o | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
þ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
None | None |
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PART I | ||||||||
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75 | ||||||||
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PART II | ||||||||
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PART III | ||||||||
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169 | ||||||||
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170 | ||||||||
Certificate of Amendment | ||||||||
By-Law No 2007-2 | ||||||||
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement | ||||||||
Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | ||||||||
Subsidiaries of Quebecor Media Inc. | ||||||||
Certification of Pierre Karl Peladeau (S.302) | ||||||||
Certification of Louis Morin (S.302) | ||||||||
Certification of Pierre Karl Peladeau (S.906) | ||||||||
Certification of Louis Morin (S.906) |
ii
Year Ended: | Average(1) | High | Low | Period End | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2007
|
0.9309 | 1.0908 | 0.8437 | 1.0120 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2006
|
0.8818 | 0.9100 | 0.8528 | 0.8582 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2005
|
0.8254 | 0.8690 | 0.7872 | 0.8579 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2004
|
0.7682 | 0.8493 | 0.7158 | 0.8309 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2003
|
0.7139 | 0.7738 | 0.6349 | 0.7738 |
Month Ended: | Average(2) | High | Low | Period End | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
March 2008 (through March 14, 2008)
|
1.0100 | 1.0162 | 1.0025 | 1.0135 | ||||||||||||
February 29, 2008
|
1.0014 | 1.0291 | 0.9815 | 1.0061 | ||||||||||||
January 31, 2008
|
0.9902 | 1.0096 | 0.9714 | 0.9982 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2007
|
0.9979 | 1.0221 | 0.9789 | 1.0120 | ||||||||||||
November 30, 2007
|
1.0351 | 1.0908 | 0.9993 | 0.9993 | ||||||||||||
October 31, 2007
|
1.0255 | 1.0531 | 0.9998 | 1.0531 | ||||||||||||
September 30, 2007
|
0.9754 | 1.0041 | 0.9482 | 1.0041 |
(1) | The average of the exchange rates for all days during the applicable year. | |
(2) | The average of the exchange rates for all days during the applicable month. |
iii
| general economic, financial or market conditions; | ||
| the intensity of competitive activity in the industries in which we operate, including competition from alternative means of programs and content transmission; | ||
| unanticipated higher capital spending required to address continued development of competitive alternative technologies or the inability to obtain additional capital to continue the development of our business; | ||
| our ability to implement successfully our business and operating strategies and manage our growth and expansion; | ||
| the outcome of Canadas upcoming wireless spectrum auction and our ability to successfully pursue a strategy of becoming a facilities-based wireless provider; | ||
| our ability to continue to distribute a wide range of television programming and to attract large audiences and readership; | ||
| variations in the cost, quality and variety of our television programming; | ||
| cyclical and seasonal variations in our advertising revenue; | ||
| disruptions to the network through which we provide our digital television, Internet access and telephony services, and our ability to protect such services from piracy; | ||
| labour disputes or strikes; | ||
| changes in our ability to obtain services and equipment critical to our operations; | ||
| changes in laws and regulations, or in their interpretations, which could result in, among other things, the loss (or reduction in value) of our licenses or markets or in an increase in competition, compliance costs or capital expenditures; | ||
| our substantial indebtedness and the restrictions on our business imposed by the terms of our debt; and | ||
| interest rate fluctuations that affect a portion of our interest payment requirements on long-term debt. |
iv
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169
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-9
F-10
F-11
F-12
F-13
F-14
F-15
F-16
F-17
F-18
F-19
F-20
F-21
F-22
F-23
F-24
F-25
F-26
F-27
F-28
F-29
F-30
F-31
F-32
F-33
F-34
F-35
F-36
F-37
F-38
F-39
F-40
F-41
F-42
F-43
F-44
F-45
F-46
F-47
F-48
F-49
F-50
F-51
F-52
F-53
F-54
F-55
F-56
F-57
F-58
F-59
F-60
F-61
F-62
F-63
F-64
F-65
F-66
F-67
F-68
Table of Contents
At December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
(in millions)
$
26.1
$
34.1
$
97.4
$
108.8
$
103.6
7,560.9
6,583.9
6,675.5
6,509.2
6,610.6
3,027.5
2,796.1
2,533.2
2,548.8
2,756.8
1,752.4
1,752.4
1,773.7
1,773.7
1,773.7
2,450.3
2,237.0
2,450.1
2,459.9
2,395.0
110.0
23.7
105.0
20.0
123.6
123.6
123.6
123.6
123.6
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At December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
(in millions)
$
26.1
$
34.1
$
97.4
$
108.8
$
103.6
7,523.4
6,533.4
6,664.1
6,480.1
6,602.2
3,016.1
2,766.3
2,501.1
2,529.0
2,736.1
1,752.4
1,752.4
1,773.7
1,773.7
1,773.7
2,407.9
2,155.3
2,275.2
2,204.3
2,253.3
110.0
23.7
105.0
20.0
123.6
123.6
123.6
123.6
123.6
(1)
Quebecor Media defines operating income, reconciled to net income (loss) under Canadian GAAP,
as net income (loss) before amortization, financial expenses, reserve for restructuring of
operations, impairment of assets and other special charges, (loss) gain on debt refinancing
and on repurchase of redeemable preferred shares of a subsidiary, gain (loss) on sales of
businesses and other assets, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes,
non-controlling interest and income (loss) from discontinued operations. Quebecor Media
defines operating income, reconciled to net income (loss) under
U.S. GAAP, as net income (loss) before amortization, financial expenses, reserve for
restructuring of operations, impairment of assets and other
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special charges, loss on debt
refinancing, gain (loss) on sale of businesses and other assets, impairment of goodwill and
intangible assets, income taxes, non-controlling interest, and other (expenses) revenues and
(loss) income from discontinued operations. Operating income as defined above is not a
measure of results that is consistent with Canadian GAAP or U.S. GAAP. It is not intended to
be regarded as an alternative to other financial operating performance measures or to the
statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity and should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP or
U.S. GAAP. Our parent company, Quebecor, considers the media segment as a whole and uses
operating income in order to assess the performance of its investment in Quebecor Media. Our
management and Board of Directors use this measure in evaluating Quebecor Medias
consolidated results as well as results of Quebecor Medias operating segments. As such, this
measure eliminates the significant level of non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and
amortization of certain intangible assets, and it is unaffected by the capital structure or
investment activities of Quebecor Media and of its segments. Operating income is also
relevant because it is a significant component of Quebecor Medias annual incentive
compensation programs. A limitation of this measure, however, is that it does not reflect the
periodic costs of capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in
Quebecor Medias segments. Quebecor Media uses other measures that do reflect such costs,
such as cash flows from segment operations and free cash flows from continuing operations. In
addition, measures like operating income are commonly used by the investment community to
analyze and compare the performance of companies in the industries in which we are engaged.
