bye-Law | Page | |||
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
1 | |||
REGISTERED OFFICE |
4 | |||
SHARE CAPITAL |
4 | |||
MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS |
6 | |||
SHARES |
6 | |||
CERTIFICATES |
7 | |||
REGISTER OF SHAREHOLDERS |
8 | |||
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
8 | |||
TRANSFER OF SHARES |
8 | |||
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES |
10 | |||
INCREASE OF CAPITAL |
11 | |||
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL |
11 | |||
REDUCTION OF CAPITAL |
12 | |||
GENERAL MEETINGS AND RESOLUTIONS IN WRITING |
12 | |||
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS |
13 | |||
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS |
14 | |||
VOTING |
16 | |||
PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES |
18 | |||
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS |
20 | |||
RESIGNATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS |
24 | |||
DIRECTORS INTERESTS |
24 | |||
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD |
25 | |||
FEES, GRATUITIES AND PENSIONS |
26 | |||
DELEGATION OF THE BOARDS POWERS |
26 | |||
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD |
27 | |||
OFFICERS |
29 | |||
MINUTES |
30 |
SECRETARY AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE |
30 | |||
THE SEAL |
30 | |||
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS |
31 | |||
RESERVES |
32 | |||
CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS |
33 | |||
RECORD DATES |
33 | |||
ACCOUNTING RECORDS |
34 | |||
AUDIT |
35 | |||
SERVICE OF NOTICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS |
35 | |||
DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS |
36 | |||
WINDING UP |
37 | |||
INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE |
38 | |||
AMALGAMATION AND MERGER |
39 | |||
CONTINUATION |
39 | |||
ALTERATION OF BYE-LAWS |
40 | |||
UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS |
40 | |||
FORUM SELECTION |
41 |
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYELAWS
OF
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
(Adopted by a Resolution dated June 24, 2021)
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1. |
In these Bye-Laws, unless the context otherwise requires: |
Auditor: the person or firm for the time being appointed as auditor of the Company;
Bermuda: the Islands of Bermuda;
Board: the Directors of the Company appointed or elected pursuant to these Bye-Laws and acting by resolution as provided for in the Companies Act and in these Bye-Laws or the Directors present at a meeting of Directors at which there is a quorum;
Class A Shares: the class A exchangeable limited voting shares, par value US$40.00 per share, in the capital of the Company;
Class B Shares: the class B limited voting shares, par value US$40.00 per share, in the capital of the Company;
Class C Shares: the class C non-voting shares, par value US$1.00 per share, in the capital of the Company;
clear days: in relation to the period of a notice, that period excluding the day on which the notice is given or served, or deemed to be given or served, and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;
Companies Act: the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as may be amended;
Company: Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., a company incorporated in Bermuda on December 16, 2020;
Director: any person duly elected or appointed as a director of the Company and any person occupying the position of director of the Company by whatever name called;
Electronic Record: has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999;
Foreign Action: has the meaning as set out in Bye-Law 174;
Indemnified Person: any Director, Officer, Resident Representative, member of a committee duly constituted under these Bye-Laws and any liquidator, manager or trustee for the time being acting in relation to the affairs of the Company (including anyone previously acting in such capacity), and his heirs, executors and administrators, administrators, personal representatives or successors or assigns;
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Junior Preferred Shares: the class A junior preferred shares, par value US$25.00 per share, and the class B junior preferred shares, par value C$25.00 per share, in the capital of the Company;
Officer: a person appointed by the Board to hold an office in the Company pursuant to these Bye-Laws but shall not include the Auditor;
outstanding: when used to describe a share, means a share that is issued but not held by the Company as a treasury share;
paid up: paid up or credited as paid up;
Preferred Shares: the Senior Preferred Shares and the Junior Preferred Shares;
Register: the Register of Shareholders of the Company maintained by the Company in Bermuda;
Registered Office: the registered office for the time being of the Company in Bermuda;
Resident Representative: (if any) the individual or the company appointed to perform the duties of resident representative set out in the Companies Act and includes any assistant or deputy Resident Representative appointed by the Board to perform any of the duties of the Resident Representative;
Resolution: a resolution of the Shareholders passed in a general meeting or, where required, of a separate class or separate classes of Shareholders passed in a separate general meeting or in either case adopted by resolution in writing, in accordance with the provisions of these Bye-Laws; for greater certainty, for so long as the Class A Shares and Class B Shares are outstanding, all references to a Resolution in these bye-laws shall mean a resolution passed in accordance with Bye-Law 60;
Seal: the common seal of the Company (if any) and includes every authorised duplicate seal;
Secretary: the secretary for the time being of the Company and any person appointed to perform any of the duties of the secretary;
Senior Preferred Shares: the class A senior preferred shares, par value US$25.00 per share, and the class B senior preferred shares, par value C$25.00 per share, in the capital of the Company;
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share: a share in the capital of the Company and includes stock, treasury shares and a fraction of a share/stock;
Shareholder: the person registered in the Register as the holder of shares;
Specified Place: the place, if any, specified in the notice of any meeting of the Shareholders, or adjourned meeting of the Shareholders, at which the chairman of the meeting shall preside;
Subsidiary and Holding Company: have the same meanings as in section 86 of the Companies Act, except that references in that section to a company shall include any body corporate or other legal entity, whether incorporated or established in Bermuda or elsewhere; and
these Bye-Laws: the amended and restated bye-laws of the Company in their present form.
1.1 |
For the purposes of these Bye-Laws, a corporation which is a Shareholder shall be deemed to be present in person at a general meeting if, in accordance with the Companies Act, its authorised representative(s) is/are present. |
1.2 |
Words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa. |
1.3 |
Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender. |
1.4 |
Words importing persons include any company or association or body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporated and natural persons. |
1.5 |
Any reference to writing includes all modes of representing or reproducing words in a visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record. |
1.6 |
Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in the Companies Act bear the same meanings in these Bye-Laws. |
1.7 |
Headings are used for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of these Bye-Laws. |
1.8 |
A reference to anything being done by electronic means includes its being done by means of any electronic or other communications equipment or facilities and reference to any communication being delivered or received, or being delivered or received at a particular place, includes the transmission of an Electronic Record to a recipient identified in such manner or by such means as the Board may from time to time approve or prescribe, either generally or for a particular purpose. |
3 of 42
1.9 |
A reference to a signature or to anything being signed or executed include such forms of electronic signature or other means of verifying the authenticity of an Electronic Record as the Board may from time to time approve or prescribe, either generally or for a particular purpose. |
1.10 |
A reference to any statute or statutory provision (whether in Bermuda or elsewhere) includes a reference to any modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force and to every rule, regulation or order made under it (or under any such modification or re-enactment) and for the time being in force and any reference to any rule, regulation or order made under any such statute or statutory provision includes a reference to any modification or replacement of such rule, regulation or order for the time being in force. |
1.11 |
In these Bye-Laws: |
(a) |
powers of delegation shall not be restrictively construed but the widest interpretation shall be given thereto; |
(b) |
the word Board in the context of the exercise of any power contained in these Bye-Laws includes any committee consisting of one or more Directors, any Director holding executive office and any local or divisional Board, manager or agent of the Company to which or, as the ease may be, to whom the power in question has been delegated; |
(c) |
no power of delegation shall be limited by the existence or, except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the exercise of any other power of delegation; and |
(d) |
except where expressly provided by the terms of delegation, the delegation of a power shall not exclude the concurrent exercise of that power by any other body or person who is for the time being authorised to exercise it under these Bye-Laws or under another delegation of the powers. |
REGISTERED OFFICE
2. |
The Registered Office shall be at such place in Bermuda as the Board shall from time to time appoint. |
SHARE CAPITAL
3. |
The authorised share capital of the Company at the date of adoption of these Bye-Laws is: |
(a) |
1,000,000,000 Class A Shares, par value of US$40.00 per share; |
(b) |
500,000 Class B Shares, par value of US$40.00 per share; |
4 of 42
(c) |
1,000,000,000 Class C Shares, par value of US$1.00 per share; |
(d) |
1,000,000,000 Class A Junior Preferred Shares (issuable in series) having a par value of US$25.00 per share; |
(e) |
1,000,000,000 Class B Junior Preferred Shares (issuable in series) having a par value of C$25.00; |
(f) |
100,000,000 Class A Senior Preferred Shares (issuable in series) having a par value of US$25.00 per share; and |
(g) |
100,000,000 Class B Senior Preferred Shares (issuable in series) having a par value of C$25.00 per share. |
4. |
The Class A Shares, the Class B Shares, the Class C Shares, the Junior Preferred Shares and the Senior Preferred Shares shall, subject to the other provisions of these Bye-Laws, entitle the holders thereof to the rights as set forth on Schedule A hereto. |
5. |
The Board may, at its discretion and without the sanction of a Resolution, authorise the purchase by the Company of its own shares, of any class, at any price (whether at par or above or below par), and any shares to be so purchased may be selected in any manner whatsoever, upon such terms as the Board may in its discretion determine, provided always that such purchase is effected in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act. The whole or any part of the amount payable on any such purchase may be paid or satisfied otherwise than in cash, to the extent permitted by the Companies Act. |
6. |
The Board may, at its discretion and without the sanction of a Resolution, authorise the acquisition by the Company of its own shares, of any class, at any price (whether at par or above or below par), and any shares to be so purchased may be selected in any manner whatsoever, and may be cancelled or may be held as treasury shares, upon such terms as the Board may in its discretion determine, provided always that such acquisition is effected in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act. The whole or any part of the amount payable on any such acquisition may be paid or satisfied otherwise than in cash, to the extent permitted by the Companies Act. If the acquired shares are not cancelled, the Company shall be entered in the Register as a Shareholder in respect of the shares held by the Company as treasury shares and shall be a Shareholder of the Company but subject always to the provisions of the Companies Act and for the avoidance of doubt the Company shall not exercise any rights and shall not enjoy or participate in any of the rights attaching to those shares save as expressly provided for in the Companies Act. |
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MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS
7. |
Subject to the Companies Act, all or any of the special rights for the time being attached to any class of shares for the time being issued may from time to time (whether or not the Company is being wound up) be altered or abrogated with the sanction of a Resolution. |
8. |
For the purposes of Bye-Law 7, unless otherwise expressly provided by the rights attached to any shares or class of shares, those rights attaching to any class of shares for the time being shall not be deemed to be altered by: |
(a) |
the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with them; |
(b) |
the creation or issue for full value (as determined by the Board) of further shares ranking as regards participation in the profits or assets of the Company or otherwise in priority to them; or |
(c) |
the purchase or redemption by the Company of any of its own shares. |
SHARES
9. |
Subject to the provisions of these Bye-Laws, the unissued shares of the Company (whether forming part of the original capital or any increased capital) shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may offer, allot, grant options over or otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as the Board may determine. |
10. |
Subject to the provisions of these Bye-Laws, any shares of the Company held by the Company as treasury shares shall be at the disposal of the Board, which may hold all or any of the shares, dispose of or transfer all or any of the shares for cash or other consideration, or cancel all or any of the shares. |
11. |
The Board may in connection with the issue of any shares exercise all powers of paying commission and brokerage conferred or permitted by law. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, any such commission or brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one way and partly in the other. |
12. |
Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, no person shall be recognised by the Company as holding any share upon trust and the Company shall not be bound by or required in any way to recognise (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or in any fractional part of a share or (except only as otherwise provided in these Bye-Laws or by law) any other right in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the registered holder. |
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13. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bye-Laws, for as long as the Class A Shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange: |
(a) |
the Board may only issue shares as non-assessable and after the consideration for each share is fully paid in money or in property or past services that are not less in value than the fair equivalent of the money that the Company would have received if the share(s) had been issued for money; and |
(b) |
Directors who vote for or consent to a resolution authorizing the issue of any share(s) pursuant to these Bye-Laws for consideration other than money are jointly and severally liable to the Company to make good any amount by which the consideration received is less than the fair equivalent of the money that the Company would have received if the share(s) had been issued for money on the date of the resolution. |
CERTIFICATES
14. |
No share certificates shall be issued by the Company unless, in respect of a class of shares, the Board has either for all or for some holders of such shares (who may be determined in such manner as the Board thinks fit) determined that the holder of such shares may be entitled to share certificates. In the case of a share held jointly by several persons, delivery of a certificate to one of several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all. |
15. |
If a share certificate is defaced, lost or destroyed, it may be replaced without fee but on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and to payment of the costs and out of pocket expenses of the Company in investigating such evidence and preparing such indemnity as the Board may think fit and, in case of defacement, on delivery of the old certificate to the Company. |
16. |
All certificates for share or loan capital or other securities of the Company (other than letters of allotment, scrip certificates and other like documents) shall, except to the extent that the terms and conditions for the time being relating thereto otherwise provide, be in such form as the Board may determine and issued under the Seal or signed by a Director, the Secretary or any person authorised by the Board for that purpose. The Board may by resolution determine, either generally or in any particular case, that any signatures on any such certificates need not be autographic but may be affixed to such certificates by some mechanical means or may be printed thereon or that such certificates need not be signed by any persons, or may determine that a representation of the Seal may be printed on any such certificates. If any person holding an office in the Company who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been used on, any certificate ceases for any reason to hold his office, such certificate may nevertheless be issued as though that person had not ceased to hold such office. |
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17. |
Nothing in these Bye-Laws shall prevent title to any securities of the Company from being evidenced and/or transferred without a written instrument in accordance with the Companies Act or the regulations made from time to time in this regard thereunder, and the Board shall have power to implement any arrangements which it may think fit for such evidencing and/or transfer which accord with the Companies Act or the regulations thereunder. |
REGISTER OF SHAREHOLDERS
18. |
The Register shall be kept at the Registered Office or at such other place in Bermuda as the Board may from time to time direct, in the manner prescribed by the Companies Act. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, the Company may keep one or more overseas or branch registers in any place, and the Board may make, amend and revoke any such regulations as it may think fit respecting the keeping of such registers. The Board may authorise any share on the Register to be included in a branch register or any share registered on a branch register to be registered on another branch register, provided that at all times the Register is maintained in accordance with the Companies Act. |
19. |
The Register or any branch register may be closed at such times and for such period as the Board may from time to time decide, subject to the Companies Act. Except during such time as it is closed, the Register and each branch register shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Act between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (or between such other times as the Board from time to time determines) on every working day. Unless the Board so determines, no Shareholder or intending Shareholder shall be entitled to have entered in the Register or any branch register any indication of any trust or any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or any fractional part of a share and if any such entry exists or is permitted by the Board it shall not be deemed to abrogate any of the provisions of Bye-Law 12. |
REGISTER OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
20. |
The Secretary shall establish and maintain a register of the Directors and Officers of the Company as required by the Companies Act. The register of Directors and Officers shall be open to inspection in the manner prescribed by the Companies Act between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon (or between such other times as the Board from time to time determines) in Bermuda on every working day. |
TRANSFER OF SHARES
21. |
Subject to the Companies Act and to such of the exceptions and restrictions contained in these Bye-Laws as may be applicable, any Shareholder may transfer all or any of his shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual common form or in any other form which the Board may approve. |
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22. |
The instrument of transfer of a share shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and where any share is not fully-paid, the transferee. The transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof. All instruments of transfer when registered may be retained by the Company. The Board may, in its absolute discretion and without assigning any reason therefor, decline to register any transfer of any share which is not a fully-paid share. The Board may also decline to register any transfer unless: |
(a) |
the instrument of transfer is duly stamped (if required by law) and lodged with the Company, at such place as the Board shall appoint for the purpose, accompanied by the certificate for the shares (if any has been issued) to which it relates, and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer, |
(b) |
the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of share, |
(c) |
the instrument of transfer is in favour of less than five (5) persons jointly; and |
(d) |
it is satisfied that all applicable consents, authorisations, permissions or approvals of any governmental body or agency in Bermuda or any other applicable jurisdiction required to be obtained under relevant law prior to such transfer have been obtained. |
23. |
Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under Bye-Laws 21 and 22. |
24. |
If the Board declines to register a transfer it shall, within three (3) months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to the transferee notice of such refusal. |
25. |
A reasonable fee determined by the Board may be charged by the Company for registering any transfer, probate, letters of administration, certificate of death or marriage, power of attorney, order of court or other instrument relating to or affecting the title to any share, or otherwise making an entry in the Register relating to any share, (except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed on it in connection with such transfer or entry). |
26. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bye-Laws, shares that are listed or admitted to trading on an appointed stock exchange may be transferred in accordance with the rules and requirements of such exchange. |
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TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
27. |
In the case of the death of a Shareholder, the survivor or survivors, where the deceased was a joint holder, and the estate representative, where he was sole holder, shall be the only person recognised by the Company as having any title to his shares; but nothing herein contained shall release the estate of a deceased holder (whether the sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any share held by him solely or jointly with other persons. For the purpose of this Bye-Law 27, estate representative means the person to whom probate or letters of administration has or have been granted in Bermuda or, failing any such person, such other person as the Board may in its absolute discretion determine to be the person recognised by the Company for the purpose of this Bye-Law 27. |
28. |
Any person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of applicable law may, subject as hereafter provided and upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Board as to his entitlement, either be registered himself as the holder of the share or elect to have some person nominated by him registered as the transferee thereof. If the person so becoming entitled elects to be registered himself, he shall deliver or send to the Company a notice in writing signed by him stating that he so elects. If he shall elect to have his nominee registered, he shall signify his election by signing an instrument of transfer of such share in favour of his nominee. All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfer of shares shall be applicable to any such notice or instrument of transfer as aforesaid as if the death of the Shareholder or other event giving rise to the transmission had not occurred and the notice or instrument of transfer was an instrument of transfer signed by such Shareholder. |
29. |
A person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death of a Shareholder or otherwise by operation of applicable law shall (upon such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Board as to his entitlement) be entitled to receive and may give a discharge for any dividends or other monies payable in respect of the share, but he shall not be entitled in respect of the share to receive notices of or to attend or vote at general meetings of the Company or, save as aforesaid, to exercise in respect of the share any of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder until he shall have become registered as the holder thereof. The Board may at any time give notice requiring such person to elect either to be registered himself or to transfer the share and, if the notice is not complied with within sixty (60) days, the Board may thereafter withhold payment of all dividends and other monies payable in respect of the shares until the requirements of the notice have been complied with. |
30. |
Subject to any directions of the Board from time to time in force, the Secretary may exercise the powers and discretions of the Board under Bye-Laws 27, 28 and 29. |
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INCREASE OF CAPITAL
31. |
The Company may from time to time increase its capital by such sum to be divided into shares of such par value as the Board, with the sanction of a Resolution, shall prescribe. |
32. |
The Board may, with the sanction of a Resolution increasing the capital, direct that the new shares or any of them shall be offered in the first instance either at par or at a premium or (subject to the provisions of the Companies Act) at a discount to all the holders for the time being of shares of any class or classes in proportion to the number of such shares held by them respectively or make any other provision as to the issue of the new shares. |
33. |
The new shares shall be subject to all the provisions of these Bye-Laws. |
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
34. |
The Board may from time to time, and without the sanction of a Resolution: |
(a) |
divide the Companys shares into several classes and attach thereto respectively any preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges or conditions; |
(b) |
consolidate and divide all or any of the Companys share capital into shares of larger par value than its existing shares; |
(c) |
subdivide the Companys shares or any of them into shares of smaller par value than is fixed by the Companys memorandum, so, however, that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in the case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; and |
(d) |
make provision for the issue and allotment of shares which do not carry any voting rights. |
35. |
The Board may from time to time with the sanction of a Resolution: |
(a) |
cancel shares which, at the date of the passing of the Resolution in that behalf, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled; and |
(b) |
change the currency denomination of its share capital. |
36. |
Where any difficulty arises in regard to any division, consolidation, or subdivision under Bye-Law 34, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may arrange for the sale of the shares representing fractions and the distribution of the net proceeds of sale in due proportion amongst the Shareholders who would have been entitled to the fractions, and for this purpose the Board may authorise some person to transfer the shares representing fractions to the purchaser thereof, who shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings relating to the sale. |
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37. |
Subject to the Companies Act and to any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-Laws, the Company may by Resolution from time to time convert any preference shares into redeemable preference shares. |
REDUCTION OF CAPITAL
38. |
Subject to the Companies Act, its memorandum and any confirmation or consent required by law or these Bye-Laws, the Board may from time to time with the sanction of a Resolution authorise the reduction of the Companys issued share capital or any share premium account in any manner. |
39. |
In relation to any such reduction, the Board may, with the sanction of a Resolution, determine the terms upon which such reduction is to be effected including (a) in the case of a reduction of part only of a class of shares, those shares to be affected, and (b) in the case of a reduction of capital that is not returned to the affected Shareholders, by crediting the contributed surplus account for the shares affected. |
GENERAL MEETINGS AND RESOLUTIONS IN WRITING
40. |
The Board shall convene and the Company shall hold general meetings as annual general meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act at such times and places as the Board shall appoint. The Board may, whenever it thinks fit, and shall, when requisitioned by Shareholders pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, convene general meetings other than annual general meetings, which shall be called special general meetings, at such time and place as the Board may appoint. Any annual or special general meeting may be held, in whole or in part, by telephonic or electronic means, including, without limitation, through the use of one or more of webcasting, telephone conference and/or other electronic means and a Shareholder who, through those means, votes at the meeting or establishes a communications link to the meeting shall be deemed to be present at the meeting. |
41. |
Except in the case of the removal of Auditors or Directors, anything which may be done by resolution in general meeting or by resolution of any class of Shareholders in a separate general meeting may be done by resolution in writing, signed by the Shareholders (or the holders of such class of shares) who at the date of the notice of the resolution in writing represent the votes that would be required if the resolution had been voted on at a meeting of the Shareholders. Such resolution in writing may be signed by the Shareholder or its proxy, or in the case of a Shareholder that is a corporation (whether or not a company within the meaning of the Companies Act) by its representative on behalf of such Shareholder, in as many counterparts as may be necessary. |
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42. |
Notice of any resolution in writing to be made under Bye-Law 41 shall be given to all the Shareholders who would be entitled to attend a meeting and vote on the resolution. The requirement to give notice of any resolution in writing to be made under Bye-Law 41 to such Shareholders shall be satisfied by giving to those Shareholders a copy of that resolution in writing in the same manner that is required for a notice of a general meeting of the Company at which the resolution could have been considered, except that the length of the period of notice shall not apply. The date of the notice shall be set out in the copy of the resolution in writing. |
43. |
The accidental omission to give notice, in accordance with Bye-Law 42, of a resolution in writing to, or the non-receipt of such notice by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate the passing of the resolution in writing. |
44. |
For the purposes of Bye-Law 41, the date of the resolution in writing is the date when the resolution in writing is signed by, or on behalf of, the Shareholder who establishes the votes required for the passing of the resolution in writing and any reference in any enactment to the date of passing of a resolution is, in relation to a resolution in writing made in accordance with Bye-Law 41, a reference to such date. |
45. |
A resolution in writing made in accordance with Bye-Law 41 is as valid as if it had been passed by the Company in general meeting or, if applicable, by a meeting of the relevant class of Shareholders of the Company, as the case may be. A resolution in writing made in accordance with Bye-Law 41 shall constitute minutes for the purposes of the Companies Act and these Bye-Laws. |
46. |
All the provisions of these Bye-Laws as to general meetings of the Company shall mutatis mutandis apply to any separate general meeting of the holders of shares of any class. |
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
47. |
An annual or special general meeting shall be called by not less than 21 clear days notice in writing, or, in each case, such other notice period as may be permitted by the Companies Act. The notice shall specify the day, time and location of the meeting (which may be held, in whole or in part, by telephonic or electronic means), and the nature of the business to be considered. Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner permitted by these Bye-Laws to all Shareholders other than such as, under the provisions of these Bye-Laws or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive such notice from the Company and to each Director, and to any Resident Representative who or which has delivered a written notice upon the Registered Office requiring that such notice be sent to him or it. |
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48. |
The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting or (in cases where instruments of proxy are sent out with the notice) the accidental omission to send such instrument of proxy to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting or such instrument of proxy by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting. |
49. |
A Shareholder present in person and each person holding a valid proxy at any meeting of the Company or of the holders of any class of shares in the Company shall be deemed to have received notice of the meeting and, where requisite, of the purposes for which it was called. |
50. |
The Board may cancel or postpone a meeting of the Shareholders after it has been convened and notice of such cancellation or postponement shall be served in accordance with these Bye-Laws upon all Shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting so cancelled or postponed setting out, where the meeting is postponed to a specific date, notice of the new meeting in accordance with Bye-Law 47. |
PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS
51. |
No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the time that the meeting proceeds to business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the appointment, choice or election of a chairman, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting. Save as herein otherwise provided, a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of Shareholders shall be two (2) persons present and each entitled to vote at the meeting. |
52. |
If within five (5) minutes (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting may determine to wait) after the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of Shareholders, shall be dissolved. In any other case, it shall stand adjourned to such other day and such other time and place as the chairman of the meeting may determine and at such adjourned meeting Shareholders present in person and any persons holding a valid proxy who are entitled to vote at such meeting shall be a quorum. |
53. |
A meeting of the Shareholders or any class thereof may be held by means of such telephonic, electronic or other communication facilities (including without limiting the generality of the foregoing, by telephone, webcasting or video conferencing) as permit all person participating in the meeting to communicate which each other as is required to facilitate the proper conduct of the meeting. If it appears to the chairman of a general meeting that the Specified Place is inadequate to accommodate all persons entitled and wishing to attend, the meeting is duly constituted and its proceedings are valid if the chairman is satisfied that adequate facilities are available, whether at the Specified Place or elsewhere, to ensure that each such person who is unable to be accommodated at the Specified Place is able to communicate with the persons present at the Specified Place, whether through the use of one or more of webcasting, telephone conference and/or other electronic means. |
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54. |
Subject to the Companies Act, a resolution may only be put to a vote at a general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholders if: |
(a) |
it is proposed by or at the direction of the Board; or |
(b) |
it is proposed at the direction of the Court; or |
(c) |
it is proposed on the requisition in writing of such number of Shareholders as is prescribed by, and is made in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the Companies Act; or |
(d) |
the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that the resolution may properly be regarded as within the scope of the meeting. |
55. |
No amendment may be made to a resolution, at or before the time when it is put to a vote, unless the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that the amendment or the amended resolution may properly be put to a vote at that meeting. |
56. |
If the chairman of the meeting rules a resolution or an amendment to a resolution admissible or out of order (as the case may be), the proceedings of the meeting or on the resolution in question shall not be invalidated by any error in his ruling. Any ruling by the chairman of the meeting in relation to a resolution or an amendment to a resolution shall be final and conclusive. |
57. |
The Resident Representative, if any, upon giving the notice referred to in Bye-Law 47 above, shall be entitled to attend any general meeting of the Company and each Director shall be entitled to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company. |
58. |
The chairman (if any) of the Board shall preside as chairman at every general meeting of the Company. If there is no such chairman, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is unwilling to act as chairman, the Directors present shall choose one of their number to act or if only one Director is present he shall preside as chairman if willing to act. |
59. |
The chairman may, with the consent by resolution of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting), adjourn the meeting from time to time (or without assigning a day for such adjourned meeting) and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. In addition to any other power of adjournment conferred by law, the chairman of the meeting may at any time without consent of the meeting adjourn the meeting (whether or not it has commenced or a quorum is present) to another time and/or place (or without assigning a day for such adjourned meeting) if, in his opinion, it would facilitate the conduct of the business of the meeting to do so or if he is so directed (prior to or at the meeting) by the Board. When a meeting is adjourned without a date being assigned for such adjourned meeting, the time and place for the adjourned meeting shall be fixed by the Board. When a meeting is adjourned for three (3) months or more or for an indefinite period, notice shall be given as for an original meeting. Save as expressly provided by these Bye-Laws, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting. |
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VOTING
60. |
Except for any matter that only requires the approval of the holders of the Class C Shares as set out in Schedule A to these Bye-Laws and except for voting in respect of the election of Directors, all resolutions of shareholders must be passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution; and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of the Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution. For greater certainty, at any time that there are no Class A Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class A Shares will be required for any resolution and at any time that there are no Class B Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class B Shares will be required for any resolution. |
61. |
Subject to Bye-Law 147 and to any rights or restrictions attached to any class of shares, at any meeting of the Company, each Shareholder present in person and each person holding a valid proxy at such meeting shall be entitled to vote on any question to be decided on a show of hands and each Shareholder present in person and each person holding a valid proxy at such meeting shall be entitled on a poll to vote for each share held by him. |
62. |
At any general meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands or by a count of votes received in the form of Electronic Records, unless (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands or count of votes received as Electronic Records or on the withdrawal of any other demand for a poll) a poll is demanded by: |
(a) |
the chairman of the meeting; or |
(b) |
at least three (3) Shareholders present in person or at least three (3) persons holding a valid proxy; or |
(c) |
any Shareholder(s) present in person or person(s) holding a valid proxy and holding between them not less than one tenth (1/10) of the total voting rights of all the Shareholders having the right to vote at such meeting; or |
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(d) |
any Shareholder(s) present in person or person(s) holding a valid proxy and holding shares conferring the right to vote at such meeting, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than one tenth (1/10) of the total sum paid up on all such shares conferring such right. |
The demand for a poll may, before the poll is taken, be withdrawn but only with the consent of the chairman and a demand so withdrawn shall not be taken to have invalidated the result of a show of hands or count of votes received as Electronic Records declared before the demand was made. If the demand for a poll is withdrawn, the chairman or any other Shareholder entitled may demand a poll.
63. |
Unless a poll is so demanded and the demand is not withdrawn, a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has, on a show of hands or count of votes received as Electronic Records, been carried or carried unanimously or by a particular majority or not carried by a particular majority or lost shall be final and conclusive, and an entry to that effect in the minute book of the Company shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of votes recorded for or against such resolution. |
64. |
If a poll is duly demanded, the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll is demanded. |
65. |
A poll demanded on the election of a chairman, or on a question of adjournment, shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken in such manner and either forthwith or at such time (being not later than three (3) months after the date of the demand) and place as the chairman shall direct and he may appoint scrutineers (who need not be Shareholders) and fix a time and place for declaring the result of the poll. It shall not be necessary (unless the chairman otherwise directs) for notice to be given of a poll. |
66. |
The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which the poll has been demanded and it may be withdrawn at any time before the close of the meeting or the taking of the poll, whichever is the earlier. |
67. |
On a poll, votes may be cast either personally or by proxy. |
68. |
A person entitled to more than one vote on a poll need not use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way. |
69. |
In the case of an equality of votes at a general meeting, whether on a show of hands or count of votes received as Electronic Records or on a poll, the chairman of such meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote and the resolution shall fail. |
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70. |
In the case of joint holders of a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the Register in respect of the joint holding. |
71. |
A Shareholder who is a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health or in respect of whom an order has been made by any Court having jurisdiction for the protection or management of the affairs of persons incapable of managing their own affairs may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person in the nature of a receiver, committee or curator bonis appointed by such Court and such receiver, committee, curator bonis or other person may vote on a poll by proxy, and may otherwise act and be treated as such Shareholder for the purpose of general meetings. |
72. |
No Shareholder shall, unless the Board otherwise determines, be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless all calls or other sums presently payable by him in respect of shares in the Company have been paid. |
73. |
If: |
(a) |
any objection shall be raised to the qualification of any voter; or, |
(b) |
any votes have been counted which ought not to have been counted or which might have been rejected; or, |
(c) |
any votes are not counted which ought to have been counted, |
the objection or error shall not vitiate the decision of the meeting or adjourned meeting on any resolution unless the same is raised or pointed out at the meeting or, as the case may be, the adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered or at which the error occurs. Any objection or error shall be referred to the chairman of the meeting and shall only vitiate the decision of the meeting on any resolution if the chairman decides that the same may have affected the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chairman on such matters shall be final and conclusive.