Our definition of operating income may not be the same as similarly titled measures reported
by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation under Canadian GAAP of
operating income to net income (loss) as presented in our consolidated financial statements:
Year Ended December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
$
642.7
$
512.5
$
413.3
$
363.8
$
289.7
225.9
207.6
222.2
227.8
224.8
59.4
42.1
53.0
80.5
81.5
27.0
19.3
27.0
22.7
14.7
2.8
7.5
3.9
2.3
1.1
6.9
10.1
9.0
4.5
2.9
(0.8
)
0.5
3.7
(4.4
)
(3.1
)
963.9
799.6
732.1
697.2
611.6
(290.4
)
(260.7
)
(231.9
)
(225.9
)
(226.6
)
(240.0
)
(224.6
)
(285.3
)
(314.6
)
(300.1
)
(11.6
)
(18.9
)
0.2
(2.8
)
(1.8
)
(1.0
)
(342.6
)
(60.0
)
(4.8
)
144.1
0.4
2.2
0.1
9.3
(1.1
)
(5.4
)
(180.0
)
(0.5
)
(74.8
)
53.7
(43.5
)
(37.4
)
12.5
(19.2
)
(0.4
)
(16.2
)
(31.7
)
(34.5
)
5.2
2.0
1.0
(1.1
)
0.3
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
$
88.2
$
203.9
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Year Ended December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
$
640.4
$
508.8
$
411.4
$
362.2
$
292.6
224.8
206.9
221.6
232.4
224.4
62.1
43.4
58.3
87.5
81.7
26.9
19.3
26.2
22.9
15.0
2.8
7.5
3.9
2.3
1.4
6.9
10.1
9.0
4.5
2.9
(5.1
)
(2.5
)
3.7
(4.4
)
(3.1
)
958.8
793.5
734.1
707.4
614.9
(287.7
)
(257.9
)
(229.6
)
(225.7
)
(226.6
)
(229.1
)
(220.0
)
(304.0
)
(322.2
)
(467.6
)
(11.6
)
(18.9
)
0.2
(2.8
)
(1.8
)
(1.0
)
(275.7
)
(48.5
)
(4.8
)
(9.6
)
0.4
2.2
1.6
9.3
(1.1
)
(5.4
)
(180.0
)
(0.5
)
(99.7
)
13.3
(7.6
)
(43.4
)
13.8
(17.0
)
(1.3
)
(18.4
)
(35.1
)
(34.5
)
5.2
2.0
1.0
(0.8
)
16.5
$
312.9
$
(142.8
)
$
128.8
$
81.9
$
(96.5
)
(2)
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted new financial instruments, hedges and
comprehensive income standards pursuant to Canadian GAAP. See see Note 1(b) to our
consolidated financial statements included under Item 17. Financial Statements of this
annual report.
(3)
For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, (i) earnings consist
of net income (loss) plus non-controlling interest in subsidiary, income taxes, fixed charges,
amortized capitalized interest, less interest capitalized and (ii) fixed charges consist of
interest expensed and capitalized, plus amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses
relating to indebtedness and an estimate of the interest within rental expense.
(4)
Our 2006 coverage deficiency was significant due to the non-cash charge related to an
impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in the amount of $180.0 million and to our loss
on debt refinancing in the amount of $342.6 million pursuant to Canadian GAAP ($275.7 million
pursuant to U.S. GAAP). We believe cash flows from continuing operating activities and
available sources of financing will be sufficient to cover our operating, investing and
financing needs during the twelve months following December 31, 2007.
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Videotron is party to 5 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately
2,558 employees. Of these collective bargaining agreements, one (representing
approximately 40 employees) has expired. Negotiations regarding this collective
bargaining agreement will be undertaken in 2008. Two others, representing approximately
2,308 employees, or 90% of Videotrons unionized employees, will expire in December
2009. The remaining two collective bargaining agreements, representing 210 employees,
or 8% of Videotrons unionized workforce, will expire between January 2010 and August
2011;
Sun Media is party to 48 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 2,004 employees. Of these, 12 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 941 employees, or 47% of Sun Medias unionized workforce,
have expired. Negotiations regarding these 12 collective bargaining agreements are
either in progress or will be undertaken in 2008. The other 36 of Sun Medias
collective bargaining agreements,
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representing approximately 1,063 employees, or 53% of
its unionized workforce, are scheduled to expire on various dates through December
2010;
Osprey Media is party to 40 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 820 employees. All of Osprey Medias collective bargaining agreements
are scheduled to expire on various date between June 2008 and April 2011;
TVA Group is party to 15 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 830 employees. Of this number, 7 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 120 employees, or 14% of its unionized workforce, are
expired. Negotiations regarding these 7 collective bargaining agreements are either in
progress or will be undertaken in 2008. 8 of TVA Groups collective bargaining
agreements, representing
approximately 710 employees, or 86% of its unionized workforce, will expire between
October 2008 and the end of December 2009; and
The other 7 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately 370 or 6%
of our unionized employees, will expire between the end of April 2009 and June 2010.
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from continuing
operations to make interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, reducing the
availability of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures, working capital and other
general corporate purposes;
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and
the industries in which we operate;
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less
debt or greater financial resources; and
limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our indebtedness,
among other things, our ability to borrow additional funds on commercially reasonable
terms, if at all.
borrow money or sell preferred stock;
issue guarantees of debt;
make certain types of investments;
pay dividends and make other restricted payments;
create or permit certain liens;
use the proceeds from sales of assets and subsidiary stock;
enter into asset sales;
create or permit restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, if any,
to pay dividends or make other distributions;
engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and
enter into mergers, consolidations and transfers of all or substantially all of our
assets.
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On January 9, 2008, Quebecor Media, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, commenced an
offer (the Offer) to purchase for cash all of the issued and outstanding common
shares of Nurun (including common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
options, conversion or exchange rights) not already held by Quebecor Media and its
affiliates, at a price of $4.75 per common share. As of January 9, 2008, Quebecor
Media, together with its affiliates, held 19,576,605 common shares of Nurun,
representing approximately 57.5% of the currently issued and outstanding common shares.
The Offer was open until February 19, 2008. On February 19, 2008, Quebecor Media
announced that it had taken up and acquired an aggregate of 14,640,550 Nurun common
shares, representing 91.54% of all Nurun common shares not previously held by Quebecor
Media and its affiliates, resulting in Quebecor Media owning, directly and indirectly,
96.20% of all issued and outstanding Nurun common shares, and, on February 26, 2008,
Quebecor Media announced that it had acquired the remaining Nurun common shares by
means of a statutory compulsory acquisition procedure (commonly known as a squeeze-out)
under the applicable provisions of the
Canada Business Corporations Act
at the same
price as the offer price. The Nurun common shares were delisted from the Toronto Stock
Exchange on February 27, 2008. The aggregate cash consideration paid by Quebecor Media
pursuant to the Offer was approximately $75.4 million.
On October 31, 2007, Sun Media entered into a subordinated loan agreement with
Quebecor Media of $237.5 million. Sun Media used the proceeds of this subordinated
financing and $43.4 million of cash from continuing operations to repay the balance of
its Term Loan B, and settle related hedging contracts for a total cash consideration of
$277.8 million. In addition, on October 31, 2007, Sun Media entered into a Fifth
Amending Agreement to its credit agreement. The agreement extends the term to October
31, 2012 and modifies covenants related to leverage and interest coverage ratios,
removes the fixed charge ratio and modifies certain definitions.