PROXIES AND CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES
74. |
A Shareholder may appoint one or more persons as his proxy, with or without the power of substitution, to represent him and vote on his behalf in respect of all or some only of his shares at any general meeting (including an adjourned meeting). A proxy need not be a Shareholder. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing executed by the appointor or his attorney authorised by him in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under its Seal or executed by an officer, attorney or other person authorised to sign the same. |
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75. |
A Shareholder which is a corporation may, by written authorisation, appoint any person (or two (2) or more persons in the alternative) as its representative to represent it and vote on its behalf at any general meeting (including an adjourned meeting) and such a corporate representative may exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were an individual Shareholder and the Shareholder shall for the purposes of these Bye-Laws be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if a person so authorised is present at it. |
76. |
Any Shareholder may appoint a proxy or (if a corporation) representative for a specific general meeting, and adjournments thereof, or may appoint a standing proxy or (if a corporation) representative, by serving on the Company at the Registered Office, or at such place or places as the Board may otherwise specify for the purpose, a proxy or (if a corporation) an authorisation. Any standing proxy or authorisation shall be valid for all general meetings and adjournments thereof or resolutions in writing, as the case may be, until notice of revocation is received at the Registered Office or at such place or places as the Board may otherwise specify for the purpose. Where a standing proxy or authorisation exists, its operation shall be deemed to have been suspended at any general meeting or adjournment thereof at which the Shareholder is present or in respect to which the Shareholder has specially appointed a proxy or representative. The Board may from time to time require such evidence as it shall deem necessary as to the due execution and continuing validity of any standing proxy or authorisation and the operation of any such standing proxy or authorisation shall be deemed to be suspended until such time as the Board determines that it has received the requested evidence or other evidence satisfactory to it. |
77. |
Notwithstanding Bye-Law 61, a Shareholder may appoint a proxy which may be irrevocable in accordance with its terms and the holder thereof shall be the only person entitled to vote the relevant shares at any meeting of the Shareholders at which such holder is present. Notice of the appointment of any such proxy shall be given to the Company at its Registered Office, and shall include the name, address, telephone number and electronic mail address of the proxy holder. The Company shall give to the proxy holder notice of all meetings of Shareholders of the Company and shall be obliged to recognise the holder of such proxy until such time as the holder notifies the Company in writing that the proxy is no longer in force. |
78. |
Subject to Bye-Laws 76 and 77, the instrument appointing a proxy or corporate representative together with such other evidence as to its due execution as the Board may from time to time require, shall be delivered at the Registered Office (or at such place or places as may be specified in the notice convening the meeting or in any notice of any adjournment or, in either case or the case of a resolution in writing, in any document sent therewith) not less than 48 hours or such other period as the Board may determine, prior to the holding of the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, in the case of a poll taken subsequently to the date of a meeting or adjourned meeting, before the time appointed for the taking of the poll, or, in the case of a resolution in writing, prior to the effective date of the resolution in writing and in default the instrument of proxy or authorisation shall not be treated as valid. |
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79. |
Subject to Bye-Laws 61 and 62, the 64 decision of the chairman of any general meeting as to the validity of any appointments of a proxy shall be final. |
80. |
Instruments of proxy or authorisation shall be in any common form or in such other form as the Board may approve and the Board may, if it thinks fit, send out with the notice of any meeting or any resolution in writing forms of instruments of proxy or authorisation for use at that meeting or in connection with that resolution in writing. The instrument of proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a poll, to speak at the meeting and to vote by way of a poll or a show of hands on any resolution put to the meeting for which it is given as the proxyholder thinks fit, including where the person holding the proxy has conflicting instructions from more than one Shareholder. The instrument of proxy or authorisation shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any adjournment of the meeting as for the meeting to which it relates. If the terms of the appointment of a proxy include a power of substitution, any proxy appointed by substitution under such power shall be deemed to be the proxy of the Shareholder who conferred such power. All the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the execution and delivery of an instrument or other form of communication appointing or evidencing the appointment of a proxy shall apply, mutates mutandis, to the instrument or other form of communication effecting or evidencing such an appointment by substitution. |
81. |
A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy or authorisation shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or unsoundness of mind of the principal, or revocation of the instrument of proxy or of the corporate authority, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, unsoundness of mind or revocation shall have been received by the Company at the Registered Office (or such other place as may be specified for the delivery of instruments of proxy or authorisation in the notice convening the meeting or other documents sent therewith) at least one hour before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting, or the taking of the poll, or the day before the effective date of any resolution in writing at which the instrument of proxy or authorisation is used. |
82. |
Subject to the Companies Act, the Board may at its discretion waive any of the provisions of these Bye-Laws related to proxies or authorisations and, in particular, may accept such verbal or other assurances as it thinks fit as to the right of any person to attend, speak and vote on behalf of any Shareholder at general meetings or to sign resolutions in writing. |
APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
83. |
The Board shall consist of such number of directors being not less than four (4) directors and not more than eight (8) directors as the Board may by resolution from time to time determine, or such number in excess thereof as the Shareholders may determine, and provided that: |
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(a) |
at least two (2) directors shall be residents of Bermuda; |
(b) |
no more than three (3) directors shall be resident in any one other country (aside from Bermuda); |
(c) |
no more than two (2) directors elected by holders of Class A Shares shall be resident in any one other country (aside from Bermuda); |
(d) |
no more than two (2) directors elected by holders of Class B Shares shall be resident in any one other country (aside from Bermuda); and |
(e) |
no director or employee of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. will be eligible to serve as a director elected by holders of Class A Shares. |
84. |
At the point of adoption of these Bye-Laws, the Board will consist of four (4) directors and the Board will have the authority, without the sanction of a Resolution, to appoint the remaining four (4) directors at any time prior to the first annual general meeting of the Company held following the date hereof. For so long as the Class A Shares and Class B Shares are both outstanding, one-half of the Board will be designated as directors designated for election by the Class A Shareholders and one-half of the Board will be designated as directors designated for election by the Class B Shareholders. Commencing with the first annual general meeting of the Company held following the date hereof and thereafter, the holders of Class A Shares will be entitled to elect the directors designated for election by the Class A Shareholders and constituting one-half of the Board, and the holders of Class B Shares will be entitled to elect the directors designated for election by the Class B Shareholders and constituting one-half of the Board. |
85. |
Each holder of shares of a class or series of shares of the Company entitled to vote in an election of directors has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the shares held by the holder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected by the holder and the holders of shares of the classes or series of shares entitled to vote with the holder in the election of directors. A holder may cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute such votes among its candidates in any manner the holder sees fit. Where a holder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of votes among such candidates, the holder shall be deemed to have divided the holders votes equally among the candidates for whom the holder voted. |
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86. |
Subject to Bye-Laws 87 and 88, upon resignation or termination of office of any Director, if a new Director shall be appointed to the Board he or she will be designated to fill the vacancy arising and shall, for the purposes of these Bye-Laws, constitute a member of the class of Directors represented by the person that he or she replaces. |
87. |
If a Director elected by holders of the Class A Shares is removed from the Board, the holders of the Class A Shares may fill the vacancy at the meeting at which such Director is removed and if a Director elected by the holders of the Class B Shares is removed from the Board, the holders of Class B Shares may fill the vacancy at the meeting at which such Director is removed. In the absence of such election or appointment, the Board may fill the vacancy. |
88. |
Each Director shall (unless his or her office is vacated in accordance with these Bye-Laws) serve until the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company held in the calendar year following their appointment. |
89. |
Any Director retiring at an annual general meeting will be eligible for re-appointment and will retain office until the close of the meeting at which he or she retires or (if earlier) until a resolution is passed at that meeting not to fill the vacancy or the resolution to re-appoint him or her is put to a vote at the meeting and is lost. |
90. |
If the Company, at the meeting at which a Director retires, does not fill the vacancy, the retiring Director shall, if willing to act, be deemed to have been re-appointed unless at the meeting it is resolved not to fill the vacancy or unless a resolution for the re-appointment of the Director is put to the meeting and lost. |
91. |
Any person who, at the close of business in Toronto, Ontario on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in Bye-Law 92 below, is entered in the Register as a holder of at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Class A Shares or who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Company, acting reasonably, that it beneficially owns at least 5% of the issued and outstanding Class A Shares may propose any person to be designated for election as a Director by the holders of the Class A Shares at the first annual general meeting of the Company following the date hereof. |
92. |
Where any person is proposed for election as a Director under Bye-Law 91, notice must be given not later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the general meeting to the Company of the intention to propose him and of his willingness to serve as a Director (together with the information in respect of the person that would be required under applicable securities laws in respect of a dissident proxy circular and confirmation of the proposed nominees qualifications to serve as a Director under these Bye-laws, residency status, and status as independent or non-independent for audit committee purposes under applicable securities laws). The chairman of the general meeting shall have the power to determine whether any proposed nomination was made in accordance with the notice provisions of this Bye-Law 92 and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such provisions, must declare that such defective nomination shall not be considered at any meeting of the Shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion waive any requirement of such notice provisions. For greater certainty, Bye-Laws 91 and 92 shall be applicable only in respect of the first annual general meeting of the Company following the date hereof and thereafter shall expire and have no force and effect. |
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93. |
Where persons are validly proposed for re-election or election as a Director, the persons receiving the most votes (up to the number of Directors to be elected) shall be elected as Directors provided that no person shall be elected who does not receive one or more affirmative votes, and an absolute majority of the votes cast shall not be a prerequisite to the election of such Directors. |
94. |
No person shall be appointed a Director at any general meeting unless: |
(a) |
he or she is recommended by the Board; |
(b) |
in respect of the first annual general meeting of the Company following the date hereof, the provisions of Bye-Laws 91 and 92 are complied with; or |
(c) |
in respect of any general meeting other than the first annual general meeting, if he or she is elected in accordance with applicable law. |
95. |
Except as otherwise authorised by the Companies Act, the appointment of any person proposed as a Director shall be effected by a separate resolution. |
96. |
All Directors, upon election or appointment, except upon re-election or re-appointment at an annual general meeting, must provide written acceptance of their appointment, in such form as the Board may think fit, by notice in writing to the Registered Office within thirty (30) days of their appointment. |
97. |
Any Director may be removed as follows: (a) with respect to the Directors elected by holders of the Class A Shares, an affirmative vote of holders of Class A Shares holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Class A Shares entitled to vote at a special general meeting convened and properly held or conferring the right to vote on a resolution to remove a Director; (b) with respect to the Directors elected by the holders of the Class B Shares, an affirmative vote of holders of Class B Shares holding a majority of the issued and outstanding Class B Shares entitled to vote at a special general meeting convened and properly held or conferring the right to vote on a resolution to remove a Director; provided, that the notice of any such meeting convened for the purpose of removing a Director must contain a statement of the intention to remove the Director and be served on the Director not less than 14 days before the meeting, and that the Director shall be entitled to be heard at the meeting on the motion for his or her removal. |
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98. |
Any one or more vacancies in the Board not filled at any general meeting shall be deemed casual vacancies for the purposes of these Bye-Laws. Without prejudice to the power of the Company by Resolution in pursuance of any of the provisions of these Bye-Laws to appoint any person to be a Director, the Board, so long as a quorum of Directors remains in office, shall have power at any time and from time to time, subject to Bye-Law 83, to appoint any person to be a Director so as to fill a casual vacancy. A Director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting. If not reappointed at such annual general meeting, he or she shall vacate office at the conclusion thereof. |
RESIGNATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
99. |
The office of a Director shall ipso facto be vacated if the Director: |
(a) |
resigns his or her office by notice in writing delivered to the Registered Office or tendered at a meeting of the Board; |
(b) |
becomes of unsound mind or a patient for any purpose of any statute or applicable law relating to mental health and the Directors resolve that his or her office is vacated; |
(c) |
becomes bankrupt under the laws of any country or makes any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors generally; |
(d) |
is prohibited by law from being a Director or, in the case of a corporate Director, is otherwise unable to carry on or transact business; |
(e) |
ceases to be a Director by virtue of the Companies Act or these Bye-Laws or is removed from office pursuant to these Bye-Laws; or |
(f) |
shall for more than six (6) consecutive months have been absent without permission of the Board from meetings of the Board held during that period and the Board resolves that his or her office be vacated. |
100. |
The provisions of section 93 of the Companies Act shall not apply to the Company. |
DIRECTORS INTERESTS
101. |
A Director may hold any other office or place of profit with the Company (except that of Auditor) in conjunction with his or her office of Director for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine, and may be paid such extra remuneration therefor (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Bye-Law. |
102. |
A Director may act by himself or herself or his or her firm in a professional capacity for the Company (other than as Auditor) and he or her or his or her firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director. |
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103. |
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, a Director may notwithstanding his or her office be a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested; and be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise interested in, any body corporate promoted by the Company or in which the Company is interested. The Board may also cause the voting power conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company to be exercised in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit, including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution appointing the Directors or any of them to be directors or officers of such other company, or voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors or officers of such other company. |
104. |
So long as, where it is necessary, he or she declares the nature of his or her interest at the first opportunity at a meeting of the Board or by writing to the Directors as required by the Companies Act, a Director shall not by reason of his office be accountable to the Company for any benefit which he or she derives from any office or employment to which these Bye-Laws allow him or her to be appointed or from any transaction or arrangement in which these Bye-Laws allow him or her to be interested, and no such transaction or arrangement shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any interest or benefit. |
105. |
Subject to the Companies Act and any further disclosure required thereby, a general notice to the Directors by a Director or Officer declaring that he or she is a director or officer of or has an interest in a person and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction or arrangement made with that person, shall be a sufficient declaration of interest in relation to any transaction or arrangement so made. |
106. |
A Director who to his knowledge is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract, transaction or arrangement with the Company and has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act and these Bye-Laws with regard to disclosure of his interest shall be entitled to vote in respect of any contract, transaction or arrangement in which he is so interested and if he shall do so his vote shall be counted, and he shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present. |
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD
107. |
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act and these Bye-Laws, the Board shall manage the business of the Company and may pay all expenses incurred in promoting and incorporating the Company and may exercise all the powers of the Company. No alteration of these Bye-Laws and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Board which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. The powers given by this Bye-Law 107 shall not be limited by any special power given to the Board by these Bye-Laws and a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be competent to exercise all the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in or exercisable by the Board. |
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108. |
The Board may exercise all the powers of the Company except those powers that are required by the Companies Act or these Bye-Laws to be exercised by the Shareholders. |
FEES, GRATUITIES AND PENSIONS
109. |
The ordinary remuneration of the Directors office for their services (excluding amounts payable under any other provision of these Bye-Laws) shall be determined by Board and each such Director shall be paid a fee (which shall be deemed to accrue from day-to-day) at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the Board. Each Director may be paid his reasonable travel, hotel and incidental expenses for attending and returning from meetings of the Board or committees constituted pursuant to these Bye-Laws or general meetings and shall be paid all expenses properly and reasonably incurred by him or her in the conduct of the Companys business or in the discharge of his duties as a Director. Any Director who, by request, goes or resides abroad for any purposes of the Company or who performs services which in the opinion of the Board go beyond the ordinary duties of a Director may be paid such extra remuneration (whether by way of salary, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) as the Board may determine, and such extra remuneration shall be in addition to any remuneration provided for by or pursuant to any other Bye-Law. |
110. |
In addition to its powers under Bye-Law 109 the Board may (by establishment of or maintenance of schemes or otherwise) provide additional benefits, whether by the payment of gratuities or pensions or by insurance or otherwise, for any past or present Director or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any body corporate associated with, or any business acquired by, any of them, and for any member of his or her family (including a spouse and a former spouse) or any person who is or was dependent on him or her, and may (as well before as after he or she ceases to hold such office or employment) contribute to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such benefit. |
111. |
No Director or former Director shall be accountable to the Company or the Shareholders for any benefit provided pursuant to Bye-Laws 109 and 110 and the receipt of any such benefit shall not disqualify any person from being or becoming a Director of the Company. |
DELEGATION OF THE BOARDS POWERS
112. |
The Board may by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Board, to be the attorney or attorneys of the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Board under these Bye-Laws) and for such period and subject to such conditions as it may think fit, and any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney and of such attorney as the Board may think fit, and may also authorise any such attorney to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him. Such attorney may, if so authorised by the power of attorney, execute any deed, instrument or other document on behalf of the Company. |
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113. |
The Board may entrust to and confer upon any Director, Officer or, without prejudice to the provisions of Bye-Law 114, other person any of the powers, authorities and discretions exercisable by it upon such terms and conditions with such restrictions as it thinks fit, and either collaterally with, or to the exclusion of, its own powers, authorities and discretions, and may from time to time revoke or vary all or any of such powers, authorities and discretions but no person dealing in good faith and without notice of such revocation or variation shall be affected thereby. |
114. |
When required under the requirements from time to time of any stock exchange on which the shares of the Company are listed, the Board shall appoint an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee in accordance with the requirements of such stock exchange. The Board also may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to any other committees, consisting of such person or persons (whether a member or members of its body or not) as it thinks fit. Any committee so formed shall, in the exercise of the powers, authorities and discretions so delegated, and in conducting its proceedings conform to any regulations which may be imposed upon it by the Board. If no regulations are imposed by the Board the proceedings of a committee with two (2) or more members shall be, as far as is practicable, governed by the Bye-Laws regulating the proceedings of the Board. |
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD
115. |
The Board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its meetings as it thinks fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the motion shall be deemed to have been lost. A Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of a Director shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Board. |
116. |
Notice of a meeting of the Board may be given to a Director by word of mouth or in any manner permitted by these Bye-Laws. A Director may retrospectively waive the requirement for notice of any meeting by consenting in writing to the business conducted at the meeting. |
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117. |
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless so fixed at any other number, shall be a majority of the Board comprised of at least one (1) Director elected by holders of Class A Shares and at least one (1) Director elected by holders of Class B Shares. Any Director who ceases to be a Director at a meeting of the Board may continue to be present and to act as a Director and, subject to Bye-Law 125, be counted in the quorum until the termination of the meeting if no other Director objects and if otherwise a quorum of Directors would not be present. |
118. |
The Resident Representative shall, upon delivering written notice of an address for the purposes of receipt of notice to the Registered Office, be entitled to receive notice of, attend and be heard at and to receive minutes of all meetings of the Board. |
119. |
So long as a quorum of Directors remains in office, the continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the Board but, if no such quorum remains, the continuing Directors or a sole continuing Director may act only for the purpose of calling a general meeting. |
120. |
The Board may choose one of their number to preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board. If there is no such chairman, or if at any meeting the chairman is not present within five (5) minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting, or is not willing to act as chairman, the Directors present may choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting. |
121. |
The meetings and proceedings of any committee consisting of two (2) or more members shall be governed by the provisions contained in these Bye-Laws for regulating the meetings and proceedings of the Board so far as the same are applicable and are not superseded by any regulations imposed by the Board. |
122. |
A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of the Board or by all the members of a committee for the time being shall be as valid and effectual as a resolution passed at a meeting of the Board or, as the case may be, of such committee duly called and constituted. Such resolution may be contained in one document or in several documents in the like form each signed by one or more of the Directors or members of the committee concerned. |
123. |
A meeting of the Board or a committee appointed by the Board may be held by means of such telephone, electronic or other communication facilities (including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, by telephone or by video conferencing) as permit all persons participating in the meeting to communicate with each other simultaneously and instantaneously and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those Directors participating in the meeting are physically assembled, or, if there is no such group, where the chairman of the meeting then is. |
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124. |
All acts done by the Board or by any committee or by any person acting as a Director or member of a committee or any person duly authorised by the Board or any committee shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any member of the Board or such committee or person acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated their office, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and was qualified and had continued to be a Director, member of such committee or person so authorised. |
125. |
Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of appointment) of two (2) or more Directors to offices or employments with the Company or any body corporate in which the Company is interested, the proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each Director separately and in such cases each of the Directors concerned (if not debarred from voting under the provisions of these Bye-Laws) shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment. |
126. |
If a question arises at a meeting of the Board or a committee of the Board as to the entitlement of a Director to vote or be counted in a quorum, the question may, before the conclusion of the meeting, be referred to the chairman of the meeting and his ruling in relation to any Director other than himself shall be final and conclusive except in a case where the nature or extent of the interests of the Director concerned have not been fairly disclosed. If any such question arises in respect of the chairman of the meeting, it shall be decided by resolution of the Board (on which the chairman shall not vote) and such resolution will be final and conclusive except in a case where the interests of the chairman have not been fairly disclosed. |
OFFICERS
127. |
The Officers of the Company, who may or may not be Directors, may be appointed by the Board at any time, subject to this Bye-Law 127. Any person appointed pursuant to this Bye-Law 127 shall hold office for such period and upon such terms as the Board may determine and the Board may revoke or terminate any such appointment. Any such revocation or termination shall be without prejudice to any claim for damages that such Officer may have against the Company or the Company may have against such Officer for any breach of any contract of service between him or her and the Company which may be involved in such revocation or termination. Save as provided in the Companies Act or these Bye-Laws, the powers and duties of the Officers of the Company shall be such (if any) as are determined from time to time by the Board. |
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128. |
The emoluments of any Director holding executive office for his or her services as such shall be determined by the Board, and may be of any description, and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) may include admission to or continuance of membership of any scheme (including any share acquisition scheme) or fund instituted or established or financed or contributed to by the Company for the provision of pensions, life assurance or other benefits for employees or their dependants, or the payment of a pension or other benefits to him or her or his or her dependants on or after retirement or death, apart from membership or any such scheme or fund. |
129. |
Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of these Bye-Laws as to resignation and disqualification of Directors shall mutatis mutandis apply to the resignation and disqualification of Officers. |
MINUTES
130. |
The Board shall cause minutes to be made and books kept for the purpose of recording: |
(a) |
all appointments of Officers made by the Board; |
(b) |
the names of the Directors and other persons (if any) present at each meeting of the Board and of any committee; and |
(c) |
all proceedings at meetings of the Company, of the holders of any class of shares in the Company, of the Board and of committees appointed by the Board or the Shareholders. |
131. |
Shareholders shall only be entitled to see the register of Directors and Officers, the Register, the financial information provided for in Bye-Law 151 and the minutes of meetings of the Shareholders of the Company. |
SECRETARY AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
132. |
The Secretary (including one or more deputy or assistant secretaries) and, if required, the Resident Representative, shall be appointed by the Board at such remuneration (if any) and upon such terms as it may think fit and any Secretary and Resident Representative so appointed may be removed by the Board. The duties of the Secretary and the duties of the Resident Representative shall be those prescribed by the Companies Act together with such other duties as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board. |
133. |
A provision of the Companies Act or these Bye-Laws requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a Director and the Secretary shall not be satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as Director and as, or in the place of, the Secretary. |
THE SEAL
134. |
The Board may authorise the production of a common seal of the Company and one or more duplicate common seals of the Company, which shall consist of a circular device with the name of the Company around the outer margin thereof and the country and year of registration in Bermuda across the centre thereof. |
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135. |
Any document required to be under seal or executed as a deed on behalf of the Company may be |
(a) |
executed under the Seal in accordance with these Bye-Laws; or |
(b) |
signed or executed by any person authorised by the Board for that purpose, without the use of the Seal. |
136. |
The Board shall provide for the custody of every Seal. A Seal shall only be used by authority of the Board or of a committee constituted by the Board. Subject to these Bye-Laws, any instrument to which a Seal is affixed shall be attested by the signature of: |
(a) |
a Director; or |
(b) |
the Secretary; or |
(c) |
any one person authorised by the Board for that purpose. |
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS
137. |
The Board may from time to time declare dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus to be paid to the Shareholders according to their rights and interests, including such interim dividends as appear to the Board to be justified by the position of the Company. The Board, in its discretion, may determine that any dividend shall be paid in cash or shall be satisfied, subject to Bye-Laws 144 and 145, in paying up in full shares in the Company to be issued to the Shareholders credited as fully paid or partly paid or partly in one way and partly the other. The Board may also pay any fixed cash dividend which is payable on any shares of the Company half yearly or on such other dates, whenever the position of the Company, in the opinion of the Board, justifies such payment. |
138. |
Except insofar as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provide, all dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus will be declared and paid pro rata on the shares of each class or series, as applicable, based on the number of shares outstanding of such class or series. |
139. |
No dividend, distribution or other monies payable by the Company on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against the Company. |
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140. |
Any dividend, distribution or interest, or part thereof payable in cash, or any other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by cheque or warrant sent through the post or by courier addressed to the holder at his address in the Register or, in the case of joint holders, addressed to the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of the shares at his registered address as appearing in the Register or addressed to such person at such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first in the Register in respect of such shares, and shall be sent at his or their risk and payment of the cheque or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to the Company. Any one of two (2) or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any dividends, distributions or other monies payable or property distributable in respect of the shares held by such joint holders. |
141. |
Any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus unclaimed for a period of six (6) years from the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company and the payment by the Board of any unclaimed dividend, distribution, interest or other sum payable on or in respect of the share into a separate account shall not constitute the Company a trustee in respect thereof. |
142. |
The Board may also, in addition to its other powers, direct payment or satisfaction of any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets, and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of any other company, and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution or dividend, the Board may settle it as it thinks expedient, and in particular, may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may ignore fractions altogether, and may fix the value for distribution or dividend purposes of any such specific assets and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Shareholders upon the footing of the values so fixed in order to secure equality of distribution and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem expedient to the Board, provided that such dividend or distribution may not be satisfied by the distribution of any partly paid shares or debentures of any company without the sanction of a Resolution. |
RESERVES
143. |
The Board may, before declaring any dividend or distribution out of contributed surplus, set aside such sums as it thinks proper as reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Board, be applicable for any purpose of the Company and pending such application may, also at such discretion, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments as the Board may from time to time think fit. The Board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any sums which it may think it prudent not to distribute. |
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CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS
144. |
The Board may from time to time resolve to capitalise all or any part of any amount for the time being standing to the credit of any reserve or fund which is available for distribution or to the credit of any share premium account and accordingly that such amount be set free for distribution amongst the Shareholders or any class of Shareholders who would be entitled thereto if distributed by way of dividend and in the same proportions, on the footing that the same be not paid in cash but be applied either in or towards paying up amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares in the Company held by such Shareholders respectively or in payment up in full of unissued shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company, to be allotted and distributed credited as fully paid amongst such Shareholders, or partly in one way and partly in the other, provided that for the purpose of this Bye-Law 144, a share premium account may be applied only in paying up of unissued shares to be issued to such Shareholders credited as fully paid. |
145. |
Where any difficulty arises in regard to any distribution under Bye-Law 144, the Board may settle the same as it thinks expedient and, in particular, may authorise any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may resolve that the distribution should be as nearly as may be practicable in the correct proportion but not exactly so or may ignore fractions altogether, and may determine that cash payments should be made to any Shareholders in order to adjust the rights of all parties, as may seem expedient to the Board. The Board may appoint any person to sign on behalf of the persons entitled to participate in the distribution any contract necessary or desirable for giving effect thereto and such appointment shall be effective and binding upon the Shareholders. |
RECORD DATES
146. |
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bye-Laws, the Board may fix, any date as the record date for any dividend, distribution, reduction of capital, allotment or issue and for the purpose of identifying the persons entitled to receive notices of any general meeting. |
147. |
In relation to any general meeting of the Company or of any class of Shareholder or to any adjourned meeting or any poll taken at a meeting or adjourned meeting of which notice is given, the Board may specify in the notice of meeting or adjourned meeting or in any document sent to Shareholders by or on behalf of the Board in relation to the meeting, a time and date (record date) before the date fixed for the meeting (meeting date) and, notwithstanding any provision in these Bye-Laws to the contrary, in such case: |
(a) |
each person entered in the Register at the record date as a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, (record date holder) shall be entitled to attend and to vote at the relevant meeting and to exercise all of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, in relation to that meeting in respect of the shares, or the shares of the relevant class, registered in his or her name at the record date; |
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(b) |
as regards any shares, or shares of the relevant class, which are registered in the name of a record date holder at the record date but are not so registered at the meeting date (relevant shares), each holder of any relevant shares at the meeting date shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed that record date holder as his proxy for the purpose of attending and voting in respect of those relevant shares at the relevant meeting (with power to appoint, or to authorise the appointment of, some other person as proxy), in such manner as the record date holder in his absolute discretion may determine; and |
(c) |
accordingly, except through his proxy pursuant to Bye-Law 147(b) above, a holder of relevant shares at the meeting date shall not be entitled to attend or to vote at the relevant meeting, or to exercise any of the rights or privileges of a Shareholder, or a Shareholder of the relevant class, in respect of the relevant shares at that meeting. |
148. |
The entry of the name of a person in the Register as a record date holder shall be sufficient evidence of his appointment as proxy in respect of any relevant shares for the purposes of this paragraph, but all the provisions of these Bye-Laws relating to the execution and deposit of an instrument appointing a proxy or any ancillary matter (including the Boards powers and discretions relevant to such matter) shall apply to any instrument appointing any person other than the record date holder as proxy in respect of any relevant shares. |
ACCOUNTING RECORDS
149. |
The Board shall cause to be kept accounting records sufficient to give a true and fair view of the state of the Companys affairs and to show and explain its transactions, in accordance with the Companies Act. |
150. |
The records of account shall be kept at the Registered Office or at such other place or places as the Board thinks fit, and shall at all times be open to inspection by the Directors, PROVIDED that if the records of account are kept at some place outside Bermuda, there shall be kept at an office of the Company in Bermuda such records as will enable the Directors to ascertain with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Company at the end of each three (3) month period. No Shareholder (other than an Officer of the Company) shall have any right to inspect any accounting record or book or document of the Company except as conferred by law or authorised by the Board or by Resolution. |
151. |
A copy of every balance sheet and statement of income and expenditure, including every document required by law to be annexed thereto, which is to be laid before the Company in general meeting, together with a copy of the Auditors report, shall be sent to each person entitled thereto in accordance with Bye-Law 151 and the requirements of the Companies Act. |
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AUDIT
152. |
Save and to the extent that an audit is waived in the manner permitted by the Companies Act, Auditors shall be appointed and their duties regulated in accordance with the Companies Act, any other applicable law and such requirements not inconsistent with the Companies Act as the Board may from time to time determine. |
SERVICE OF NOTICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
153. |
Any notice or other document (including but not limited to a share certificate, any notice of a general meeting of the Company, any instrument of proxy and any document to be sent in accordance with Bye-Law 151) may be sent to, served on or delivered to any Shareholder by the Company |
(a) |
personally; |
(b) |
by sending it through the post (by airmail where applicable) in a pre-paid letter addressed to such Shareholder at his address as appearing in the Register; |
(c) |
by sending it by courier to or leaving it at the Shareholders address appearing in the Register; |
(d) |
where applicable, by sending it by email or facsimile or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form or by sending an Electronic Record of it by electronic means, in each case to an address or number supplied by such Shareholder for the purposes of communication in such manner; or |
(e) |
by publication of an Electronic Record of it on a website and notification of such publication (which shall include the address of the website, the place on the website where the document may be found, and how the document may be accessed on the website) by any of the methods set out in paragraphs 153(a), 153(b), 153(c) or 153(d) of this Bye-Law, in accordance with the Companies Act. |
In the case of joint holders of a share, service or delivery of any notice or other document on or to one of the joint holders shall for all purposes be deemed as sufficient service on or delivery to all the joint holders.
154. |
Any notice or other document shall be deemed to have been sent to, served on or delivered to any Shareholder by the Company |
(a) |
if sent by personal delivery, at the time of delivery; |
(b) |
if sent by post, forty-eight (48) hours after it was put in the post; |
(c) |
if sent by courier or facsimile, twenty-four (24) hours after sending; |
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(d) |
if sent by email or other mode of representing or reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form or as an Electronic Record by electronic means, twelve (12) hours after sending; or |
(e) |
if published as an Electronic Record on a website, at the time that the notification of such publication shall be deemed to have been delivered to such Shareholder, |
and in proving such sending, service or delivery, it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice or document was properly addressed and stamped and put in the post, published on a website in accordance with the Companies Act and the provisions of these Bye-Laws, or sent by courier, facsimile, email or as an Electronic Record by electronic means, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bye-Laws.
155. |
Each Shareholder and each person becoming a Shareholder subsequent to the adoption of these Bye-Laws, by virtue of its holding or its acquisition and continued holding of a share, as applicable, shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that any notice or other document (excluding a share certificate) may be provided by the Company by way of accessing them on a website instead of being provided by other means. |
156. |
If any time, by reason of the suspension or curtailment of postal services within Bermuda or any other territory, the Company is unable effectively to convene a general meeting by notices sent through the post, a general meeting may be convened by a notice advertised in at least one national newspaper published in the territory concerned and such notice shall be deemed to have been duly served on each person entitled to receive it in that territory on the day, or on the first day, on which the advertisement appears. In any such case the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice by post if at least five (5) clear days before the meeting the posting of notices to addresses throughout that territory again becomes practicable. |
157. |
Save as otherwise provided, the provisions of these Bye-Laws as to the sending or service of notices and other documents on Shareholders shall mutatis mutandis apply to service or delivery of notices and other documents to the Company or any Director or Resident Representative pursuant to these Bye-Laws. |
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DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
158. |
The Company shall be entitled to destroy all instruments of transfer of shares which have been registered and all other documents on the basis of which any entry is made in the register at any time after the expiration of six (6) years from the date of registration thereof and all dividends mandates or variations or cancellations thereof and notifications of change of address at any time after the expiration of two (2) years from the date of recording thereof and all share certificates which have been cancelled at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of cancellation thereof and all paid dividend warrants and cheques at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of actual payment thereof and all instruments of proxy which have been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after the expiration of one (1) year from the date of such use and all instruments of proxy which have not been used for the purpose of a poll at any time after one (1) month from the end of the meeting to which the instrument of proxy relates and at which no poll was demanded. It shall conclusively be presumed in favour of the Company that every entry in the register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document so destroyed was duly and properly made, that every instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered, that every share certificate so destroyed was a valid and effective certificate duly and properly cancelled and that every other document hereinbefore mentioned so destroyed was a valid and effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars thereof in the books or records of the Company, provided always that: |
(a) |
the provisions aforesaid shall apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without notice of any claim (regardless of the parties thereto) to which the document might be relevant; |
(b) |
nothing herein contained shall be construed as imposing upon the Company any liability in respect of the destruction of any such document earlier than as aforesaid or in any other circumstances which would not attach to the Company in the absence of this Bye-Law 158; and |
(c) |
references herein to the destruction of any document include references to the disposal thereof in any manner. |
WINDING UP
159. |
If the Company shall be wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a Resolution and any other sanction required by the Companies Act, divide amongst the Shareholders, in accordance with the rights attached to any shares or class of shares, in specie or kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether they shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for such purposes set such values as he deems fair upon any property to be divided as aforesaid and may determine how such division shall be carried out as between the Shareholders or different classes of Shareholders. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trust for the benefit of the contributories as the liquidator, with the like sanction, shall think fit, but so that no Shareholder shall be compelled to accept any shares or other assets upon which there is any liability. |
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INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE
160. |
Subject to the proviso below, every Indemnified Person shall be indemnified and held harmless out of the assets of the Company against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs including defence costs incurred in defending any legal proceedings whether civil or criminal and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Companys business or in the discharge of his duties and the indemnity contained in this Bye-Law 160 shall extend to any Indemnified Person acting in any office or trust in the reasonable belief that he has been appointed or elected to such office or trust notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election PROVIDED ALWAYS that the indemnity contained in this Bye-Law 160 shall not extend to any matter which would render it void pursuant to the Companies Act. |
161. |
No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for the acts, defaults or omissions of any other Indemnified Person. |
162. |
To the extent that any Indemnified Person is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these Bye-Laws in respect of amounts paid or discharged by him, the relevant indemnity shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment or effecting such discharge. |
163. |
Each Shareholder and the Company agree to waive any claim or right of action he or it may at any time have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Indemnified Person on account of any action taken by such Indemnified Person or the failure of such Indemnified Person to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company PROVIDED HOWEVER that such waiver shall not apply to any claims or rights of action arising out of the fraud of such Indemnified Person or to recover any gain, personal profit or advantage to which such Indemnified Person is not legally entitled. |
164. |
The Company shall advance moneys to any Indemnified Person for the costs, charges, and expenses incurred by the Indemnified Person in defending any civil or criminal proceedings against them, on condition and receipt of an undertaking in a form satisfactory to the Company that of the Indemnified Person shall repay such portion of the advance attributable to any claim of fraud or dishonesty if such a claim is proved against the Indemnified Person PROVIDED THAT no monies shall be paid hereunder unless payment of the same shall be authorised in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Director or Officer would be proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the standard of conduct which would entitle him or her to the indemnification thereby provided and such determination shall be made: |
(a) |
by the Board, by a majority vote at a meeting duly constituted by a quorum of Directors not party to the proceedings or matter with regard to which the indemnification is, or would be, claimed; or |
(b) |
in the case such a meeting cannot be constituted by lack of a disinterested quorum, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or |
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(c) |
by a majority vote of the Shareholders. |
165. |
Without prejudice to the provisions of this Bye-Law 165, the Board shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for or for the benefit of any Indemnified Person or any persons who are or were at any time Directors, Officers, employees of the Company, or of any other company which is its Holding Company or in which the Company or such Holding Company has any interest whether direct or indirect or which is in any way allied to or associated with the Company, or of any Subsidiary undertaking of the Company or any such other company, or who are or were at any time trustees of any pension fund in which employees of the Company or any such other company or Subsidiary undertaking are interested, including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution or discharge of their duties or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to the Company or any such other company, Subsidiary undertaking or pension fund. |
AMALGAMATION AND MERGER
166. |
Any resolution proposed for consideration at any general meeting to approve the amalgamation or merger of the Company with any other company, wherever incorporated, shall require the approval of: |
(a) |
the Board, by resolution adopted by a majority of Directors then in office, and |
(a) |
the Shareholders, by resolution passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution; and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of the Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution. |
CONTINUATION
167. |
Subject to the Companies Act, the Company may with the approval of: |
(a) |
the Board, by resolution adopted by a majority of Directors then in office, and |
(b) |
the Shareholders, by resolution passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution; and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of the Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution, |
approve the discontinuation of the Company in Bermuda and the continuation of the Company in a jurisdiction outside Bermuda.
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ALTERATION OF BYE-LAWS
168. |
These Bye-Laws may be revoked or amended only by the Board, which may from time to time revoke or amend them in any way by a resolution of the Board passed by a majority of the Directors then in office and eligible to vote on that resolution, but no such revocation or amendment shall be operative unless and until it is approved at a subsequent general meeting of the Company by the Shareholders by resolution passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution; and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of the Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution. |
UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS
169. |
The Company shall be entitled to sell, at the best price reasonably obtainable, the shares of a Shareholder or the shares to which a person is entitled by virtue of transmission on death, bankruptcy, or otherwise by operation of law if and provided that: |
(a) |
during a period of six (6) years, no dividend or capital reduction in respect of those shares has been claimed and at least three (3) cash dividends or capital reductions have become payable on the share in question; |
(b) |
on or after expiry of that period of six (6) years, the Company has inserted an advertisement in a newspaper circulating in the area of the last registered address at which service of notices upon the Shareholder or person entitled by transmission may be effected in accordance with these Bye-Laws and in a national newspaper published in the relevant country, giving notice of its intention to sell such shares: |
(c) |
during that period of six (6) years and the period of three (3) months following the publication of such advertisement, the Company has not received any communication from such Shareholder or person entitled by transmission; and |
(d) |
if so required by the rules of any securities exchange upon which the shares in question are listed for the time being, notice has been given to that exchange of the Companys intention to make such sale. |
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170. |
If during any six (6) year period referred to in Bye-Law 169 above, further shares have been issued in right of those held at the beginning of such period or of any previously issued during such period and all the other requirements of this Bye-Law (other than the requirement that they be in issue for six (6) years) have been satisfied in regard to the further shares, the Company may also sell the further shares. |
171. |
To give effect to any such sale, the Board may authorise some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser and an instrument of transfer executed by that person shall be as effective as if it had been executed by the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the shares. The transferee shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the shares be affected by any irregularity in, or invalidity of, the proceedings in reference to the sale. |
172. |
The net proceeds of sale shall belong to the Company which shall be obliged to account to the former Shareholder or other person previously entitled as aforesaid for an amount equal to such proceeds and shall enter the name of such former Shareholder or other person in the books of the Company as a creditor for such amount. No trust shall be created in respect of the debt, no interest shall be payable in respect of the same and the Company shall not be required to account for any money earned on the net proceeds, which may be employed in the business of the Company or invested in such investments as the Board from time to time thinks fit. |
FORUM SELECTION
173. |
Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (and the Company will provide such consent with respect to the Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario, Canada and appellate Courts thereof), the Supreme Court of Bermuda shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any dispute that arises concerning the Companies Act or out of or in connection with these Bye-Laws, including any question regarding the existence and scope of these Bye-Laws and/or whether there has been any breach of the Companies Act or these Bye-Laws by an officer or director (whether or not such a claim is brought in the name of a Shareholder or in the name of the Company). This Bye-Law 173 will not apply to any causes of action arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
174. |
If any action or proceeding the subject matter of which is within the scope of Bye-Law 173 is filed in a Court other than a Court located within Bermuda or, with the consent of the Company, a Court located within the Province of Ontario, Canada (a Foreign Action) in the name of any securityholder, such securityholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Courts located within Bermuda or Ontario, as applicable, in connection with any action or proceeding brought in any such Court to enforce Bye-Law 173; and (ii) having service of process made upon such securityholder in any such action or proceeding by service upon such securityholders counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such securityholder. |
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175. |
Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Nothing in this Bye-Law 175 shall be deemed to apply to any suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
176. |
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any share or other security of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to Bye-Laws 173, 174 and 175; provided, however, that no person can and will not be deemed to have waived compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. |
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Schedule A
PART 1
INTERPRETATION
Definitions
1.1 In Schedule A of these Bye-Laws, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) affiliate means with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by such Person, or is under common Control of a third Person;
(b) Applicable Securities Laws means the Securities Act (Ontario) and the equivalent legislation in the other provinces and in the territories of Canada, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commissions and similar regulatory authorities of each of the applicable provinces and territories of Canada;
(c) BAM means Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a corporation existing under the Laws of the Province of Ontario, and is deemed to refer to all successors, including, without limitation, by operation of Law;
(d) BAM Board means the board of directors of BAM;
(e) BAM Distributed Right has the meaning as provided in clause (ii) of the definition of Exchange Factor below;
(f) BAM Dividend Declaration Date means the date on which the BAM Board declares any dividend on the BAM Shares;
(g) BAM Liquidation Event has the meaning as provided in Section 2.21;
(h) BAM Share means a class A limited voting share of BAM, and includes any share or other equity interest of BAM into which such BAM Share is converted or for which such BAM Share is exchanged;
1
(i) BAM Share Value means, with respect to a BAM Share on a particular date, the market price of a BAM Share on such date or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the most recent Trading Day. The market price for each such Trading Day shall be: (i) if the BAM Shares are listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange, the closing price per BAM Share (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for such U.S. National Securities Exchange; (ii) if the BAM Shares are not listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange but are listed on the TSX, the U.S. dollar equivalent (calculated using the rate published by the Bank of Canada as of 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on such date) of the closing price per BAM Share (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for the TSX; (iii) if the BAM Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX, the last quoted bid price on such day in the over-the-counter market on such day as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization; (iv) if the BAM Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX and the BAM Shares are not quoted in the over-the-counter market, the average of the mid-point of the last quoted bid and ask prices on such day from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for such purpose or (v) if none of the conditions set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) is met, then the amount as determined by the BAM Board;
(j) BAM Shares Amount means, with respect to each Tendered Class A Share, such number of BAM Shares equal to the Exchange Factor in effect on the Valuation Date with respect to such Tendered Class A Shares;
(k) Business Day means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Ontario, Canada or Hamilton, Bermuda are authorized or required by Law to close;
(l) Cash Amount means with respect to each Tendered Class A Share, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the applicable BAM Shares Amount for such Tendered Class A Share multiplied by (ii) the BAM Share Value as of the applicable Valuation Date;
(m) Class A Distributed Right has the meaning as provided in clause (vi) of the definition of Exchange Factor below;
(n) Class A Distribution has the meaning as provided in Section 2.2;
2
(o) Class A Share Value means, with respect to a Class A Share on a particular date, the market price of a Class A Share on such date or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the most recent Trading Day. The market price for each such Trading Day shall be: (i) if the Class A Shares are listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange, the closing price per Class A Share (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for such U.S. National Securities Exchange; (ii) if the Class A Shares are not listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange but are listed on the TSX, the U.S. dollar equivalent (calculated using the rate published by the Bank of Canada as of 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on such date) of the closing price per Class A Share (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for the TSX; (iii) if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX, the last quoted bid price on such day in the over-the- counter market on such day as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization; (iv) if the Class A Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX and the Class A Shares are not quoted in the over-the-counter market, the average of the mid-point of the last quoted bid and ask prices on such day from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for such purpose or (v) if none of the conditions set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) is met then the amount as determined by the Board;
(p) Class A Shareholder means a holder of Class A Shares;
(q) Class B Shareholder means a holder of Class B Shares;
(r) Class C Shareholder means a holder of Class C Shares;
(s) Close of Business means 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time;
(t) Company means Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.;
(u) Control means the control by one Person of another Person in accordance with the following: a Person (A) controls another Person (B) where A has the power to determine the management and policies of B by contract or status (for example, the status of A being the general partner of B) or by virtue of the beneficial ownership of or control over a majority of the voting interests in B; and, for certainty and without limitation, if A owns or has control over shares or other securities to which are attached more than 50% of the votes permitted to be cast in the election of directors of to the Governing Body of B or A is the general partner of B, a limited partnership, then in each case A controls B for this purpose;
(v) Conversion Notice has the meaning as provided in section 4.15;
(w) conversion number has the meaning as provided in section 4.15;
(x) distribution includes a dividend, a capital reduction resulting in a return of capital, or a combination of a dividend and a capital reduction;
(y) Effective Date means, with respect to an event described in clauses (i) and (v) of the definition of Exchange Factor below, the first date on which the BAM Shares or Class A Shares, as applicable, trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, in a regular way, reflecting the relevant share split, subdivision, reserve split, combination or reclassification, as applicable;
(z) Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(aa) Exchange Consideration has the meaning as provided in Section 2.13;
(bb) Exchange Date means the date upon which a Tendering Class A Shareholders Exchange Right has been satisfied by the delivery of the Exchange Consideration to such Tendering Class A Shareholder with respect to its Tendered Class A Shares;
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(cc) Exchange Factor means 1.0; provided that in the event that:
(i) BAM (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding BAM Shares wholly or partly in BAM Shares; (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding BAM Shares or (c) effects a reverse share split or otherwise combines or reclassifies its outstanding BAM Shares into a smaller number of BAM Shares, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such event by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of BAM Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable (assuming for such purpose that such dividend, split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification has occurred as of such time), and (y) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of BAM Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable.
Any adjustment under this clause (i) shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend, or immediately after the Open of Business on the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable. If such distribution of the type described in this clause (i) is declared but not so paid or made and will not be so paid or made, the Exchange Factor shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the BAM Board determines not to pay such dividend, to the Exchange Factor that would be in effect if such dividend had not been declared.
(ii) BAM distributes any rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of BAM Shares to convert into, exchange for or subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire BAM Shares (or other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for BAM Shares) (each a BAM Distributed Right), then, as of the Record Date for the distribution of such BAM Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such BAM Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date by a fraction (A) the numerator of which shall be the number of BAM Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date (or, if later, the date such BAM Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus the maximum number of BAM Shares deliverable or purchasable under such BAM Distributed Rights and (B) the denominator of which shall be (x) the number of BAM Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date plus (y) such number of BAM Shares determined by dividing the minimum aggregate cash purchase price under such BAM Distributed Rights of the maximum number of BAM Shares purchasable under such BAM Distributed Rights by the average of the BAM Share Value for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance (or, if later, the date such BAM Distributed Rights become exercisable); provided, however, that, if any such BAM Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the Record Date of the BAM Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of BAM Shares or any change in the minimum aggregate purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction.
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Any adjustment under this clause (ii) will be made successively whenever such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Record Date for such issuance (or, if later, the date such rights, options or warrants become exercisable). To the extent that the BAM Shares are not delivered and will not be delivered after the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Exchange Factor shall be decreased to the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of BAM Shares actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Exchange Factor shall be decreased, effective as of the date the BAM Board determines not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect if such Record Date for such issuance had not occurred.
In determining the minimum aggregate purchase price under such BAM Distributed Rights, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by BAM for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the BAM Board.
(iii) (A) BAM distributes to all or substantially all holders of BAM Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding dividends paid exclusively in cash, distributions referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above or any Spin-off referred to in clause (iii)(B) below) or rights, options or warrants to convert into, exchange for or subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire such securities (but excluding distributions referred to in clause (ii) above), the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the average of the BAM Share Value over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend and (b) the denominator of which shall be the average of the BAM Share Value over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend less the fair market value on the Record Date for such dividend (as determined by the BAM Board) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets, rights, options or warrants so dividended applicable to one BAM Share.
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Any adjustment under this clause (iii)(A) will become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend. If such dividend is not paid or made, the Exchange Factor shall be decreased, effective as of the date the BAM Board determines not to pay or make such dividend, to be the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect if such dividend had not been declared.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the fair market value (as determined by the BAM Board) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets, rights, options or warrants distributable to one BAM Share is equal to or greater than the average BAM Share Value referenced above in this clause (iii)(A), in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, each Class A Shareholder shall receive from the Company, in respect of each Class A Share, a distribution of cash payable out of the funds legally available therefor (at the same time as holders of the BAM Shares), that in the determination of the Company, is comparable as a whole in all material respects with the amount of BAM indebtedness or assets or rights, options or warrants to convert into, exchange for or subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire such securities that such holder would have received if such holder owned a number of BAM Shares equal to the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Record Date.
(B) Where there has been a Spin-off, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such Spin-off by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the share capital or similar equity interest applicable to one BAM Share distributed to BAM Share holders over the Valuation Period plus the average of the BAM Share Value over the Valuation Period and (b) the denominator of which shall be the average of the BAM Share Value over the Valuation Period; provided that, the Company may elect to pay cash in lieu of making an adjustment to the Exchange Factor provided by this clause (iii)(B), in which case the Company shall be required to pay to the Class A Shareholders and the Class A Shareholders shall be entitled to receive, cash on the third (3rd) Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period in an amount in respect of each Class A Share held, calculated by multiplying the BAM Share Value on the Record Date of such Spin-off by the amount the Exchange Factor would have increased as a result of such Spin-off if no such cash payment was made.
Any adjustment under this clause (iii)(B) will be made immediately after the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period, but will be given effect as of the Open of Business on the Record Date for such Spin-off.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in respect of any exchange by a Class A Shareholder during the Valuation Period, references contained in the definition of Valuation Period to ten (10) consecutive Trading Days shall be deemed for the purposes of the foregoing for such holder to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between the Record Date of such Spin-off and the Trading Day immediately preceding the Exchange Date in determining the Exchange Factor. If any such Spin-off does not occur, the Exchange Factor shall be decreased, effective as of the date the BAM Board determines not to proceed with the Spin-off, to be the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect if such Spin-off had not been pursued.
(iv) BAM or one of its subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the BAM Shares (but excluding for all purposes any tender or exchange offer involving an offer to exchange BAM Shares for Class A Shares or any other security that is economically equivalent to BAM Shares), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per BAM Share exceeds the average of the BAM Share Value over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the Expiration Date), then the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be (x) the sum of the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the BAM Board) paid or payable in respect of BAM Shares in such tender or exchange offer plus (y) the average of the BAM Share Value over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date multiplied by the number of BAM Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the Expiration Date (after giving effect to the purchase of all BAM Shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer, without duplication), and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of BAM Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Expiration Date (before giving effect to the purchase of all BAM Shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer) multiplied by the average of the BAM Share Value over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date.
For greater certainty, no adjustment under this clause (iv) will be made for any normal course issuer bid or similar stock buyback. Any adjustment under this clause (iv) will be made immediately after the Close of Business on the tenth (10th) Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date and shall be given effect as of the Open of Business on the day next succeeding the Expiration Date.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in respect of any exchange by a Class A Shareholder during the Valuation Period, references above to ten (10) consecutive Trading Days shall be deemed for such holder to be replaced with such lesser number of Trading Days as have elapsed between the Expiration Date and the Trading Day immediately preceding the Exchange Date in determining the Exchange Factor.
(v) the Company (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding Class A Shares wholly or partly in Class A Shares; (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding Class A Shares or (c) effects a reverse share split or otherwise combines or reclassifies its outstanding Class A Shares into a smaller number of Class A Shares, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such event by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable (determined without the assumption for such purpose that such dividend, split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification has occurred as of such time), and (y) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of Class A Shares (assuming the above assumption has occurred) issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable.
Any adjustment under this clause (v) shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend, or immediately after the Open of Business on the Effective Date for such split, subdivision, reverse split, combination or reclassification, as applicable. If such dividend of the type described in this clause (v) is declared but not so paid or made and will not be so paid or made, the Exchange Factor shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board determines not to pay such dividend, to the Exchange Factor that would be in effect if such dividend had not been declared.
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(vi) the Company distributes any rights, options or warrants to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares to convert into, exchange for or subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire Class A Shares (or other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Class A Shares) at a price per share that is less than the average of the Class A Share Value for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance (each a Class A Distributed Right), then, as of the Record Date for the distribution of such Class A Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such Class A Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Exchange Factor in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date by a fraction (A) the numerator of which shall be (x) the number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date (or, if later, the date such Class A Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus (y) such number of Class A Shares determined by dividing the minimum aggregate cash purchase price under such Class A Distributed Rights of the maximum number of Class A Shares purchasable under such Class A Distributed Rights by the average of the Class A Share Value for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance (or, if later, the date such Class A Distributed Rights become exercisable) and (B) the denominator of which shall be the number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding as of the Close of Business on the Record Date (or, if later, the date such Class A Distributed Rights become exercisable) plus the maximum number of Class A Shares purchasable under such Class A Distributed Rights; provided, however, that, if any such Class A Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Exchange Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the Record Date of the Class A Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of Class A Shares or any change in the minimum aggregate purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction.
Any adjustment under this clause (vi) will be made successively whenever such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Record Date (or, if later, the date such Class A Distributed Rights become exercisable) for such issuance. To the extent that the Class A Shares are not delivered and will not be delivered after the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Exchange Factor shall be increased to the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of Class A Shares actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Exchange Factor shall be increased, effective as of the date the Board determines not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Exchange Factor that would then be in effect if such Record Date for such issuance had not occurred.
In determining the minimum aggregate purchase price under such Class A Distributed Rights, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Board.
Any adjustment to the Exchange Factor shall be calculated up to four (4) decimal places. Within ten (10) Business Days of the effectiveness of any adjustment or readjustment of the Exchange Factor, the Company shall make a public announcement of such adjustment or readjustment.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Exchange Factor shall not be adjusted in connection with (a) an event described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (other than clause (iii)(B) above) if, in connection with such event, the Company makes a distribution of cash, Class A Shares, BAM Shares and/or rights, options or warrants to acquire Class A Shares and/or BAM Shares with respect to all applicable Class A Shares, splits or subdivides the Class A Shares, distributes to all or substantially all holders of Class A Shares evidences of its indebtedness or assets or effects a reverse split of, or otherwise combines or makes an offer for, the Class A Shares, as applicable, that, in the determination of the Company, is comparable as a whole in all material respects with such event, (b) a Spin-off as described in clause (iii)(B) above if the Company makes a compensating distribution in an amount and on terms that are equivalent to the value of such Spin-off as determined by the Company (which may include a distribution of the share capital or similar equity interests distributed to holders of BAM Shares in the Spin-off or other assets, cash or property (including securities)), or (c) an event described in clauses (v) through (vi) above if, in connection with such event, BAM makes a distribution of cash, Class A Shares, BAM Shares and/or rights, options or warrants to acquire Class A Shares and/or BAM Shares with respect to all BAM Shares, splits or subdivides the BAM Shares or effects a reverse split of, or otherwise combines or makes an offer for, the BAM Shares, as applicable, that, in the determination of the Company, is comparable as a whole in all material respects with such event;
(dd) Exchange Right has the meaning as provided in Section 2.11;
(ee) Ex-Dividend Date means, in respect of a distribution on the applicable securities, (a) the date on which such securities are traded without an entitlement to such distribution or (b) where such securities trade on a due bill basis, the date on which such dividend or distribution is paid;
(ff) Expiration Date has the meaning as provided in clause (iv) of the definition of Exchange Factor above;
(gg) Governing Body means (i) with respect to a corporation or limited company, the board of directors of such corporation or limited company, (ii) with respect to a limited liability company, the manager(s), director(s) or managing partner(s) of such limited liability company, (iii) with respect to a partnership, the board, committee or other body of each general partner or managing partner of such partnership, respectively, that serves a similar function (or if any such general partner is itself a partnership, the board, committee or other body of such general or managing partners general or managing partner that serves a similar function), and (iv) with respect to any other Person, the body of such Person that serves a similar function, and in the case of each of (i) through (iv) includes any committee or other subdivision of such body and any Person to whom such body has delegated any power or authority, including any officer or managing director;
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(hh) Last Reported Sale Price means with respect to a security on a particular date, the market price of such security on such date or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the most recent Trading Day. The market price for each such Trading Day shall be: (i) if such security is listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange, the closing price per security (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for such U.S. National Securities Exchange (or, if listed on more than one U.S. National Securities Exchange, the U.S. National Securities Exchange with the greatest volume of trading by dollar value over the 12-month period preceding the date of the calculation); (ii) if such security is not listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange but is listed on the TSX, the U.S. dollar equivalent (calculated using the rate published by the Bank of Canada as of 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on such date) of the closing price per security (or, if no closing price is reported, the average of the last quoted bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and average ask prices) on such day for the TSX; (iii) if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX, the last quoted bid price on such day in the over-the-counter market on such day as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization; or (iv) if such security is not listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX and such security is not quoted in the over-the-counter market, the average of the mid-point of the last quoted bid and ask prices on such day from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for such purpose;
(ii) Laws means all federal, provincial, state, municipal, regional and local laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations, principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, certificates, ordinances, judgments, injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees, legally binding codes, policies or other requirements, whether domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any grant of approval, permission, authority or license of any governmental entity, and the term applicable with respect to such Laws and in a context that refers to one or more Persons, means such Laws as are binding upon or applicable to such Person or its assets;
(jj) legal personal representative means the personal or other legal representative of the shareholder;
(kk) Liquidation Amount has the meaning as provided in Section 2.21;
(ll) Liquidation Call Consideration has the meaning as provided in Section 2.24;
(mm) Liquidation Call Right has the meaning as provided in Section 2.24;
(nn) Liquidation Date has the meaning as provided in Section 2.21;
(oo) Liquidation Event has the meaning as provided in Section 2.21;
(pp) Liquidation Reference Date has the meaning as provided in Section 2.21;
(qq) Notice of Class A Redemption means a Notice of Redemption substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit A hereto;
(rr) Notice of Exchange means a Notice of Exchange substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit B hereto (or notice of the exercise of Exchange Rights in such other form as may be acceptable to BAM);
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(ss) Open of Business means 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time;
(tt) Person means any natural person, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, syndicate, sole proprietorship, company or corporation (with or without share capital), limited liability corporation, unlimited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator or other legal personal representative, governmental entity or other entity however designated or constituted and pronouns have a similarly extended meaning;
(uu) Record Date means with respect to any distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of BAM Shares and/or Class A Shares have the right to receive any cash, securities, assets or other property or in which BAM Shares and/or Class A Shares are exchanged for or converted into any combination of securities, cash, assets or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of BAM Shares and/or Class A Shares entitled to receive such cash, securities, assets or other property (whether such date is fixed by the BAM Board or the Board, as applicable, or a duly authorized committee thereof, or as determined pursuant to any statute, constating document, contract or otherwise);
(vv) Redemption Call Right has the meaning as provided in Section 2.17;
(ww) Redemption Consideration has the meaning as provided in Section 2.17;
(xx) Rights Agent means Wilmington Trust, National Association, and includes any person who becomes a successor or replacement rights agent and is deemed to refer to all successors, including, without limitation, by operation of law, of such rights agent;
(yy) Rights Agreement means that certain Rights Agreement relating to the Exchange Right and entered into by and between BAM, the Company and the Rights Agent as it may be amended or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
(zz) Specified Class A Redemption Date means, with respect to the Notice of Class A Redemption, the sixtieth (60th) day following delivery of such Notice of Class A Redemption to the Class A Shareholder or such later day specified in such Notice of Class A Redemption;
(aaa) Specified Exchange Date means, with respect to each Notice of Exchange for which an Exchange Date has not occurred prior thereto, the tenth (10th) Business Day following the receipt of such Notice of Exchange by the Transfer Agent;
(bbb) Spin-off means a payment by BAM of a distribution of shares of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a subsidiary or business unit of BAM, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. National Securities Exchange or the TSX;
(ccc) Tendered Class A Shares has the meaning as provided in Section 2.11;
(ddd) Tendering Class A Shareholder has the meaning as provided in Section 2.11;
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(eee) Trading Day means a day on which (a) trading in the applicable securities generally occurs on a U.S. National Securities Exchange or, if the applicable securities are not then listed on a U.S. National Securities Exchange, on the TSX or such other market on which the applicable securities are then traded and (b) a Last Reported Sale Price for the applicable securities is available on such securities exchange or market. If the applicable securities are not so listed, or in the case of unlisted securities, so traded, Trading Day means a Business Day;
(fff) Transfer means any sale, assignment, surrender, gift or transfer of ownership of, the granting or foreclosure of a pledge, mortgage, charge, security interest, hypothecation or other encumbrance, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, or the entry into of any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the foregoing;
(ggg) Transfer Agent means AST Trust Company (Canada), and includes any person who becomes a successor or replacement transfer agent and is deemed to refer to all successors, including, without limitation, by operation of law, of such transfer agent;
(hhh) TSX means the Toronto Stock Exchange;
(iii) Unpaid Distributions has the meaning as provided in Section 2.4;
(jjj) U.S. National Securities Exchange means an exchange registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act on which the applicable securities are listed, or if the applicable securities are not listed on an exchange so registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any other U.S. exchange, whether or not so registered, on which the applicable securities are listed;
(kkk) Valuation Date means (i) the date of receipt by the Transfer Agent of a Notice of Exchange, or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the first (1st) Trading Day thereafter; or (ii) the day immediately preceding the date the Company issues a Notice of Class A Redemption, or, if such day is not a Business Day, the Trading Day immediately preceding such day; and
(lll) Valuation Period means, with respect to any Spin-off, the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-off.
Actions on Non-Business Days
1.2 Whenever any payment to be made or action to be taken hereunder is required to be made or taken on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made or action taken on the next following Business Day.
Currency
1.3 Except where otherwise expressly provided herein, all amounts are stated in U.S. currency.
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PART 2
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
CLASS A EXCHANGEABLE LIMITED VOTING SHARES
Special Rights and Restrictions
2.1 The Class A Shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Part 2.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Distribution Rights
2.2 Each Class A Shareholder shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the Board, distributions which, for greater certainty, may take the form of a dividend, a capital reduction resulting in a return of capital, or a combination of a dividend and a capital reduction, in each case in an amount for each Class A Share equal to the cash dividend declared on each BAM Share on each BAM Dividend Declaration Date multiplied by the Exchange Factor in effect on the Record Date of such dividend or capital reduction (the Class A Distribution), it being understood that Class A Shareholders will not be entitled to any distributions other than the Class A Distribution, except as provided in these Bye-Laws. The record and payment dates for any Class A Distributions shall be such dates that the Board shall designate from time to time.
Stock Distributions, Consolidations and Subdivisions
2.3 In the event of a stock distribution, consolidation or subdivision of the BAM Shares, a corresponding stock distribution, consolidation or subdivision may be effected in respect of the Class A Shares in order to avoid the need to make an adjustment to the Exchange Factor. In addition, in the event a distribution is declared and paid on the Class B Shares consisting of Class B Shares, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously declare and pay on the Class A Shares an equivalent distribution on a per share basis consisting of Class A Shares. In the event the Board approves, and the Company effects, a consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class B Shares into shares of a larger par value or into shares of a smaller par value, as applicable, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously approve, and the Company shall contemporaneously effect, an equivalent consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class A Shares. For greater certainty, no consent or resolution of the holders of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares or any other class of shares will be required in connection with the consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class A Shares.
Unpaid Distributions
2.4 If the full amount of a Class A Distribution is not paid on the payment date for any dividend declared by the BAM Board on the BAM Shares, then such Class A Distribution shall accrue and accumulate (without interest), whether or not the Company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment thereof and whether or not such distributions are earned, declared or authorized (such amounts, the Unpaid Distributions). Any distribution payment made on the Class A Shares shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated Unpaid Distributions due with respect to such Class A Shares which remains payable.
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Payment of Distributions
2.5 Cheques of the Company may be issued in respect of all Class A Distributions contemplated by Section 2.2 and the sending of such cheque to each Class A Shareholder will satisfy the cash distribution represented thereby unless the cheque is not paid on presentation. Subject to the requirements of applicable Law with respect to unclaimed property, no Class A Shareholder will be entitled to recover by action or other legal process against the Company any distribution that is represented by a cheque that has not been duly presented to the Companys bankers for payment or that otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of two years from the date on which such distribution was first payable.
RANKING
Ranking of the Class A Shares
2.6 The Class A Shares shall, as to the payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event, rank pari passu with the Class B Shares, junior to the Senior Preferred Shares and any other shares ranking senior to the Class A Shares, and senior to the Class C Shares and the Junior Preferred Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Shares with respect to priority in payment of distributions and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for purposes of winding up its affairs.
VOTING
Voting Rights
2.7 Except as expressly provided herein, each Class A Shareholder will be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all meetings of shareholders of the Company, except for meetings at which only holders of another specified class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series. Each Class A Shareholder shall be entitled to cast one vote for each Class A Share held at the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on any matter. Except as required by Law and except for any matter that only requires the approval of the holders of the Class C Shares as set out in this Schedule A and except for voting in respect of the election of Directors, all resolutions of shareholders must be passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution, and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution. For greater certainty, at any time that there are no Class A Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class A Shares will be required for any resolution and at any time that there are no Class B Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class B Shares will be required for any resolution.
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2.8 Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Shares to elect directors under specified circumstances, the holders of the outstanding Class A Shares shall be entitled to elect one-half of the Board, provided that, at any time that there are no Class B Shares outstanding, the Class A Shares will be entitled to elect the full Board.
2.9 As provided for in Bye-Law 85, each holder of Class A Shares has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the Class A Shares held by the holder multiplied by the number of directors designated for election by all holders of Class A Shares. A holder of Class A Shares may cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute such votes among its candidates in any manner the holder sees fit. Where a holder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of votes among such candidates, the holder shall be deemed to have divided the holders votes equally among the candidates for whom the holder voted.
Amendment with Approval of Class A Shareholders
2.10 In addition to any other approvals required by Law, any approval given by the Class A Shareholders to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Class A Shares or any other matter requiring the approval or consent of the Class A Shareholders as a separate class will be deemed to have been sufficiently given if it will have been given in accordance with applicable Law, subject to a minimum requirement that such amendment be approved by not less than a majority of the votes cast on such amendment at a meeting of Class A Shareholders duly called and held for such purpose.
EXCHANGE RIGHTS
Exchange at the Option of the Class A Shareholder
2.11 Subject to applicable Law, each Class A Shareholder shall have the right (the Exchange Right) to require BAM to acquire all or such portion of the Class A Shares registered in the name of such Class A Shareholder specified in a Notice of Exchange delivered to the Transfer Agent by or on behalf of such Class A Shareholder (such Class A Shares being hereafter referred to as Tendered Class A Shares and such Class A Shareholder, the Tendering Class A Shareholder) for the BAM Shares Amount per Tendered Class A Share or, if BAM elects in its sole and absolute discretion, the Cash Amount (in lieu of the BAM Shares Amount per Tendered Class A Share), plus, in either case, a cash amount equal to any Unpaid Distributions per Tendered Class A Share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for so long as there is not an effective registration statement for the delivery of the BAM Shares Amount for the Tendered Class A Shares, BAM will not be required to deliver a Cash Amount (in lieu of the BAM Shares Amount for any Tendered Class A Shares) in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate over any 30 consecutive calendar day period, provided that such limit will not apply for more than 90 consecutive calendar days during any 12 calendar month period; and (ii) a Notice of Exchange will not be accepted, and no Exchange Right may be exercised, during the 15 business days prior to the Specified Class A Redemption Date or the occurrence of a Liquidation Event or a BAM Liquidation Event.
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Notice of Exchange
2.12 A Class A Shareholder must deliver a Notice of Exchange either electronically (by electronic mail or by any other electronic procedure that may be established by the Transfer Agent from time to time and communicated to the Class A Shareholders by the Company, BAM or the Transfer Agent) or physically (by mail, courier, hand delivery or otherwise) to any office of the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall promptly notify BAM and the Rights Agent of the receipt of a Notice of Exchange.
Satisfaction of Exchange Rights
2.13 After receipt by the Transfer Agent of a Notice of Exchange and such additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent, BAM or its transfer agent may reasonably require, BAM will acquire the applicable Tendered Class A Shares on or prior to the Specified Exchange Date. BAM will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Tendering Class A Shareholder, at the address of the holder recorded in the register of the Company for the Class A Shares or at the address specified in the holders Notice of Exchange, either (i) the BAM Shares Amount, or (ii) the Cash Amount, as BAM may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, together with a cash amount for each Tendered Class A Share equal to any Unpaid Distributions per Tendered Class A Share ((i) or (ii), plus such Unpaid Distributions collectively being the Exchange Consideration) and such delivery of such Exchange Consideration by or on behalf of BAM will be deemed to be payment of and will satisfy and discharge all liability for the Exchange Rights so exercised. Should BAM elect to satisfy Exchange Rights by delivering the Cash Amount, then the payment of such amount shall be made in the manner set forth in Section 2.5.
2.14 Any Tendering Class A Shareholder shall have no further right, with respect to any Tendered Class A Shares redeemed, repurchased or exchanged, to receive any distributions on Class A Shares with a Record Date on or after the date on which the Transfer Agent receives such Notice of Exchange. Each Tendering Class A Shareholder shall continue to own each Class A Share subject to any Notice of Exchange, and be treated as a Class A Shareholder with respect to each such Class A Share for all other purposes of these Bye-Laws, until such Class A Share has been acquired in accordance with Section 2.13. A Tendering Class A Shareholder shall have no rights as a shareholder of BAM with respect to any BAM Shares to be received by such Tendering Class A Shareholder in exchange for Tendered Class A Shares pursuant to Section 2.11 until such BAM Shares have been issued to such Tendering Class A Shareholder.
2.15 If BAM does not satisfy its obligations under section 2.11 to deliver the Exchange Consideration to a Tendering Class A Shareholder within ten (10) Business Days after the Specified Exchange Date, such Tendering Class A Shareholder shall have the right, pursuant to the Rights Agreement, to institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against BAM in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, the obligations of BAM to deliver the Exchange Consideration, and each Class A Shareholder shall be made a third party beneficiary of the Rights Agreement and shall have the full right to enforce the Rights Agreement in accordance with its terms as if it were a signatory thereto.
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REDEMPTION RIGHTS
Redemption
2.16 If the Company delivers or causes to be delivered a Notice of Class A Redemption to the Class A Shareholders, which Notice of Class A Redemption may be subject to one or more conditions as determined by the Board, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of such conditions, redeem all of the issued and outstanding Class A Shares on the Specified Class A Redemption Date. Subject to the prior written approval of the Class C Shareholders, the Company may deliver a Notice of Class A Redemption at any time, in its sole discretion and subject to applicable Law, including in any of the following circumstances:
(a) the total number of Class A Shares (retroactively adjusted to reflect any consolidations, divisions or subdivisions) outstanding decreases by 50% or more over any 6-month period;
(b) the daily aggregate market value of the outstanding Class A Shares (based on the Class A Share Value multiplied by the number of outstanding Class A Shares on each such day) (i) is less than $250 million for more than six consecutive months or (ii) decreases by 50% or more from its high over any three-month period;
(c) a Person acquires 90% of the BAM Shares in a take-over bid (as defined by Applicable Securities Laws);
(d) the shareholders of BAM approve an acquisition of BAM by way of arrangement, amalgamation or similar transaction;
(e) the shareholders of BAM approve a restructuring or other reorganization of BAM or a BAM Liquidation Event is pending;
(f) there is a pending sale of all or substantially all the assets of BAM;
(g) there is a change of Law (whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action), administrative practice or interpretation, or a change in circumstances of the Company and the shareholders of the Company, that may result in adverse tax consequences for the Company or the shareholders of the Company; or
(h) the Board, in its sole discretion, concludes that the Class A Shareholders are adversely impacted by a fact, change, or other circumstance relating to the Company.
Redemption Procedure
2.17 In the event of a redemption of the Class A Shares, the Company shall, at or prior to Close of Business on the Specified Class A Redemption Date, pay to each Class A Shareholder either (i) the BAM Shares Amount, or (ii) the Cash Amount, as the Company may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, together with a cash amount for each Class A Share equal to any Unpaid Distributions per Class A Share ((i) or (ii), plus such Unpaid Distributions collectively being the Redemption Consideration) and such delivery of such Redemption Consideration by or on behalf of the Company by the Transfer Agent will be deemed to be payment of and will satisfy and discharge all liability for the redemption of the Class A Shares. Should the Company elect to satisfy its obligation to redeem the Class A Shares by delivering the Cash Amount, then the payment of such amount shall be made in the manner set forth in Section 2.5.
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2.18 Each Class A Shareholder shall continue to own each Class A Share subject to any Notice of Class A Redemption, and be treated as a Class A Shareholder with respect to each such Class A Share, until such Class A Share has been redeemed in accordance with Section 2.17. A Class A Shareholder shall have no rights as a shareholder of BAM with respect to any BAM Shares to be received by such Class A Shareholder on a redemption of Class A Shares pursuant to Section 2.17 until such BAM Shares have been issued to such Class A Shareholder.
BAM Redemption Call Right
2.19 Notwithstanding the provisions in Sections 2.16 to 2.17 above, in the event the Company provides a Notice of Class A Redemption to each Class A Shareholder, BAM shall have an overriding right to acquire, or cause its affiliate to acquire, all, but not less than all, of the Class A Shares from each Class A Shareholder by delivering the Redemption Consideration (the form of Redemption Consideration to be determined by BAM in its sole and absolute discretion) in accordance with Section 2.17, mutatis mutandis, in satisfaction of the obligations of the Company as set out therein (such right being the Redemption Call Right), and in the event of the exercise by BAM of the Redemption Call Right, each Class A Shareholder will be obligated to sell all Class A Shares held by such Class A Shareholder to BAM (or its affiliate, as applicable) on delivery by BAM (or its affiliate, as applicable) to such Class A Shareholder of the Redemption Consideration and the Company will have no obligation to pay any Redemption Consideration to the holders of such Class A Shares so purchased by BAM.
2.20 In order to exercise its Redemption Call Right, BAM must notify the Transfer Agent in writing, as agent for the holders of Class A Shares, and the Company, of its intention to exercise such right at least 10 days before the Specified Class A Redemption Date.
LIQUIDATION
Liquidation Rights
2.21 Upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up of the Company or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary (a Liquidation Event), including where substantially concurrent with the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of BAM or any other distribution of BAMs assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary (a BAM Liquidation Event), each Class A Shareholder shall, subject to the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right, be entitled to, on the effective date of the Liquidation Event (the Liquidation Date) either, as the Company may determine in its sole and absolute discretion, one BAM Share for each Class A Share then held or an amount in cash for each Class A Share then held equal to the BAM Share Value on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the Liquidation Event (the Liquidation Reference Date) multiplied by the Exchange Factor (the Liquidation Amount).
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2.22 The rights of the Class A Shareholders to receive the amount set forth in Section 2.21 is subject to:
(a) the prior rights of holders of all classes and series of Senior Preferred Shares and any other class of shares ranking in priority or rateably with the Class A Shares; and
(b) prior payment in full of all Unpaid Distributions.
2.23 If, upon any such Liquidation Event, the assets of the Company are insufficient to make payment in full to all Class A Shareholders of the foregoing amounts set forth in Section 2.21 with respect to the Liquidation Event, then such assets (or consideration) shall be distributed among the Class A Shareholders at the time outstanding, rateably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled to receive under Section 2.21.
BAM Liquidation Call Right
2.24 Notwithstanding Section 2.21, BAM will have the overriding right (the Liquidation Call Right), in the event of and notwithstanding the occurrence of any Liquidation Event, to purchase from, or cause its affiliate to purchase from, all but not less than all of the Class A Shareholders on the Liquidation Date all but not less than all of the Class A Shares held by each such holder in exchange for the issuance by BAM of such number of BAM Shares per Class A Share equal to the Exchange Factor in effect on the Liquidation Reference Date (and together with a cash amount for each Class A Share equal to any Unpaid Distributions per Class A Share, the Liquidation Call Consideration). In the event of the exercise of a Liquidation Call Right, each such Class A Shareholder will be obligated on the Liquidation Date to sell all the Class A Shares held by such holder to BAM on the Liquidation Date upon issuance by BAM to the holder of the Liquidation Call Consideration for each such Class A Share, and the Company will have no obligation to pay any Liquidation Amount to the holders of such Class A Shares so purchased by BAM.
2.25 In order to exercise the Liquidation Call Right, BAM must notify the Transfer Agent in writing, as agent for the Class A Shareholders and the Company, of its intention to exercise such right at least 30 days before the Liquidation Date in the case of a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and at least five Business Days before the Liquidation Date in the case of an involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. If BAM exercises the Liquidation Call Right in accordance with this Section 2.25, all obligations of the Company under Sections 2.21 to 2.23 will terminate and on the Liquidation Date BAM will purchase and Class A Shareholders will sell all of their Class A Shares then outstanding for a price per Class A Share equal to the Liquidation Call Consideration.
OTHER RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
Call Rights
2.26 Each Class A Shareholder, whether a registered holder or a beneficial holder, by virtue of becoming and being such a holder will be deemed to acknowledge each of the Redemption Call Right and the Liquidation Call Right, in each case, in favour of BAM, and the overriding nature thereof in connection with the exercise of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, or the redemption of Class A Shares, as the case may be, and to be bound thereby in favour of BAM as herein provided.
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No Fractional BAM Shares
2.27 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no fractional BAM Shares shall be issued in connection with (i) the satisfaction of Exchange Rights, (ii) a redemption or acquisition of the Class A Shares by the Company or pursuant to the Redemption Call Right, or (iii) a Liquidation Event. In lieu of any fractional BAM Shares to which a Tendering Class A Shareholder or a Class A Shareholder, as applicable, would otherwise be entitled in circumstances (i)-(iii) in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company or BAM, as applicable, shall pay a cash amount equal to the BAM Share Value on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Exchange Date, Specified Class A Redemption Date or Liquidation Date, as applicable, multiplied by such fraction of a BAM Share.
Withholding Taxes
2.28 Each Tendering Class A Shareholder or Class A Shareholder, as applicable, shall be required to pay to the Company or BAM, as applicable, the amount of any tax withholding due upon the exchange of Tendered Class A Shares, the redemption of the Class A Shares, or the exchange of Class A Shares on a Liquidation Event, and will be deemed to have authorized the Company or BAM, as applicable, to retain such portion of the Exchange Consideration, the Redemption Consideration, the Liquidation Amount or the Liquidation Call Amount, as applicable, as the Company or BAM reasonably determines is necessary to satisfy its tax withholding obligations. Before making any withholding pursuant to this Section 2.28, the Company or BAM, as applicable, shall (i) give each Tendering Class A Shareholder or Class A Shareholder, as applicable, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of a Notice of Exchange, or delivery of a Notice of Class A Redemption, a notice of a Liquidation Event or a notice of the exercise of the Redemption Call Right or the Liquidation Call Right, as applicable, notice of the Companys or BAMs good faith estimate of the amount of any anticipated tax withholding (together with the legal basis therefor) due upon the exchange of Tendered Class A Shares, the redemption of the Class A Shares, or the exchange of Class A Shares on a Liquidation Event, (ii) provide the Tendering Class A Shareholder or Class A Shareholder with sufficient opportunity to provide any forms or other documentation or take such other steps in order to avoid or reduce such tax withholding, and (iii) reasonably cooperate with the Tendering Class A Shareholder or Class A Shareholder in good faith to attempt to reduce any amounts that would otherwise be withheld pursuant to this Section 2.28; provided that any determination with respect to the tax withholding shall be made by the Company, BAM or an affiliate of BAM, as applicable, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith.
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PART 3
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
CLASS B LIMITED VOTING SHARES
Special Rights and Restrictions
3.1 The Class B Shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Part 3.
Distribution Rights
3.2 Each Class B Shareholder shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall declare and pay thereon, distributions that, for greater certainty, may take the form of dividends, capital reductions resulting in a return of capital, or a combination of dividends and capital reductions, on the Class B Shares in the same amount and at the same time as the declaration and payment of any Class A Distributions. Sections 2.2 to 2.5 shall apply in their entirety, mutatis mutandis, to distributions on the Class B Shares.
Stock Distributions, Consolidations and Subdivisions
3.3 In the event a distribution is declared and paid on the Class A Shares consisting of Class A Shares, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously declare and pay on the Class B Shares an equivalent distribution on a per share basis consisting of Class B Shares. In the event the Board approves, and the Company effects, a consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class A Shares into shares of a larger par value or into shares of a smaller par value, as applicable, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously approve, and the Company shall contemporaneously effect, an equivalent consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class B Shares. For greater certainty, no consent or resolution of the holders of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares or any other class of shares will be required in connection with the consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class B Shares.
Ranking of the Class B Shares
3.4 The Class B Shares shall, as to the payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event, rank pari passu with the Class A Shares, junior to the Senior Preferred Shares and any other shares ranking senior to the Class B Shares, and senior to the Class C Shares and the Junior Preferred Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Shares with respect to priority in payment of distributions and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for purposes of winding up its affairs.
Voting Rights
3.5 Except as expressly provided herein, each Class B Shareholder will be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all meetings of shareholders of the Company, except for meetings at which only holders of another specified class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series. Each Class B Shareholder shall be entitled to cast one vote for each Class B Share held at the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on any matter. Except as required by Law and except for any matter that only requires the approval of the holders of the Class C Shares as set out in this Schedule A and except for voting in respect of the election of Directors, all resolutions must be passed or adopted by: (i) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class B Shares who vote in respect of the resolution, and (ii) a majority or, where a higher threshold is specified under applicable Law, the higher percentage of the votes cast by holders of Class A Shares who vote in respect of the resolution. For greater certainty, at any time that there are no Class A Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class A Shares will be required for any resolution and at any time that there are no Class B Shares outstanding, no approval of the holders of Class B Shares will be required for any resolution.
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3.6 Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Shares to elect directors under specified circumstances, the holders of the outstanding Class B Shares shall be entitled to elect one-half of the Board, provided that, at any time that there are no Class A Shares outstanding, the Class B Shares will be entitled to elect the full Board.
3.7 As provided for in Bye-Law 85, each holder of Class B Shares has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of votes attached to the Class B Shares held by the holder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected by all holders of Class B Shares. A holder of Class B Shares may cast all such votes in favour of one candidate or distribute such votes among its candidates in any manner the holder sees fit. Where a holder has voted for more than one candidate without specifying the distribution of votes among such candidates, the holder shall be deemed to have divided the holders votes equally among the candidates for whom the holder voted.
Amendment with Approval of Class B Shareholders
3.8 In addition to any other approvals required by Law, the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Class B Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the Class B Shareholders given as hereinafter specified.
3.9 The approval of the Class B Shareholders to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Class B Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the holders of the Class B Shareholders 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 Class B Shareholders or passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Class B Shareholders duly called for that purpose. On every poll taken at every meeting of the Class B Shareholders as a class, each Class B Shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of each Class B Share held.
Liquidation Rights
3.10 Upon any Liquidation Event, including where substantially concurrent with a BAM Liquidation Event, each Class B Share shall rank pari passu with each Class A Share and Sections 2.21 to 2.23 of these Bye-Laws shall apply in their entirety, mutatis mutandis to the Class B Shares, except that the Liquidation Call Right is only applicable to the Class A Shares.
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Transfer Restrictions
3.11 The Class B Shares may not be Transferred to any Person other than to BAM, any of the shareholders from time to time of the trustee of the holder of the Class B Shares (the BAM Re Class B Partners), current and former executives of BAM (Partners) or any Person Controlled by BAM, a BAM Re Class B Partner or a Partner. If any Class B Shares are Transferred in contravention of the preceding sentence, (i) such Transfer shall be null and void, and the Company shall not register or otherwise recognize the Transfer of the Class B Shares to the transferee, (ii) any rights to vote attaching to the Class B Shares so Transferred may not be exercised by any Person, (iii) any payment by the Company on the Class B Shares so Transferred shall be prohibited and any such payment shall be forfeited, and (iv) any rights that an ineligible transferee may have as a result of being a holder of Class B Shares shall be null and void, in each case, until such time as such Transfer is cancelled.
PART 4
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
CLASS C NON-VOTING SHARES
Special Rights and Restrictions
4.1 The Class C Shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Part 4.
Distribution Rights
4.2 Class C Shareholders shall be entitled to receive, as and when declared by the Board, out of any assets of the Company legally available therefor, distributions which, for greater certainty, may take the form of dividends, capital reductions resulting in a return of capital, or a combination of dividends and capital reductions, as may be declared from time to time by the Board. The Class C Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive distributions unless and until the Company has paid any Unpaid Distributions. The record and payment dates for distributions on Class C Shares shall be such date that the Board shall designate from time to time.
Stock Distributions, Consolidations and Subdivisions
4.3 In the event a distribution is declared and paid on the Class A Shares consisting of Class A Shares, the Board may, but is not obligated to, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously declare and pay on the Class C Shares an equivalent distribution on a per share basis consisting of Class C Shares. In the event the Board approves a consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class A Shares into shares of a larger par value or into shares of a smaller par value, as applicable, the Board may, but is not obligated to, subject to applicable Law, contemporaneously approve an equivalent consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class C Shares. For greater certainty, no consent or resolution of the holders of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares or any other class of shares will be required in connection with the consolidation, division or subdivision of the Class C Shares.
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Ranking of the Class C Shares
4.4 The Class C Shares shall, as to the payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event, rank junior to the Preferred Shares, the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares and senior over any other shares ranking junior to the Class C Shares with respect to priority in payment of distributions and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company.
Voting Rights
4.5 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or as required by Law, each Class C Shareholder shall be entitled to notice of, and to attend, any meetings of shareholders of the Company, but shall not otherwise be entitled to vote at any such meeting.
4.6 The following matters shall require prior written consent of all of the holders of the Class C Shares:
(a) the exercise by the Company of its redemption rights pursuant to Section 2.16;
(b) any amendment to the Companys memorandum of association or these Bye-Laws (including for greater certainty, any amendment to the terms of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares or any other shares ranking ahead of the Class C Shares);
(c) any merger or similar reorganization of the Company (including a sale of all or substantially all of its assets);
(d) a continuance of the Company to another jurisdiction; and
(e) the commencement of a voluntary liquidation of the Company, other than a voluntary liquidation commenced under Section 4.12.
4.7 Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time that there are no Class A Shares and no Class B Shares outstanding, the holders of Class C Shares shall be entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, all meetings of shareholders of the Company (except meetings at which only holders of another specified class or series of shares are entitled to vote) and shall be entitled to cast at any such meeting one vote per Class C Share, including with respect to the election of directors.
Amendment with Approval of Class C Shareholders
4.8 In addition to any other approval required by Law, the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Class C Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holders of the Class C Shares given as hereinafter specified.