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On October 5, 2007, Quebecor Media completed a placement of US$700.0 million
aggregate principal amount of its 7
3
/
4
% senior notes due 2016. Quebecor Media used the
net proceeds of $672.2 million (including accrued interest of $16.6 million and before
financing costs of $9.8 million) from the placement, as well as its cash and cash
equivalents, to repay $420.0 million drawn on the senior bridge credit facility entered
into to finance the acquisition of Osprey Media, to repay US$179.7 million outstanding
under Sun Media Corporations Term Loan B, and to settle the $106.0 million liability
related to derivative financial instruments connected to the Sun Media Corporation Term
Loan B. The new senior notes were offered on a private placement basis principally in
the United States. Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in a registration
rights agreement, we agreed to file an exchange offer registration statement with the
SEC with respect to a registered offer to exchange without novation these
privately-placed notes for our new SEC-registered 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes due 2016
evidencing the same continuing indebtedness and having substantially identical terms.
We filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC on November 20, 2007 and
commenced the registered exchange offer on February 21, 2008. We currently anticipate
completing the registered exchange offer in early April 2008.
In early August 2007, Quebecor Media completed its acquisition of Osprey Media for
an aggregate purchase price of approximately $414.4 million (excluding assumed Osprey
Media debt of $161.8 million). The purchase price was financed through a senior bridge
credit facility that Quebecor Media fully repaid with a portion of the proceeds of the
offering of its Senior Notes in October 2007. Osprey Media is one of Canadas leading
publishers of daily and non-daily newspapers, magazines and specialty publications.
With the acquisition of Osprey Media, Quebecor Media became the largest newspaper
publisher in Canada, based on total paid and unpaid circulation.
On November 28, 2007 and December 14, 2007, Industry Canada released a policy
framework and a licensing framework, respectively, for the 3G Spectrum Auction.
Several of the framework elements are expressly intended to encourage new entrants into
the Canadian mobile wireless industry, most notably the setting aside of 40 MHz (out of
a total of 105 MHz) of spectrum nationally for new entrants, and a decision to mandate
digital roaming and antenna tower and site sharing by way of new licence conditions
applicable to all existing and new mobile wireless licensees. These licence conditions
were finalized on February 29, 2008. The 3G Spectrum Auction is scheduled to commence
on May 27, 2008. We have announced that we have filed an application to participate in
this auction.
During the financial years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, Quebecor Medias
interest in TVA Group increased as a result of the Substantial Issuer Bid dated May 19,
2005 and various Normal Course Issuer Bids. In 2006 and 2005 respectively, 9,800 and
3,739,599 Class B shares were repurchased under the Normal Course Issuer Bids and the
Substantial Issuer Bid and for cash consideration of $0.2 million and $81.9 million,
respectively. As a result of these repurchases, Quebecor Medias interest in TVA Group
increased by 5.5 percent, from 39.7% on January 1, 2005 to 45.2% as of December 31,
2007.
Between the refinancing on January 17, 2006 and the end of 2006, the balance of
Videotrons revolving credit facility was reduced by $188.0 million, using cash flows
provided by operating activities, and repayments and repurchases totalling $39.0
million were made with respect to the bank credit facilities of Sun Media Corporation
and Quebecor Media. On December 29, 2006, Sun Media Corporation repurchased a portion
of its term loan B for $15.0 million and closed out the corresponding portion of its
hedge agreements.
On January 17, 2006, Quebecor Media issued US$525.0 million aggregate principal
amount of its 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes due March 2016. Quebecor Media also established new
credit facilities consisting of a Term Loan A credit facility in the amount of $125.0
million, maturing in 2011, a Term Loan B credit facility in the amount of US$350.0
million, maturing in 2013, and a five-year revolving credit facility in the amount of
$100.0 million, expiring in 2011.
Also on January 17, 2006, Quebecor Media repurchased US$561.6 million in aggregate
principal amount of its Senior Notes due 2011 (representing 95.7% of the Senior Notes
due 2011 outstanding) and US$275.6 million in aggregate principal amount at maturity of
our Senior Discount Notes due 2011 (representing 97.4% of the Senior Discount Notes due
2011 outstanding). On July 15, 2006, Quebecor Media purchased the balance of its
then-outstanding Senior Notes due 2011 and Senior Discount Notes due 2011. Quebecor
Media paid total cash consideration of US$1.4 billion to purchase the notes, including
the premium and the cost of settlement of
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cross-currency swap agreements. The
refinancing entailed disbursements exceeding the book value of the
repurchased notes, including repayment of liabilities related to cross-currency swap
agreements and disbursements related to the loss on debt refinancing and on swap
agreements, by $380.0 million, which was financed by issuing long-term debt. In respect
of these repurchases, Quebecor Media recognized a $342.1 million loss on debt
refinancing ($218.7 million net of income tax) in 2006. See also Item 5. Operating and
Financial Review and Prospects in this annual report.
On December 12, 2005, Quebecor Media completed its acquisition of Sogides Ltée (now
Groupe Sogides inc.), which we refer to as Sogides, a major Québec-based book
publishing and distribution group which owns the publishing houses Les Éditions de
lHomme, Le Jour, Utilis, Les Presses Libres and Groupe Ville-Marie Littérature inc.
(which includes LHexagone, VLB Éditeur and Typo), and owns the distributor Messageries
ADP, which is a distributor for more than 160 Québec-based and foreign publishing
houses. With this acquisition, Quebecor Media offers a more complete selection of books
by Québec authors, will be able to promote Québec writers in Europe through the Sogides
network on that continent, and becomes the largest Québec-based publisher and
distributor of French-language books in the Province of Québec. For the acquisition of
Sogides, we paid cash consideration of $24.0 million, and an additional contingent
amount of $5.0 million, which was paid in January 2008.
On September 16, 2005, Videotron issued US$175.0 million aggregate principal amount
of its 6
3
/
8
% Senior Notes due December 15, 2015. The net proceeds from this sale of
Videotrons 6
3
/
8
% Senior Notes were used primarily to refinance the repurchase of all
the outstanding Senior Notes issued by our CF Cable TV subsidiary and a portion of the
repurchase by Quebecor Media of its Senior Notes due 2011 and Senior Discount Notes due
2011.
In August 2005, we announced a plan to invest in a new printing facility located in
Toronto, Ontario. In early 2007, Sun Media transferred the printing of
24 Hours
Toronto
to this new facility and, in late 2007, began printing a portion of the
Toronto
Sun
at this site. In addition, in August 2005, we announced a plan to relocate the
printing of certain Sun Media publications to a new 235,000 square foot printing
facility owned by us, located in Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel, Québec. During the fourth
quarter of 2006, this new printing facility began printing certain Québec community
publications, as well as the
Ottawa Sun
,
24 Hours
in Ottawa and
24 Heures
(Montréal and
Ottawa-Gatineau). In 2007, portions of the
Journal de Montréal
and the
Journal de
Québec
were also printed at this site. The new facilities should make it possible to
further consolidate some of Quebecor Medias printing operations in Ontario and Québec,
improve the quality of its newspaper products and create additional revenue
opportunities as well as strengthen the convergence among our Toronto media properties.