4.9 The approval of the Class C Shareholders to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Class C Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the Class C Shareholders (including the matters set out in Section 4.6) 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 Class C Shareholders or passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Class C Shareholders duly called for that purpose. On every poll taken at every meeting of the Class C Shareholders as a class, each Class C Shareholder entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of each Class C Share held.
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Liquidation Rights
4.10 Upon any Liquidation Event, including where substantially concurrent with a BAM Liquidation Event, the Class C Shareholders shall be entitled to receive on the Liquidation Date the assets and property of the Company remaining, if any, after the prior payments of the amounts set forth in Section 4.11.
4.11 The rights of the Class C Shareholders to receive the amounts set forth in Section 4.10 is subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes and series of Preferred Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and any other class of shares ranking in priority or rateably with the Class C Shares.
4.12 The Class C Shareholders may resolve, by way of a written resolution signed by all of the Class C Shareholders or passed by the affirmative vote of all of the Class C Shareholders at a meeting of Class C Shareholders called for that purpose, that the Company commence a members voluntary liquidation of the Company in the event of the occurrence of any of the following circumstances:
(a) the total number of Class A Shares (retroactively adjusted to reflect any consolidations, divisions or subdivisions) outstanding decreases by 50% or more over any 6-month period;
(b) the daily aggregate market value of the outstanding Class A Shares (based on the Class A Share Value multiplied by the number of outstanding Class A Shares on each such day) (i) is less than $250 million for more than six consecutive months or (ii) decreases by 50% or more from its high over any three-month period;
(c) a Person acquires 90% of the BAM Shares in a take-over bid (as defined by Applicable Securities Laws);
(d) the shareholders of BAM approve a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of BAM or an acquisition of BAM by way of arrangement, amalgamation or similar transaction;
(e) the shareholders of BAM approve a restructuring or other reorganization of BAM or a BAM Liquidation Event is pending;
(f) there is a change of Law (whether by legislative, governmental or judicial action), administrative practice or interpretation, or a change in circumstances of the Company and the shareholders of the Company, that may result in materially adverse tax or regulatory consequences for the Company or the shareholders of the Company;
26
(g) the Class C Shareholders, in good faith, conclude that the Class C Shareholders are materially adversely impacted by an external fact unrelated to the Company, a change, or other circumstance relating to the Company that was not known to the Company on the effective date of the issuance of the Class C Shares; or
(h) on any day during the months of January and June commencing in 2022 and every year thereafter, more than 20% of the total number of Class A Shares outstanding are controlled by one person or group of persons acting jointly or in concert within the meaning of Applicable Securities Laws;
provided that, (i) in the case of all circumstances other than (b) above, the circumstance cannot be cured within a period of 30 days, (ii) the rights of the Class C Shareholders under this Section 4.12 will only be exercisable following the expiration of such 30-day cure period (or, in the case of (b), following the occurrence of the event) and shall expire (A) in the case of all circumstances other than (h) above, on the 90th day thereafter, and (B) in the case of (h) above, on the 60th day thereafter, and (iii) in the case of (h) above, the right under this Section 4.12 will only be exercisable in the event that more than 20% of the total number of Class A Shares outstanding are controlled by one person or group of persons acting jointly and in concert within the meaning of Applicable Securities Laws at the time such right is exercised.
4.13 Any resolution of the Class C Shareholders passed or adopted pursuant to Section 4.12, and the related voluntary liquidation of the Company, may be conditional upon the completion of any one or more of the events enumerated in Section 4.12.
4.14 For greater certainty, no consent or resolution of the holders of the Class A Shares, Class B Shares or any other class of shares will be required in connection with the commencement of a members voluntary liquidation of the Company by the Class C Shareholders under Section 4.12. Any such members voluntary liquidation of the Company will be subject to applicable Law (including any necessary regulatory approvals), and subject to no less than 60 days prior written notice of the date of liquidation being provided to holders of Class A Shares and Class B Shares.
Conversion of Class A Shares
4.15 Any Class C Shareholder shall be entitled at any time to have any or all of such Class C Shareholders Class A Shares converted into a number of Class C Shares (which may include a fraction of a Class C Share) at a conversion rate, for each such Class A Share in respect of which the conversion right is exercised, equal to the number obtained by dividing the fair market value of a Class A Share by the fair market value of a Class C Share, in each case as determined by the Board (the conversion number). If the conversion number from time to time is not equal to one (1), then the conversion may include any subdivision or consolidation of the Class C Shares necessary so that (a) the conversion number (calculated immediately after giving effect to the subdivision or consolidation of the Class C Shares but before the conversion is completed) will become one (1) and (b) the Class A Shares to be converted will be converted into the same number of Class C Shares. The right of conversion herein provided for may be exercised by notice in writing given to the Transfer Agent (a Conversion Notice), which notice shall specify the number of Class A Shares that the Class C Shareholder desires to have converted. Upon receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall, subject to applicable Law, promptly redeem the Class A Shares subject to the Conversion Notice in exchange for the issue to the converting Class C Shareholder of the requisite number of Class C Shares and the Transfer Agent shall cancel the converted Class A Shares subject to the Conversion Notice effective concurrently therewith.
27
Transfer Restrictions
4.16 The Class C Shares may not be Transferred to any Person other than to BAM or a Person Controlled by BAM. If any Class C Shares are Transferred in contravention of the preceding sentence, (i) such Transfer shall be null and void, and the Company shall not register or otherwise recognize the Transfer of the Class C Shares to the transferee, (ii) any payment by the Company on the Class C Shares so Transferred shall be prohibited and any such payment shall be forfeited, and (iii) any rights that an ineligible transferee may have as a result of being a holder of Class C Shares shall be null and void, in each case, until such time as such Transfer is cancelled.
PART 5
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
SENIOR PREFERRED SHARES
Special Rights and Restrictions
5.1 Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Senior Preferred Shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Part 5.
Directors Right to Issue in One or More Series
5.2 The Senior Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series as determined by the Board, without the consent or resolution of the holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares or any other class of shares. Before any Senior Preferred Shares of a series are issued, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, by resolution:
(a) determine the maximum number of shares of any of those series of shares that the Company is authorized to issue, determine that there is no maximum number or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, alter any determination so made;
(b) create an identifying name by which the shares of any of those series of shares may be identified or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, to alter any such identifying name so created; and
(c) attach (which may be evidenced by way of certificate of designation, resolution of the Board or such other evidence as the Board may determine by resolution) special rights or restrictions to the shares of any of those series of shares, including, but without in any way limiting or restricting the generality of the foregoing, the rate or amount of distributions, whether cumulative, non-cumulative or partially cumulative, the dates, places and currencies of payment thereof, the consideration for, and the terms and conditions of, any purchase, retraction or redemption thereof, including redemption after a fixed term or at a premium, conversion or exchange rights, the terms and conditions of any share purchase plan or sinking fund, the restrictions respecting payment of distributions on, or the repayment of capital in respect of, any other shares of the Company and voting rights and restrictions but no special right or restriction so created, defined or attached shall contravene the provisions of Sections 5.3 and 5.4, or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, to alter any such special rights or restrictions.
28
Ranking of the Senior Preferred Shares
5.3 The Senior Preferred Shares of each series shall, as to the payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event, rank on a parity with the Senior Preferred Shares of every other series and senior to the Junior Preferred Shares, the Class A Shares, the Class B Shares and the Class C Shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event.
Voting
5.4 Except as hereinafter referred to or as required by Law or unless provision is made in these Bye-Laws relating to any series of Senior Preferred Shares that such series is entitled to vote, the holders of the Senior 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 Company.
Amendment with Approval of Holder of Senior Preferred Shares
5.5 In addition to any other approval required by Law, the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Senior Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holders of the Senior Preferred Shares given as hereinafter specified.
5.6 The approval of the holders of the Senior Preferred Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Senior Preferred Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the holders of the Senior 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 Senior Preferred Shares or passed by the affirmative vote of at least majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Senior Preferred Shares duly called for that purpose. On every poll taken at every meeting of the holders of the Senior Preferred Shares as a class, or at any joint meeting of the holders of two or more series of Senior Preferred Shares, each holder of Senior Preferred Shares entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of each Senior Preferred Share held.
29
PART 6
SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS
JUNIOR PREFERRED SHARES
Special Rights and Restrictions
6.1 Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Junior Preferred Shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Part 6.
Directors Right to Issue in One or More Series
6.2 The Junior Preferred Shares may be issued at any time or from time to time in one or more series as determined by the Board, without the consent or resolution of the holders of Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares or any other class of shares. Before any Junior Preferred Shares of a series are issued, the Board shall, subject to applicable Law, by resolution:
(a) determine the maximum number of shares of any of those series of shares that the Company is authorized to issue, determine that there is no maximum number or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, alter any determination so made;
(b) create an identifying name by which the shares of any of those series of shares may be identified or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, to alter any such identifying name so created; and
(c) attach (which may be evidenced by way of certificate of designation, resolution of the Board or such other evidence as the Board may determine by resolution) special rights or restrictions to the shares of any of those series of shares, including, but without in any way limiting or restricting the generality of the foregoing, the rate or amount of distributions, whether cumulative, non-cumulative or partially cumulative, the dates, places and currencies of payment thereof, the consideration for, and the terms and conditions of, any purchase, retraction or redemption thereof, including redemption after a fixed term or at a premium, conversion or exchange rights, the terms and conditions of any share purchase plan or sinking fund, the restrictions respecting payment of distributions on, or the repayment of capital in respect of, any other shares of the Company and voting rights and restrictions but no special right or restriction so created, defined or attached shall contravene the provisions of Sections 6.3 and 6.4, or, if none of the shares of that series is issued, to alter any such special rights or restrictions.
Ranking of the Junior Preferred Shares
6.3 The Junior Preferred Shares of each series shall, as to the payment of distributions and return of capital in a Liquidation Event, rank on a parity with the Junior Preferred Shares of every other series, junior to the Senior Preferred Shares, the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares, and senior to the Class C Shares and over any other shares ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to priority in payment of distributions and in return of capital in a Liquidation Event.
30
Voting
6.4 Except as hereinafter referred to or as required by Law or unless provision is made in these Bye-Laws relating to any series of Junior Preferred Shares that such series is entitled to vote, the holders of the Junior 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 Company.
Amendment with Approval of Holder of Junior Preferred Shares
6.5 In addition to any other approval required by Law, the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attached to the Junior Preferred Shares as a class may be added to, changed or removed but only with the approval of the holders of the Junior Preferred Shares given as hereinafter specified.
6.6 The approval of the holders of the Junior Preferred Shares to add to, change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to the Junior Preferred Shares as a class or in respect of any other matter requiring the consent of the holders of the Junior 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 Junior Preferred Shares or passed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the Junior Preferred Shares duly called for that purpose. On every poll taken at every meeting of the holders of the Junior Preferred Shares as a class, or at any joint meeting of the holders of two or more series of Junior Preferred Shares, each holder of Junior Preferred Shares entitled to vote thereat shall have one vote in respect of each Junior Preferred Share held.
31
EXHIBIT A
Notice of Class A Redemption
To: |
Class A Shareholders of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. |
(the Company)
This notice is given pursuant to Section 2.18 of Schedule A of the Bye-Laws of the Company (the Bye-Laws). All capitalized words and expressions used in this notice that are defined in the Bye-Laws have the meanings ascribed to such words and expressions in such Bye-Laws.
The Company hereby notifies the Class A Shareholders that, subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, the Company desires to redeem all of the issued and outstanding Class A Shares in accordance with the Bye-Laws:
The Company acknowledges that, subject to the satisfaction of the above conditions, this notice is and will be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by the Company to redeem all of the Class A Shares on the Specified Class A Redemption Date for the Redemption Consideration and on the other terms and conditions set out in the Bye-Laws.
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
(Date)
1
EXHIBIT B
Notice of Exchange
1
NOTICE OF EXCHANGE
To: |
AST TRUST COMPANY (CANADA) (the Transfer Agent) |
PLEASE DELIVER YOUR EXCHANGE REQUEST AS FOLLOWS:
AST Trust Company (Canada) 1 Toronto Street, Suite 1200 Toronto, ON M5C 2V6 Attention: Corporate Actions
|
This notice is given pursuant to Bye-Law 2.12 (the Bye-Laws) of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (the Company). All capitalized words and expressions used in this notice that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such words and expressions in the Bye-Laws.
The undersigned hereby notifies the Transfer Agent, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM) and the Company that the undersigned desires to have BAM acquire from the undersigned:
☐ |
all Class A Share(s) registered in the name of the undersigned; or |
☐ |
___________ Class A Share(s) registered in the name of the undersigned, |
such amount of Class A Share(s) elected above, being hereafter referred to herein as the Tendered Class A Shares.
This notice is and will be deemed to be an offer by the undersigned to sell such Tendered Class A Share(s) to BAM in accordance with the undersigneds Exchange Right on or prior to the Specified Exchange Date for the Exchange Consideration and on the other terms and conditions set out in the Bye-Laws.
The undersigned acknowledges that notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for so long as there is not an effective registration statement for the delivery of the BAM Shares Amount for the Tendered Class A Shares, BAM will not be required to deliver a Cash Amount (in lieu of the BAM Shares Amount for any Tendered Class A Shares) in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate over any 30 consecutive calendar day period, provided that such limit will not apply for more than 90 consecutive calendar days during any 12 calendar month period; and (ii) a Notice of Exchange will not be accepted, and no Exchange Right may be exercised, during the 15 business days prior to the Specified Class A Redemption Date or the occurrence of a Liquidation Event or a BAM Liquidation Event.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to BAM that the undersigned has good title to, and owns, the Tendered Class A Share(s) to be acquired by BAM, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances whatsoever.
|
(Date) |
|
(Please print Name of Tendering Class A Shareholder) |
|
(Please print phone number) |
|
(Signature of Tendering Class A Shareholder) |
|
(Guarantee of Signature) |
CURRENCY ELECTION
(only if exchange or acquisition of the Tendered Class A Shares is satisfied by the Cash Amount)
Shareholders domiciled in Canada will receive the Cash Amount in Canadian dollars (CAD) and shareholders domiciled in the United States and all other countries will receive the Cash Amount in U.S. dollars (USD), unless otherwise elected below:
☐ |
Issue my cash entitlement payment(s) in U.S. dollars (USD). |
☐ |
Issue my cash entitlement payment(s) in Canadian dollars (CAD). |
By electing to receive payment in another currency, the undersigned acknowledges that (a) the exchange rate used will be the rate established by the Transfer Agent, in its capacity as foreign exchange service provider to the Company, on the date the funds are converted and (b) the risk of any fluctuation in such rate will be borne by the undersigned.
Payment Delivery Instruction
☐ |
Please check this box if the Cash Amount, if applicable, resulting from the exchange or acquisition of the Tendered Class A Shares is to be paid by cheque and mailed to the last address of the Tendering Class A Shareholder as it appears on the register of the Company or as instructed below in Exhibit A. ALL CHEQUE PAYMENTS WILL BE ISSUED TO THE REGISTERED NAME AS IT CURRENTLY APPEARS. |
☐ |
Please check this box if the Cash Amount, if applicable, resulting from the exchange or acquisition of the Tendered Class A Shares is to be paid by cheque and held for pick-up by the Tendering Class A Shareholder at the principal transfer office of the Transfer Agent in Toronto, Ontario. |
NOTE: |
This panel must be completed and such additional documents as the Transfer Agent may require must be deposited with the Transfer Agent at its principal transfer office in Toronto, Ontario. The BAM Shares Amount and any payment resulting from the exchange or acquisition of the Tendered Class A Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to respectively, the name of the Tendering Class A Shareholder as it appears on the register of the Company and the BAM Shares Amount and payment resulting from such exchange or acquisition will be delivered to such Tendering Class A Shareholder as indicated above, unless the form appearing immediately below (including the signature guarantee section) is duly completed. |
EXHIBIT A:
Cheque Delivery Information
Date: _______________________, 2021
|
Name of Person in Whose Name Payment is to be Delivered |
(please print) |
|
Street Address or P.O. Box |
|
City, Province and Postal Code |
|
Signature of Tendering Class A Shareholder |
Guarantee of Signatures
If this Notice is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Tendered Class A Share(s), or if BAM Share(s) are to be returned to a person other than such registered owner(s) or sent to an address other than the address of the registered owner(s) as shown on the register of the Company or if the payment is to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered owner of the Tendered Class A Share(s) such signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, or in some other manner satisfactory to the Transfer Agent (except that no guarantee is required if the signature is that of an Eligible Institution).
Exhibit 99.2
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
- and
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
June 28, 2021
TORYS LLP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE 1 | ||||
INTERPRETATION |
1 | |||
1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
1.2 Rules of Construction |
5 | |||
ARTICLE 2 | ||||
TERM |
6 | |||
2.1 Term |
6 | |||
ARTICLE 3 | ||||
SERVICES |
6 | |||
3.1 Services to be Provided by BAM |
6 | |||
3.2 Addition or Removal of Services |
7 | |||
3.3 Service Level Agreements |
7 | |||
3.4 Books and Records |
8 | |||
3.5 Furnish Information |
8 | |||
3.6 Client Information and Assistance |
8 | |||
3.7 Proprietary Rights |
9 | |||
ARTICLE 4 | ||||
FEES AND EXPENSES |
9 | |||
4.1 Services Fees |
9 | |||
4.2 Duplication of Fees |
10 | |||
4.3 Payment of HST |
10 | |||
4.4 Failure to Pay When Due |
10 | |||
ARTICLE 5 | ||||
CONFIDENTIALITY |
11 | |||
5.1 Confidentiality |
11 | |||
ARTICLE 6 | ||||
PRIVACY |
11 | |||
6.1 Privacy |
11 | |||
ARTICLE 7 | ||||
COVENANTS AND AUTHORITY OF BAM |
13 | |||
7.1 Covenants of BAM |
13 | |||
7.2 Authority of BAM |
13 | |||
7.3 Execution of Documents |
13 |
- ii -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
ARTICLE 8 |
||||
ACTIVITIES OF BAM |
14 | |||
8.1 Standard of Care and Delegation |
14 | |||
8.2 Reliance |
14 | |||
8.3 Other Activities of BAM |
15 | |||
8.4 Transition of Services During the Term |
16 | |||
8.5 Acknowledgement of the Company |
16 | |||
ARTICLE 9 |
||||
INDEMNITIES |
16 | |||
9.1 Indemnification of the Company by BAM |
16 | |||
9.2 Indemnification of BAM by the Company |
17 | |||
ARTICLE 10 |
||||
FORCE MAJEURE |
17 | |||
10.1 Consequences of Force Majeure |
17 | |||
10.2 Notice |
18 | |||
ARTICLE 11 |
||||
TERMINATION |
18 | |||
11.1 Termination |
18 | |||
11.2 Return of Records |
19 | |||
11.3 Final Balance |
20 | |||
11.4 Duties Upon Termination |
20 | |||
11.5 Additional Services Following Termination |
20 | |||
ARTICLE 12 |
||||
SECURITY |
21 | |||
12.1 Security |
21 | |||
ARTICLE 13 |
||||
DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
22 | |||
13.1 Sole and Exclusive Procedure |
22 | |||
13.2 Arbitration Procedure |
22 | |||
ARTICLE 14 |
||||
GENERAL |
23 | |||
14.1 Notices |
23 | |||
14.2 Waiver |
23 | |||
14.3 Further Assurances |
23 | |||
14.4 Entire Agreement |
24 |
- iii -
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
THIS ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT is made as of the day of June 28, 2021
BETWEEN:
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario
(hereinafter referred to as BAM)
- and -
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD., an exempted company limited by shares existing under the laws of Bermuda
(hereinafter referred to as the Company)
(BAM and the Company are collectively referred to as the Parties and individually as a Party)
WHEREAS the Parties have determined to enter into this administration agreement in order to set out the terms and conditions pursuant to which BAM or its Subsidiaries will provide certain administrative and support services, and various other services on a cost recovery basis as described herein on an as-needed basis to the Company and its Subsidiaries;
AND WHEREAS the Parties have determined to enter separate agreements in order to appoint an affiliate of BAM as the investment manager for one or more of the Companys operating Subsidiaries (the Investment Management Agreements);
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES THAT, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each Party), the Parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 |
Definitions |
Where used in this Agreement, unless the context expressly or by necessary implication otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set out below and grammatical variations of such terms shall have corresponding meanings:
(a) |
affiliate means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by such Person, or is under common Control of a third Person; |
(b) |
Agreement, this Agreement, the Agreement and similar expressions refer to this administration agreement and all schedules attached hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time; |
(c) |
Applicable Law means, with respect to any Person, property, transaction, event or other matter, any foreign or domestic statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, by-law (zoning or otherwise), order, code, common law, approval, judgment, decree or other requirement having the force of law relating or applicable to such Person, property, transaction, event or other matter; |
(d) |
associate has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Securities Act (Ontario) in effect on the date hereof; |
(e) |
BAM Services has the meaning set out in Section 3.1; |
(f) |
Board means the board of directors of the Company; |
(g) |
Business Day means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and statutory holiday in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; |
(h) |
Chief Executive Officer means initially, Sachin Shah, or any replacement Chief Executive Officer of the Company; |
(i) |
Chief Investment Officer means initially, Bahir Manios, or any replacement Chief Investment Officer of the Company; |
(j) |
Client Information has the meaning set out in Section 3.6(a); |
(k) |
Company Security Policies has the meaning set out in Section 12.1(a); |
(l) |
Complaint has the meaning set out in Section 6.1(b); |
(m) |
Control means the control by one Person of another Person in accordance with the following: a Person (A) controls another Person (B) where A has the power to determine the management and policies of B by contract or status (for example the status of A being the general partner of B) or by virtue of beneficial ownership of a majority of the voting interests in B; and for certainty and without limitation, if A owns shares to which more than 50% of the votes permitted to be cast in the election of directors to the Governing Body of B or A is the general partner of B, a limited partnership, then in each case A Controls B for this purpose; |
(n) |
Disputes has the meaning set out in Section 13.1; |
(o) |
ETA means the Excise Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder; |
- 2 -
(p) |
Event of Insolvency means any one or more of the following events: |
(i) |
the Partys inability, failure or refusal generally to pay debts as they fall due; entry into an arrangement by the Party with or for the benefit of its creditors under applicable insolvency legislation; the Partys consent to or acquiescence in the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator for a substantial part of its property; |
(ii) |
the bankruptcy, winding up, insolvency, arrangement or reorganization under applicable insolvency legislation, or similar proceeding instituted by or against the Party under the laws of any jurisdiction, which proceeding, if initiated by a third party, is not dismissed within 60 calendar days; |
(iii) |
the levy of any distress, execution or attachment upon the property of the Party that substantially interferes with its performance hereunder; provided however, that with respect to BAM, this form of insolvency shall not be deemed to have occurred if the insolvency is caused by the Companys failure to make a payment due under the terms of this Agreement; |
(iv) |
if a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order, judgment or decree approving a petition or application filed in respect of the Party seeking a general stay of proceedings in respect of the Party or any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, winding up, termination of existence, declaration of bankruptcy or insolvency or similar relief under any present or future law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for or against debtors and such Party acquiesces in the entry of such order, judgment or decree and such order, judgment or decree remains un-vacated or un-stayed for an aggregate of 30 calendar days (whether or not consecutive) from the day of entry thereof; or if any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator or any other officer with similar powers shall be appointed for such Party or for all or any substantial part of its property with the consent or acquiescence of such Party or such appointment remains un-vacated or un-stayed for an aggregate of 30 calendar days (whether or not consecutive); |
(v) |
the Party becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or |
(vi) |
an encumbrancer takes possession of all or substantially all of a Partys assets and such possession remains for a period of 15 calendar days (whether or not consecutive); |
- 3 -
(q) |
Force Majeure means any bona fide event beyond the control of a Party (other than as a result of such Partys financial incapacity) which is not caused by an act or omission of such Party or a Person not acting at arms length from such Party, in the nature of: |
(i) |
an inability to obtain materials, goods, equipment, services, utilities or labour; |
(ii) |
any new statute, law, by-law or order-in-council or any regulation or order or amendment thereto passed or made pursuant thereto or any change after the date of this Agreement in the interpretation or application of any applicable laws; |
(iii) |
an order or direction of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction; |
(iv) |
an inability to procure any licence, permit, permission or authority; |
(v) |
a strike, lockout, slow-down or other combined action of workers or other industrial disturbances; |
(vi) |
an act of God; and/or |
(vii) |
a freight embargo, blockade, war (declared or undeclared), riot, act of terrorism or insurrection (or threatened act of terrorism or insurrection), |
which shall cause such Party to be unable to fulfill, or to be delayed or restricted in the fulfillment of, any obligation hereunder;
(r) |
Governing Body means (i) with respect to a corporation or limited company, the board of directors of such corporation or limited company, (ii) with respect to a limited liability company, the manager(s) or managing partner(s) of such limited liability company, (iii) with respect to a partnership, the board, committee or other body of the general partner of such partnership that serves a similar function (or if any such general partner is itself a partnership, the board, committee or other body of such general partners general partner that serves a similar function) and (iv) with respect to any other Person, the body of such Person that serves a similar function; |
(s) |
Governmental Authority means any government, parliament, legislature, or any regulatory authority, agency, commission or board of any government, parliament or legislature, or any political subdivision thereof, or any court or (without limitation) any other law, regulation or rule making entity, having or purporting to have jurisdiction in the relevant circumstances, or any Person acting under the authority of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, any arbitrator with the authority to bind the Parties at law) or any other authority charged with the administration or enforcement of Applicable Laws; |
(t) |
HST means the tax imposed under Part IX of the ETA; |
(u) |
Indemnified Parties has the meaning set out in Section 9.1; |
(v) |
IP has the meaning set out in Section 3.7; |
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(w) |
Person includes an individual, body corporate, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization, the Crown or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or any other entity recognized by Applicable Law; |
(x) |
Personal Information has the meaning set out in Section 6.1(a); |
(y) |
Quarter means a calendar quarter ending on the last day of March, June, September or December; |
(z) |
Security Procedures has the meaning set out in Section 12.1(a); |
(aa) |
Services Fees has the meaning set out in Section 4.1(a); |
(bb) |
Shareholders means holders of the Shares; |
(cc) |
Shares means shares in the capital of the Company; |
(dd) |
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person that is directly or indirectly Controlled by such Person, (ii) any trust in which such Person holds all of the beneficial interests or (iii) any partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in which such Person holds all of the interests other than the interests of any general partner, managing member or similar Person; and |
(ee) |
Term has the meaning set out in Section 2.1. |
1.2 |
Rules of Construction |
In this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires:
(a) |
references to herein, hereby, hereunder, hereof and similar expressions are references to this Agreement and not to any particular Article or Section of this Agreement; |
(b) |
references to an Article, Section or Schedule are references to an Article, Section or Schedule of this Agreement; |
(c) |
words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, words importing gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders; |
(d) |
the use of headings is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation hereof; |
(e) |
the words includes and including, when following any general term or statement, is not to be construed as limiting the general term or statement to the specific items or matters set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as referring to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of the general term or statement; and |
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(f) |
unless otherwise indicated, reference to any statute shall be deemed to be a reference to such statute as amended, re-enacted or replaced from time to time. |
ARTICLE 2
TERM
2.1 |
Term |
This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue unless and until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article 11 (herein called the Term).
ARTICLE 3
SERVICES
3.1 |
Services to be Provided by BAM |
BAM agrees to provide, or cause to be provided, including through one or more of its Subsidiaries, on an as-needed basis, if and as requested by the Company:
(a) |
BAM employees to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Investment Officer of the Company, as approved by the Board from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer shall each have fiduciary duties to the Company under Bermuda law and, while acting on behalf of the Company, shall be required to comply with the internal policies, procedures, codes of conduct, guidelines and applicable written position descriptions of the Company as adopted from time to time. For greater certainty, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer shall be subject at all times while acting on behalf of the Company to the supervision and direction of the Board. During the Term of this Agreement, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer shall not be changed or removed by BAM without the prior approval of the Company (which shall require approval by a majority of the members of the Board). For greater certainty, if there is a death, disability or resignation of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer during the Term of this Agreement, BAM shall promptly propose an individual to fill the vacancy, and such individual shall be approved by a majority of the members of the Board and shall only be confirmed upon such approval. BAM shall maintain a list of potential successors to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer (pre-approved by the Board), so as to permit an efficient transition from time to time of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer, as applicable, pursuant to the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, the provision by BAM of BAM personnel to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer shall form part of the BAM Services and reimbursement for the provision of such BAM Services shall be included as part of the Services Fees payable to BAM in accordance with Section 4.1; |
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(b) |
certain administrative and other support services for the Company and its Subsidiaries as may from time to time be agreed in writing by the Company and BAM, which may include assisting the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer with the standard functions of a public company, such as financial reporting, investor relations, quarterly conference calls, ongoing disclosure obligations, human resources, information technology, compliance, shareholder correspondence, annual and special meetings of shareholders, and providing office space for the Company and its Subsidiaries; and |
(c) |
such other services as may from time to time be agreed in writing by the Company and BAM for which BAM will be compensated on terms to be agreed prior to the provision of such services in accordance with Section 4.1; |
(collectively, the BAM Services). |
3.2 |
Addition or Removal of Services |
The Parties hereto recognize and acknowledge that, during the Term, the Company anticipates that the scope and nature of the services required by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement will change, which may necessitate the addition or removal of any one or more of the BAM Services from time to time (including that, subject to the approval by a majority of the members of the Board, the Company may transition to directly employing its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and other senior management).
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer will each continue to have roles at BAM under a dual-hatting or similar arrangement, such that they will spend a portion of their time acting on behalf of the Company and a portion of their time performing their duties for BAM. The Board will develop the position descriptions for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer roles, which shall include the requirements, duties and responsibilities for such roles. During the Term, upon written notice to BAM by the Company, the Company may replace the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer, as applicable, for any reason, including if the Board deems that the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer do not appear to be meeting the obligations of their roles at the Company to the satisfaction of the Board.
Any additions or removals of BAM Services from time to time will be reflected in the applicable adjustments to the Services Fees in accordance with Section 4.1.
3.3 |
Service Level Agreements |
The Company and its Subsidiaries may from time to time enter into service level agreements with one or more of BAM and its Subsidiaries with respect to one or more of the BAM Services provided or to be provided by BAM or its Subsidiaries under this Agreement. Such service level agreements shall be negotiated in good faith between the parties thereto and, upon execution, shall remain in effect for such time as is set forth in such service level agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any service level agreement derogate from the terms of this Agreement and, to the extent of any conflict between the terms of a service level agreement and the terms hereof, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
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3.4 |
Books and Records |
BAM shall provide any assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Company with respect to the maintenance of proper books, records and accounts in conformity with applicable accounting principles or financial reporting standards and all requirements of Applicable Law in respect of all dealings and transactions in relation to the performance of the BAM Services under this Agreement. BAM shall permit the Company and its representatives at reasonable times and intervals, and upon not less than three Business Days prior written notice (or such shorter period as may be required to permit the Company to comply with Applicable Law), to have access to and make copies of such books, records and accounts as they may reasonably require.
3.5 |
Furnish Information |
BAM shall make available to the Company and any auditor or legal counsel of the Company such information, documentation and material relating to the performance of the BAM Services as and when the same may be reasonably requested in writing and otherwise give such co-operation as may be necessary for the auditor or legal counsel to carry on their duties on behalf of the Company. In the event that any such information, documentation or material is not customarily maintained by managers in the reinsurance industry in Canada, such information, documentation and material shall be compiled or prepared by BAM, provided that the Company reimburses BAM for its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in compiling and preparing such information, documentation and material, which costs and expenses shall be agreed in writing between the Parties, acting reasonably, before BAM undertakes any work for which it proposes to seek additional compensation under this Section 3.5.
3.6 |
Client Information and Assistance |
(a) |
The Company understands that, from time to time, BAM or its Subsidiaries may require data, information, documents or other materials from the Company or its Subsidiaries (Client Information) as BAM reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the proper and timely provision of the BAM Services and to comply with Applicable Law. Upon the reasonable request by BAM, from time to time, for Client Information, the Company shall promptly provide such Client Information to BAM or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. |
(b) |
The Company agrees that BAM or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, will rely upon the Client Information provided by the Company in the performance of the BAM Services, that BAM shall have no obligation to verify the accuracy or completeness of the Client Information provided by the Company, and that BAM shall have no liability for consequences of such inaccuracy or incompleteness. |
(c) |
Upon the request by BAM, from time to time, the Company shall provide reasonable assistance to BAM and its Subsidiaries in connection with the provision of the BAM Services, including by providing information, documentation and material reasonably expected to assist BAM and its Subsidiaries in the performance of the BAM Services to the extent that such material is available to the Company, and otherwise provide such co-operation as may reasonably be necessary for BAM to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement and Applicable Law. |
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3.7 |
Proprietary Rights |
(a) |
This Agreement does not convey to any Party any ownership rights in intellectual property, trade-marks, technology or know-how (collectively, IP) of another Party used to provide the BAM Services or software delivered or otherwise made available hereunder by a Party, including without limitation, any metadata or indices created in connection with the performance of the BAM Services, any documentation, or new or current applications of a Partys IP, all of which shall remain the exclusive property of the Party in which such property was originally held or its licensors. This Agreement constitutes only a right to use or access a Partys IP if required as part of a BAM Service to be provided under this Agreement. For greater certainty, nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon a Party any interest in the trade-marks, trade-names or other IP of another Party. |
(b) |
During the course of providing the BAM Services under this Agreement, BAM acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall have access to and be permitted to use all information technology licences and IP licences that have been granted to BAM pursuant to certain agreements which grant such licences to BAM, the access and use of which by the Company is reasonably required for the provision of the BAM Services hereunder. |
ARTICLE 4
FEES AND EXPENSES
4.1 |
Services Fees |
(a) |
The Company agrees to pay to BAM during the Term all costs associated with the BAM Services, plus all applicable HST and other indirect or value added taxes, and all other agreed upon amounts, which costs shall be invoiced and billed in accordance with this Section 4.1 (collectively, the Services Fees). For greater certainty, the Company will reimburse BAM only for the annual cash compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer by BAM (not including the costs associated with any equity compensation or long-term incentive compensation received by them) that is proportionate to the time they have spent serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, respectively, of, and providing services to, the Company. |
(b) |
The Services Fees shall be approved by the Company. The Services Fees will be calculated and paid in accordance with this Article 4 and, for greater certainty, will not include a profit component for BAM. |
(c) |
BAM shall prepare an invoice for the Services Fees as soon as practicable following the end of the Quarter with respect to which such Services Fees are payable, but in any event no later than 15 calendar days following the end of such Quarter. A copy of the computations of the Services Fees will thereafter, for informational purposes only, promptly be delivered to the Company upon request. For greater certainty, any dispute relating to the computation of the Services Fees shall be resolved in accordance with Article 13. |
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(d) |
Payment of the Services Fees for any Quarter shall be due and payable promptly after the 45th day following the end of such Quarter. |
(e) |
BAM shall keep appropriate records to document all Services Fees due to BAM including receipts, vouchers, invoices and other documentation in support of the BAM Services or Services Fees. |
(f) |
The Parties acknowledge and agree that all invoices for BAM Services provided during the Term shall be invoiced by BAM or the applicable Subsidiary of BAM providing such BAM Services and shall be payable by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company receiving such BAM Services. |
4.2 |
Duplication of Fees |
BAM agrees that all Services Fees paid hereunder, including, without limitation, pursuant to this Article 4, shall be without duplication of any fees and expenses paid to BAM pursuant to any other agreement between it or its Subsidiaries and the Company or its Subsidiaries. For the avoidance of doubt, BAM or its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to receive compensation, fees and expenses as provided in the Investment Management Agreements, which shall not be deemed to be duplicative of any fees and expenses paid to BAM pursuant to this Agreement.
4.3 |
Payment of HST |
All amounts payable to BAM pursuant to this Agreement, including any adjustments, are exclusive of any applicable HST or other indirect or value added taxes, and shall be payable together with any applicable HST and any other applicable indirect or value added taxes required to be paid thereon pursuant to the ETA and any other Applicable Law, and such amounts shall be separately identified.
4.4 |
Failure to Pay When Due |
Any amount payable to BAM or the Company hereunder and which is not remitted to BAM or the Company, as the case may be, when so due shall remain due (whether on demand or otherwise) and interest shall accrue on such overdue amounts (both before and after judgment) at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate charged by the Companys principal banker plus 1% per annum from the date payment is due until the date payment is received by BAM or the Company, as the case may be.
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ARTICLE 5
CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1 |
Confidentiality |
Subject to Section 8.5, the Parties shall not, without the prior written consent of the relevant affected Party, disclose to any third party any information about the other Party acquired or developed pursuant to the performance of the BAM Services under this Agreement except that consent shall not be required with respect to the following disclosure:
(a) |
information disclosed as required by Applicable Law or the regulations, rules or policies of any stock exchange on which shares or securities of the Company are listed or as may be required by the regulations or policies of any Governmental Authority; |
(b) |
information disclosed as necessary for the purposes of any debt or equity financing undertaken by the Company; or |
(c) |
information disclosed that a Party, acting reasonably, deems to be necessary to be disclosed on a confidential basis for the proper performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, disclosure of information to consultants and other third parties engaged by or assisting BAM or its Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in order to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. |
The provisions of this Section 5.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
PRIVACY
6.1 |
Privacy |
(a) |
BAM acknowledges and agrees that: (i) all Personal Information disclosed by the Company to BAM, or otherwise accessed or transferred by BAM, in the course of BAM performing its obligations hereunder, is deemed the proprietary and confidential information of the Company for the purposes of this Agreement; and (ii) it will not use such Personal Information for any purposes other than as specifically contemplated hereunder and shall comply with Applicable Laws relating to privacy, including, without limitation, any such Applicable Laws relating to the collection, use, storage, protection or disclosure of Personal Information or the privacy policy and practices of the Company as they relate to the collection, use, storage, protection, and disclosure of Personal Information. For the purposes of this Agreement, Personal Information means information about an identifiable individual or information which relates to a natural person and allows that person to be identified. |
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(b) |
BAM represents and warrants, in connection with the Personal Information of the Company, that it: (i) has in place the appropriate technical and organizational |
security measures to protect such Personal Information against accidental or unlawful destruction or unauthorized disclosure or access; (ii) has maintained and will continue to maintain suitable records in commercially reasonable detail with respect to such Personal Information; (iii) will not use such Personal Information for any purpose other than as set out in this Agreement and in compliance with Applicable Law; and (iv) will not transfer such Personal Information to any third party, or to any foreign jurisdiction, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company.
(c) |
If BAM receives a privacy complaint, inquiry or other notice or communication from an individual, organization or Governmental Authority in connection with Personal Information (a Complaint), BAM shall to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, promptly notify the Company. Unless otherwise required by Applicable Law or approved in writing by the Company, BAM will not respond to the Complaint other than to communicate that the matter will be forwarded to the Company to which such Complaint relates for immediate handling. BAM shall cooperate fully with the Company in response to any Complaints. |
(d) |
BAM agrees that it shall immediately inform the Company of any accidental or unauthorized use of disclosure of such the Company Personal Information or if it receives notice alleging that the Company or BAM have failed to comply with Applicable Law relating to the collection, use, storage, protection or disclosure of such Personal Information in connection with the performance of this Agreement. |
(e) |
At the request of the Company, BAM will cooperate with the Company in connection with any audit of the Company Personal Information or of the practices of the Company in relation thereto and in connection with any request to the Company for access to any such Personal Information, and will further make available to the Company, on reasonable notice, BAMs books and records solely in relation to the Companys Personal Information to enable the Company to investigate BAMs compliance with this Section 6.1; in each case in sufficient time to enable the Company to comply with any deadlines applicable under Applicable Law to the provision of such Personal Information or, if the Companys request for such Personal Information is not made by the Company within a reasonable period prior to the applicable deadline (bearing in mind the timing upon which the Company received such request), BAM shall provide such Personal Information to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable in the circumstances. |
(f) |
Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, BAM shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, expenses (including reasonable legal fees) and claims resulting from or connected with a BAMs failure to comply with the obligations of this Section 6.1. |
The provisions of this Section 6.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 7
COVENANTS AND AUTHORITY OF BAM
7.1 |
Covenants of BAM |
BAM covenants and agrees that, in the performance of the BAM Services, BAM shall:
(a) |
perform all such BAM Services at all times in compliance with Applicable Law; |
(b) |
observe and perform, or cause to be observed and performed, on behalf of the Company in every respect the provisions of any agreements from time to time entered into in connection with the activities of the Company to the extent BAM has knowledge, or ought reasonably to have had knowledge, of the existence of such agreement; and |
(c) |
be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. |
7.2 |
Authority of BAM |
BAM shall not be permitted to bind the Company or enter into any agreements (oral or written), contracts, leases, licences or other documents (including the signing of cheques, notes, bills of exchange or any other document, or accessing any funds from the Company bank accounts) on behalf of the Company except with the express written consent of the Company, which consent may be given from time to time as the need arises and for such limited purposes as expressed therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delegate certain powers to BAM from time to time for purposes of enabling or assisting BAM in the performance of the BAM Services under this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall BAM have the authority to commit to any transaction which would require the approval of the Shareholders or take any action required to be taken by the Board, or take any action requiring approval of the Board without such approval having been obtained in advance.