Since the implementation of the Toronto and Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel, Québec
initiatives, Quebecor Media has acquired Osprey Media and has been actively reviewing
Osprey Medias operations in order to leverage the synergies between its current
operations and those of Osprey Media. In addition, Quebecor Media has undertaken a
number of production and sales initiatives with its clients with a view to improving
the product and service offering with more types of printed products as well as
improving the turnaround time for the printing of daily publications. Such integration,
production and sales initiatives will require additional printing capacity. On October
11, 2007, Quebecor Media acquired a building from Quebecor World for a total net
consideration of $62.5 million. At the same time, Quebecor World signed a long term
operating lease with Quebecor Media to rent a small part of the building for a 17-year
period. The two transactions were settled by means of the payment of a net cash
consideration of $43.9 million to Quebecor World on the transaction date, and an
undertaking by Quebecor Media to pay a sale price balance of $7.0 million in 2013. The
building houses three new presses owned by Quebecor Media and is used to print some of
its Ontario newspapers.
On July 19, 2005, we repurchased and retired US$128.2 million in aggregate principal
amount of our 11
1
/
8
Senior Notes due 2011 and US$12.1 million in aggregate
principal amount at maturity of our 13
3
/
4
% Senior Discount Notes due 2011 pursuant to
cash tender offers commenced on June 20, 2005. We paid aggregate cash consideration of
$215.3 million to purchase these notes, including the redemption premium and the cost
of settlement of related cross-currency swap agreements, recognizing a $60.8 million
loss on settlement of debt ($41.0 million after taxes).
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In January 2005, Vidéotron launched its telephony services in the Province of
Québec, using VoIP technology. Vidéotron became the first major cable company in Canada
to offer consumers residential telephone service over cable. See Business Overview
Cable below.
cross-promote our brands, programs and other content across multiple media
platforms;
provide advertisers with an integrated solution for local, regional and national
multi-platform advertising;
offer a differentiated, bundled suite of entertainment, information and
communication services and products, including digital television, cable Internet
access, video-on-demand and other interactive television services, as well as
residential and commercial cable telephony services using VoIP technology, and mobile
wireless telephony services on an MVNO-basis utilizing wireless voice and data services
provided by Rogers Wireless Inc. (Rogers Wireless), a subsidiary of Rogers
Communications Inc.;
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deliver high-quality services and products, including, for example, our standard
cable Internet access service that enables our customers to download data at a higher
speed than that currently offered by standard digital subscriber line, or DSL,
technology, and the widest range of French-language programming in Canada;
leverage our content, management, sales and marketing and production resources to
provide superior information and entertainment services to our customers;
extend our market reach by leveraging our multimedia platform and cross-marketing
expertise and experience to enhance our national media platform;
leverage our single, highly contiguous network that covers approximately 80% of
Québecs total addressable market and five of the provinces top six urban areas. We
believe that our single cluster and network architecture provides many benefits,
including a higher quality and more reliable network, the ability to rapidly and
efficiently launch and deploy new products and services, and a lower cost structure
through reduced maintenance and technical support costs; and
leverage our advanced broadband network, 99% of which is bi-directional which allows
us to offer a wide range of advanced services on the same media, such as analog and
digital television, video-on-demand, cable Internet access and cable telephony
services. We are committed to maintaining and upgrading our network capacity and, to
that end, we currently anticipate that future capital expenditures over the next five
years will be required to accommodate the evolution of our products and services and to
meet the demand for increased capacity resulting from the launch of our telephony
service and the offering of our other advanced products and services.
Introduce new and enhanced products and services.
We expect a significant portion
of our growth in our Cable segment revenues to be driven by the introduction of new
products and services (such as Wideband internet technology that is expected to enable
us to offer customers internet access speeds of up to 100 mbps) and by the continuing
penetration of our existing suite of products and services such as digital cable
services, cable Internet access, cable telephony services, high-definition television,
video-on-demand and interactive television. Our objective is also to increase our
revenue per subscriber by focusing sales and marketing efforts on the bundling of these
value-added products and services.
Offer multi-platform media advertising solutions.
Our multi-platform media assets
enable us to provide advertisers with an integrated advertising solution. We are able
to provide flexible, bundled advertising packages that allow advertisers to reach
local, regional and national markets, as well as special interest and specific
demographic groups. We will focus on further integrating our television, newspaper and
magazine publishing, and Internet advertising platforms to enable us to tailor
advertising packages to customers needs.
Cross-promote brands, programs and other content.
The geographic overlap of our
cable, television, newspaper and magazine publishing, music and video store chains, and
Internet platforms enables us to cost effectively promote and co-brand media
properties. We will continue to promote initiatives to advance these cross-promotional
activities, including the cross-promotion of various businesses, cross-divisional
advertising and shared infrastructures.
Use content across media properties.
We are the largest private-sector
French-language programming broadcaster, a leading producer of French-language
programming, the largest newspaper publisher, and a
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leading English- and
French-language Internet news and information portal in Canada. Our objective is to
further accelerate the distribution of our content across platforms.
Leverage geographic clustering.
Our Videotron subsidiary holds cable licenses that
cover approximately 80% of Québecs approximately 3.3 million homes and commercial
premises passed by cable. Geographic clusters facilitate bundled service offerings and,
in addition, allow us to tailor our offerings to certain demographic markets. We aim to
leverage the highly clustered nature of our systems to enable us to use marketing
dollars
more efficiently and to enhance customer awareness, increase use of products and
services and build brand support.
Maximize customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty.
Across our media
platform, we believe that maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction is critical
to future growth and profitability. An important factor in our historical growth and
profitability has been our ability to attract and satisfy customers with high quality
products and services and we will continue our efforts to maximize customer
satisfaction and build customer loyalty.
Manage expenses through success-driven capital spending and technology improvements.
In our Cable segment, we aim to support the growth in our customer base and bandwidth
requirements through strategic success-driven modernizations of our network and
increases in network capacity. In our Newspaper segment, we have undertaken
restructurings of certain printing facilities and news production operations, and
invested in certain technology improvements with a view to modernizing our operations
and cost structure. In addition, we continuously seek to manage our salaries and
benefits expenses, which comprise a significant portion of our costs.
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Twelve Months Ended August 31,
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
CAGR(1)
(Homes passed and basic cable customers in millions, dollars in billions)
$
4.0
$
4.4
$
4.7
$
4.9
$
6.0
10.7
%
10.5
10.9
10.5
11.2
12.7
4.9
%
7.2
7.1
6.8
6.8
7.4
0.7
%
68.6
%
65.1
%
64.8
%
60.7
%
58.3
%
(4.0
)%
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Twelve Months Ended August 31,
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
CAGR(3)
(Homes passed and basic cable customers in millions, dollars in billions)
US$
51.3
US$
57.6
US$
62.3
US$
68.2
US$
74.7
7.8
%
102.9
108.2
110.8
111.6
123.0
3.6
%
66.0
65.4
65.4
65.6
65.1
(0.3
)%
64.1
%
60.7
%
59.0
%
58.8
%
52.9
%
(4.7
)%
Source of Canadian data: CRTC.