7.3 |
Execution of Documents |
To the extent that BAM is granted authority to execute any documents referred to in Section 7.2 on behalf of the Company, all reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that every contract entered into on behalf of the Company by BAM shall (except as BAM may otherwise expressly agree in writing with respect to personal liability of BAM) include a provision substantially to the following effect:
The parties hereto acknowledge that BAM is entering into this agreement solely on behalf of the Company and the obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be personally binding upon, and that resort shall not be had to, nor will recourse or satisfaction be sought from, by lawsuit or otherwise, any of the foregoing or the private property of any of the Board, BAM, any registered or beneficial holder of Shares, or officers, employees or agents of the Company, and recourse shall be limited to, and satisfied only out of, the Companys assets.
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This provision shall be held in trust and enforced by BAM for the benefit of the relevant Shareholders. The omission of such a provision from any such written agreement shall not operate to impose personal liability on the Board, BAM, or any Shareholder.
ARTICLE 8
ACTIVITIES OF BAM
8.1 |
Standard of Care and Delegation |
(a) |
In exercising its powers and discharging its duties under this Agreement, BAM shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties conferred hereunder honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company and in connection therewith shall exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill that a professional service provider having responsibilities of a similar nature would exercise in comparable circumstances. For greater certainty, BAM shall not be liable, answerable or accountable to the Company for any loss or damage resulting from, incidental to or relating to the provision of the BAM Services hereunder by BAM, including any exercise or refusal to exercise a discretion, any mistake or error of judgment or any act or omission believed by BAM to be within the scope of authority conferred on it by this Agreement, unless such loss or damage resulted from the fraud, willful default or negligence of BAM in performing its obligations hereunder. |
(b) |
Subject to the prior approval of the Company of the delegation of any material obligations, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, BAM may delegate specific aspects of its obligations hereunder to any other Person (including a Subsidiary, in which case, notwithstanding the foregoing, no prior approval shall be required), provided that such delegation shall not relieve BAM of any of its obligations under this Agreement. |
(c) |
Notwithstanding Section 8.1(b), BAM shall not in any manner, directly or indirectly, be liable or held to account for the activities or inactivities of any Person to which any such obligations may have been delegated (excluding Subsidiaries or associates of BAM), provided that in making such specific delegation, BAM acted in accordance with Section 8.1(a). |
8.2 |
Reliance |
In carrying out its duties hereunder, BAM and its delegates shall be entitled to rely on:
(a) |
statements of fact of other persons (any of which may be persons with whom BAM is affiliated or associated) who are considered by BAM, acting reasonably, to be knowledgeable of such facts; and |
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(b) |
statements, the opinion or advice of or information from any solicitor, auditor, valuer, engineer, surveyor, appraiser or other expert selected by BAM, provided that BAM exercised reasonable care and diligence in selecting such person to provide such statements, opinion, advice or information; and may employ such experts as may be necessary for the proper discharge of its duties. |
BAM may rely, and shall be protected in acting, upon any instrument or other documents reasonably believed by it to be genuine and in force.
8.3 |
Other Activities of BAM |
(a) |
The Company acknowledges that BAM or its Subsidiaries or associates (including the individuals serving as Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer during the portion of time they act on behalf of BAM) are engaged in or may become engaged in a variety of other businesses. the Company acknowledges and consents to any and all such activities and agrees that nothing herein shall prevent BAM or any of its Subsidiaries or associates (including the individuals serving as Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer during the portion of time they act on behalf of BAM) or any of their respective officers, directors or employees from having other business interests, even though such business interests may be similar to or competitive with the affairs of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. BAM and its Subsidiaries and associates (including the individuals serving as Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Investment Officer during the portion of time they act on behalf of BAM) and their respective directors, officers and employees shall have the right independently to engage in and receive the full benefits from business activities whether or not similar to or competitive with the affairs of the Company or its Subsidiaries, without consulting the Company. |
(b) |
BAM shall not be considered to be a fiduciary of the Company by reason of performing the BAM Services provided hereunder and will only have the obligations provided for expressly in this Agreement, and no other obligations, duties or standard of care shall be implied and no different standard shall be imposed by any Applicable Law (to the fullest extent permitted by the same) or otherwise in respect of such BAM Services and the Company agrees that it shall not seek to have any different standard imposed in respect hereof. |
(c) |
In the event of any conflict of interest between BAM, or any Subsidiary or associate thereof, and the Company in respect of any matter relating to this Agreement, a Party shall give prompt written notice to the other Parties prior to taking any action in respect of such matter setting forth the reason for such conflict. The Party receiving such notice shall take all such actions or make all such decisions relating to the matters giving rise to the conflict of interest, and for this purpose the Company shall be entitled to perform the applicable BAM Services itself or engage a third party to do so on its behalf, if necessary. Conflicts (and potential conflicts) of interest between BAM and the Company arising from BAMs investment management services shall be addressed in the Investment Management Agreements and shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section 8.3(c). |
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8.4 |
Transition of Services During the Term |
Notwithstanding the Services Fees that will be charged by BAM from time to time in accordance with Section 4.1, the Parties recognize and acknowledge that, during the Term, the Company anticipates that the scope and nature of the BAM Services provided pursuant to this Agreement will change and that a portion of the BAM Services may in the future (i) be undertaken by the Company internally, or (ii) be undertaken by a third party service provider in lieu of BAM. In the event that any BAM Services are no longer provided by BAM, BAM shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Company in respect of the transition of any of the BAM Services to the Company or any third party provider, as the case may be, and the Company shall be responsible for the payment to BAM of any costs or expenses reasonably incurred by BAM in respect of such transition (including the costs set forth in Section 11.4(d)); provided that (i) the Company shall provide 90 days prior written notice to BAM of such change in BAM Services, and (ii) prior to undertaking such transition services, BAM shall provide the Company with an estimate of the costs and expenses it anticipates incurring in connection with the provision of such services, and such estimate is acceptable to the Company, acting reasonably. For greater certainty and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Services Fees will be correspondingly reduced upon the completion of the transition of any BAM Service to the Company or any third party provider.
8.5 |
Acknowledgement of the Company |
The Company acknowledges that conducting the BAM Services contemplated herein may result in augmenting the value of the Shares in which BAM or its Subsidiaries or associates have an interest and the Company agrees that neither BAM nor its Subsidiaries or associates shall be liable to account to the Company with respect to such results.
ARTICLE 9
INDEMNITIES
9.1 |
Indemnification of the Company by BAM |
BAM shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Shareholders, officers, directors, employees and agents, as applicable (the Indemnified Parties) from and against any and all losses arising or resulting from or connected with:
(a) |
any fraudulent, negligent or unlawful act or omission on the part of BAM or its officers, directors, employees or agents, as applicable; and |
(b) |
any breach or non-performance by BAM of any of its obligations hereunder, |
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in each case except to the extent such losses are caused by: (i) any fraudulent, negligent or unlawful act or omission on the part of any of the Indemnified Parties; (ii) a breach or non-performance by any of the Indemnified Parties of any of its obligations hereunder including any failure to supply necessary funds; (iii) any action taken by BAM pursuant to the directions or written instructions of any of the Indemnified Parties in accordance with Section 8.2; or (iv) any occurrence of Force Majeure affecting BAM. The aggregate liability of BAM under Section 9(1)(b) shall not exceed an amount equal to the Services Fees received by BAM in the 12-month period prior to the date of notice of the alleged breach or non-performance. The provisions of this Section 9.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
9.2 |
Indemnification of BAM by the Company |
The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless BAM, and its officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any and all losses arising or resulting from or connected with:
(a) |
any fraudulent, negligent or unlawful act or omission of the Company or its Shareholders, officers, directors, employees or agents, as applicable; |
(b) |
any breach or non-performance by the Company of any of its obligations hereunder; and |
(c) |
the lawful performance by BAM of its obligations under this Agreement or pursuant to written instructions of the Company; |
in each case except to the extent such losses are caused by: (i) any fraudulent, negligent or unlawful act on the part of BAM, or its officers, directors, employees or agents; (ii) any action taken by BAM, or its officers, directors, employees or agents outside the scope of BAMs authority pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) any breach or non-performance by BAM of any of its obligations hereunder; (iv) any inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of BAM contained in this Agreement; or (v) any occurrence of Force Majeure affecting the Company. The provisions of this Section 9.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 10
FORCE MAJEURE
10.1 |
Consequences of Force Majeure |
During the occurrence and continuance of an event of Force Majeure, the obligations of the Party affected by such event of Force Majeure, to the extent that such obligations cannot be performed as a result of such event of Force Majeure, shall be suspended, and such Party shall not be considered to be in breach or default hereunder, for the period of such occurrence and continuance, except that the occurrence of an event of Force Majeure:
(a) |
affecting the Company but not affecting the performance of BAMs obligations hereunder, shall not relieve the Company of its obligations to make payments of the Services Fees to BAM; or |
(b) |
affecting BAM but not affecting the performance of the Companys obligations hereunder, shall not relieve the Company of its obligations to make payments of the Services Fees to BAM incurred before the event of Force Majeure in respect of the BAM Services performed by BAM prior to such event of Force Majeure. |
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The suspension of performance shall be of no greater scope and of no longer duration than is reasonably required by the event of Force Majeure. No obligation of either Party that arose prior to the event of Force Majeure causing suspension of performance shall be excused as a result of the event of Force Majeure.
10.2 |
Notice |
Upon the occurrence of an event of Force Majeure, the non-performing Party:
(a) |
shall give the other Party prompt written notice of the particulars of the event of Force Majeure and its expected duration; and |
(b) |
shall use its best efforts to remedy its inability to perform. |
ARTICLE 11
TERMINATION
11.1 |
Termination |
This Agreement may be terminated:
(a) |
at any time upon mutual agreement of the Parties; |
(b) |
by the Company: |
(i) |
at any time during the Term upon a material breach or material default (as determined by the Company in its discretion, acting reasonably) of any of BAMs obligations or covenants set forth in this Agreement, which breach or default is not cured within sixty (60) days after BAMs receipt of notice of such breach of default from the Company, such termination to have effect immediately upon the expiration of such sixty (60) day cure period or at such later date as may be specified by the Company in such notice of termination; or |
(ii) |
upon 30 days written notice to BAM upon the occurrence of an Event of Insolvency by BAM, which notice shall provide the reason for the termination in reasonable detail; and |
(c) |
by BAM: |
(i) |
at any time during the Term upon 90 days prior written notice given by BAM to the Company upon a material breach or material default (as determined by BAM in its discretion, acting reasonably) of any of the Companys obligations or covenants set forth in this Agreement, which breach or default is not cured within sixty (60) days after the Companys receipt of written notice of such breach or default from BAM, such termination to have effect on the expiration of the ninety (90) day notice period or at such later date as may be specified by BAM in such notice of termination; or |
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(ii) |
upon 30 days written notice to the Company upon the occurrence of an Event of Insolvency by the Company, which notice shall provide the reason for the termination in reasonable detail. |
For the purposes of this Agreement, references to termination, terminate this Agreement or termination of this Agreement or similar expressions refer to any termination of this Agreement by the Company or by BAM, or any termination of this Agreement by all Parties, as the case may be. Termination of this Agreement shall not terminate or negate any obligations of a Party to another Party under this Agreement that have arisen or accrued up to the effective time of termination. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall a termination of a particular BAM Service under this Agreement, including removal and/or replacement of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Investment Officer, constitute a termination of this Agreement.
11.2 |
Return of Records |
Upon the termination of this Agreement or the removal of any particular BAM Service provided by BAM hereunder:
(a) |
BAM, at the request of the Company, shall forthwith deliver to the Company, or as the Company may direct, any original records, documents, books of account and computer disks (where practical and where such are readily available) relating to the BAM Services provided to the Company hereunder (other than BAM proprietary information and systems), which are then in the possession or control of BAM or its Subsidiaries (as permitted by Applicable Law); provided, however, that BAM may retain copies of such records, documents and books of account. When such data is in electronic form, it shall be made available in useable electronic format together with any necessary passwords and related access information; and |
(b) |
in the event that any materials referred to herein are in the possession of the Company, the Company, at the request of BAM, shall forthwith deliver to BAM, or as BAM may direct, any original records, documents, books of account and computer disks (where practical and where such are readily available) relating to BAM that the Company may have obtained in the course of receiving the BAM Services hereunder (other than the Company proprietary information and systems), which are then in the possession or control of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as permitted by Applicable Law); provided, however, that the Company may retain copies of such records, documents and books of account. When such data is in electronic form, it shall be made available in useable electronic format together with any necessary passwords and related access information. |
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11.3 |
Final Balance |
Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to BAM all earned and unpaid amounts due by the Company to BAM hereunder up to the date of termination, together with any other charges which have been previously approved by the Company and are to be reimbursed by the Company hereunder, including applicable adjustments. The Company shall, however, be under no obligation to pay to BAM any amount for services performed by BAM after the date of termination unless such services have been requested by the Company. In no event shall the Company be obligated or otherwise required to pay a termination fee upon the termination of this Agreement.
11.4 |
Duties Upon Termination |
Upon the termination of this Agreement or the removal of any particular BAM Service provided by BAM hereunder, the Company shall:
(a) |
assume all contracts entered into by BAM on the Companys behalf to the extent relating to all of the BAM Services provided hereunder, or the particular BAM Service so removed, as the case may be, if such contracts have been entered into in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and indemnify BAM from and after the effective date of termination of this Agreement or the removal of BAM Services hereunder against any liability by reason of anything done or required to be done under any such contracts unless such liability results from the fraud, unlawful conduct or negligence of BAM, any act or omission of BAM which constitutes a breach of this Agreement, or any matter that is not directly related to the BAM Services provided hereunder; |
(b) |
pay for and indemnify BAM against the costs of all services, materials and supplies, if any, which may have been ordered by the Company in accordance with this Agreement, or the BAM Services so removed, as the case may be, but which may not have been paid by the Company and reimbursed under this Agreement at the time of termination if such services, materials and supplies have been ordered in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; |
(c) |
pay to BAM all unpaid Services Fees earned and accrued prior to the effective date of termination of this Agreement; and |
(d) |
pay to BAM all reasonable transition costs in connection with the transition of the BAM Services from BAM to the Company or a third party service provider, which transition costs shall include IP licensing costs, data migration costs, records transfer costs, and costs associated with the transfer and use of hardware or software required for the provision of the BAM Services. |
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Parties agree that the Company shall be permitted to solicit employees of BAM as part of and following any termination of this Agreement but shall not be obligated to do so, nor shall the Company be responsible for any costs or expenses of employees of BAM terminated by BAM as a result of any such termination, including severance costs.
11.5 |
Additional Services Following Termination |
If additional services are required following termination for material matters (which would not customarily be part of the transition process), BAM shall be paid for services rendered from the date of termination at rates approved in writing in advance by the Company. Absent such approval, BAM shall not be obliged to provide any such additional services.
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ARTICLE 12
SECURITY
12.1 |
Security |
(a) |
Without restricting BAMs obligations described elsewhere in this Agreement, BAM shall exercise and make available to the Company those security policies, standards, procedures and systems which are exercised for the protection of BAMs assets, information and personal information (the Security Procedures). BAM shall not implement changes to its security standards and procedures that would have an adverse effect on the provision of the BAM Services or on the security of any confidential information or Personal Information of the Company; provided that the Company will be provided notice of such changes at least 90 days prior to such change. BAM acknowledges and agrees that BAM and its representatives shall also comply with the policies and procedures of the Company relating to security (the Company Security Policies). In the event of a conflict between the Security Procedures and the Company Security Policies, the more stringent standard or policy shall apply. |
(b) |
Without limiting the generality of subsection 12.1(a) hereof or any other provision of this Agreement, BAM shall adhere to the following practices: |
(i) |
restricting entry solely to authorized personnel of BAM and its Subsidiaries, employees, agents, contractors to those areas of BAMs site or sites in which BAM Services are performed, in which any confidential information or Personal Information of the Company is kept, or in which the Company assets or the Company data are held or processed; |
(ii) |
safeguarding and retaining all data, information and records received from or relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries resident on systems operated by or for the benefit of BAM and its representatives or in the possession or control of its representatives for so long as and to the extent required pursuant to the terms hereof; |
(iii) |
safeguarding the physical integrity and condition of all media in the possession or control of BAM and its representatives containing confidential information or Personal Information of the Company, its assets or data; |
(iv) |
requiring that BAM and its representatives have in place logical as well as physical access control systems, which includes a means of individual identification and authentication before allowing access to the Company systems and data; |
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(v) |
requiring that BAM and its representatives comply with the Company procedures that are in place to support tax exemption compliance; |
(vi) |
requiring that only licensed software is installed on the systems used for the Company business; |
(vii) |
requiring that systems are free of malicious software, including viruses, worms, spy-ware and key stroke recorders, which could be used to compromise the Company information. BAM shall regularly scan the systems to detect and remove such malicious software; and |
(viii) |
requiring that the latest software and hardware upgrades and patches have been tested and applied to these systems. |
(c) |
Without in any way limiting the generality of any other provision of this Agreement, BAM shall immediately notify the Company of any suspected or actual breach of the Security Procedures that may compromise the safeguarding of confidential information and Personal Information of which BAM becomes aware, including, without limitation, any unauthorized access to or entry into its premises, computer systems or databases. |
ARTICLE 13
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
13.1 |
Sole and Exclusive Procedure |
All disputes, disagreements, controversies, questions or claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any application for interim relief (including specific performance or an injunction), including with respect to its formation, execution, validity, application, interpretation, performance, breach, termination or enforcement (Disputes), must be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article 13, which sets out the sole and exclusive procedure for the resolution of Disputes. The resolution of Disputes pursuant to the terms of this Article 13 will be final and binding upon the Parties, and there will be no appeal therefrom, including any appeal to a court of law on a question of law, a question of fact, or a question of mixed fact and law. The International Commercial Arbitration Act, 2017 (Ontario) (the Act) shall govern any Dispute under Article 13. If the provisions of this Article 13 are inconsistent with the provisions of the Act and to the extent of such inconsistency, the provisions of this Article 13 shall prevail in any Arbitration.
13.2 |
Arbitration Procedure |
Whenever a Dispute arises among any of the Parties, such Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to settle such dispute internally and will consult and negotiate with each other in an effort to reach a fair and equitable resolution satisfactory to the Parties as promptly as possible. If the Parties have not agreed to a settlement of the dispute within 30 days from the date upon which written notice of the Dispute was delivered by one Party to the other, then the Parties agree that the Dispute shall be submitted to, and conclusively settled by, arbitration by a single arbitrator (unless the Parties otherwise agree) pursuant to the National Arbitration Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. The arbitration proceedings shall take place in Toronto, Ontario, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties. The language of the arbitration shall be English. Nothing in this Article 13 shall prevent or limit either Partys right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
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ARTICLE 14
GENERAL
14.1 |
Notices |
All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally to the recipient or by facsimile addressed to the recipient. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be delivered to the Parties at the respective addresses or facsimile numbers indicated below:
(a) |
BAM: |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Place, Suite 300
181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Canada
Attention: Kathy Sarpash
Email: [REDACTED]
(b) |
The Company: |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
73 Front Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
Attention: Lyndsay Hatlelid
Email: [REDACTED]
14.2 |
Waiver |
No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless it is in writing. No indulgence or forbearance by a Party shall constitute a waiver of such Partys right to insist on performance in full and in a timely manner of all covenants in this Agreement. Waiver of any provision shall not be deemed to waive the same provision thereafter, or any other provision of this Agreement at any time.
14.3 |
Further Assurances |
Each Party shall act in good faith in performing its obligations and exercising its rights herein and shall promptly do, make, execute or deliver, or cause to be done, made, executed or delivered, all such further acts, documents and things as the other Party may reasonably require from time to time for the purpose of giving effect to this Agreement and shall use reasonable commercial efforts and take all such steps as may be reasonably within its power to implement to their full extent the provisions of this Agreement.
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14.4 |
Entire Agreement |
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining thereto. There are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the Parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except as specifically set forth in this Agreement.
14.5 |
No Assignment |
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights and obligations arising from it shall be assignable in whole or in part by any Party, except with the prior written approval of the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that BAM shall be permitted to assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Subsidiary provided that the Company remains liable to guarantee the performance of such Subsidiary under this Agreement unless agreed otherwise by the Company.
14.6 |
Successors and Assigns |
All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
14.7 |
No Partnership |
BAM and the Company acknowledge that they are independent contractors and that it is not intended by entering into this Agreement to form a partnership of any nature whatsoever between them, nor is it intended by carrying out the terms hereof that they should be characterized as carrying on business in partnership. Each Party shall not take or omit to take any action whatsoever which might reasonably result in any Person believing that the Parties are carrying on business in partnership and each of them shall cooperate to take all steps necessary and desirable to avoid the creation of such an impression of partnership.
14.8 |
Time of the Essence |
Time is of the essence to every provision of this Agreement. Extension, waiver or variation of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed to affect this provision and there shall be no implied waiver of this provision.
14.9 |
Amendments |
This Agreement may not be modified or amended except with the written agreement of the Parties.
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14.10 |
Severability |
If any covenant, obligation or agreement of this Agreement, or the application thereof, to any Person or circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such covenant, obligation or agreement to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby. Each covenant, obligation and agreement of this Agreement shall be separately valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
14.11 |
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 and the Parties irrevocably attorn to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date written on the first page of this Agreement.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. |
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
|
Name:Kathy Sarpash | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT RESINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. |
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|
Name:James Bodi | ||
Title: Vice President |
Exhibit 99.3
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
- and
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
EQUITY COMMITMENT AGREEMENT
June 28, 2021
TORYS LLP
EQUITY COMMITMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 28th day of June, 2021
B E T W E E N:
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
(BAM), a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario
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BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. (the Company), an exempted company limited by shares existing under the laws of Bermuda
(BAM and the Company are collectively referred to as the Parties and individually as a Party)
RECITALS:
A. |
WHEREAS BAM will subscribe for, or cause one of its Subsidiaries (as defined below) to subscribe for, Class C Shares or Junior Preferred Shares of the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Equity Commitment Agreement and, as applicable, the bye-laws of the Company, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time; and |
B. |
WHEREAS the Company intends to call on BAMs Commitment, from time to time and as necessary, to fund growth capital investments and acquisitions, for working capital purposes or to fund distributions; |
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 agree as follows:
1. |
Interpretation |
1.1 |
Definitions. In this Equity Commitment Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: |
1.1.1 |
$ means United States dollars; |
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1.1.2 |
BAM has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble; |
1.1.3 |
BAM Election Notice has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.4; |
1.1.4 |
Board means the board of directors of the Company; |
1.1.5 |
Brookfield means BAM, its Subsidiaries and any investment fund sponsored, managed or Controlled by BAM or its Subsidiaries, and does not, for greater certainty, include the Company and the Companys Subsidiaries or, collectively, Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Atlas OCM Holdings, LLC and their Subsidiaries; |
1.1.6 |
Business Day means any day other than Saturday, Sunday and a statutory holiday in Toronto, Ontario and Hamilton, Bermuda; |
1.1.7 |
C$ means Canadian Dollars; |
1.1.8 |
Class C Share Amount means that number of Class C Shares equal to the cash amount of the Subscription Payment divided by an amount equal to the fair market value of the Class C Shares as determined by the Board, acting reasonably, as of the date of the issuance of the Draw-Down Notice; |
1.1.9 |
Class C Shares means the class C non-voting shares in the capital of the Company; |
1.1.10 |
Commitment has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.1; |
1.1.11 |
Commitment Period means the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date the Support Agreement has been terminated; |
1.1.12 |
Company has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble; |
1.1.13 |
Control means the control of one Person of another Person in accordance with the following: a Person (A) controls another Person (B) where A has the power to determine the management and policies of B by contract or status (for example the status of A being the general partner of B) or by virtue of beneficial ownership of a majority of the voting interests in B; and for certainty and without limitation, if A owns shares to which more than 50% of the votes permitted to be cast in the election of directors to the board of B or A is the general partner of B, a limited partnership, then in each case A Controls B for this purpose; |
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1.1.14 |
Draw-Down Notice means a notice to BAM of a draw-down on the Commitment; |
1.1.15 |
Effective Date means the date hereof; |
1.1.16 |
Equity Commitment Agreement means this equity commitment agreement as it may be amended or restated from time to time; |
1.1.17 |
Junior Preferred Share Amount means that number of Junior Preferred Shares equal to the cash amount of the Subscription Payment divided by the issue price and redemption price for one Junior Preferred Share (being $25.00 in the case of the Class A Junior Preferred Shares or C$25.00 in the case of the Class B Junior Preferred Shares); |
1.1.18 |
Junior Preferred Shares means any series of the class A junior preferred shares or the class B junior preferred shares in the capital of the Company; |
1.1.19 |
Parties has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble; |
1.1.20 |
Person means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, syndicate, sole proprietorship, company or corporation with or without share capital, unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator or other legal personal representative, regulatory body or agency, government or governmental agency, authority or entity however designated or constituted; |
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1.1.21 |
Subscriber means BAM, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of BAM or any other member of Brookfield that satisfies any applicable regulatory requirements that BAM causes to subscribe for Class C Shares or Junior Preferred Shares pursuant to this Equity Commitment Agreement; |
1.1.22 |
Subscription Payment has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3; |
1.1.23 |
Subscription Payment Date means a date specified in a Draw-Down Notice on which a Subscription Payment is to be made to the Company; |
1.1.24 |
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person that is directly or indirectly Controlled by such Person, (ii) any trust in which such Person holds all of the beneficial interests or (iii) any partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in which such Person holds all of the interests other than the interests of any general partner, managing member or similar Person; and |
1.1.25 |
Support Agreement means the support agreement entered into between BAM and the Company dated as of the date hereof. |
1.2 |
Headings. The inclusion of headings and a table of contents in this Equity Commitment Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the construction or interpretation hereof. |
1.3 |
Gender and Number. In this Equity Commitment Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, words importing gender include all genders or the neuter, and words importing the neuter include all genders. |
1.4 |
Invalidity of Provisions. Each of the provisions contained in this Equity Commitment Agreement is distinct and severable and a declaration of invalidity or unenforceability of any such provision or part thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Parties waive any provision of law which renders any provision of this Equity Commitment Agreement invalid or unenforceable in any respect. The Parties will engage in good faith negotiations to replace any provision which is declared invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid or unenforceable provision which it replaces. |
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1.5 |
Currency. Except where otherwise expressly provided, all amounts in this Equity Commitment Agreement are stated and shall be paid in United States dollars. The Company shall call all Subscription Payments in United States dollars. BAM shall make all Subscription Payments in United States dollars or in the equivalent amount of Canadian Dollars on the basis of rates quoted by appropriate financial institutions of repute or by internationally recognized financial publications or news services. |
1.6 |
Waiver, Amendment. |
Except as expressly provided in this Equity Commitment Agreement, no amendment or waiver of this Equity Commitment Agreement will be binding unless executed in writing by the Party to be bound thereby. No waiver of any provision of this Equity Commitment Agreement will constitute a waiver of any other provision nor will any waiver of any provision of this Equity Commitment Agreement constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.
1.7 |
Governing Law |
This Equity Commitment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and the Parties irrevocably attorn to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.
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2. |
The Commitment |
Unless the Parties otherwise agree:
2.1 |
the aggregate commitment of BAM to subscribe for Class C Shares and Junior Preferred Shares of the Company pursuant to this Equity Commitment Agreement is $2 billion (the Commitment); |
2.2 |
each draw-down shall not exceed $250,000,000, and each subsequent draw-down shall be made a minimum of 90 days after the receipt of the last Draw-Down Notice from the Company; |
2.3 |
subject to Sections 3 and 4, on each Subscription Payment Date, the Subscriber shall pay to the Company an amount of cash set out in a Draw-Down Notice (the Subscription Payment) in exchange for the issuance of Class C Shares and/or Junior Preferred Shares pursuant to Section 6; |
2.4 |
the amount of the Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the amount of any Subscription Payment made to the Company; and |
2.5 |
no Subscription Payment shall be less than $10 million or in excess of the undrawn amount of the Commitment at the time the Subscription Payment is to be made. |
3. |
Subscription Payments on Draw-Downs |
3.1 |
BAM shall cause one or more Subscribers to make a Subscription Payment to the Company following receipt of a Draw-Down Notice from the Company and in such amount as the Company shall specify in the Draw-Down Notice. |
3.2 |
The Company shall give the Draw-Down Notice to BAM in the manner specified in Section 10 hereof. The Draw-Down Notice shall: |
3.2.1 |
specify (i) the amount of such Subscription Payment to be made, (i) the place at which such Subscription Payment is to be made, including, if applicable, the account of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries to whom such Subscription Payment should be made, (iii) the Class C Share Amount, (iv) the Junior Preferred Share Amount, and (v) the Subscription Payment Date and time at which such Subscription Payment is to be made, which shall not be later than 12:00 p.m., Toronto time, generally on the tenth Business Day, but in no event later than the fifth Business Day, after the giving of the Draw-Down Notice; and |
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3.2.2 |
confirm that (i) the Support Agreement is in effect; and (ii) there has been no material breach by the Company under the Support Agreement. |
3.3 |
If the Company deems it advisable, after any call for a Subscription Payment but before the payment is received, the Company may reduce the amount of or cancel any call for a Subscription Payment by giving notice to BAM in accordance with Section 10, subject to Section 3.1. |
3.4 |
Within two Business Days of receipt of the Draw-Down Notice, BAM shall notify the Company of its acceptance of the Class C Share Amount and its election to receive either (i) the Class C Share Amount, (ii) the Junior Preferred Share Amount, or (iii) any combination of Class C Shares and Junior Preferred Shares with an aggregate issue price, calculated in the same manner as the Class C Share Amount and the Junior Preferred Share Amount, equal to the cash amount of the Subscription Payment (the BAM Election Notice). |
4. |
Conditions Precedent |
BAMs obligations pursuant to Section 3.1 are subject to compliance, as of the Subscription Payment Date, with each of the following conditions precedent which are for the sole and exclusive benefit of BAM and may be waived by BAM in its sole discretion:
4.1 |
the Support Agreement shall be in effect, and there shall be no material breach by the Company thereunder; |
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4.2 |
a Draw-Down Notice shall have been provided to BAM in accordance with Section 3.2; and |
4.3 |
the Board shall have (a) authorized the issuance of Class C Shares or Junior Preferred Shares, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 6, (b) if applicable, determined the value of the Class C Shares, (c) if applicable, created the Junior Preferred Shares to be issued and (d) determined that the Class C Shares or Junior Preferred Shares to be issued will be fully paid and non-assessable. |
5. |
Expiration of the Commitment Period and Termination |
Upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Commitment Period, subject to the ongoing obligation to satisfy a previously issued Draw-Down Notice, and (ii) the making of Subscription Payments equal to the full amount of the Commitment, no Subscriber shall be required to make Subscription Payments and this Equity Commitment Agreement shall terminate and no longer be of any effect. For avoidance of doubt, the termination of this Agreement shall in no way limit BAMs obligations under the Support Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect until the termination of such agreement in accordance with its terms.
6. |
Issuance of Class C Shares or Junior Preferred Shares |
6.1 |
Upon receipt of a Subscription Payment, the Company shall issue that number of Class C Shares and/or Junior Preferred Shares as set out in the BAM Election Notice. |
6.2 |
The issuance of Class C Shares and Junior Preferred Shares pursuant to this Section 6.1 shall be: |
6.2.1 |
subject to applicable securities laws and the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, as applicable; and |
6.2.2 |
issued in reliance on the exemption from the prospectus requirements contained under section 2.3 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or section 73.3 of the Securities Act (Ontario), as applicable. |
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6.3 |
BAM acknowledges that the Class C Shares and Junior Preferred Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to a restricted period on resale in accordance with Appendix D of National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities. |
7. |
Representations and Warranties |
7.1 |
BAM hereby represents and warrants to the Company that: |
7.1.1 |
it is validly organized and existing under the laws of the its jurisdiction of incorporation; |
7.1.2 |
it has the power, capacity and authority to enter into this Equity Commitment Agreement and to perform its duties and obligations hereunder; |
7.1.3 |
it has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Equity Commitment Agreement; |
7.1.4 |
the execution and delivery of this Equity Commitment Agreement by it and the performance by it of its obligations hereunder do not and will not contravene, breach or result in any default under its articles, by-laws, constituent documents or other organizational documents; |
7.1.5 |
no authorization, consent or approval, or filing with or notice to any Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by it of this Equity Commitment Agreement; and |
7.1.6 |
this Equity Commitment Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of BAM enforceable against BAM in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other laws of general application limiting the enforcement of creditors rights and remedies generally and (ii) general principles of equity, including standards of materiality, good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness, equitable defenses and limits as to the availability of equitable remedies, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. |
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7.2 |
The Company hereby represents and warrants to BAM that: |
7.2.1 |
it is validly organized and existing under the laws of Bermuda; |
7.2.2 |
it has the power, capacity and authority to enter into this Equity Commitment Agreement and to perform its duties and obligations hereunder; |
7.2.3 |
it has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Equity Commitment Agreement; |
7.2.4 |
the execution and delivery of this Equity Commitment Agreement by it and the performance by it of its obligations hereunder do not and will not contravene, breach or result in any default under its memorandum of association, bye-laws, constituent documents or other organizational documents; |
7.2.5 |
no authorization, consent or approval, or filing with or notice to any Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by it of this Equity Commitment Agreement; and |
7.2.6 |
this Equity Commitment Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other laws of general application limiting the enforcement of creditors rights and remedies generally and (ii) general principles of equity, including standards of materiality, good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness, equitable defenses and limits as to the availability of equitable remedies, whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. |
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8. |
Further Assurances |
Each of the Parties hereto shall promptly do, make, execute or deliver, or cause to be done, made, executed or delivered, all such further acts, documents and things as the other Party hereto may reasonably require from time to time for the purpose of giving effect to this Equity Commitment Agreement and shall use reasonable efforts and take all such steps as may be reasonably within its power to implement to their full extent the provisions of this Equity Commitment Agreement.
9. |
Successors and Assigns |
No Party may assign its right or benefits under this Equity Commitment Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto; provided that BAM may assign its rights and benefits under this Equity Commitment Agreement to any member of Brookfield without obtaining the prior written consent of the other Parties. This provision of this Equity Commitment Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding on the Parties to this Equity Commitment Agreement and their respective successors and assigns.
10. |
Notice |
Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by prepaid mail, by facsimile or other means of electronic communication or by delivery as hereafter provided. Any such notice or other communication, if mailed by prepaid mail at any time other than during a general discontinuance of postal service due to strike, lockout or otherwise, shall be deemed to have been received on the fourth Business Day after the post-marked date thereof, or if sent by facsimile or other means of electronic communication, shall be deemed to have been received on the Business Day following the sending, or if delivered by hand shall be deemed to have been received at the time it is delivered to the applicable address noted below either to the individual designated below or to an individual at such address having apparent authority to accept deliveries on behalf of the addressee. Notice of change of address shall also be governed by this section. In the event of a general discontinuance of postal service due to strike, lock-out or otherwise, notices or other communications shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or other means of electronic communication and shall be deemed to have been received in accordance with this section. Notices and other communications shall be addressed as follows:
(a) |
if to BAM: |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Place, Suite 300
181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Canada
Attention: Kathy Sarpash
Email: [REDACTED]
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(b) |
if to the Company: |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
73 Front Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
Attention: Lyndsay Hatlelid
Email: [REDACTED]
11. |
Counterparts |
This Equity Commitment Agreement may be signed in counterparts and each of such counterparts shall constitute an original document and such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this agreement on the date written on the first page of this Agreement.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. |
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
|
Name: Kathy Sarpash Title: Senior Vice President |
||
I have authority to bind the Corporation. |
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. |
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|
Name: James Bodi Title: Vice President
I have authority to bind the Company. |
[Equity Commitment Agreement]
Exhibit 99.4
TRADEMARK SUBLICENSE AGREEMENT
This Agreement is effective June 28, 2021 (the Effective Date), by and between:
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Licensor), a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario, having an office at Suite 330, 181 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3, Canada,
and
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., (Sublicensee), an exempted company limited by shares organized under the laws of Bermuda, having an office at 73 Front Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda (collectively, the Parties).