Source of U.S. data: NCTA, A.C. Nielsen Media Research and Kagan Research LLC.
(1)
Compounded annual growth rate from 2002 through 2006.
(2)
Homes passed means the number of residential premises, such as single dwelling units or
multiple dwelling units, and commercial premises passed by the cable television distribution
network in a given cable system service area in which the programming services are offered.
(3)
Compounded annual growth rate from 2003 through 2007.
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Basic Service.
All of our customers receive a package of basic programming,
consisting of local broadcast television stations, the four U.S. commercial networks
and PBS, selected Canadian specialty programming services, and local and regional
community programming. Our basic service customers generally receive 27 channels on
basic cable.
Extended Basic Service.
This expanded programming level of services, which is
generally comprised of approximately 18 channels, includes a package of French- and
English-language specialty television programming and U.S. cable channels in addition
to the basic service channel line-up described above. Branded as Telemax, this
service was introduced in almost all of our markets largely to satisfy customer demand
for greater flexibility and choice.
Cable Internet Access.
Leveraging our advanced cable infrastructure, we offer cable
Internet access to our residential customers primarily via cable modems attached to
personal computers. We provide this service at speeds of up to 360 times the speed of a
conventional telephone modem. In February 2008, we also effected a limited launch (to
our customers in Laval, Québec only) of our Wideband services, which offer speeds of up
to 900 times the speed of a conventional telephone modem. We currently plan to extend
the coverage of this offering later in 2008. As of December 31, 2007, we had 932,989
cable Internet access customers, representing 57.0% of our basic customers and 37.4% of
our total homes passed. Based on internal estimates, we are the largest provider of
Internet access services in the areas we serve with an estimated market share of 52.9%
as of December 31, 2007.
Digital Television.
We have installed headend equipment capable of delivering
digitally encoded transmissions to a two-way digital-capable set-top box in the
customers home. This digital connection provides significant advantages. In
particular, it increases channel capacity, which allows us to increase both programming
and service offerings while providing increased flexibility in packaging our services.
Our basic digital package includes 25 television channels, 45 audio services providing
CD-quality music, 16 AM/FM radio channels, an interactive programming guide as well as
television-based e-mail capability. Our extended digital basic television offering,
branded as
à la carte
(
i.e.
individual channel selections), offers customers the
ability to select more than 200 additional channels of their choice, including U.S.
super-stations and other special entertainment programs, allowing them to customize
their choices. This also offers customers significant programming flexibility including
the option of French-language only, English-language only or a combination of French-
and English-language programming, as well as many foreign-language channels. We also
offer pre-packaged themed service tiers in the areas of news, sports and discovery.
Customers who purchase basic service and one customized package can also purchase
channels on an
à la carte
basis at a specified cost per channel per month. As part of
our digital service offering, customers can also purchase near-video-on-demand services
on a per-event basis. As of December 31, 2007, we had 768,211 customers for our digital
television service, representing 46.9% of our basic customers and 30.8% of our total
homes passed. Our customers currently have the option to purchase or lease the digital
set-top boxes required for digital service. We believe that the sale of equipment to
customers improves customer retention, and, as of December 31, 2007, we had over
953,000 set-top boxes deployed, of which approximately 96% were sold to customers and
4% were leased.
Cable Telephony
. In January 2005, we launched our cable telephony service using
VoIP technology in selected areas of the Province of Québec, and since then we have
been progressively rolling-out this offering among our other residential and commercial
customers in the Province of Québec. As of December 31, 2007, our cable telephony
service is available to 96.9% of our homes passed. Our cable telephony service includes
both local and long-distance calling, and permits all of our telephony customers, both
residential and commercial, to access all service features mandated by CRTC Decision
97-8 and other regulatory decisions and orders,
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including: enhanced 911 Emergency
service; number portability from and to any local exchange carrier; a message relay
service allowing subscribers to communicate with the hearing impaired; and a variety of
personal privacy features including universal call tracing. We also offer free basic
listings in local telephone directories, as well as full operator assistance,
including: operator-assisted calls; collect and third-party calls; local, national and
international directory assistance; person-to-person calls; and busy-line verification.
Finally, we offer as part of our telephony service a host of convenient, optional
features, including: name and number caller ID; call waiting with long-distance distinctive ring and audible indicator tone; name and number
caller ID on call waiting; visual indicator of a full voice mail box and audible message
waiting indicators; automatic call forwarding; three-way conference calling; automatic
recalling; and last incoming call identification and recall. VoIP allows us to deliver
new cutting-edge features, such as voice-mail to e-mail functionality launched in
December 2005, which allows customers to access their voice-mail via e-mail in the form
of audio-file attachments. In keeping with our competitive strength of providing
differentiated, bundled service offerings, we offer free installation of our telephony
service to existing cable television and/or Internet customers and to new bundled
customers. We also offer discounts to our bundled customers, when compared to the sum of
the prices of the individual services provided to these customers. In addition, we
offer discounts for a second telephone line subscription. On October 24, 2007, we
launched our Softphone service, our new computer-based service providing users with more
flexibility when traveling, the ability to make local calls anywhere in the world, and
new communications management capabilities. As of December 31, 2007, we had 636,666
subscribers to our cable telephony service (including 314 Softphone customers),
representing a penetration rate of 38.8% of our basic cable subscribers and 25.5% of our
homes passed.
Mobile Wireless Telephony Services
. On August 10, 2006, we launched our MVNO-based
mobile wireless telephony services in the Québec City area, utilizing the Rogers
Wireless GSM/GPRS network. Since then, the service has been completely rolled out
throughout the Province of Québec. Through our strategic relationship with Rogers
Wireless, the operator of Canadas largest integrated wireless voice and data network,
we offer Québec consumers a quadruple play of television, broadband Internet, cable
telephony and Videotron branded mobile wireless telephony services. Our services
include international roaming and popular options such as voicemail, call waiting, call
display, call forwarding, text messaging and conference calling. We are responsible for
acquiring and billing customers, as well as for providing customer support under our
own brand. As of December 31, 2007, over 45,682 lines had been activated. In order to
offer our customers integrated mobile multimedia services and be more competitive, we
have filed an application to participate in Canadas 3G Spectrum Auction, which is
scheduled to commence on May 27, 2008.
Video-On-Demand.
Video-on-demand service enables digital cable customers to rent
from a library of movies, documentaries and other programming through their digital
set-top box. Our digital cable customers are able to rent their video-on-demand
selections for a period of 24 hours, which they are then able to watch at their
convenience with full stop, rewind, fast forward, pause and replay functionality during
that period. Our video-on-demand service is available to 99% of the homes passed by us.
We also offer pay television channels on a subscription basis that permit our customers
to access and watch any of their video-on-demand selections at any time at their
convenience.
Other Products and Services.