WHEREAS Brookfield Office Properties Inc. (Owner), a corporation organized under the laws of Canada, having an office at Suite 330, 181 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5J2T3, Canada, is the owner of the registered and common law BROOKFIELD trademark as may be amended from time to time (the Trademark);
WHEREAS Owner has granted to Licensor a worldwide, non-exclusive license to the Trademark with a right to grant sublicenses pursuant to a Trademark License Agreement dated November 15, 2010 (Master License);
WHEREAS Sublicensee wishes to obtain a worldwide non-exclusive license to use the Trademark, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS on the Effective Date, the Sublicensee and Licensor entered into an Administration Services Agreement and a Support Agreement;
WHEREAS Licensor agrees to grant to Sublicensee a worldwide non-exclusive license to use the Trademark, upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth as at the Effective Date, and wishes to put in writing:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of the mutual promises and undertakings contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
1. |
License. Licensor grants as of the Effective Date to Sublicensee a worldwide non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the Trademark in connection with the services set out in Schedule A (the Services) and any Additional Goods and Services as defined in section 4 of this Agreement. |
2. |
Sublicense. Sublicensee has the right to sublicense the use of the Trademark to others as of the Effective Date, subject to written consent from Licensor and written agreement from any Sublicensees sublicensees agreeing to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, in particular, the Quality Control provisions in section 9. |
3. |
Exclusive Ownership of Trademark. Sublicensee acknowledges that the Trademark is the sole and exclusive property of the Owner. Sublicensee and its sublicensees shall not attack, oppose, cancel or otherwise challenge, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction in any manner, the Trademark, or any future trademarks containing or comprising the term BROOKFIELD, whether applied for, registered or used by Licensor. |
4. |
Additional Goods and Services. From time-to-time Sublicensee shall have the right to notify Licensor that it wishes to use the Trademark in association with goods and/or services not included in the Services (the Additional Goods and Services). Thereupon, Licensor shall promptly either grant or deny Sublicensee the right to use the Trademark in association with the Additional Goods and Services. Subject to any subsequent written agreement between the Parties, this Agreement shall govern the use of the Trademark with any Additional Goods and Services and all terms and conditions will apply should Licensor grant the licence to use the Trademark in association with the Additional Goods and Services. |
5. |
Restricted Use. Sublicensee shall not use the Trademark in association with goods or services in connection with the business of commercial real estate, including investment services, investment advisory services and brokerage services in the field of real estate with the express written consent of Licensor. Subject to any subsequent written agreement entered into between the Parties, this Agreement shall govern Sublicensees Restricted Use of the Trademark and all terms and conditions will apply to any use of the Trademark by Sublicensee in respect of services referenced in this section. |
6. |
Territory. Sublicensee may use the Trademark in association with the Goods and/or Services worldwide. |
7. |
Costs. Sublicensee shall not be responsible for all costs associated with filing, prosecution and maintenance of applications and registrations for the Trademark. Sublicensee shall not be responsible for all costs associated with any cancellation, opposition or infringement proceedings, unless the costs are incurred at the request of Sublicensee. |
8. |
Term. This Agreement shall be only be terminated pursuant to the conditions set out in section 13 or 14. |
9. |
Quality Control. Sublicensee agrees that the: |
(a) |
Licensor shall, at all times, exercises control over the character and quality of all the Services and all Additional Goods and Services offered by Sublicensee in association with the Trademark; |
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(b) |
Licensor shall have the right, reasonably exercised, to refuse to allow the sale of the Services, or any Additional Goods or Services, or any advertising material which fails to meet Licensors quality standards, and upon such rejection, Sublicensee shall promptly cease using the Trademark; |
(c) |
Licensor shall have the right to inspect the premises and operations of Sublicensee, the Services, the Additional Goods and Services, and all marketing and promotional materials, documents and goods bearing the Trademark, and records relating to the character and quality of the Services, provided that Licensor provides adequate notice of the inspection and bears the cost of the inspection; |
(d) |
Sublicensee shall provide, at Licensors request and expense, evidence of use or other assistance that Licensor may reasonably request to document the use of the Trademark; |
(e) |
Sublicensee shall comply with all branding manuals, guidelines, instructions, standards and specifications, provided to Sublicensee from time to time by Licensor for use of the Trademark; and |
(f) |
Sublicensee shall comply with any reasonable marking requests that Licensor may make in relation to the Trademark. |
10. |
No Registration. Sublicensee shall not attempt to register the Trademark anywhere in the world, either alone or in combination with other words or indicia, or attempt to register any trademark (including, without limitation, domain names, telephone numbers and other now existing or future forms of trademarks) which is likely to cause confusion with the Trademark. |
11. |
Compliance with Laws. Sublicensee shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations imposed by the jurisdiction in which the Trademark is used relating to the Services and the Additional Goods and Services. |
12. |
Default. Licensor shall have the right, reasonably exercised, to refuse to allow Sublicensee to offer or sell the Services, or any Additional Goods and Services, in association with the Trademark if Sublicensee fails to meet the terms of this Agreement, including any quality control standards in section 9. Licensor shall also have the right to refuse to allow the distribution of any advertising material produced by Sublicensee that fails to meet any quality control standards set by Licensor. Upon such refusal by Licensor in this section, Sublicensee shall promptly cease using all Trademark until Sublicensee cures the default. |
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13. |
Termination. Licensor is entitled to terminate this Agreement upon giving thirty (30) days written notice to the Sublicensee upon the occurrence of the following events: |
(a) |
the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or winding-up of Sublicensee; |
(b) |
the termination of the Support Agreement; |
(c) |
the date prior to the date on which the seizure or attachment of the property, assets or undertaking of Sublicensee, as a result of any action taken against it by any person; |
(d) |
Sublicensee assigns, sublicenses, pledges, mortgages or otherwise encumbers the Trademark; |
(e) |
Sublicensee fails to abide by the terms of this Agreement and Sublicensee does not remedy the default within thirty (30) days of written notice by Licensor; |
(f) |
Licensor ceases by any means whatsoever to own shares in Sublicensee; |
(g) |
the termination or amendment of the Master License if such termination or amendment results in a loss of rights licensed hereunder by Licensor; or |
(h) |
all the registrations of the BROOKFIELD registrations and any future BROOKFIELD formative marks for the Services listed in Schedule A, as amended from time to time, expire. |
14. |
Sublicensee Termination. Sublicensee may terminate this Agreement upon giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination to Licensor upon the occurrence of an event of default in the performance of any material term, condition or agreement under this Agreement and the default continues for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice of the breach is given to Licensor. |
15. |
Consequences of Termination. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Sublicensee and any of its sublicensees shall, except as expressly provided herein, immediately cease to use all marketing materials or other materials on which the Trademark is displayed. Sublicensee and any of its sublicensees shall not thereafter adopt, use or refer to any trademarks, service marks, logos, designs, trade names, trade dress, domain names, toll-free numbers or other identifications that contain the word BROOKFIELD or that is otherwise, derived from or is likely to be confused with the Trademark. Sublicensee shall thereafter promptly take steps to amend or cancel its registered trade names that incorporates the Trademark to remove reference to the term BROOKFIELD. |
16. |
Enforcement and Cooperation. Sublicensee shall notify Licensor if it learns of the existence, use, or promotion of any mark, design, trade name, domain name, or any other indicia that may be confused, or otherwise depreciate the value of the goodwill associated, with the Trademark. Licensor may take any action it deems necessary or advisable to enforce its rights in respect of the Trademark and Sublicensee shall cooperate with Licensor in any proceeding to enforce their rights in respect of the Trademark. |
17. |
Notice of Infringement. Licensor shall notify Sublicensee in writing within five (5) business days of any claims, demands, lawsuits, proceedings, and actions of any kind made or commenced, or which is threatened to be made or commenced against Licensor arising out of the use of the Trademark by Sublicensee. |
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18. |
Indemnity. Except as expressly provided herein, Sublicensee agrees to protect, defend and indemnify Licensor from any and all claims, suits or demands brought by third Parties arising out of or relating to the use of the Trademark by Sublicensee in breach of this Agreement. |
19. |
Control of Defense. Sublicensee shall have the right to exercise sole control of the defense and all related settlement negotiations in connection with the indemnity obligation in section 19. Licensor shall provide to Sublicensee at Sublicensees expense all reasonable assistance, information, and authority necessary to perform Sublicensees indemnity obligation in section 19. |
20. |
Assignability. Each Party may assign this Agreement to any person that controls the assigning Party, is controlled by the assigning Party or is controlled by the same person that controls the assigning Party upon giving the other prior notice thereof. Any assignment of Sublicensees interest in the Agreement to arms length parties requires the written consent of Licensor. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Licensor, Sublicensee and their respective permitted successors and assigns. |
21. |
Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission, by express courier, or by prepaid mail (except during an interruption of postal services). Any such notice or other communication, if mailed by prepaid mail at any time other than during a general discontinuance of postal service due to strike, lockout or otherwise, will be deemed to have been received on the second business day after the post marked date thereof, or if sent by facsimile, will be deemed to have been received on the business day following the sending, or if delivered by express courier or by hand will be deemed to have been received at the time it is delivered to the applicable address noted below either to the individual designated below or to an individual at such address having apparent authority to accept deliveries on behalf of the addressee. Notice of change of address will also be governed by this section. Notices and other communications will be addressed as follows: |
To Sublicensee: |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. 73 Front Street, 5th Floor Hamilton HM 12 Bermuda
Attn: Corporate Secretary |
|
To Licensor: |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Suite 300, Brookfield Place 181 Bay Street, Box 762, Toronto, ON M5J 2T3 |
|
Attn: |
Chief Legal Officer |
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22. |
Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws in force in the Province of Ontario and Canada. |
23. |
Injunctive Relief. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent Licensor from immediately seeking injunctive relief or any other equitable or judicial remedy, in any forum that Licensor, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to protect its rights including its rights in the Trademark. |
24. |
Waiver and Modification. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement will constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach, and no waiver will be effective unless in writing and signed by the Party to be charged. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a writing signed by both Parties. The failure of either Party at any time to require performance by the other of any provisions of this Agreement will in no way affect the full right of the Party to require the performance of any provisions at any later time. |
25. |
Interpretation. The paragraph headings of this Agreement are for the convenience of the Parties only, and shall not affect the interpretation of any paragraph, or have any legal effect. This Agreement has been prepared by each of the Parties and the terms hereof will not be construed in favor of or against any party by reason of its participation in the preparation. |
26. |
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect by a court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, then unless otherwise agreed, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect except for such provisions, which will be deemed excised therefrom. In such event, the Parties agree to use their best efforts to agree on substitute provisions, which, while valid, will achieve as closely as possible the same economic effects as the invalid provision(s). |
27. |
Survival. Upon the termination of this Agreement, sections 3, 10, 15 and 23 shall be deemed to continue in full force and effect and survive the termination of the Agreement. |
28. |
Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains all the agreements, undertakings and understandings by the Parties, and all prior understandings, negotiations, representations, agreements or not expressly contained herein relating to the subject matter of this Agreement have been merged herein and shall be of no force or effect. |
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. | BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. | |||||||
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|||||
Name: Kathy Sarpash | Name: James Bodi | |||||||
Title: Senior Vice President | Title: Vice President |
Schedule A
The Services
Class 36: Financial services; financial investments in the fields of commodities, gold, investment notes, real estate and securities; investment management services; investment of funds; capital investment; financial research; real estate management; real estate leasing; real estate leasing for commercial properties; real estate leasing for residential properties; real estate brokerage; real estate investment; investment management in real estate; investment management in commercial, institutional, industrial and residential real estate; insurance services; reinsurance services; managing commercial, institutional, industrial and residential real estate; pension fund services; operating and leasing real estate; mortgage issuing services; investment and investment management services; financial planning services; financial analysis services; consultancy, advisory and information services relating to the aforesaid services.
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Exhibit 99.5
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
- and
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD.
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
June 28, 2021
TORYS LLP
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
This SUPPORT AGREEMENT is made as of June 28, 2021 (this Agreement), between Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM), a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Ontario, and Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (the Company), an exempted company limited by shares existing under the laws of Bermuda (BAM and the Company are collectively referred to as the Parties and individually as a Party).
WHEREAS, BAM intends to make a Special Dividend to holders of its Class A limited voting shares (the BAM Shares) and its class B limited voting shares of class A exchangeable limited voting shares (the Class A Shares) in the capital of the Company (the Special Dividend);
WHEREAS, the Class A Shares have been structured with the intention of providing an economic return equivalent to the BAM Shares, including receiving distributions at the same time and in the same amount per share (an Equivalent Distribution) as the cash dividends paid on each BAM Share;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Share Terms (as defined below), each Class A Share will be exchangeable (the Exchange Feature) at the option of the holder for one BAM Share (subject to adjustment to reflect certain capital events) or its cash equivalent (the form of payment to be determined at the election of BAM);
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make covenants and agreements with each with a view to ensuring that the Principle of Economic Equivalence (defined below) is upheld; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make appropriate provision and to establish a procedure, effective from and after the Effective Date (as defined below), whereby BAM will take certain actions and make certain payments and deliveries necessary to (a) ensure that the Company will be able to make certain payments or, if applicable, deliver BAM Shares and (b) deliver or cause to be delivered BAM Shares in satisfaction of the obligations of the Company or BAM, as applicable, under the Share Terms, the Rights Agreement and this Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements provided in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 |
Interpretation |
In this Agreement, each capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein will have the meaning ascribed thereto in the special rights and restrictions (collectively, the Share Terms) attaching to the Class A Shares as set out in the Companys Bye-Laws. In addition, the following words or expressions will have the following meanings:
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(a) |
affiliate means with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by such Person, or is under common Control of a third Person. |
(b) |
Agreement has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble. |
(c) |
BAM has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble. |
(d) |
BAM Board means the board of directors of BAM. |
(e) |
BAM Shares has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals. |
(f) |
BAM Successor has the meaning set out in Section 3.1(a). |
(g) |
Brookfield means BAM and its Subsidiaries, and does not, for greater certainty, include the Company and the Companys Subsidiaries, or, collectively, Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Atlas OCM Holdings, LLC and their Subsidiaries. |
(h) |
Class A Shares has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals. |
(i) |
Class B Shares means the class B limited voting shares in the capital of the Company. |
(j) |
Company has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble. |
(k) |
Company Board means the board of directors of the Company. |
(l) |
Companys Bye-Laws means the amended and restated bye-laws of the Company. |
(m) |
Control means the control by one Person of another Person in accordance with the following: a Person (A) controls another Person (B) where A has the power to determine the management and policies of B by contract or status (for example the status of A being the general partner of B) or by virtue of beneficial ownership of a majority of the voting interests in B; and for certainty and without limitation, if A owns shares to which more than 50% of the votes permitted to be cast in the election of directors to the Governing Body of B or A is the general partner of B, a limited partnership, then in each case A Controls B for this purpose. |
(n) |
Effective Date has the meaning set out in Section 4.1. |
(o) |
Equivalent Distribution has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals; |
(p) |
Equivalent Share Subdivision has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B). |
(q) |
Exchange Feature has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals. |
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(r) |
Governing Body means (i) with respect to a corporation or limited company, the board of directors of such corporation or limited company, (ii) with respect to a limited liability company, the manager(s) or managing partner(s) of such limited liability company, (iii) with respect to a partnership, the board, committee or other body of the general partner of such partnership that serves a similar function (or if any such general partner is itself a partnership, the board, committee or other body of such general partners general partner that serves a similar function) and (iv) with respect to any other Person, the body of such Person that serves a similar function. |
(s) |
Non-Brookfield Holders means holders of Class A Shares other than Brookfield. |
(t) |
Other Entity has the meaning set out in Section 3.4(b). |
(u) |
Other Securities has the meaning set out in Section 3.4(b). |
(v) |
Outstanding BAM Shares for purposes of Section 3.4 means BAM Shares outstanding and beneficially owned by any Person other than the Other Entity or its affiliates. |
(w) |
Parties has the meaning assigned thereto in the preamble. |
(x) |
Person has the meaning set out in Section 1.1.4. |
(y) |
Principle of Economic Equivalence means, taken together, the right to receive Equivalent Distributions and the Exchange Feature. |
(z) |
Share Terms has the meaning set out in Section 1.1. |
(aa) |
Special Dividend has the meaning assigned thereto in the recitals. |
(bb) |
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person that is directly or indirectly Controlled by such Person, (ii) any trust in which such Person holds all of the beneficial interests or (iii) any partnership, limited liability company or similar entity in which such Person holds all of the interests other than the interests of any general partner, managing member or similar Person. |
Unless the context otherwise requires:
1.1.2 words importing the singular will include the plural and vice versa, words importing gender will include all genders or the neuter, and words importing the neuter will include all genders;
1.1.3 the words include, includes, including, or any variations thereof, when following any general term or statement, are not to be construed as limiting the general term or statement to the specific items or matters set forth or to similar items or matters, but rather as referring to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of the general term or statement;
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1.1.4 references to any an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, unincorporated association, unincorporated organization, unincorporated syndicate, trust, body corporate, and a natural person in his or her capacity as trustee, executor, administrator or other legal or personal representative (each, a Person) include such Persons successors and permitted assigns;
1.1.5 except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any reference in this Agreement to a statute, regulation, policy, rule or instrument will include, and will be deemed to be a reference also to, all rules and regulations made under such statute, in the case of a statute, to all amendments made to such statute, regulation, policy, rule or instrument, and to any statute, regulation, policy, rule or instrument that may be passed which has the effect of supplementing or superseding the statute, regulation, policy, rule or instrument so referred to;
1.1.6 any reference to this Agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument will be construed as a reference to this Agreement or, as the case may be, such other agreement, document or instrument as the same may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, varied, replaced, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified; and
1.1.7 in the event that any day on which any amount is to be determined or any action is required to be taken hereunder is not a business day, then such amount will be determined or such action will be required to be taken at or before the requisite time on the next succeeding day that is a business day.
ARTICLE 2
COVENANTS OF BAM AND THE COMPANY
2.1 |
Covenants Regarding Class A Shares |
BAM will:
(a) |
take all such actions and do all such things, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Company to pay quarterly distributions in support of the Principle of Economic Equivalence, including: |
(i) |
advising the Company sufficiently in advance of the declaration by BAM of any dividend on the BAM Shares and, at the request of the Company, providing the Company with a good faith estimate of the cash dividends expected to be declared on the BAM Shares for the next four quarters; and |
(ii) |
taking all such other actions as are reasonably necessary, in cooperation with the Company, to ensure that: |
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(A) |
the payment date for an Equivalent Distribution on the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares will be the same as the payment date for the corresponding dividend on the BAM Shares; and |
(B) |
if BAM declares or pays a dividend in BAM Shares, the effective date for a corresponding, economically equivalent subdivision of the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares (as determined in accordance with the Share Terms) (an Equivalent Share Subdivision) will be the same as the effective date for the share dividend in BAM Shares; |
(b) |
take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Company, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the amount per share equal to the Liquidation Amount, in respect of each issued and outstanding Class A Share upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its holders for the purpose of winding up its affairs including all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Company to cause to be delivered BAM Shares or the cash equivalent to the holders of Class A Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Share Terms; |
(c) |
take all such actions and do all such things, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Company to pay and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of any redemption of issued and outstanding Class A Shares upon a redemption of the Class A Shares by the Company, including all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit the Company to cause to be delivered BAM Shares or the cash equivalent to the holders of Class A Shares, in accordance with the provisions of the Share Terms, as the case may be; and |
(d) |
take all such actions and do all such things, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as are reasonably necessary or desirable to enable and permit BAM to perform its obligations arising upon the exercise by it of the Liquidation Call Right or the Redemption Call Right, or upon the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its holders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, including all such actions and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit BAM to cause to be delivered BAM Shares or the cash equivalent or other property to the holders of the Class A Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Liquidation Call Right or the Redemption Call Right, or upon the occurrence of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its holders for the purpose of winding up its affairs as the case may be, together with a cheque in respect of any cash amount payable to holders of the Class A Shares in connection with a redemption of the Class A Shares or a liquidation of the Company, as the case may be. |
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2.2 |
Company Covenants |
The Company will take all such other actions as are reasonably necessary, in cooperation with BAM, to ensure that to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(a) |
the payment date for an Equivalent Distribution on the Class A Shares and Class B Shares will be the same as the payment date for the corresponding dividend on the BAM Shares; and |
(b) |
the effective date for an Equivalent Share Subdivision of the Class A Shares and Class B Shares will be the same as the effective date for the share distribution, in lieu of such a distribution, on the BAM Shares. |
2.3 |
Reservation of BAM Shares |
BAM hereby represents, warrants and covenants in favour of the Company that BAM has reserved and obtained stock exchange approval for issuance, and will, at all times while any Class A Shares are outstanding, keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, out of its authorized and unissued share capital such number of BAM Shares: (a) as is equal to the prevailing Exchange Factor multiplied by the sum of (i) the number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding from time to time, and (ii) the number of Class A Shares issuable upon the exercise of all rights to acquire Class A Shares outstanding from time to time; and (b) as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and permit each of BAM and the Company to meet its obligations under the Companys Bye-Laws, this Agreement, the Share Terms and the Rights Agreement.
2.4 |
Notification of Certain Events |
In order to assist BAM to comply with its obligations hereunder and to permit BAM to exercise the Liquidation Call Right, the Company will notify BAM, or will cause BAM to be notified, of each of the following events at the time set forth below:
(a) |
in the event of any determination by the Company Board to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to the Company or to effect any other distribution of the assets of the Company to its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, at least 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution; |
(b) |
promptly upon the earlier of (i) receipt by the Company of notice of, and (ii) the Company otherwise becoming aware of any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or to effect any other distribution of the assets of the Company to its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs; and |
(c) |
on or before the date on which notice of redemption is given to holders of Class A Shares, upon the determination of a Specified Class A Redemption Date in accordance with the Share Terms. |
- 7 -
2.5 |
Delivery of BAM Shares |
Upon notice from the Company of any event that requires the Company to cause to be delivered BAM Shares to any holder of Class A Shares, subject to applicable law and any necessary stock exchange approval, BAM will, forthwith, issue and deliver or cause to be delivered the requisite number of BAM Shares to the Company or as directed by the Company (for fair value consideration). All such BAM Shares will be duly authorized and validly issued as fully paid, non-assessable, free of pre-emptive rights and will be free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance.
2.6 |
Qualification of BAM Shares |
If any BAM Shares (or other shares or securities into which BAM Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by section 2.8 hereof) to be issued and delivered hereunder require registration or qualification with or approval of or the filing of any document, including any prospectus or similar document or the taking of any proceeding with or the obtaining of any order, ruling or consent from any governmental or regulatory authority under any Canadian or United States federal, provincial or state securities or other law or regulation or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any securities or other regulatory authority or the fulfilment of any other United States or Canadian legal requirement before such shares (or such other shares or securities) may be issued by BAM and delivered by BAM at the direction of the Company to the holder of surrendered Class A Shares or in order that such shares (or such other shares or securities) may be freely traded thereafter (other than any restrictions of general application on transfer by reason of a holder being a control person for purposes of Canadian provincial securities law or an affiliate of BAM for purposes of United States federal or state securities law), BAM will in good faith expeditiously take all such reasonable actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to cause such BAM Shares (or such other shares or securities) to be and remain duly registered, qualified or approved under United States and/or Canadian law, as the case may be. BAM will in good faith expeditiously take all such reasonable actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable to cause all BAM Shares (or such other shares or securities) to be delivered hereunder to be listed, quoted or posted for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on which BAM Shares (or such other shares or securities) have been listed by BAM and remain listed and are quoted or posted for trading at such time.
2.7 |
Consent to Issuances or Registrations of Class A Shares |
BAM will have the right to consent, in writing, to:
2.7.1 any issuance of, or grant of a right by the Company to acquire, Class A Shares;
2.7.2 the entry by the Company into any registration rights agreement granting any person (other than BAM) the right to cause the registration of Class A Shares under securities laws in any jurisdiction; or
2.7.3 the filing of any registration statement or prospectus for the distribution or sale of any Class A Shares.
Any consent may be withheld, conditioned or delayed in BAMs sole discretion.
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2.8 |
Economic Equivalence |
(a) |
So long as any Class A Shares owned by Non-Brookfield Holders are outstanding, BAM and the Company will take all such actions and do all such things to: |
(i) |
support and not undermine the Principle of Economic Equivalence; and |
(ii) |
cooperate to jointly effect changes in the capital or related dilutive events at BAM and the Company, as applicable, such that no adjustment to the Exchange Factor is required to maintain the Principle of Economic Equivalence (in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions included in the Companys Bye-Laws and the Share Terms), including using best efforts to take or cause to be taken such steps as may be necessary for the purposes of ensuring that appropriate distributions are made by BAM or the Company, as applicable, or subdivisions, redivisions or changes are made to the BAM Shares or the Class A Shares, as applicable. |
(b) |
If there is a dispute between BAM and the Company on whether an adjustment to the Exchange Factor is required in respect of any changes in the capital or related dilutive events at BAM or the Company, as applicable, the Parties will escalate promptly to the appropriate representatives for resolution. |
Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in Section 2.8(a), nothing herein shall limit the ability of BAM to issue securities (including but not limited to debt, preferred shares, common shares, and convertible securities), complete acquisitions or dispositions, or engage in other business.
2.9 |
Ordinary Market Purchases |
For greater certainty, nothing contained in this Agreement, including the obligations of BAM and the Company contained in Section 2.8, will limit:
(a) |
the ability of BAM (or any of its Subsidiaries) to make market purchases of BAM Shares in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory or stock exchange requirements; or |
(b) |
the ability of the Company to make market purchases of Class A Shares in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory or stock exchange requirements. |
2.10 |
Stock Exchange Listing |
For so long as any Class A Shares owned by Non-Brookfield Holders are outstanding, BAM covenants and agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain a listing for the BAM Shares on a stock exchange.
- 9 -
2.11 |
Shareholder Rights |
Nothing contained in this Agreement, including the obligations of BAM contained in Section 2.8, will limit the ability of BAM (or any of its Subsidiaries) to exercise its rights as a shareholder of the Company, including in relation to a redemption or liquidation of the Company.
2.12 |
Cooperation in respect of Public Disclosure and Prospectuses |
BAM and the Company will agree to cooperate as necessary or desirable from time to time in respect of their public disclosure, including:
2.12.1 BAM will consent to the Company referencing BAMs public disclosure in the Companys public disclosure (and will permit the Company and its advisors to do reasonable diligence on such disclosure, if requested), and the Company will consent to BAM referencing the Companys public disclosure in BAMs public disclosure (and will permit BAM and its advisors to do reasonable diligence on such disclosure, if requested);
2.12.2 BAM will provide such information as the Company reasonably requires to comply with its financial reporting obligations, and the Company will provide such information as BAM reasonably requires to comply with its financial reporting obligations;
2.12.3 subject to BAMs prior consent having been obtained, BAM will cooperate with the Company for purposes of qualifying or registering the underlying BAM Shares in the event that the Company issues or qualifies or registers for issuance or distribution Class A Shares;
2.12.4 BAM will provide the Company with prompt written notice of any material change or misrepresentation in respect of BAMs public disclosure; and
2.12.5 BAM will provide the Company with prompt written notice if there is not an effective registration statement with respect to the delivery of BAM Shares in connection with a request for an exchange pursuant to the Exchange Feature.
2.13 |
Management and Administration Services |
For so long as this Agreement is in place, and subject to any applicable regulatory rules and requirements:
2.13.1 The Company acknowledges that it is expected that Subsidiaries of the Company will, from time to time, appoint Brookfield as investment manager and not appoint any other person to provide any investment management services to Subsidiaries of the Company without the prior consent of Brookfield. BAM agrees that it will, or will cause the appropriate Brookfield entity, to accept such appointment.
2.13.2 Without the prior written consent of BAM, the Company will not appoint, and will not consent to any Subsidiaries of the Company appointing, any direct competitor to BAMs asset management business, as determined by BAM acting reasonably, for the provision of any material administrative services or support services, including for certainty the provision of the services of any executive officer or senior management function.
- 10 -
For greater certainty, Brookfield remains subject at all times to the supervision and direction of the board of directors of the applicable Subsidiary with respect to the provision of investment management services to Subsidiaries of the Company in accordance with the applicable investment management agreement.
2.14 |
Due Performance |
BAM and the Company will duly and timely perform all of their obligations under the Companys Bye-Laws, this Agreement, the Rights Agreement and the Share Terms.
ARTICLE 3
BAM SUCCESSORS
3.1 |
Certain Requirements in Respect of Combination, etc. |
BAM will not enter into any transaction (whether by way of reconstruction, reorganization, consolidation, transfer, sale, lease or otherwise) whereby all or substantially all of its undertaking, property and assets would become the property of any other person unless:
(a) |
such other Person or continuing entity (the BAM Successor) by operation of law, becomes, without more, bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement or, if not so bound, executes, prior to or contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction, an agreement supplemental hereto and such other instruments (if any) as are necessary or advisable to evidence the assumption by the BAM Successor of liability for all moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder and the covenant of such BAM Successor to pay and deliver or cause to be delivered the same and its agreement to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations of BAM under this Agreement; and |
(b) |
such transaction will be upon such terms and conditions as substantially to preserve and not to impair in any material respect any of the rights, duties, powers and authorities of the other Party hereunder or the holders of the Class A Shares. |
For greater certainty, nothing in this Agreement will prevent BAM from continuing to another jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law.
3.2 |
Vesting of Powers in Successor |
Whenever the conditions of Section 3.1 have been duly observed and performed, the Parties, if required by Section 3.1, will execute and deliver the supplemental agreement provided for in Section 3.1(a) and thereupon the BAM Successor and such other person that may then be the issuer of the BAM Shares will possess and from time to time may exercise each and every right and power of BAM under this Agreement in the name of BAM or otherwise and any act or proceeding by any provision of this Agreement required to be done or performed by the BAM Board may be done and performed with like force and effect by the directors or officers of such BAM Successor.
- 11 -
3.3 |
Subsidiaries |
Nothing herein will be construed as preventing the merger of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of BAM with or into BAM or another direct or indirect Subsidiary of BAM or the winding-up, liquidation or dissolution of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of BAM, provided that all of the assets of such Subsidiary are transferred to BAM or another direct or indirect Subsidiary of BAM, and any such transactions are expressly permitted by this Article 3.
3.4 |
Successor Transaction |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Article 3, in the event of a transaction:
(a) |
in which BAM merges with, or in which all or substantially all of the then Outstanding BAM Shares are acquired by, one or more other entity; and |
(b) |
in which all or substantially all of the then Outstanding BAM Shares are converted into or exchanged for (directly or indirectly) securities or rights to receive such securities (the Other Securities) of another entity (the Other Entity) that, immediately after such transaction, is the successor (whether directly or indirectly and including in combination with other related companies) to, or owns or controls, directly or indirectly, BAM, |
then all references herein to BAM will thereafter be and be deemed to be references to Other Entity and all references herein to BAM Shares will thereafter be and be deemed to be references to Other Securities (with appropriate adjustments, if any, as are required to result in a holder of Class A Shares on the exchange, redemption or retraction of such securities pursuant to the Share Terms immediately subsequent to the transaction being entitled to receive that number of Other Securities equal to the number of Other Securities such holder of Class A Shares would have received if the exchange, redemption or retraction of such securities pursuant to the Share Terms had occurred immediately prior to the transaction and the transaction was completed), but subject to subsequent adjustments to reflect any subsequent changes in the capital of the issuer of the Other Securities, including any subdivision, consolidation or reduction of capital, without any need to amend the Share Terms and without any further action required.
ARTICLE 4
GENERAL
4.1 |
Term |
This Agreement will come into force and become effective on the date of the Special Dividend (the Effective Date) and will terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as:
4.1.1 no Class A Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to acquire Class A Shares) are held by Non-Brookfield Holders; or
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4.1.2 the following have occurred (i) an amendment to the terms of the Class A Shares that eliminates the Exchange Feature and the Equivalent Distribution and (ii) the termination of the Rights Agreement.
4.2 |
Changes in Capital of BAM and the Company |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof, at all times after the occurrence of any event that results in either the Class A Shares, BAM Shares, or both, being in any way changed, this Agreement will, without the approvals set forth in Section 4.4 hereof, forthwith be amended and modified as necessary in order that it will apply with full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which the BAM Shares, the Class A Shares, or both, are so changed and the Parties hereto will execute and deliver a supplemental agreement in writing giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications.
4.3 |
Severability |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof, if any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable rule, law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement will nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties hereto will, without the approvals set forth in Section 4.4 hereof, negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner with a view to ensuring that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
4.4 |
Amendments, Modifications |
Except for amendments contemplated by Section 4.2, 4.3 and 4.5, this Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by the Company and BAM and approved by (a) the Non-Brookfield Holders and the Class B Shares, each voting as a class (with an approval threshold of a majority of the votes cast by each class); (b) the BAM Board; and (c) the Company Board.
4.5 |
Ministerial Amendments |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.4 hereof, the Parties to this Agreement may in writing at any time and from time to time, without the approvals set forth in Section 4.4 hereof, amend or modify this Agreement for the purposes of:
(a) |
adding to the covenants of any or all of the Parties hereto if the Company Board and the BAM Board are of the opinion that such additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Non-Brookfield Holders as a whole; |
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(b) |
evidencing the succession of a BAM Successor and the covenants of and obligations assumed by such BAM Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article 3; |
(c) |
making such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this Agreement as may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions which, in the opinion of the Company Board and the BAM Board, having in mind the best interests of the Non-Brookfield Holders as a whole, it may be expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors is of the opinion that such amendments or modifications will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Non-Brookfield Holders as a whole; or |
(d) |
making such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to the Company and BAM, are required for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect, inconsistent provision, clerical omission, mistake or manifest error, provided that the Company Board and the BAM Board are of the opinion that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Non-Brookfield Holders as a whole. |
4.6 |
Meeting to Consider Amendments |
The Company, at the request of BAM, will call a meeting or meetings of the holders of the Class A Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or modification requiring approval pursuant to Section 4.4 hereof. Any such meeting or meetings will be called and held in accordance with the Companys Bye-Laws, the Share Terms and all applicable laws.
4.7 |
Amendments Only in Writing |
No amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by all of the Parties hereto.
4.8 |
Enurement |
This Agreement will be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
4.9 |
Assignment |
Except as set forth in this Agreement, no Party hereto may assign this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement (whether by operation of law or otherwise).
4.10 |
Notices to Parties |
Any notice and other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement will be sufficiently given if delivered in person or if sent by facsimile transmission (provided such transmission is recorded as being transmitted successfully) to the Parties at the following addresses:
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(a) |
in the case of BAM to the following address: |
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Brookfield Place, Suite 300
181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
Canada
Attention: | Kathy Sarpash | |
Email: | [REDACTED] |
with a copy to, which will not constitute notice for the purposes of this Agreement, to:
Torys LLP
Suite 3000
79 Wellington Street West
P.O. Box 270, TD Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1N2
Attention: | Karrin Powys-Lybbe | |
Email: | [REDACTED] |
(b) |
in the case of the Company, to the following address: |
Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd.
73 Front Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton HM 12
Bermuda
Attention: | Lyndsay Hatlelid | |
Email: | [REDACTED] |
with a copy to, which will not constitute notice for the purposes of this Agreement, to:
Torys LLP
Suite 3000
79 Wellington Street West
P.O. Box 270, TD Centre
Toronto, Ontario M5K 1N2
Attention: | Karrin Powys-Lybbe | |
Email: | [REDACTED] |
- 15 -
or at such other address as the Party to which such notice or other communication is to be given has last notified the Party giving the same in the manner provided in this Section 4.10, and if not given the same will be deemed to have been received on the date of such delivery or sending.
4.11 |
Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (by facsimile or otherwise), each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
4.12 |
Jurisdiction |
This Agreement will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. Each Party hereto irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario with respect to any matter arising hereunder or related hereto.
4.13 |
Specific Performance |
The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each of the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions, using the process set out in Section 4.14 to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at law or in equity.
4.14 |
Dispute Resolution |
4.14.1 Sole and Exclusive Procedure - All disputes, disagreements, controversies, questions or claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any application for interim relief (including specific performance or an injunction), including with respect to its formation, execution, validity, application, interpretation, performance, breach, termination or enforcement (Disputes), must be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.14, which sets out the sole and exclusive procedure for the resolution of Disputes. The resolution of Disputes pursuant to the terms of this Section 4.14 will be final and binding upon the Parties, and there will be no appeal therefrom, including any appeal to a court of law on a question of law, a question of fact, or a question of mixed fact and law. The International Commercial Arbitration Act, 2017 (Ontario) (the Act) shall govern any Dispute under Section 4.14. If the provisions of this Section 4.14 are inconsistent with the provisions of the Act and to the extent of such inconsistency, the provisions of this Section 4.14 shall prevail in any Arbitration.
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4.14.2 Arbitration Procedure - Whenever a Dispute arises among any of the Parties, such Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to settle such dispute internally and will consult and negotiate with each other in an effort to reach a fair and equitable resolution satisfactory to the Parties as promptly as possible. If the Parties have not agreed to a settlement of the dispute within 30 days from the date upon which written notice of the Dispute was delivered by one Party to the other, then the Parties agree that the Dispute shall be submitted to, and conclusively settled by, arbitration by a single arbitrator (unless the Parties otherwise agree) pursuant to the National Arbitration Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. The arbitration proceedings shall take place in Toronto, Ontario, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties. The language of the arbitration shall be English. Nothing in this Section 4.14 shall prevent or limit either Partys right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date written on the first page of this Agreement.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
|
Name: Kathy Sarpash | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
I have authority to bind the Corporation. |
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|
Name: James Bodi | ||
Title: Vice President | ||
I have authority to bind the Company. |
[BAM-The Company Support Agreement]
Exhibit 99.6
CREDIT AGREEMENT
between
BAM RE HOLDINGS LTD.
NORTH END RE (CAYMAN) SPC
NORTH END RE LTD.
BROOKFIELD ANNUITY COMPANY
as Borrowers
and
BAM RE HOLDINGS LTD.
as Guarantor
and
BROOKFIELD US HOLDINGS INC.
BROOKFIELD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC.
as Lenders
Effective as of June 28, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS |
4 | |||||
1.1 |
Defined Terms |
4 | ||||
1.2 |
Terms Generally |
17 | ||||
1.3 |
Accounting Terms; GAAP |
17 | ||||
1.4 |
Time |
17 | ||||
1.5 |
Borrowers Severally Liable |
17 | ||||
1.6 |
Currency Equivalents |
17 | ||||
1.7 |
Amount of Credit |
18 | ||||
1.8 |
Divisions |
18 | ||||
1.9 |
Schedules |
18 | ||||
ARTICLE 2 THE CREDIT FACILITY |
18 | |||||
2.1 |
Commitment |
18 | ||||
2.2 |
Loans and Borrowings |
19 | ||||
2.3 |
Requests for Borrowings |
19 | ||||
2.4 |
Interest |
20 | ||||
2.5 |
Evidence of Debt |
22 | ||||
2.6 |
Automatic Renewal, Termination and Reduction of Credit Facility |
22 | ||||
2.7 |
Mandatory Repayments of Excess Drawn Amounts |
23 | ||||
2.8 |
Voluntary Prepayments and Cancellation |
23 | ||||
2.9 |
Breakage Costs |
23 | ||||
2.10 |
Alternate Rate of Interest |
24 | ||||
2.11 |
LIBOR Discontinuation |
24 | ||||
2.12 |
Increased Costs; Illegality |
25 | ||||
2.13 |
Payments Generally |
27 | ||||
2.14 |
Addition of Borrowers |
27 | ||||
2.15 |
Withholding Tax. |
27 | ||||
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
28 | |||||
3.1 |
Organization; Powers |
28 | ||||
3.2 |
Authorization; Enforceability |
28 | ||||
3.3 |
Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts |
28 | ||||
3.4 |
Financial Information |
29 | ||||
3.5 |
Litigation |
29 | ||||
3.6 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements |
29 | ||||
3.7 |
Taxes |
29 | ||||
3.8 |
Pension Plans |
29 | ||||
3.9 |
No Order or Judgments |
30 | ||||
3.10 |
Insurance |
30 | ||||
3.11 |
Solvency |
30 | ||||
3.12 |
Environmental Matters |
30 | ||||
3.13 |
Money Laundering Laws |
30 |
- i -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
3.14 |
Office of Foreign Assets Control |
30 | ||||
3.15 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties |
31 | ||||
3.16 |
Deemed Repetition |
31 | ||||
ARTICLE 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LIBOR LOANS |
31 | |||||
4.1 |
Effective Date |
31 | ||||
4.2 |
Conditions Precedent to Borrowings |
31 | ||||
ARTICLE 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
32 | |||||
5.1 |
Financial Statements and Other Information |
32 | ||||
5.2 |
Existence; Conduct of Business |
32 | ||||
5.3 |
Timely Payment |
32 | ||||
5.4 |
Books and Records |
32 | ||||
5.5 |
Compliance with Laws |
32 | ||||
5.6 |
Insurance |
33 | ||||
5.7 |
Operation of Business |
33 | ||||
5.8 |
Maintenance of Assets |
33 | ||||
5.9 |
Payment of Taxes |
33 | ||||
5.10 |
Use of Proceeds |
33 | ||||
ARTICLE 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
34 | |||||
6.1 |
Fundamental Changes |
34 | ||||
6.2 |
Hedging Transactions |
34 | ||||
6.3 |
Distributions during Default |
35 | ||||
ARTICLE 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
35 | |||||
7.1 |
Events of Default |
35 | ||||
7.2 |
Legal Proceedings |
38 | ||||
7.3 |
Non-Merger |
38 | ||||
ARTICLE 8 GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY |
39 | |||||
8.1 |
Guarantee |
39 | ||||
8.2 |
Indemnity |
39 | ||||
8.3 |
Payment and Performance |
39 | ||||
8.4 |
Continuing Obligation |
39 | ||||
8.5 |
Guarantee Unaffected |
40 | ||||
8.6 |
Waivers |
40 | ||||
8.7 |
Lenders Right to Act |
41 | ||||
8.8 |
Action or Inaction |
42 | ||||
8.9 |
Remedies Cumulative |
42 | ||||
8.10 |
Demand |
42 |
- ii -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE 9 DEPOSITS |
42 | |||||
9.1 |
Deposits |
42 | ||||
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS |
43 | |||||
10.1 |
Subordination to Credit Agreement Indebtedness |
43 | ||||
10.2 |
Notices |
43 | ||||
10.3 |
Waivers |
44 | ||||
10.4 |
Expenses; Indemnity |
45 | ||||
10.5 |
Currency Indemnity |
46 | ||||
10.6 |
Successors and Assigns and Addition of Lenders |
46 | ||||
10.7 |
Survival |
47 | ||||
10.8 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
47 | ||||
10.9 |
Severability |
47 | ||||
10.10 |
Right of Set Off |
48 | ||||
10.11 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
48 | ||||
10.12 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
48 | ||||
10.13 |
Headings |
48 | ||||
10.14 |
Limited Recourse |
48 |
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CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is effective as of June 28, 2021 and is entered into between BAM Re Holdings Ltd. (Holdings), North End RE (Cayman) SPC (Cayman Opco), North End RE Ltd. (Bermuda Opco) and Brookfield Annuity Company (Canada Opco), as Borrowers and, in the case of Holdings, as Guarantor, and Brookfield US Holdings Inc. and Brookfield International Holdings Inc., as Lenders.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 |
Defined Terms |
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
Additional Guarantor has the meaning specified in Section 8.4.