To maintain and enhance our market position, we are
focused on increasing penetration of high-definition television and personal video
recorders, as well as other high-value products and services.
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As of December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2,497,403
2,457,213
2,419,335
2,383,443
2,351,344
1,638,097
1,572,411
1,506,113
1,452,554
1,424,144
65.6
%
64.0
%
62.3
%
60.9
%
60.6
%
768,211
623,646
474,629
333,664
240,863
46.9
%
39.7
%
31.5
%
23.0
%
16.9
%
953,393
738,530
537,364
362,053
257,350
9,052
13,426
18,034
23,973
28,821
932,989
791,966
637,971
502,630
406,277
37.4
%
32.2
%
26.4
%
21.1
%
17.3
%
636,666
397,860
162,979
2,135
25.5
%
16.2
%
6.7
%
0.1
%
45,682
11,826
(1)
Homes passed means the number of residential premises, such as single dwelling units or
multiple dwelling units, and commercial premises passed by the cable television distribution
network in a given cable system service area in which the programming services are offered.
(2)
Basic customers are customers who receive basic cable service in either the analog or digital
mode. The numbers of basic customers for the years 2003 and 2004 were restated in order to
permit such numbers to be compared to the 2005 through 2007 numbers of basic customers.
(3)
Represents customers as a percentage of total homes passed.
(4)
Represents customers for the digital service as a percentage of basic customers.
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Service
Price Range
$15.07 $29.88
$28.50 $42.19
$13.98 $15.98
$27.98 $76.98
$3.99 $29.99
$3.99 $54.99
$0.99 $29.99
$9.95 $19.95
$27.95 $89.95
$16.95 $22.95
$22.65 $78.35
(1)
These rates reflect price increases, effective March 15, 2008, of $1.00
on basic analog cable, extended basic analog cable and extended basic digital
cable.
(2)
These rates reflect price increases, effective March 1, 2008, of $1.00
on basic internet and $2.00 on high-speed internet.
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450 MHz
480 to
750 to
Two-Way
and Under
625 MHz
860 MHz
Capability
3
%
23
%
74
%
97
%
3
%
23
%
74
%
97
%
2
%
23
%
75
%
98
%
2
%
23
%
75
%
98
%
1
%
2
%
97
%
99
%
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continue to rapidly deploy advanced products and services such as cable Internet
access, digital television, cable telephony and mobile wireless telephony services;
design product offerings that provide greater opportunity for customer entertainment
and information choices;
target marketing opportunities based on demographic data and past purchasing
behavior;
develop targeted marketing programs to attract former customers, households that
have never subscribed to our services and customers of alternative or competitive
services;
enhance the relationship between customer service representatives and our customers
by training and motivating customer service representatives to promote advanced
products and services;
leverage the retail presence of Le SuperClub Vidéotron and third-party commercial
retailers;
cross-promote the wide variety of content and services offered within the Quebecor
Media group (including, for example, the content of TVA Group productions and the
1-900
service for audience voting during reality television shows popular in Québec) in order
to distribute our cable, data transmission, cable telephony and mobile wireless
telephony services to our existing and future customers;
introduce new value-added packages of products and services, which we believe
increases average revenue per user, or ARPU, and improves customer retention; and
leverage our business market, using the Videotron Telecom network and expertise with
our commercial customer base, which should enable us to offer additional bundled
services to our customers and may result in new business opportunities.
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Over-the-air Television and Providers of Other Entertainment.
Cable television has
long competed with broadcast television, which consists of television signals that the
viewer is able to receive without charge using an over-the air antenna. The extent of
such competition is dependent upon the quality and quantity of broadcast signals
available through over-the-air reception compared to the services provided by the local
cable system. Cable systems also face competition from alternative methods of
distributing and receiving television signals and from other sources of entertainment
such as live sporting events, movie theatres and home video products, including
videotape recorders, DVD players and video games. The extent to which a cable
television service is competitive depends in significant part upon the cable systems
ability to provide a greater variety of programming, superior technical performance and
superior customer service than are available over the air or through competitive
alternative delivery sources.
Direct Broadcast Satellite.
Direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, is a significant
competitor to cable systems. DBS delivers programming via signals sent directly to
receiving dishes from medium- and high-powered satellites, as opposed to cable delivery
transmissions. This form of distribution generally provides more channels than some of
our television systems and is fully digital. DBS service can be received virtually
anywhere in Canada through the installation of a small rooftop or side-mounted antenna.
Like digital cable distribution, DBS systems use video compression technology to
increase channel capacity and digital technology to improve the quality of the signals
transmitted to their customers.
DSL.
The deployment of digital subscriber line technology, known as DSL, provides
customers with Internet access at data transmission speeds greater than that available
over conventional telephone lines. DSL service is comparable to cable-modem Internet
access over cable systems. We also face competition from other providers of DSL
service.
VDSL.
The CRTC and Industry Canada have authorized video digital subscriber line,
or VDSL, services. VDSL technology increases the capacity of DSL lines available, which
permits the distribution of digital video. We expect that we will soon face competition
from incumbent local exchange carriers, which have been granted licenses to launch
video distribution services using this technology. ILECs are currently installing this
new technology, which operates over the copper lines in phone lines, in our markets.
This technology can achieve speeds as high as 52 Mbps upstream, but VDSL can only
operate over a short distance of about 4,000 feet (1,200 metres). As a result,
telephone companies are replacing many of their main feeds with fibre-optic cable. By
placing a VDSL transceiver, a VDSL gateway, in larger multiple dwelling units, the
distance limitation is overcome. Further, as a result of such improvements in broadband
speeds over DSL and the evolution of compression technology, incumbent telephone
carriers in our service areas may be in a position to enable delivery of digital
television over their cable Internet connections (IPTV) in the coming years. Advanced
trials are underway in Canada and in other countries. Tests in our service markets are
still being performed. If successful, IPTV may provide telecommunications carriers with
a way to offer services similar to those offered by cable operators in the consumer
market.
Private Cable.
Additional competition is posed by satellite master antenna
television systems known as SMATV systems serving multi-dwelling units, such as
condominiums, apartment complexes, and private residential communities.
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Other Cable Distribution.
Currently, a cable operator offering television
distribution and providing cable-modem Internet access service is serving the greater
Montréal area. This cable operator, which has approximately 15,000 customers, is owned
by the regional ILEC.
Wireless Distribution.
Cable television systems also compete with wireless program
distribution services such as multi-channel multipoint distribution systems, or MDS.
This technology uses microwave links to transmit signals from multiple transmission
sites to line-of-sight antennas located within the customers premises.
Grey and Black Market DBS Providers.
Cable and other distributors of television
signals continue to face competition from the use of access codes and equipment that
enable the unauthorized decoding of encrypted satellite signals, from unauthorized
access to our analog and digital cable signals (black market) and from the reception of
foreign signals through subscriptions to foreign satellite television providers that
are not lawful distributors in Canada (grey market).
Telephony Service.
Our cable telephony service competes against other telephone
companies, including both the incumbent telephone service provider in Québec, which
controls a significant portion of the telephony market in Québec, as well as other VoIP
telephony service providers and mobile wireless telephone service providers.