Additional Terms Agreement means the additional terms agreement dated as of the date hereof between the Borrowers and the Lenders, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
Affiliate means, with respect to any 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;
Agreement means this credit agreement and all schedules attached hereto, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
Applicable Law means, in respect of any Person, property, transaction, event or other matter, as applicable, all Laws relating or applicable to such Person, property, transaction, event or matter.
Applicable Margin means, with respect to any Loan, the applicable rate per annum, expressed as a percentage, set forth in the Additional Terms Agreement for such Loan, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.4.1.
Authorization means, with respect to any Person, any authorization, order, permit, approval, grant, licence, consent, franchise, privilege, certificate, judgment, writ, injunction, award, determination, direction, decree, by-law, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Person and legally binding on such Person.
Available Amount means the amount of the Credit Facility as set out in Section 2.1 as reduced from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Available Tenor means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.11.4.
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Benchmark means, initially, LIBOR Screen Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR Screen Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then Benchmark means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.11.1.
Benchmark Replacement means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Lenders for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(a) |
the sum of: (i) Term SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; |
(b) |
the sum of: (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; |
(c) |
the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Lenders as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (x) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (y) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; |
provided that, in the case of clause (a), such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Lenders in their reasonable discretion. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other loan documents.
Benchmark Replacement Adjustment means, with respect to any replacement of the then current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:
(a) |
for purposes of clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Lenders: (i) the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, and (ii) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor; and |
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(b) |
for purposes of clause (c) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Lenders and any Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities; |
provided that, in the case of clause (a) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by the Lenders in their reasonable discretion.
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Business Day, the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Lenders decide may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Lenders in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Lenders decide that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Lenders determine that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Lenders decide is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other loan documents). The Lenders agree to consult with the Borrowers on making any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and obtain the Borrowers consent thereto, not to be unreasonably withheld.
Benchmark Replacement Date means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) |
in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); and |
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(b) |
in the case of clause (c) of the definition of Benchmark Transition Event, the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein; or |
(c) |
in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date on which notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Borrowers, so long as the Lenders have not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date on which notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Borrowers, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from any Borrower. |
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Transition Event means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(a) |
a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); |
(b) |
a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or |
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(c) |
a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer representative. |
For the avoidance of doubt, a Benchmark Transition Event will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
Benchmark Unavailability Period means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any loan document in accordance with Section 2.11 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any loan document in accordance with Section 2.11.
Borrower means each of Holdings, Cayman Opco, Bermuda Opco and Canada Opco and its successors and permitted assigns.
Borrowing means any availment of any of the Credit Facility and includes a rollover or conversion of any outstanding Loan.
Borrowing Request means a request by any Borrower for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3.
Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Ontario or New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable law to remain closed and, in the case of any LIBOR Loan, is also not a day on which commercial banks in London, England are authorized or required by Applicable Law to remain closed.
Canadian Dollars and Cdn$ refer to lawful money of Canada.
Canadian Prime Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of one or more Canadian Prime Rate Loans.
Canadian Prime Rate Loan means a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the Canadian Prime Rate.
Canadian Prime Rate means, on any day, the annual rate of interest equal to the greater of (a) the annual rate of interest announced by the Canadian Reference Lender and in effect as its prime rate at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario on such day for determining interest rates on Canadian Dollar-denominated commercial loans in Canada, and (b) the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of the one-month CDOR in effect on such day plus 1.0% per annum.
Canadian Reference Lender means such bank that is listed on Schedule I of the Bank Act (Canada) that is selected by the Lenders by giving written notice of thereof to the Borrowers.
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Cayman Companies Act means the Companies Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands (as amended from time to time).
CDOR means (a) with respect to a CDOR Loan, the rate per annum equal to the average per annum rate applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers acceptances having an identical or comparable term as the proposed CDOR Loan displayed and identified as such on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page (as defined in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. 2000 definitions, as modified and amended from time to time), rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1% (with .005% being rounded up), at approximately 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on the first day of the Interest Period for such CDOR Loan, with a term equivalent to the Interest Period of such CDOR Loan or if such Interest Period is not equal to a number of months, with a term equivalent to the number of months closest to such Interest Period, plus 0.10%; provided that if such rate does not appear on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page on such date as contemplated, then the CDOR on such date shall be calculated as the rate for the term referred to above applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers acceptances quoted by the Canadian Reference Lender as of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day, plus 0.10%; provided further that the CDOR shall at no times be less than 0%. If no CDOR is available for a particular Interest Period but CDORs are available for maturities both longer and shorter than such Interest Period, then the CDOR for such Interest Period shall be the CDOR Interpolated Rate plus 0.10%.
CDOR Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of one or more CDOR Loans.
CDOR Interpolated Rate means, in relation to any CDOR Loan and its Interest Period, a rate per annum determined by the Lenders (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between (a) the applicable CDOR for the longest period for which a CDOR is available that is shorter than such Interest Period and (b) the applicable CDOR for the shortest period for which a CDOR is available that is longer than such Interest Period, in each case as of 11:00 a.m., Toronto time on the day two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period; provided that the CDOR Interpolated Rate shall at no times be less than 0%.
CDOR Loan means a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon CDOR.
Change in Control means the acquisition by any Person other than Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. or its Affiliates (or any combination thereof) of Control of any Borrower.
Change in Law means (a) the adoption of any new Law after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any existing Law or in the official interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (c) compliance by the Lenders or any of their lenders with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law, but in the case of a request, guideline or directive not having the force of law, being a request, guideline or directive with which Persons customarily, and are expected by the relevant Governmental Authority to, comply and nevertheless considered to be binding on a Person or such Persons property) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.
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Claim has the meaning specified in Section 10.4.2.
Control and similar expressions mean a relationship between two Persons wherein one of such Persons has the power, through the ownership of Equity Securities, by contract or otherwise, to directly or indirectly direct the management and policies of the other of such Persons, and includes, without limitation: (a) in the case of a corporation or a trust, the ownership, either directly or indirectly through one or more Persons, of Equity Securities of such corporation or trust carrying more than 50% of the votes that may be cast to elect the directors or trustees of such corporation or trust or the Control of the corporate trustee of such trust, either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing, (other than Equity Securities held as collateral for a bona fide debt where the holder thereof is not entitled to exercise the voting rights attached thereto unless a default has occurred), provided that such votes, if exercised, are sufficient to elect a majority of the directors or trustees of such corporation or trust or corporate trustee; and (b) in the case of a general partnership or limited partnership, the power, through the ownership of Equity Securities, by contract or otherwise, to act as the managing partner appointed in respect of such general partnership or the general partner appointed in respect of such limited partnership, or to otherwise Control such managing partner or general partner, as applicable.
Corresponding Tenor with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
Credit Agreement means each revolving credit agreement that is entered into by the Borrowers, as borrowers, and any one or more banks from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
Credit Agreement Event of Default means the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to any of the Credit Agreements.
Credit Agreement Indebtedness means (a) in respect of any Borrower, the principal of and interest and premium (and any other amounts payable under) owing by such Borrower under the Credit Agreements, and, without duplication, (b) in respect of the Guarantor, the obligations of the Guarantor under the Credit Agreements.
Credit Facility means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Section 2.1.
Currency Due has the meaning specified in Section 10.5.
Daily Simple SOFR means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Lenders in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining Daily Simple SOFR for business loans; provided that, if the Lenders decide that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Lenders, then the Lenders may establish another convention in their reasonable discretion in consultation with the Borrowers.
Default means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which, upon notice, lapse of time or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
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Distribution means, with respect to any Person: (a) the retirement, redemption, retraction, purchase or other acquisition of any Equity Securities of such Person for cash or other property of such Person; (b) the declaration or payment of any dividend, return of capital or other distribution (in cash or other property of such Person) of, on or in respect of, any Equity Securities of such Person; or (c) any other payment or distribution (in cash or other property of such Person) of, on or in respect of any Equity Securities of such Person.
Dollar Amount means at any time with respect to outstanding Loans under the Credit Facility, the aggregate of (a) the amount in Dollars of all Loans that are denominated in Dollars, and (b) the Dollar Equivalent at such time of all Loans that are denominated in Canadian Dollars.
Dollar Equivalent means, at the date of determination, the amount of Dollars that the Lenders could purchase, in accordance with their normal practice, with a specified amount of Canadian Dollars based on the Exchange Rate on such date.
Dollars and $ refer to lawful money of the United States unless otherwise indicated.
Early Opt-in Election means, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the occurrence of:
(a) |
a determination by the Lenders that at least five currently outstanding Dollar denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such credit facilities are identified in the notice to the Borrowers described in clause (b) below and are publicly available for review), and |
(b) |
the election by the Lenders to trigger a fallback from the LIBOR Screen Rate and the provision by the Lenders of written notice of such election to the Borrowers. |
Effective Date means June 28, 2021.
Environmental Laws means all applicable federal, provincial, local or foreign laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgements, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, having the force of law and relating to the environment, health and safety, or health protection, including the generation, use, handling, collection, treatment, storage, transportation, recovery, recycling, release, threatened release or disposal of any hazardous or regulated material.
Equity Securities means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, units, interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however designated and whether voting and non-voting) of, such Persons capital, whether outstanding on the date hereof or issued after the date hereof, including without limitation any interest in a partnership, limited partnership or other similar Person and any unit or beneficial interest in a trust, and any and all rights, warrants, options or other rights exchangeable for or convertible into any of the foregoing.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
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Exchange Rate means, on any day, the rate at which Canadian Dollars may be exchanged into Dollars as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m. New York City time on such date on the relevant Reuters screen for Canadian Dollars; provided that if such rate does not appear on any Reuters screen on any date, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be reasonably selected by the Lenders.
FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the IRC, 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) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.
Federal Funds (Effective) Rate means, for any period, a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal for each day during such period to (a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or (b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Lenders from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
Financing Document means this Agreement and each document, instrument or agreement that is entered into pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement.
Floor means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to LIBOR.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada or the United States in effect from time to time which, for clarity, will include IFRS.
General Assets means any assets of Cayman Opco that are not Segregated Portfolio Assets and otherwise as specified in section 219 of the Cayman Companies Act.
Governmental Authority means the Government of Canada or the United States, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether provincial, state, territorial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court or other ether entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
Guarantee has the meaning specified in Section 8.1.
Guaranteed Obligations has the meaning specified in Section 8.1.
Guarantor means Holdings.
Hostile Acquisition means a proposed acquisition by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in circumstances in which the Person subject to such acquisition will not have, as of the date of the acquisition notice in respect of such acquisition, evidenced its agreement or agreement in principle to such acquisition.
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IFRS means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and as in effect from time to time.
Indemnitee has the meaning specified in Section 10.4.2.
Interest Payment Date means, (a) in the case of any Canadian Prime Rate Loan or U.S. Base Rate Loan, the first Business Day of each month, and (b) in the case of any CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan, the last day of the Interest Period relating to such Loan, provided that if an Interest Period for any CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan exceeds three months, then Interest Payment Date shall also include each date which occurs at each three month interval during such Interest Period.
Interest Period means with respect to a CDOR Loan or a LIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter or such other periods thereafter as may from time to time be agreed to by the Borrower requesting such Loan and the Lenders; provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period will be extended to the immediately succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period will end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) will end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, and (c) no Interest Period will extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially will be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a converted or continued Borrowing, thereafter will be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
IRC means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
ISDA Definitions means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.
Judgment Currency has the meaning specified in Section 10.5.
Laws means all applicable federal, state, provincial, municipal, foreign and international statutes, acts, codes, ordinances, decrees, treaties, rules, regulations, municipal by-laws, judicial or arbitral or administrative or ministerial or departmental or regulatory judgments, orders, decisions, rulings or awards or any provisions of the foregoing, and all policies, practices, directives and guidelines in each case of any Governmental Authority and having the force of law; and Law means any one or more of the foregoing.
Lenders means Brookfield US Holdings Inc., Brookfield International Holdings Inc. and each Person that becomes a Lender hereunder from time to time, and Lender means any of them.
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LIBOR means with respect to any LIBOR Loan denominated in Dollars, for any Interest Period, the rate for Dollar borrowings appearing on the applicable Reuters screen (or, in each case, any successor or substitute page of such service), or any successor to or substitute for such service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Lenders from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, in each case as the rate for Dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period; provided that if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then LIBOR with respect to such LIBOR Loan for such Interest Period will be the rate at which Dollar deposits approximately equal to the amount of such LIBOR Loan and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of a commercial bank selected by the Lenders in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and provided further that if any such rate is below zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero and LIBOR shall be adjusted as applicable to reflect the Statutory Reserve Rate by multiplying the rate described above by the Statutory Reserve Rate.
LIBOR Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of one or more LIBOR Loans.
LIBOR Loan means a loan denominated in Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon LIBOR.
LIBOR Screen Rate means the rate for Dollar borrowings set forth in the definition of LIBOR itself.
Loan means any LIBOR Loan, Canadian Prime Rate Loan, CDOR Loan or U.S. Base Rate Loan made by any Lender to a Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
Material Adverse Effect means any event, development or circumstance which has had or would reasonably be expected to have (a) a material adverse effect on the business, assets, properties, operations or financial condition of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrowers (taken as a whole) to perform their obligations under this Agreement.
Maturity Date means June 28, 2024, unless the Agreement is automatically renewed under Section 2.6.1, in which case the Maturity Date shall be the date the Agreement is scheduled to terminate following any valid renewal.
Money Laundering Laws has the meaning specified in Section 3.13.
Obligations means all present and future debts, liabilities and obligations of the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Agreement, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, existing on the Effective Date or thereafter arising, including without limitation with respect to all Loans, and all interest and fees owing hereunder (including those that accrue after the commencing by or against any Borrower of any insolvency or similar proceeding).
OFAC has the meaning specified in Section 3.14.
OFAC Lists has the meaning specified in Section 3.14.
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Person includes any natural person, corporation, company, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, incorporated organization, partnership, limited partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Reference Time with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the LIBOR Screen Rate, 11:00 a.m., London time, on the day that is two London banking days preceding the date of such setting, and (b) if such Benchmark is not a LIBOR Screen Rate, the time determined by the Lenders in their reasonable discretion.
Relevant Governmental Body means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.
Responsible Officer means, in respect of any Person, any director or officer of such Person or the general or managing partner of such Person.
Segregated Portfolio Assets means the assets representing the share capital and reserves and all other assets attributable to or held within or on behalf of a segregated portfolio of Cayman Opco and otherwise as specified in section 219 of the Cayman Companies Act.
SOFR means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrators Website at approximately 8:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
SOFR Administrator means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
SOFR Administrators Website means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
Specified Threshold Amount means the Specified Threshold Amount that is set forth in the Additional Terms Agreement.
Statutory Reserve Rate means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar reserve requirements (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves or other requirements) established by any central bank, monetary authority, the Federal Reserve Board, the Financial Services Authority, the European Central Bank or other Governmental Authority for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in the applicable currency, expressed in the case of each such requirement as a decimal. Such reserve, liquid asset, fee or similar requirements shall, in the case of Dollar denominated Loans, include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board. LIBOR Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset, fee or similar requirements without the benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available to lenders from time to time under any Applicable Law. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any such change in any reserve, liquid asset, fee or similar requirement.
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Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person (the parent) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, trust or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the combined voting stock are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by any one or more subsidiaries of such Person.
Taxes means all present and future taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, surtaxes, duties and other assessments, including all income, sales, use, goods and services, value added, capital, capital gains, alternative, net worth, transfer, profits, withholding, payroll, employer health, excise, real property and personal property taxes, and any other taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments, or similar charges of any nature, imposed by any Governmental Authority and whether disputed or not.
Term SOFR means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
Type, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan or Borrowing is a U.S. Base Rate Loan, Canadian Prime Rate Loan, LIBOR Loan or CDOR Loan or a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing, Canadian Prime Borrowing, LIBOR Borrowing or CDOR Borrowing, as the case may be.
U.S. Base Rate means, on any day, the annual rate of interest equal to the greater of (a) the annual rate of interest announced by a commercial Canadian bank selected by the Lenders and in effect as its base rate at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario on such day for determining interest rates on Dollar demand commercial loans in Canada, (b) the sum of the Federal Funds (Effective) Rate plus 0.50% per annum, and (c) LIBOR for Dollars for one-month term in effect on such day plus 1.00%. Any change in the U.S. Base Rate due to a change in the applicable base rate, the Federal Funds (Effective) Rate or such LIBOR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the applicable base rate, the Federal Funds (Effective) Rate or such LIBOR, respectively.
U.S. Base Rate Borrowing means a Borrowing comprised of one or more U.S. Base Rate Loans.
U.S. Base Rate Loan means a Loan denominated in Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the U.S. Base Rate.
Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
Withholdings has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.15.1.
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1.2 |
Terms Generally |
The definitions of terms herein will apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun will include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including will be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein will be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein); (b) any reference herein to any statute or any Section thereof will, unless otherwise expressly stated, be deemed to be a reference to such statute or Section as amended, restated or re-enacted from time to time; (c) any reference herein to any Person will be construed to include such Persons successors and permitted assigns; (d) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, will be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof; (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections and Exhibits will be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits to, this Agreement; and (f) the words asset and property will 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 contractual rights.
1.3 |
Accounting Terms; GAAP |
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature will be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time.
1.4 |
Time |
All time references herein will, unless otherwise specified, be references to local time in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Time is of the essence of this Agreement.
1.5 |
Borrowers Severally Liable |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Borrower will be severally (and not joint and severally) liable to pay all amounts owing under this Agreement in respect of each Borrowing and Loan that is advanced to such Borrower hereunder, including (without limitation) the obligation to pay all principal and interest owing under or in respect of each such Borrowing and Loan, the obligation to pay all amounts related to any prepayment of any such Borrowing and Loan and the obligations to pay all Taxes and amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.9, Section 2.12 and Section 2.15 in respect of all such Borrowings and Loans. No Borrower other than Holdings (in its capacity as the Guarantor hereunder) shall be liable in any way for any of the Borrowings or Loans (or any amounts owing in respect thereof or obligations related thereto) of any other Borrower.
1.6 |
Currency Equivalents |
For purposes of determining (a) whether the amount of any Borrowing, together with all other Borrowings then outstanding or to be borrowed at the same time as such Borrowing, would exceed the Available Amount, (b) the unutilized amount of the Credit Facility, and (c) the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing, the outstanding principal amount of any Loan that is denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of such amount determined as of the applicable determination date.
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1.7 |
Amount of Credit |
Any reference herein to the amount of credit outstanding means, at any particular time:
(a) |
in the case of a Canadian Prime Rate Loan or CDOR Loan, the Dollar Equivalent of the principal amount thereof; and |
(b) |
in the case of a LIBOR Loan or U.S. Base Rate Loan, the principal amount of such Loan. |
1.8 |
Divisions |
For all purposes of this Agreement, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdictions laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person; and (b) if any Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Securities at such time.
1.9 |
Schedules |
The following are the Schedules and Exhibits annexed hereto, incorporated by reference and deemed to be a part hereof:
Exhibits A - Borrowing Request
Exhibit B - Form of Deposit Record
ARTICLE 2
THE CREDIT FACILITY
2.1 |
Commitment |
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lenders hereby establish in favour of the Borrowers a Credit Facility in the amount of $200,000,000 (the Available Amount) and commit to make Loans to the Borrowers from time to time during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date, provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans that may be owing by any Borrower at any time shall not exceed the amount set forth in the Additional Terms Agreement unless Holdings consents to any Borrower exceeding any such threshhold. The aggregate principal amount of all Loans shall not at any time exceed the Available Amount. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrowers may borrow, repay and re-borrow Loans from time to time. Holdings shall have the right to amend the amounts set out for this purpose in the Additional Terms Agreement from time to time by issuing a written notice to this effect to the Lenders and the other Borrowers, which notice and adjusted amounts shall be deemed to amend such amounts set out in the Additional Terms Agreement and shall be binding on all Borrowers hereunder from and after the date on which such notice is issued (or such other date as may be specified in such notice) without the need for any formal amendment of the Additional Terms Agreement to be executed by the parties.
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2.1.1 |
Advances under the Credit Facility are to be used by the Borrowers for their general corporate purposes, provided that in no event will the Credit Facility be used to finance a Hostile Acquisition without the consent of the Lenders. |
2.2 |
Loans and Borrowings |
2.2.1 |
Each Borrowing under the Credit Facility may be requested by any Borrower and will be comprised of U.S. Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Loans in Dollars or Canadian Prime Rate Loans or CDOR Loans in Canadian Dollars, as such Borrower may request in accordance herewith. |
2.3 |
Requests for Borrowings |
2.3.1 |
To request a Borrowing under the Credit Facility, any Borrower shall notify the Lenders of such request by written Borrowing Request substantially in the form of Exhibit A not later than 11:00 a.m., Toronto time, four (4) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or such shorter period as the Lenders may agree to. Each Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable. The Lenders are entitled to rely upon and act upon any Borrowing Request given or purportedly given by any Borrower, and each Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the authenticity and validity of any such transaction once a Lender has advanced funds, based on such Borrowing Request. Each Borrowing Request shall specify the following information: |
(a) |
the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing; |
(b) |
the date of such Borrowing, which must be a Business Day; |
(c) |
whether such Borrowing is to be a U.S. Base Rate Borrowing, a LIBOR Borrowing, a Canadian Prime Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing; |
(d) |
in the case of a CDOR Borrowing or LIBOR Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable to such Borrowing, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term Interest Period; and |
(e) |
the details of the account to which the proceeds of the Loans are to be disbursed. |
2.3.2 |
Each CDOR Borrowing and LIBOR Borrowing under the Credit Facility initially shall have the Interest Period specified by a Borrower in the Borrowing Request that is delivered by such Borrower. Thereafter, such Borrower may elect to convert any Borrowing to any different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a CDOR Borrowing or LIBOR Borrowing, may elect the Interest Periods therefor. Borrowers may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.3.2, a Borrower shall notify the Lenders of such election by delivering a Borrowing Request required under Section 2.3.1 as if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable. In addition to the information specified in Section 2.3.1, each Borrowing Request shall specify the Borrowing to which such request applies and, if different options are elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing. If no election is made pursuant to this Section 2.3.2 at the end of an Interest Period applicable to any CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have elected an Interest Period of one month for such CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan for the immediately following Interest Period. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and a Lender so notifies the Borrowers, then so long as an Event of Default is continuing (a) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a CDOR Borrowing or LIBOR Borrowing and (b) unless repaid, each CDOR Borrowing and LIBOR Borrowing shall be converted to a Canadian Prime Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing, respectively, at the end of the then-current Interest Period applicable thereto. |
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2.3.3 |
If at any time the Lenders determine that CDOR is no longer determinable or the supervisor for the administrator of CDOR or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over banks or other financial institutions has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which CDOR shall no longer be used for determining interests rates for loans, then the Lenders shall give written notice of such determination to the Borrowers and the Lenders and the Borrowers shall endeavour to establish an alternate rate of interest to CDOR that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a replacement standard and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such agreed upon alternate rate of interest. |
2.3.4 |
Each CDOR Borrowing and LIBOR Borrowing will be subject to Sections 2.10, 2.11 and 2.12. |
2.4 |
Interest |
2.4.1 |
The Loans under the Credit Facility comprising each U.S. Base Rate Borrowing and Canadian Prime Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be) at a rate per annum equal to the U.S. Base Rate and Canadian Prime Rate, respectively, plus the Applicable Margin from time to time in effect. It is understood and agreed that if at any time after the date hereof any Lenders cost of borrowing is increased, the Lender will be entitled, after consultation with the Borrowers and the other Lender, to increase the Applicable Margin that is applicable to all or any Types of Loans or Borrowings to reflect the Lenders increased cost of making such Loans or Borrowings available to the Borrowers and at the request of a Lender, the Borrowers and the Lenders will enter into an amendment to the Additional Terms Agreement to reflect such amendments to the Applicable Margin and that they will reconcile all interest payments that were previously made by the Borrowers in respect of the affected Types of Loans to reflect the adjustments to the Applicable Margins. |
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2.4.2 |
The Loans under the Credit Facility comprising each CDOR Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the relevant Interest Period over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be) at CDOR for the Interest Period in effect for such CDOR Loans plus the Applicable Margin from time to time in effect. |
2.4.3 |
The Loans under the Credit Facility comprising each LIBOR Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the relevant Interest Period over a year of 360 days) at LIBOR for the Interest Period in effect for such LIBOR Loans plus the Applicable Margin from time to time in effect. |
2.4.4 |
The applicable U.S. Base Rate, Canadian Prime Rate, LIBOR and CDOR Rate shall be determined by the Lenders, and such determination shall, absent manifest error, constitute prima facie evidence thereof. |
2.4.5 |
Accrued interest on each Loan made to a Borrower shall be payable by such Borrower in arrears on each Interest Payment Date and upon termination of the Credit Facility, and in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan by any Borrower, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable by such Borrower on the date of such repayment or prepayment together with all applicable breakage costs. |
2.4.6 |
All interest hereunder shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. |
2.4.7 |
For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) and disclosure thereunder, whenever any interest or any fee to be paid hereunder or in connection herewith is to be calculated on the basis of any period of time that is less than a calendar year, the yearly rate of interest to which the rate used in such calculation is equivalent is the rate so used multiplied by the actual number of days in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by 360, 365 or 366, as applicable. The rates of interest under this Agreement are nominal rates, and not effective rates or yields. The principle of deemed reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this Agreement. |
2.4.8 |
If any provision of this Agreement would oblige any Borrower to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to the Lenders in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by Law or would result in a receipt by the Lenders of interest at a criminal rate (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then, notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by Law or so result in a receipt by the Lenders of interest at a criminal rate, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary (but only to the extent necessary), as follows: |
(a) |
first, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid by such Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 2.4; and |
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(b) |
thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid to the Lenders by such Borrower which would constitute interest for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). |
2.4.9 |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loans will bear interest to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to 2.0% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans. All other amounts owing under this Agreement will bear interest at an interest rate equal to the one month LIBOR rate plus 4.0% per annum. |
2.5 |
Evidence of Debt |
2.5.1 |
The Lenders will maintain accounts in which they will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder to each Borrower and the relevant Interest Periods applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to the Lenders hereunder, and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Lenders hereunder from any Borrower or the Guarantor. |
2.5.2 |
The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to Section 2.5.1 will be prima facie evidence (absent manifest error) of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender to maintain such accounts or any error therein will not in any manner affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay the Loans and all other amounts payable by it in connection therewith, including interest and fees, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
2.6 |
Automatic Renewal, Termination and Reduction of Credit Facility |
2.6.1 |
This Agreement shall automatically renew for consecutive one (1) year terms on each anniversary of the Effective Date, unless the Lenders provide the Borrowers with at least ten (10) Business Days written notice prior to the relevant anniversary of their intention to terminate this Agreement. The Lenders may at any time provide written notice to the Borrowers at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the then scheduled maturity date that this Section 2.6.1 will be terminated and cease to be of any force or effect. |
2.6.2 |
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Lenders shall have the right to terminate the Credit Facility and their commitment with respect to the Credit Facility upon giving the Borrowers 90 days prior written notice. If the Lenders so terminate the Credit Facility, each Borrower must repay all amounts owing by it hereunder (including all Loans advanced to it and all interest and fees payable in respect thereof) on the termination date that is so elected by the Lenders. |
2.6.3 |
Unless previously terminated, the commitment of the Lenders with respect to the Credit Facility will terminate on the Maturity Date and each Borrower hereby unconditionally severally promises to pay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date (or such earlier date that the Loans have been accelerated pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 7.1) the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan that was advanced to such Borrower together with all interest accrued thereon and other amounts owing by it under this Agreement. |
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2.6.4 |
Holdings may, upon three Business Days prior written notice to the Lenders, permanently cancel any unused portion of the Credit Facility, without penalty. Each notice delivered by Holdings pursuant to this Section 2.6.4 will be irrevocable, will be binding on all Borrowers. |
2.7 |
Mandatory Repayments of Excess Drawn Amounts |
If at any time any Lender determines that the Dollar Amount outstanding under the Credit Facility exceeds the Available Amount, then upon written notice from a Lender to such effect, each Borrower will, within 24 hours, make a prepayment of the Credit Facility in an amount equal to its share of such excess, as determined by any Lender.
2.8 |
Voluntary Prepayments and Cancellation |
Any Borrower may, from time to time at its option, prepay any Loan that is owing by it hereunder without premium or penalty and the Borrowers may permanently reduce the Available Credit of the Credit Facility, provided that:
(a) |
any prepayment or reduction is in a minimum amount of $100,000; |
(b) |
each Borrower pays, concurrently with any such prepayment, all interest accrued on the amount prepaid by it together with breakage costs, if any, incurred by any Lender as a result of any such prepayment and that are payable pursuant to Section 2.9; |
(c) |
the Lenders receive written notice of such prepayment, at least three Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment and specifying the amount and date of such prepayment. Any such notice shall be irrevocable and the applicable Borrowers shall be bound to prepay in accordance with such notice; and |
(d) |
in the event that the notice provided to the Lenders in accordance with (c) above is from Holdings and indicates that the prepaid amount is to permanently prepay the Credit Facility pursuant to this Section 2.8, then the amount prepaid may not be re-borrowed thereunder (otherwise, the Borrowers will retain the right to re-borrow amounts prepaid in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement). |
2.9 |
Breakage Costs |
If (a) any Borrower fails to borrow or continue any CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan on the date specified in any Borrowing Request it delivers pursuant hereto, or (b) any CDOR Loan or LIBOR Loan advanced to it is paid for any reason on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or voluntary or mandatory prepayment), then that Borrower will compensate the Lenders for all loss, costs and expenses that the Lenders incur in connection with such event (including all loss, costs and expenses that the Lender incurs under its own credit facilities), as determined by the Lenders. A certificate of a Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that the Lenders are entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.9 will be delivered to such Borrower and will, absent manifest error, constitute prima facie evidence thereof. Each Borrower will pay the Lenders the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.
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2.10 |
Alternate Rate of Interest |
If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a CDOR Borrowing or LIBOR Borrowing:
(a) |
the Lenders determine that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining CDOR or LIBOR for such Interest Period; or |
(b) |
the Lenders determine that CDOR or LIBOR for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining CDOR Loans or LIBOR Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; |
then the Lenders shall give notice thereof to the Borrowers as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Lenders notify the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Borrowing Request that requests the continuation of any Borrowing as an affected CDOR Borrowing or a LIBOR Borrowing (as applicable) shall be deemed to request conversion to a Canadian Prime Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing (as applicable), and (ii) any Borrowing Request that requests an affected CDOR Borrowing or LIBOR Borrowing (as applicable) shall be made as a Canadian Prime Borrowing or U.S. Base Rate Borrowing (as applicable).
2.11 |
LIBOR Discontinuation |
2.11.1 |
Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other loan document, if a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) or (b) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any loan document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other loan document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (c) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any loan document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the tenth (10th) Business Day after the date on which notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Borrowers without any amendment to this Agreement or any other loan document, or further action or consent of the Borrowers, so long as the Lenders have not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from any Borrower. |
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2.11.2 |
Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Lenders will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other loan document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective in accordance with the definition of Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. |
2.11.3 |
Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Lenders will promptly notify the Borrowers of (a) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, (b) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (c) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (d) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.11.4 below and (e) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Lenders pursuant to this Section, as applicable, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other loan document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section. |
2.11.4 |
Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other loan document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or LIBOR) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Lenders in their reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Lenders may modify the definition of Interest Period for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Lenders may modify the definition of Interest Period for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor. |
2.11.5 |
Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrowers receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, a Borrower may revoke any request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to U.S. Base Rate Loans. |
2.12 |
Increased Costs; Illegality |
2.12.1 |
If any Change in Law shall: |
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(a) |
impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, additional capital, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any of its lenders; or |
(b) |
impose on any Lender or any of its lenders or the London interbank market any other condition affecting any cost or charge directly or indirectly incurred by the Lender in connection with a Loan hereunder (including the imposition on the Lender or any of its lenders of, or any change to, any Tax or other charge with respect to its or their CDOR Loans or LIBOR Loans or participation therein, or its obligation to make CDOR Loans or LIBOR Loans); |
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to the Lender of making, continuing, converting to or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrowers will pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
2.12.2 |
If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the Lenders rate of return with respect to the Loans made by the Lender to a level below that which the Lender would have achieved but for such Change in Law prior to the occurrence of such Change in Law, then from time to time the Borrowers will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for any such reduction suffered. |
2.12.3 |
A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Lender as specified in Sections 2.12.1 or 2.12.2 shall be delivered to the Borrowers, and any such certificate shall include a brief description of the Change in Law and a calculation of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Lender and shall, absent manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the amount of such compensation. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof. |
2.12.4 |
Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall not constitute a waiver of the Lenders right to demand such compensation. |
2.12.5 |
In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be reasonably exercised and shall, absent manifest error, constitute prima facie evidence thereof) at any time that the making or continuance of any Type of Loan has become unlawful or materially restricted as a result of compliance by the Lender in good faith with any Applicable Law, then, in any such event, the Lender shall give prompt notice (by telephone and confirmed in writing) to the Borrowers of such determination. Upon the giving of the notice to the Borrowers referred to in this Section 2.12.5, the Borrowers right to request (by continuation or otherwise), and the Lenders obligation to make, Loans of that Type shall be immediately suspended and if the affected Type of Loans are then outstanding, the Borrowers shall immediately, or if permitted by Applicable Law, no later than the date permitted thereby, upon at least one Business Day prior written notice to the Lenders, convert each such affected Type of Loan into a Type of Loan that is not so affected. |
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2.13 |
Payments Generally |
Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, amounts payable under any of Sections 2.9 or 2.12 or otherwise) prior to 12:00 p.m., Toronto time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim except for any deductions or withholdings for any present or future Taxes or similar charges that the Borrower is required to make pursuant to Applicable Law. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Lenders, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. The Borrowers shall make payments to the Lenders in accordance with instructions provided by the Lenders to the Borrowers.
2.14 |
Addition of Borrowers |
Holdings may elect from time to time to designate another Subsidiary or a subsidiary of Holdings as a Borrower hereunder subject to delivering to the Lenders a signed accession agreement in the form required by the Lenders and from and after the date of such designation, such Person shall for all purposes be a Borrower hereunder.
2.15 |
Withholding Tax. |
2.15.1 |
Any and all payments required to be made by or on behalf of the Borrowers under this Agreement will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any present or future Taxes or similar charges (collectively, the Withholdings) unless such Withholdings are required to be made under Applicable Law. If a Borrower is so required to deduct or withhold any Withholdings from any amount payable to any Lender: |
(a) |
The applicable Borrower will remit the Withholdings to the appropriate taxation authority following its deduction or withholding prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto. |
(b) |
Within 30 days after such Withholdings have been remitted, the applicable Borrower will deliver to the Lenders evidence satisfactory to the Lenders, acting reasonably, that the taxes or charges in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made have been remitted to the appropriate taxation authority. |
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2.15.2 |
If a payment made to any Lender under this Agreement by any Borrower would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such 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 IRC, as applicable), the Lender shall deliver to such Borrower at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Borrower such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the IRC) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Borrower as may be necessary for it to comply with its obligations under FATCA and to determine that the Lender has complied with the Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this 2.15.2, FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. |
2.15.3 |
Each Borrower will pay any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other taxes or arising from any payment made by it hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law. |
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Borrower makes each of the following representations and warranties in favour of the Lenders solely as to itself and its Subsidiaries, assets and operations (and not as to any other Borrower nor as to the Subsidiaries, assets or operations of any other Borrower):
3.1 |
Organization; Powers |
It is organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority and holds all requisite licences, permits, approvals and qualifications necessary to carry on its business as presently conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.2 |
Authorization; Enforceability |
This Agreement is within its corporate power and has been authorized by all necessary corporate and other action. This Agreement has been executed and delivered by it and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of it, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
3.3 |
Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts |
This Agreement, except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) does not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, (b) does not violate any applicable Law or its constating or organizational documents or any order of any Governmental Authority affecting it, (c) does not violate in any material way or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon it or any of its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by it, and (d) does not result in the creation or imposition of any lien on any asset of its assets.
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3.4 |
Financial Information |
3.4.1 |
All financial statements delivered by it to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement present fairly, in all material respects, its financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows as of such dates and for such periods of such financial statements, in accordance with GAAP. |
3.4.2 |
All written information (including that disclosed in all financial statements) pertaining to it that has been made available to the Lenders by it, or any of its authorized representatives, taken as a whole, was, when furnished, complete and correct in all material respects and did not, when furnished, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made. |
3.5 |
Litigation |
There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to its actual knowledge, threatened against or affecting it, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their assets that would, if determined adversely, affect the legality or enforceability of this Agreement or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.6 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements |
Except for any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, it and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws applicable to them or their property (including all labour laws) and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon them or their property (including all labour contracts). Except for any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, it and its Subsidiaries have not violated or failed to obtain any Authorization necessary to the ownership of their property or assets or the conduct of their businesses.
3.7 |
Taxes |
It and its Subsidiaries have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by them (including all instalments with respect to the current period) and have made adequate provision for Taxes for the current period, except Taxes which individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.8 |
Pension Plans |
All material obligations of it and its Subsidiaries (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with its or their pension and benefit plans and the funding agreements therefor have been performed on a timely basis and there are no unfunded or undisclosed liabilities thereunder, except to the extent that the same individually or in aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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3.9 |
No Order or Judgments |
There are no orders, judgments, award or decrees outstanding against it or any of its Subsidiaries, or affecting their assets, that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.10 |
Insurance |
Except for any matters which would individually or in aggregate not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all policies of fire, liability, workers compensation, casualty, flood, business interruption, third party liability, and other forms of insurance owned or held by it and its Subsidiaries provide insurance coverage in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability) in each case as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar businesses.
3.11 |
Solvency |
It is not an insolvent person within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or the United States Bankruptcy Code.
3.12 |
Environmental Matters |
Neither it nor its Subsidiaries, nor the operations conducted thereon violate any applicable order of any Governmental Authority made pursuant to Environmental Laws, where such violation would reasonably be expected to result in remedial obligations having a Material Adverse Effect.
3.13 |
Money Laundering Laws |
Its operations are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the U.S. Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) and the other applicable money laundering Laws to which they are subject, including the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body involving any of them with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending, except as disclosed in writing to the Lenders or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.14 |
Office of Foreign Assets Control |
Neither it nor any of its directors, officers, Subsidiaries, or, to its knowledge, employees is (a) a person included in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons Lists (the OFAC Lists), as published from time to time by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (OFAC), or (b) currently subject to any U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC.
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3.15 |
Survival of Representations and Warranties |
The representations and warranties set out in this Article 3 and in any certificate, notice, delivered by any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement notwithstanding any investigation or examination that may be made by the Lenders.
3.16 |
Deemed Repetition |
The above representations and warranties of each Borrower contained in this Article 3 will be deemed to be repeated on the date of the delivery of each Borrowing Request by such Borrower and each rollover of a Borrowing as if made on each such date, unless such representations and warranties expressly refer to a different date.