Mobile wireless telephony services.
Our mobile wireless telephony service competes
against a mix of competitors, some of them being active in all the products we offer,
while others only offer mobile wireless telephony services in our market. If we were
to become a facilities-based wireless provider, we would compete primarily with
established incumbent wireless service providers and MVNOs, and could in the future
compete with other new entrant companies, including other MVNOs. In addition, users of
wireless voice and data systems may find their communications needs satisfied by other
current or developing technologies, such as WIFI, hotspots or trunk radio systems,
which have the technical capability to handle mobile telephone calls. Our
facilities-based wireless provider business would also compete with rivals for dealers
and retail distribution outlets.
Other Internet Service Providers.
In the Internet access business, cable operators
compete against other Internet service providers offering residential and commercial
Internet access services. The CRTC requires the large Canadian incumbent cable
operators to offer access to their high speed Internet system to competitive Internet
service providers at mandated rates.
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the Urban Daily Group; and
the Community Newspaper Group.
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2007 Average Readership
Market Position by
Newspaper
Saturday
Sunday
Mon-Fri
Paid Circulation
(1)
611,600
397,500
588,000
1
199,500
119,900
165,700
1
515,200
731,100
638,000
2
170,700
111,600
167,000
1
106,400
98,000
123,100
2
97,500
92,200
115,700
2
131,300
158,100
168,100
2
121,400
148,100
155,600
2
1,953,600
1,856,500
2,121,200
(1)
Based on paid circulation data published by the Audit Bureau of Circulations in September 2007 with respect to non-national newspapers in each
relevant market.
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
308,000
309,300
303,700
259,800
263,700
260,600
268,200
263,400
262,900
Source: Internal Statistics
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
123,400
127,400
125,200
101,400
107,300
107,000
99,700
104,500
104,300
Source: Internal Statistics
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Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
148,000
149,000
160,800
326,500
328,500
332,500
183,600
189,900
188,900
Source: Internal Statistics
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
104,400
100,400
96,400
64,600
62,800
61,900
87,600
84,200
81,600
Source: Internal Statistics
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
44,800
44,100
42,900
51,000
51,200
49,700
51,200
50,500
49,800
Source: Internal Statistics
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Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
40,500
38,200
38,000
49,100
47,100
46,000
40,600
39,500
39,000
Source: Internal Statistics
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
68,100
64,700
59,100
94,900
90,500
83,100
70,000
68,000
63,900
Source: Internal Statistics
Year Ended December 31,
2005
2006
2007
62,500
59,000
55,400
91,500
90,000
82,100
62,300
60,600
57,000
Source: Internal Statistics
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Average Daily
Newspaper
Location
Paid Circulation
Brockville, Ontario
12,200
Stratford, Ontario
9,900
Grande Prairie, Alberta
7,700
Simcoe, Ontario
6,800
St. Thomas, Ontario
6,200
Woodstock, Ontario
5,900
Fort McMurray, Alberta
3,300
Kenora, Ontario
2,800
Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
2,500
57,300
Source: Internal Statistics
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Location
Average Daily
Newspaper
(all in Ontario)
Paid Circulation
St. Catharines
35,500
Kingston
26,100
Barrie
24,300
Peterborough
24,100
Brantford
21,000
Niagara Falls
20,600
Sarnia
18,200
Sault Ste Marie
18,200
Welland
17,000
Sudbury
16,900
Owen Sound
15,700
Cornwall
14,100
North Bay
14,000
Belleville
13,400
Chatham
12,800
Orillia
11,900
Timmins
8,700
Pembrooke
5,800
Cobourg
4,500
Port Hope
2,400
325,200
Number of
Province
Publications
82
53
43
12
5
1
196
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Share of Province
Network
of Québec Television
26.7
%
13.0
%
10.6
%
3.3
%
38.7
%
7.7
%
Source: BBM People Meters 2007 (data is based on a measurement methodology using audimetry instead
of surveys).
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Type of Service
Language
Voting Interest
French
TVA
1
99.9
%
French
TVA
1
8.3
%
French and English
V
2
21.7
%
English
TVA
1
51.0
%
English
TVA
1
50.0
%
French
TVA
1
99.9
%
French
TVA
1
99.9
%
French
TVA
1
99.9
%
French
TVA
1
20.0
%
French and English
AG
3
100
%
French
TVA
1
99.9
%
(1)
TVA Group (TVA) controls the programming services. Quebecor Media controls TVA Group.
(2)
Videotron (V) controls the programming services. Quebecor Media controls Videotron.
(3)
Archambault Group (AG) controls the programming services. Quebecor Media controls
Archambault Group.
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Canoe (
canoe.ca
), a bilingual, integrated media and Internet services network and
one of Canadas leading Internet portals with more than 259 million page views in
September 2007, according to Canoe internal statistics;
TVA Group and LCN (
tva.canoe.com
and
lcn.canoe.com
) dedicated websites for the TVA
television network and the LCN all-news channel, which has begun streaming TVA and LCN
programming live on the websites;
also, several websites for popular TVA Group programs, such as
Occupation Double
(
occupationdouble.com
) and
Star Académie
(
staracademie.ca
).
Sun Media dedicated websites for the weeklies and dailies newspapers (such as
torontosun.com
,
edmontonsun.com
,
journaldequebec.com
and
canoe.com/journaldemontreal
),
which provide local and national news;
Canoe.tv
, the first Canadian web broadcaster with unique content commissioned by
Canoe.TV in addition to content from traditional sources;
Canoe Video (
video.canoe.ca
), launched in June 2007, offers easy access to a range
of content from sources including Quebecor Media, the Sun Media network of newspapers
and various external partners;
Argent and Canoe Money (
argent.canoe.ca
and
money.canoe.ca
), a financial website
which offers, among other things, a variety of services ranging from financial
information to portfolio management tools (the Argent website (formerly Webfin) was
redesigned in early 2005 in partnership with TVAs financial channel,
Argent
);
Petitmonde (
petitmonde.com
), a website that Canoe acquired in September 2007
dedicated to children and families; and
CanoeKlix (
canoeklix.com
), a pay-per-click advertising solution developed by Canoe
and launched in 2006.
Jobboom.com
, a unique Web-based employment site with over 2.0 million members at
December 31, 2007, which also includes Édition Jobboom (careers book editors) and
Jobboom Formation (an Internet directory of continuing education services);
Autonet.ca
, one of Canadas leading Internet sites devoted entirely to automobiles;
Canoeclassifieds.ca
and
Vitevitevite.ca
(formerly
canoeclassees.ca
), classified ad
sites through which visitors can view more than 100,000 classified ads, reaching
potential purchasers across the country by integrating more than 200 dailies and
community newspapers. Since June 2007, classifiedextra.ca (
vitevitevite.ca
in French)
operates in partnership with
Sympatico.MSN.ca
, which uses the
classifiedextra.ca
banner
for all classified advertisements, allowing it to reach more than 20 million users;
Micasa.ca
, one of the leading real-estate listing sites in Québec, providing
comprehensive property listing services available to all real estate brokers as well as
individual homeowners;
ReseauContact.com
, a French dating and friendship site with near 500,000 unique
visitors per month, as of December 31, 2007, according to internal statistics; and
EspaceCanoe.ca,
an advanced technology platform for social communities that supports
the sharing of videos, photos and opinions by users in an innovative Web 2.0-type
environment.