ARTICLE 4
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LIBOR LOANS
4.1 |
Effective Date |
The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which the Lenders confirm to each Borrower that is a party to this agreement on the date hereof that each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived by the Lenders in accordance with Section 10.3):
(a) |
the Lenders shall have received from each Borrower a counterpart of this Agreement and the Additional Terms Agreement signed on behalf of such Borrower; and |
(b) |
the Lenders shall have received such other documents and instruments as are both customary for transactions of this type and as they may reasonably request. |
4.2 |
Conditions Precedent to Borrowings |
The obligation of the Lenders to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (including on the occasion of the initial Borrowings hereunder), is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, it being understood that the conditions are included for the exclusive benefit of the Lenders and may be waived in writing in whole or in part by the Lenders at any time:
(a) |
the representations and warranties of the Borrower requesting the Borrowing will be true and correct on and as of the date of each such Borrowing, as if made on such date unless such representations and warranties expressly refer to a different date; |
(b) |
at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and |
(c) |
the Lenders will have received a Borrowing Request in the manner and within the time period required by Section 2.3. |
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ARTICLE 5
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
From (and including) the Effective Date until the expiry or termination of the Credit Facility and the payment in full of all Obligations owing hereunder, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries:
5.1 |
Financial Statements and Other Information |
It will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Lenders:
5.1.1 |
at the request of any Lender, its most recently prepared financial statements; |
5.1.2 |
forthwith after a Responsible Officer of such Borrower learns of the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the certificate of such Borrower, signed by a Responsible Officer, specifying the event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, together with a statement of the steps being taken to cure such Default or Event of Default; |
5.1.3 |
forthwith after a Responsible Officer of a Borrower learns that any representation or warranty is inaccurate in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made, notice thereof; |
5.1.4 |
forthwith upon receipt thereof, notice to the Lenders of any action, suit or proceeding affecting such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would, if determined adversely, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and will, from time to time, furnish the Lenders with such information reasonably required by the Lenders with respect to the status of any such action, suit or proceeding; and |
5.1.5 |
such other information as the Lenders may from time to time reasonably request. |
5.2 |
Existence; Conduct of Business |
It will maintain its existence in good standing and conduct its businesses in a prudent manner.
5.3 |
Timely Payment |
It will make due and timely payment, as provided for herein, of the principal of all Loans, all interest thereon and all fees and other amounts required to be paid by it hereunder.
5.4 |
Books and Records |
It will at all times keep true and complete financial books and records and accounts in accordance with, to the extent applicable, GAAP.
5.5 |
Compliance with Laws |
It will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with all Laws applicable to them or their property, except where the occurrence of such non-compliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. It will not directly or indirectly (a) lend or contribute by way of equity the proceeds of the Loans to any Person on the OFAC Lists at the time of such loan or contribution or any Person that is known to the Borrowers as being owned or controlled by a Person on the OFAC Lists at such time, or (b) knowingly use or otherwise knowingly make available the proceeds of the Loans to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person in violation of any of the U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC.
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5.6 |
Insurance |
It will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective properties and business against such liabilities, casualties, risks and contingencies and in such types (including business interruption insurance and, to the extent available at commercially reasonable rates, flood insurance) and amounts as is customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses, except where the occurrence of such noncompliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.7 |
Operation of Business |
It will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain all necessary licences, approvals and permits and manage and operate their businesses in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws, except where a failure to so maintain, manage and operate would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.8 |
Maintenance of Assets |
It will cause its properties and the properties of its Subsidiaries, 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 their judgment may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing will prevent or restrict the sale, abandonment or other disposition of any of such properties or any failure to take any of the foregoing actions where such action or failure would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.9 |
Payment of Taxes |
It and its Subsidiaries will, on or before the date for payment thereof, pay all Taxes imposed upon them or upon their assets, the non-payment of which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, except any such Tax that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
5.10 |
Use of Proceeds |
It will use the proceeds of all Borrowings obtained under the Credit Facility only for the purposes set out in Section 2.1.1 of this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 6
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
From (and including) the Effective Date until the termination or expiry of the Credit Facility and the payment in full of all Obligations owing hereunder, each Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
6.1 |
Fundamental Changes |
It (a Predecessor) will not enter into any transaction whereby all or substantially all of its assets would become the property of any other Person (a Successor) whether by way of reorganization, reconstruction, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, transfer, sale or otherwise, unless:
6.1.1 |
no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and remain outstanding and such transaction will not result in the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; |
6.1.2 |
prior to or contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction the Predecessor and/or the Successor have executed such instruments and delivered such legal opinions as the Lenders reasonably request in forms acceptable to the Lenders acting reasonably and done such things as are necessary or advisable to establish that upon the consummation of such transaction; |
(a) |
the Successor will have assumed all the covenants and obligations of the Predecessor under this Agreement; and |
(b) |
this Agreement will be a valid and binding obligation of the Successor entitling the Lenders, as against the Successor, to exercise all their rights under its Agreement; |
(whereupon such Successor will become a Borrower and, if the Predecessor is Holdings, the Guarantor hereunder, as applicable, entitled to exercise every right and power of the Predecessor hereunder with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as a Borrower and, if applicable, the Guarantor hereunder, whereupon the Predecessor will be released from all of its covenants and the Obligations); and
6.1.3 |
the Lenders, having received such information relating to such proposed transaction as the Lenders may have reasonably requested, has confirmed in writing that such Successor is acceptable to the Lenders, acting reasonably. |
The foregoing will not apply to any transfer of any assets by any Borrower to any other Borrower or any Subsidiary.
6.2 |
Hedging Transactions |
No Borrower will, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any hedging transactions other than in the ordinary course of business.
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6.3 |
Distributions during Default |
No Borrower shall make any Distribution while a Default or an Event of Default exists, except that the foregoing will not restrict the ability of any Borrower to make any Distribution to any other Borrower or the Guarantor.
ARTICLE 7
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
7.1 |
Events of Default |
If any of the following events (Events of Default) occurs:
(a) |
any Borrower fails to pay the principal of any Loan when due and payable by it, including on the Maturity Date; |
(b) |
any Borrower fails to pay interest or any other amount owing by it hereunder when due hereunder and such failure will continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days after written notice thereof from any Lender; |
(c) |
any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower hereunder will prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed to be made and, if such incorrect representation or warranty can reasonably be expected to be cured within 15 Business Days, such incorrect representation or warranty is not remedied within 15 Business Days after notice thereof from any Lender to the Borrowers; |
(d) |
any Borrower fails to observe or perform any other covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement and such failure continues unremedied for a period of 20 Business Days after the earlier of a Responsible Officer of a Borrower becoming aware of such failure or written notice thereof from any Lender; |
(e) |
any Borrower: |
(i) |
becomes insolvent, or generally does not or becomes unable to pay its debts or meet its liabilities as the same become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or declares any general moratorium on its indebtedness, or proposes a compromise or arrangement between it and any class of its creditors; |
(ii) |
commits an act of bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the United States Bankruptcy Code or under analogous foreign law, or makes an assignment of its property for the general benefit of its creditors under such Act or under analogous foreign law, or makes a proposal (or files a notice of its intention to do so) under such Act or under analogous foreign law; |
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(iii) |
institutes any proceeding seeking to adjudicate it an insolvent, or seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment, protection, moratorium, relief, stay of proceedings of creditors generally (or any class of creditors), or composition of it or its debts or any other relief, under any federal, provincial or foreign Law in effect on the Effective Date or thereafter arising relating to bankruptcy, winding-up, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, plans of arrangement or relief or protection of debtors (including the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the United States Bankruptcy Code and any applicable corporations legislation) or at common law or in equity, or files an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding; |
(iv) |
applies for the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, interim receiver, receiver/manager, sequestrator, conservator, custodian, administrator, trustee, liquidator or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property; or |
(v) |
threatens to do any of the foregoing, or takes any action, corporate or otherwise, to approve, effect, consent to or authorize any of the actions described in this Section 7.1(e) or in Section 7.1(f), or otherwise acts in furtherance thereof or fails to act in a timely and appropriate manner in defence thereof; |
(f) |
any petition, proposal or notice of intention to file a proposal is filed, application made or other proceeding instituted against or in respect of any Borrower: |
(i) |
seeking to adjudicate it an insolvent; |
(ii) |
seeking a receiving order against it under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the United States Bankruptcy Code or under analogous foreign law; |
(iii) |
seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment, protection, moratorium, relief, stay of proceedings of creditors generally (or any class of creditors), or composition of it or its debts or any other relief under any federal, provincial or foreign Law in effect on the Effective Date or thereafter arising relating to bankruptcy, winding-up, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, plans of arrangement or relief or protection of debtors (including the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the United States Bankruptcy Code and any applicable corporations legislation) or at common law or in equity; or |
(iv) |
seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, interim receiver, receiver/manager, sequestrator, conservator, custodian, administrator, trustee, liquidator or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property; |
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and such petition, application or proceeding continues undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 days after the institution thereof; provided that if an order, decree or judgment is granted or entered (whether or not entered or subject to appeal) against the applicable Borrower thereunder in the interim, such grace period will cease to apply, and provided further that if such Borrower files an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, such grace period will cease to apply;
(g) |
any other event occurs which, under the Laws of any applicable jurisdiction, has an effect equivalent to any of the events referred to in either of Sections 7.1(e) or 7.1(f) and, if the event is equivalent to the event referred to in 7.1(f) (subject to the same provisos), the 60 day grace period will apply as set out in 7.1(f); |
(h) |
the occurrence of a Credit Agreement Event of Default that has not been waived; |
(i) |
any one or more judgments for the payment of borrowed money in an aggregate amount in excess of the Specified Threshold Amount is rendered against any Borrower and such Borrower has not (i) provided for the discharge of such judgment in accordance with its terms within 30 days from the date of entry thereof, or (ii) procured a stay of execution thereof within 30 days from the date of entry thereof and within such period, or such longer period during which execution of such judgment continues to be stayed, appealed such judgment and caused the execution thereof to be stayed during such appeal; provided that if enforcement and/or realization proceedings or similar process are lawfully commenced in respect thereof in the interim, such grace period will cease to apply; |
(j) |
any property of any Borrower having a fair market value in excess of the Specified Threshold Amount is seized (including by way of execution, attachment, garnishment, levy or distraint) or any lien thereon securing indebtedness is enforced against such property, or such property has become subject to any charging order or equitable execution of a Governmental Authority, or any writ of execution or distress warrant exists in respect of such property, or any sheriff or other Person becomes lawfully entitled by operation of law or otherwise to seize or distrain upon such property, and in any case such seizure, enforcement, execution, attachment, garnishment, distraint, charging order or equitable execution or other seizure or right, continues in effect and is not released or discharged for more than 30 days or such longer period during which entitlement to the use of such property continues with the affected Borrower and the affected Borrower is contesting the same in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, provided that if the property is removed from the use of the affected Borrower or is sold in the interim, such grace period shall cease to apply; |
(k) |
any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal or premium or interest in respect of any indebtedness for borrowed money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Specified Threshold Amount when the same becomes due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such indebtedness for borrowed money; or |
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(l) |
this Agreement, at any time for any reason, terminates or ceases to be in full force and effect and a legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Borrowers is declared to be void or voidable or is repudiated, or the validity, binding effect, legality or enforceability hereof or thereof is at any time contested by any Borrower or the Guarantor, or any Borrower or Guarantor denies that it has any or any further liability or obligation hereunder or thereunder, or any action or proceeding is commenced to enjoin or restrain the performance or observance by the Borrowers or Guarantor of any material terms hereof or thereof or to question the validity or enforceability hereof or thereof; or |
(m) |
there occurs any Material Adverse Effect, |
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Borrower or Guarantor described in clause (e), (f) or (g) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event or any other such event, the Lenders may, by notice to the Borrowers, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the availability of the Credit Facility, and thereupon the Credit Facility will terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans and Obligations then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of all Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, will become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind except as set forth earlier in this paragraph, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.
7.2 |
Legal Proceedings |
If any Event of Default occurs, the Lenders may in their discretion, exercise any right or recourse and/or proceed by any action, suit, remedy or proceeding against the Borrowers authorized or permitted by law for the recovery of all the indebtedness and liabilities of the Borrowers to the Lenders and proceed to exercise any and all rights and remedies hereunder, and no such remedy for the enforcement of the rights of the Lenders will be exclusive of or dependent on any other remedy but any one or more of such remedies may from time to time be exercised independently or in combination.
7.3 |
Non-Merger |
The taking of a judgment or judgments or any other action or dealing whatsoever by the Lenders in respect of this Agreement will not operate as a merger of any indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Lenders or in any way suspend payment or affect or prejudice the rights, remedies and powers, legal or equitable, which the Lenders may have in connection with such liabilities and the surrender, cancellation or any other dealings with any security for such liabilities will not release or affect the liability of the Borrowers hereunder.
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ARTICLE 8
GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
8.1 |
Guarantee |
To induce the Lenders to execute and deliver this Agreement and to make or maintain the Credit Facility in favour of the Borrowers, and in consideration thereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (this Guarantee), on a joint and several basis, to the Lenders the due and punctual payment and performance to the Lenders upon demand made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement of all debts, liabilities and obligations of or owing by the Borrowers to the Lenders at any time and from time to time, present and future, direct and indirect, absolute and contingent, matured or not, arising from this Agreement, and all amendments, restatements, replacements, renewals, extensions, or supplements and continuations hereof, and whether a Borrower is bound alone or with another or others, and whether as principal or surety, and including without limitation, all liabilities of the Borrowers arising as a consequence of their failure to pay or fulfil any Obligations (collectively, the Guaranteed Obligations).
8.2 |
Indemnity |
In addition to the guarantee specified in Section 8.1, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify and save the Lenders harmless from and against all reasonable costs, losses, expenses and damages they may suffer as a result or consequence of, any Borrowers default in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any inability of the Lenders to recover the ultimate balance due or remaining unpaid to them in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including without limitation, reasonable legal fees incurred by or on behalf of the Lenders resulting from any action instituted on the basis of the Guarantee.
8.3 |
Payment and Performance |
If any Borrower fails or refuses to punctually make any payment or perform the Guaranteed Obligations (or any part thereof), the Guarantor will unconditionally render any such payment or performance upon demand in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee. Nothing but payment and satisfaction in full of the Guaranteed Obligations will release the Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee.
8.4 |
Continuing Obligation |
The Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee, will cover all the Guaranteed Obligations, and will apply to and secure any ultimate balance due or remaining unpaid to the Lenders. The Guarantee will continue to be binding regardless of:
(a) |
any amendment, restatement, replacement, renewal, extension, supplement, continuation or waiver of this Agreement or any provision or term hereof; |
(b) |
whether any other Person or Persons (an Additional Guarantor) will become in any other way responsible to the Lenders for, or in respect of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; |
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(c) |
whether any such Additional Guarantor will cease to be so liable; |
(d) |
the validity or enforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; or |
(e) |
whether any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations has been made and where such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be returned upon the occurrence of any action or event, including the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. |
8.5 |
Guarantee Unaffected |
The Guarantee will not be determined or affected, or Lenders rights under the Guarantee prejudiced by, the termination of any Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation, the bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or liquidation of any Borrower, or any change in the name, business, powers, capital structure, constitution, objects, organization, directors or management of any Borrower, with respect to transactions occurring either before or after such change. The Guarantee is to extend to the liabilities of the Person or Persons for the time being and from time to time carrying on the business now carried on by the Borrowers, notwithstanding any reorganization of any Borrower or any Additional Guarantor or the amalgamation of any Borrower or any Additional Guarantor with one or more other corporations (in this case, this Guarantee will extend to the liabilities of the resulting corporation and the terms Borrower and Additional Guarantor, as applicable, will include such resulting corporation) or any sale or disposal of any Borrowers or any Additional Guarantors business in whole or in part to one or more other Persons and all of such liabilities will be included in the Guaranteed Obligations. The Guarantor agrees that the manner in which the Lenders may deal with the Borrowers on the Effective Date or thereafter, any Additional Guarantor or any security (or any collateral subject to the security) or other guarantee in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations will have no effect on the Guarantors continuing liability under this Guarantee and the Guarantor irrevocably waives any rights it may have in respect of any of the above.
8.6 |
Waivers |
The Guarantor waives each of the following, to the fullest extent permitted by law:
(a) |
any defence based upon: |
(i) |
the unenforceability or invalidity of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any security or other guarantee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any failure of any Lender to take proper care or act in a commercially reasonable manner in respect of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations or any collateral subject to the security, including in respect of any disposition of the collateral or any set-off of a Borrowers deposits against the Guaranteed Obligations; |
(ii) |
any act or omission of any Borrower, the Guarantor or any other Person, including any Lender, that directly or indirectly results in the discharge or release of any Borrower or any other Person or any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; or |
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(iii) |
any Lenders present or future method of dealing with any Borrower, the Guarantor, any Additional Guarantor or any security (or any collateral subject to the security) or other guarantee for the Guaranteed Obligations; |
(b) |
any right (whether existing on the Effective Date or thereafter) to require the Lenders, as a condition to the enforcement of this Guarantee: |
(i) |
to accelerate any of the Guaranteed Obligations or proceed and exhaust any recourse against any Borrower or any other Person; |
(ii) |
to realize on any security that it holds; |
(iii) |
to marshal the assets of any Borrower or any other Person; or |
(iv) |
to pursue any other remedy that any Borrower may not be able to pursue itself and that might limit or reduce its burden; |
(c) |
presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind including, without limitation, notices of default and notice of acceptance of this Guarantee; |
(d) |
all suretyship defences and rights of every nature otherwise available under Ontario law and the laws of any other jurisdiction; |
(e) |
any rights of subrogation or indemnification which it may have, until the Obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement have been paid in full and the Credit Facility has been terminated and is no longer available; and |
(f) |
all other rights and defences (legal or equitable) the assertion or exercise of which would in any way diminish the liability of the Guarantor. |
8.7 |
Lenders Right to Act |
The Lenders have the right to deal with the Borrowers, the documents creating or evidencing the Guaranteed Obligations and any security subsequently held by the Lenders (including, without limitation, all modifications, extensions, replacements, amendments, renewals, restatements, and supplements to such documents or security) as they may see fit, without notice to the Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor and without in any way affecting, relieving, limiting or lessening the Guarantors or any Additional Guarantors liability under this Guarantee. Without limitation, the Lenders may:
(a) |
grant time, renewals, extensions, indulgences, releases and discharges to any Borrower or any other Person; |
(b) |
take new or additional security (including without limitation, other guarantees) from any Borrower or any other Person; |
(c) |
discharge or partially discharge any or all security; |
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(d) |
elect not to take security from any Borrower or any other Person, or not to perfect security; |
(e) |
cease or refrain from, or continuing to, giving credit or making loans or advances to any Borrower; |
(f) |
accept partial payment or performance from any Borrower or any other Person, or otherwise waive compliance by any Borrower or any other Person with the terms of any of the documents or security; |
(g) |
assign any such document or security to any Person or Persons; or |
(h) |
deal or dispose in any manner (whether commercially reasonably or not) with any security (or any collateral subject to the security) or other guarantee for the Guaranteed Obligations. |
8.8 |
Action or Inaction |
Except as provided at law, no action or omission on the part of any Lender in exercising or failing to exercise its rights under this Article 8 or in connection with or arising from all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations will make the Lenders liable to any Borrower or the Guarantor for any loss occasioned to such Borrower or the Guarantor.
8.9 |
Remedies Cumulative |
The rights and remedies provided in this Article 8 are cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently, and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
8.10 |
Demand |
The Lenders may make demand in writing to the Guarantor at any time and from time to time after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default in accordance with this Agreement, each such written demand to be accepted by the Guarantor as complete and satisfactory evidence of any default by the Borrowers (or any of them) and the extent of such Event of Default, and of the Guarantors obligations to make a payment under this Guarantee and the amount of such payment. The Guarantor will pay to the Lenders such amount or amounts payable under this Guarantee immediately upon such written demand.
ARTICLE 9
DEPOSITS
9.1 |
Deposits |
Until the Maturity Date, any Lender or its nominee may from time to time request to place amounts on deposit with a Borrower or its nominee. If a Borrower or its nominee agrees to accept such a deposit, then the parties agree that the terms set out in Exhibit B will govern such deposit and the parties to such arrangement agree to execute a form of Deposit Record substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 |
Subordination to Credit Agreement Indebtedness |
If a Borrower should so request, the Lenders agree that they will execute a subordination agreement in the form as is reasonably requested by a lender under a Credit Agreement, with the effect that such subordination agreement subordinate all Obligations owing hereunder to the relevant Credit Agreement Indebtedness.
10.2 |
Notices |
Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein will be in writing and will be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by email in each case to the addressee, as follows:
10.2.1 |
if to the Borrowers: |
if to BAM Re Holdings Ltd.:
73 Front Street
5th Floor
Hamilton, HM12
Bermuda
Attention: James Bodi
E-mail: [REDACTED]
if to North End RE (Cayman) SPC:
c/o Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) Ltd.
18 Forum Lane, 2nd Floor
Camana Bay PO Box 69 GT
Grand Cayman, KY1-1102
Cayman Islands
Attention: Gregory McConnie
E-mail: [REDACTED]
if to North End RE Ltd.:
73 Front Street
5th Floor
Hamilton, HM12
Bermuda
Attention: Gregory McConnie
E-mail: [REDACTED]
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if to Brookfield Annuity Company:
333 Bay Street, Suite 1200
Toronto, ON M5H 2R2
Canada
Attention: Paul Forestell
E-mail: [REDACTED]
10.2.2 |
if to the Lenders: |
if to Brookfield US Holdings Inc.:
Brookfield Place
181 Bay Street, Suite 300
Toronto, ON
M5J 2T3
Attention: Kathy Sarpash
E-mail: [REDACTED]
if to Brookfield International Holdings Inc.:
Rendezvous Corporate Centre
Rendezvous
Christ Church
BB15131
Barbados
Attention: Gregorie McConnie
E-mail: [REDACTED]
Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
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10.3 |
Waivers |
No failure or delay by any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that it would otherwise have. Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Borrowers or the Guarantor therefrom will be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Loan will not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Lenders may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.
10.4 |
Expenses; Indemnity |
10.4.1 |
Each Borrower will pay its pro rata share of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lenders, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of external counsel for the Lenders in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will be consummated), the management and administration of Loans and this Agreement (whether or not any Borrowings are made hereunder), any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of this Agreement, and the collection, enforcement or protection of the Lenders rights in connection with this Agreement, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Credit Facility and the Loans. |
10.4.2 |
Each Borrower will indemnify the Lenders, their directors, officers and employees (each such Person including the directors, officers and employees herein referred to as an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, cost recovery actions, damages, expenses and liabilities of whatsoever nature or kind asserted by third parties, and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to which any Indemnitee may become subject arising out of or in connection with (a) the execution or delivery by the Lenders of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the Lenders of their obligations hereunder or thereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder, (b) any Loan or any actual or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (c) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, (d) any other aspect of this Agreement, and (e) the enforcement of any Indemnitees rights hereunder and any related investigation, defence, preparation of defence, litigation and enquiries (the Claim); provided that (i) such indemnity will not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or willful material breach of this Agreement by such Indemnitee; (ii) if any such losses, claims, actions, damages, expenses and liabilities arise from the actions or inactions of or transactions with only one Borrower, only such Borrower will be liable to indemnify the Indemnities for the full amount thereof, and (iii) if any such losses, claims, actions, damages, expenses and liabilities arise from the actions or inactions of or transactions with more than one Borrower, only those Borrowers will be liable to indemnify the Indemnities in respect thereof, each as to its pro rata share. |
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10.4.3 |
For purposes of this Section 10.4, each Borrowers pro rata share will equal 25% except that when this term is used with reference to less than all of the Borrowers, the pro rata shares of each such Borrowers will be equal and will total 100%. |
10.5 |
Currency Indemnity |
If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court in any jurisdiction with respect to this Agreement or any other Financing Document, it becomes necessary to convert into the currency of such jurisdiction (the Judgment Currency) any amount due under this Agreement or under any other Financing Document in any currency other than the Judgment Currency (the Currency Due), then conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which judgment is given. For this purpose rate of exchange means the rate at which the Lenders are able, on the relevant date, to purchase the Currency Due with the Judgment Currency in accordance with its normal practice. In the event that there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given and the date of receipt by the Lenders of the amount due, the Borrowers will, on the date of receipt by the Lenders, pay such additional amounts, if any, or be entitled to receive reimbursement of such amount, if any, as may be necessary to ensure that the amount received by the Lenders on such date is the amount in the Judgment Currency which when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt by the Lenders is the amount then due under this Agreement or such other Financing Document in the Currency Due. If the amount of the Currency Due which the Lenders are so able to purchase is less than the amount of the Currency Due originally due to it, the Borrowers shall indemnify and save the Lenders harmless from and against all loss or damage arising as a result of such deficiency. This indemnity shall constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the other Financing Documents, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Lenders 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 under this Agreement or any other Financing Document or under any judgment or order.
10.6 |
Successors and Assigns and Addition of Lenders |
10.6.1 |
The provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower may, without the prior written consent of the Lenders, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any Person other than a Successor pursuant to a transaction that is completed in compliance with Section 6.1. |
10.6.2 |
Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement at any time upon giving the Borrowers written notice thereof. |
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10.6.3 |
Any Lender may at any time and from time to time add any Person as a Lender hereunder by delivering written notice of such designation to the Borrowers. From and after the delivery of any such written notice by any Lender, each Person that is so designated as a Lender hereunder will be entitled to all rights and benefits of this Agreement and be jointly and severally liable with each other Lender hereunder for the obligations of the Lenders hereunder. |
10.6.4 |
The Lenders may designate and appoint one or more of the Lenders or any other Person as their agents under this Agreement for the purposes of receiving all notices and requests to be issued, giving all consents and approvals and receiving all payments to be made to the Lenders hereunder and the Borrowers will be entitled to rely on any such designation and appointment and will be deemed to have discharged their obligations hereunder if such notices and requests are delivered, consents and approvals are obtained and payments are made in accordance with such designations and appointments. |
10.7 |
Survival |
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrowers herein will be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, and all such covenants and agreements will continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Credit Facility has not expired or been terminated other than these amounts claimed or capable of being claimed under sections of this Agreement which by the terms of this Agreement, survive termination of this Agreement. Sections 2.9, 10.4 and 10.7 will survive and remain in full force and effect, regardless of the repayment of the Obligations or the expiration or termination of the Credit Facility or this Agreement or any provision hereof.
10.8 |
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which will constitute an original, but all of which when taken together will constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Lenders, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement will become effective when it will have been executed by the Lenders and when the Lenders will have received the counterpart hereof which, when taken together, bears the Borrowers and the Guarantors signatures, and thereafter will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed original counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile will be as effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.
10.9 |
Severability |
Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction will not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
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10.10 |
Right of Set Off |
If an Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing, the Lenders are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by any Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower against any of and all of the obligations of such Borrower under this Agreement held by the Lender, irrespective of whether or not the Lender will have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of the Lenders under this section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) which the Lenders may have.
10.11 |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
This Agreement will be construed in accordance with and governed by the Laws of the Province of Ontario. Each of the Borrowers hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of Ontario. For the avoidance of doubt, any provision in this Agreement relating to the segregation of the assets or liabilities of Cayman Opco in accordance with Cayman Islands law shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Cayman Companies Act.
10.12 |
Waiver of Jury Trial |
Each party hereto waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right it may have to trial by jury in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
10.13 |
Headings |
Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and will not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
10.14 |
Limited Recourse |
Recourse under this Agreement against each Borrower (including as Guarantor in the case of Holdings) will be limited to the property and assets of such Borrower, and this Agreement will not be personally binding upon, and resort will not be had to, nor will recourse or satisfaction be sought from the private property of, any of the limited partners, unitholders or securityholders of such Borrower or Guarantor.
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For the avoidance of doubt, any liabilities incurred by Cayman Opco acting for its own account under this Agreement are to be discharged by recourse only to its General Assets. In accordance with the Cayman Companies Act, when enforcing their rights against Cayman Opco acting for its own account, the Lenders will have no recourse whatsoever to the assets of any segregated portfolio of Cayman Opco. In the event of the exhaustion of the General Assets of Cayman Opco, (a) there will be no recourse by any party to the assets attributable to any other segregated portfolios established by Cayman Opco to satisfy any obligations of Cayman Opco acting for its own account remaining after exhaustion of the General Assets, (b) there is no obligation whatsoever for Cayman Opco to use any property attributable to any segregated portfolio to satisfy any claim remaining against Cayman Opco acting for its own account after exhaustion of the General Assets, (c) any obligations remaining thereafter shall be extinguished and (d) the Lenders shall take no further action against Cayman Opco or any segregated portfolio of Cayman Opco in respect of any such obligations.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.
BAM RE HOLDINGS LTD. | ||||
By: |
/s/ James Bodi |
|||
Name: | James Bodi | |||
Title: | Director & Vice President | |||
NORTH END RE (CAYMAN) SPC for and on its own behalf |
||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory McConnie |
|||
Name: | Gregory McConnie | |||
Title: | Director & Chief Executive Officer | |||
NORTH END RE LTD. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory McConnie |
|||
Name: | Gregory McConnie | |||
Title: | Director & Chief Executive Officer | |||
BROOKFIELD ANNUITY COMPANY | ||||
By: |
/s/ Paul Forestell |
|||
Name: | Paul Forestell | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer & President |
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BROOKFIELD US HOLDINGS INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
|||
Name: | Kathy Sarpash | |||
Title: | Director, Vice President & Secretary | |||
BROOKFIELD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. | ||||
By: |
/s/ Gregory McConnie |
|||
Name: | Gregory McConnie | |||
Title: | Director & President |
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST
Date: ●
The undersigned, ● (a Borrower), refers to the Credit Agreement dated as of June 28, 2021, between BAM Re Holdings Ltd., North End RE (Cayman) SPC, North End RE Ltd. and Brookfield Annuity Company, as Borrowers, BAM Re Holdings Ltd., as Guarantor, and Brookfield US Holdings Inc. and Brookfield International Holdings Inc., as Lenders (the Credit Agreement). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The undersigned Borrower hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Credit Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement as follows:
(a) |
Amount and Interest Period: a ● Loan in the amount of $● and with an Interest Period of ● months. |
(b) |
Date of Borrowing: |
(c) |
Account to which the funds are to be disbursed: ● |
(d) |
The undersigned confirms having read the provisions of the Credit Agreement which are relevant to the furnishing of this Borrowing Request. The undersigned confirms that the Borrower has complied with all conditions precedent for the requested Borrowing. |
The undersigned Borrower hereby certifies that its representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as if made as of the date hereof unless such representations and warranties expressly refer to a different date, and no Default or Event of Default exists.
● | ||
Per: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF DEPOSIT RECORD
●, 20● | Toronto | |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ● (Depositee), having its principal office at ●, promises to pay on demand to the order of ● (Depositor), having its principal office at ●, the Principal Amounts (as defined below) as the Depositor may from time to time advance to the Depositee, together with interest from the date hereof at the Applicable Interest Rate (as defined below), calculated and compounded monthly, both before and after maturity, default and judgment and until actual payment, with interest on overdue interest at the same rate.
WHEREAS, the Depositor may make deposits with the Depositee from time to time (each a Deposit);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
WHEN USED HEREIN, the following capitalized terms will have the following meanings:
Applicable Interest Rate will mean a rate of [LIBOR + ●%] per annum, noting that such rate may be revised so as to reflect market terms prior to any deposit being made, based on the deposit rates of at least two commercial banks.
Business Day means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Toronto, Canada are authorized or required by law to close.
Deposit Date will be the date of each advance under this Note.
Default Rate will be the Applicable Interest Rate plus ● percent (●%) per annum.
Deposits mean, collectively, all Deposits advanced by the Depositor to the Depositee from time to time.
Events of Default means the occurrence of any of the following, each of which will constitute an Event of Default under this Note:
(i) |
Failure to make any payment of interest or principal on this Note when due, or failure to pay the principal balance of this Note on demand; or |
(ii) |
Failure to pay any other amount payable pursuant to this Note when due and payable in accordance with the provisions hereof, with such failure continuing for ten (10) Business Days after Depositor delivers written notice thereof to Depositee; or |
(iii) |
Any default in the performance of the obligations pursuant to Section 3; or |
(iv) |
Any insolvency or bankruptcy of the Depositee. |
Governmental Authority will mean any nation or government, any federal, state, provincial, local or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
Material Adverse Effect will mean any event or condition that has a material adverse effect on the ability of Depositee to repay the principal and interest of the Obligations as they become due.
Note means this Promissory Note and Notes means collectively, all notes evidencing Deposits advanced by the Depositor to the Depositee from time to time.
Obligations will mean all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of every nature of Depositee from time to time owing to Depositor under or in connection with this Note and the Deposits (including all Principal Amounts and all interest accrued thereon).
Payment Dates will be ● and ● in each calendar year, commencing on ●.
Person will mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, a limited liability company or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
Principal Amount will mean, with respect to any Deposit, the principal amount of such Deposit.
Requirements of Law will mean, as to any Person, the charter and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, rule or regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
1. |
The Obligations will be due and payable in lawful money of Canada as follows: |
(a) |
On each Payment Date until this Note is paid in full on demand, Depositee will pay to Depositor all interest then accrued on each Principal Amount at the Applicable Interest Rate. Depositee may request, and Depositor may, in its sole discretion, agree that any interest payable by Depositee under this Note will continue to accrue until such date as Depositor may agree to. |
(b) |
On demand, but in any event, no later than ●, Depositee will pay to Depositor the Obligations then outstanding. |
(c) |
Amounts due on this Note will be payable, without any counterclaim, setoff or deduction whatsoever, at the office of Depositor or its agent or designee at the address set forth in the first paragraph of this Note or at such other place as Depositor or its agent or designee may from time to time designate in writing. |
(d) |
The Depositee acknowledges that the actual recording of amounts advanced and amounts paid on the attached grid schedule shall, in the absence of manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the same; provided that the failure of the Depositor to record the same on the grid schedule shall not affect the obligation of the undersigned to pay or repay the amounts advanced by the Depositor, together with interest thereon at the Applicable Interest Rate. |
2. |
In order to induce Depositor to make the Deposits, Depositee makes the following representations and warranties as of each Deposit Date, which representations and warranties will survive the effectiveness of this Note, the execution and delivery hereof and the making of the Deposits: |
(a) |
Depositee is (i) duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, (ii) is duly authorized and qualified to do business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction except where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all powers and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted or as it is presently proposed to be conducted except where the failure to have the same would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. |
(b) |
Depositee has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of this Note and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution and delivery on behalf of Depositee and the performance by Depositee hereof. Depositee has duly executed and delivered this Note and this Note constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Depositee, enforceable in accordance with its terms. |
(c) |
Neither the execution, delivery or performance by the Depositee of this Note, nor compliance by the Depositee, with the terms and provisions hereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (i) will contravene any applicable provision of any material law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality that is binding on the Depositee or its property, or (ii) will conflict, in any material respect, with or result in any breach of, any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any agreement to which the Depositee is a party or by which it or any of its assets is bound. |
3. |
Depositee covenants and agrees that so long as the Deposits are outstanding and until payment in full of all of the Obligations, unless Depositor will otherwise give prior written consent: |
(a) |
Depositee will at all times maintain its existence and preserve and keep in full force and effect its rights and franchises material to its businesses, except where the loss or termination of such rights and franchises would not have a Material Adverse Effect. |
(b) |
Depositee will remain qualified to do business and maintain its good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business and the ownership of its property requires it to be so qualified and in good standing, except where noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. |
(c) |
Depositee will comply with all Requirements of Law, except where noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. |
4. |
Depositee may prepay the Principal Amount of any Deposit in full or in part at any time [together with all interest accrued on such prepaid amount]. |
5. |
If the Depositee defaults in the payment of any payment that is due on any Payment Date (or such later date as the Depositor has agreed pursuant to section 1(a) that such installment is due), then the Depositee will pay to Depositor a late payment charge in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the installment not paid as aforesaid. Said late charge payments, if payable, will be payable without notice or demand by the Depositor, and are independent of and have no effect upon the rights of the Depositor under paragraph 1 above. |
6. |
This Note will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario. |
7. |
The Depositee will execute and acknowledge (or cause to be executed and acknowledged) and deliver to the Depositor all documents, and take all actions, reasonably required by the Depositor from time to time to confirm the rights created or now or hereafter intended to be created under this Note, to protect and further the validity and enforceability of this Note, or otherwise carry out the purposes of the Note and the transactions contemplated hereunder; provided, however, that no such further actions, assurances and confirmations will increase the Depositees obligations under this Note. |
8. |
No modification, amendment, extension, discharge, termination or waiver (a Modification) of any provision of this Note, nor consent to any departure by the Depositee therefrom, will in any event be effective unless the same will be in a writing signed by the Depositor, and then such waiver or consent will be effective only in the specific instance, and for the purpose, for which given. Except as otherwise expressly agreed by the Depositor in writing, no Modification will entitle the Depositee to any other or future Modification, whether in the same, similar or other circumstances. The Depositor does not hereby agree to, nor does the Depositor hereby commit itself to, enter into any Modification. |
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Currency: United States Dollars
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Exhibit 99.7
AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT (this Amendment), dated as of June 10, 2021, is entered into by and among Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a corporation amalgamated under the laws of Ontario, Canada (BAM), Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., a Bermuda limited company (BAM Reinsurance), North End Re (Cayman) SPC, a Cayman segregated portfolio company (North End Reinsurance), and American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, an Iowa corporation (AEL).
WHEREAS, BAM, Burgundy Acquisitions I Ltd. (Burgundy) and AEL entered into an Investment Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2020 (the Investment Agreement);
WHEREAS, BAM, BAM Reinsurance, Burgundy, North End Reinsurance and AEL entered into the Agreement, Consent and Waiver in Anticipation of Regulatory Form A Filing, dated as of February 28, 2021, which provided for, among other things, the assignment of certain obligations under the Investment Agreement by BAM and Burgundy to BAM Reinsurance and North End Reinsurance; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 11 of the Investment Agreement, the parties desire to amend the Investment Agreement as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Section 4.1. Section 4.1(d) of the Investment Agreement is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety by the following:
the parties shall have obtained all regulatory approvals required to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Reinsurance Agreement;
2. Amendment of Section 8. Section 8.1(d) of the Investment Agreement is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety by the following:
by either the Company or the Purchaser if the Subsequent Closing shall not have occurred prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 31, 2021 (the Outside Termination Date); provided that, if on a date that would have been the Outside Termination Date the conditions set forth in Section 4.1(c) and Section 4.1(d) are the only conditions in Section 4.1 that shall not have been satisfied or waived on or before such date, the Outside Termination Date shall be automatically extended until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 30, 2021, in which case the Outside Termination Date shall be deemed for all purposes under this Agreement to be such later date; provided further that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(d) shall not be available to a party whose failure to fulfill any material obligation under this Agreement or other material breach of this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Subsequent Closing to have occurred prior to such time.
3. Miscellaneous. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Investment Agreement. The provisions of Section 11 (Amendments and Waivers), Section 12 (Notices, etc.), Section 16 (Governing Law), Section 17 (Waiver of Jury Trial), Section 19 (Counterparts; Electronic Signature), Section 20 (Severability) and Section 21 (Miscellaneous) of the Investment Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis to this Agreement.
[Signature Pages Follow]
This Amendment is hereby agreed to as of the date first written above.
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. | ||||
by |
||||
/s/ Kathy Sarpash |
||||
Name: Kathy Sarpash | ||||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||||
BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT
REINSURANCE PARTNERS LTD. |
||||
by |
||||
/s/ Gregory E.A. Morrison |
||||
Name: Gregory E.A. Morrison | ||||
Title: Director | ||||
NORTH END RE (CAYMAN) SPC | ||||
by |
||||
/s/ Gregory McConnie |
||||
Name: Gregory McConnie | ||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE
HOLDING COMPANY |
||||||
by |
||||||
/s/ Phyllis Zanghi |
||||||
Name: | Phyllis Zanghi | |||||
Title: |
Executive Vice President, Chief
Legal Officer and Secretary |