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Floor Space
Address
Use of Property
Press Capacity(1)
Occupied (sq. ft.)
Operations building,
3 Colorman presses
531,400
including printing plant
(36 units)
Toronto Sun
24 Hours
(Toronto)
Operations building,
4 Metro presses
245,900
including printing plant
(32 units) and
Toronto Sun
1 Metroliner press
(8 units)
Operations building,
3 Colorman presses
235,000
including printing plant
(52 units)
Journal de Montréal
Journal de Québec
Ottawa Sun
24 Hours
(Montreal)
Operations building,
3 Metro presses
162,000
including printing plant
(27 units)
Journal de Montréal
Operations building,
2 Headliner presses
147,600
including printing plant
(12 units) and
London Free Press
1 Urbanite press
(9 units)
Operations building,
1 Headliner press
90,000
including printing plant
(7 units)
Calgary Sun
Operations building
N/A
75,000
St. Catharines Standard
Operations building,
2 Urbanite presses
74,000
including printing plant
(24 units)
Journal de Québec
Operations building,
1 Urbanite press
63,500
including printing plant
(12 units)
Peterborough Examiner
Operations building,
1 Urbanite press
63,000
including printing plant
(14 units)
Winnipeg Sun
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Floor Space
Address
Use of Property
Press Capacity(1)
Occupied (sq. ft.)
Operations building
N/A
57,300
Brantford Expositor
Printing plant
1 Metro press
50,700
Edmonton Sun
(8 units)
Operations building
N/A
45,200
Edmonton Sun
(leased until December 2013)
Distribution facility
N/A
23,000
Ottawa Sun
Operations building
N/A
19,300
(leased until October 2013)
Ottawa Sun
(1)
A unit is the critical component of a press that determines color and page count
capacity. All presses listed have between 6 and 15 units.
(2)
In late 2007, the printing of portions of the
Toronto Sun
was transferred from 333 King
Street East in Toronto to the new printing facilities in Etobicoke, Ontario.
(3)
In 2007, the printing of a portion of the
Journal de Montréal
and the
Journal de Québec
was transferred to the new printing facilities in Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel, Québec.
(4)
In October 2006, the press facilities of the
Ottawa Sun
were transferred to the new
printing facilities in Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel. Accordingly, this building is currently
being used principally as a distribution facility.
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In the first phase, the
Telecommunications Act
should be amended to give the federal
Cabinet authority to waive the foreign ownership and control restrictions on Canadian
telecommunications common carriers when it deems a foreign investment or class of
investments to be in the public interest. During the first phase, there should be a
presumption that investments in any new start-up telecommunications investment or in
any telecommunications common carrier with less than 10% of the revenues in any
telecommunications service market are in the public interest. This presumption could be
rebutted by evidence related to a particular investor or investment. The presumption
should apply to all investments in fixed or mobile wireless telephony markets as well
as to investments in new entrants and smaller players (
i.e.,
those below the 10%
limit). To encourage longer-term investment, foreign investors should remain exempt
from the foreign investment restrictions if they are successful in growing the market
share of their businesses beyond 10%.
The second phase of liberalization should be undertaken after completion of the
review of broadcasting policy proposed by the Panel. At that time, there should be a
broader liberalization of the foreign investment rules in a manner that treats all
telecommunications common carriers including the cable telecommunications industry in a
fair and competitively neutral manner. The proposed liberalization should apply to the
carriage business of BDUs, and new broadcasting policies should focus any necessary
Canadian ownership restrictions on broadcasting content businesses. The Cabinet
should retain the authority to screen significant investments in the Canadian
telecommunications carriage business to ensure that they are consistent with the public
interest.
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Competition and Carriage Rules.
The 1998 Regulations provide equitable
opportunities for all distributors of broadcasting services. Similar to the signal
carriage and substitution requirements that are imposed on existing cable television
systems, under the 1998 Regulations, new broadcasting distribution undertakings are
also subject to carriage and substitution requirements. The 1998 Regulations prohibit a
distributor from giving an undue preference to any person, including itself, or
subjecting any person to an undue disadvantage. This gives the CRTC the ability to
address complaints of anti-competitive behavior on the part of certain distributors.
Signal Substitution
. A significant aspect of television broadcasting in Canada is
simultaneous program substitution, or simulcasting, a regulatory requirement under
which Canadian distribution undertakings, such as cable television systems with over
6,000 customers, are required to substitute the foreign programming service, with local
Canadian signal, including Canadian commercials, for broadcasts of identical programs
by a U.S. station when both programs are exhibited at the same time. These requirements
are designed to protect the program rights that Canadian broadcasters acquire for their
respective local markets. The CRTC, however, has
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suspended the application of these
requirements to DTH satellite operators for a period of time, so long as they undertake
certain alternative measures, including monetary compensation to a fund designed to
help finance regional television productions.
Canadian Programming and Community Expression Financing Rules
. All distributors,
except systems with less than 2,000 customers, are required to contribute at least 5%
of their gross annual broadcast revenues to the creation and presentation of Canadian
programming including community programming. However, the allocation of these
contributions between broadcast and community programming can vary depending on the
type and size of the distribution system involved.
Inside Wiring Rules.
The CRTC determined that the inside wiring portion of cable
networks creates a bottleneck facility that could affect competition if open access is
not provided to other distributors. Incumbent cable companies may retain the ownership
of the inside wiring but must allow usage by competitive undertakings to which the
cable company may charge a just and reasonable fee for the use of the inside wire. On
September 3, 2002, the CRTC established a fee of $0.52 per customer per month for the
use of cable inside wire in MDUs.
(1)
30% or more of the households in the licensed service area have access to the
services of another broadcasting distribution undertaking. The CRTC has advised that as
of August 31, 1997, the 30% availability criterion was satisfied for all licensed cable
areas; and
(2)
the number of customers for basic cable service has decreased by at least 5%
since the date on which a competitor started offering its basic cable service in the
particular area.
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Quebecor Medias interest in its main subsidiaries
as at December 31, 2007
Percentage of Equity
Percentage of Votes
100
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
45.2
%
99.9
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
100
%
57.5
%
57.5
%
92.5
%
99.9
%
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Three Months Ended
Year Ended December 31,
December 31,
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2007
2006
(unaudited)
(in millions)
$
642.7
$
512.5
$
413.3
$
363.8
$
289.7
$
175.7
$
139.8
225.9
207.6
222.2
227.8
224.8
76.6
63.5
59.4
42.1
53.0
80.5
81.5
22.8
18.9
27.0
19.3
27.0
22.7
14.7
10.3
10.0
2.8
7.5
3.9
2.3
1.1
3.3
6.9
10.1
9.0
4.5
2.9
2.8
1.5
(0.8
)
0.5
3.7
(4.4
)
(3.1
)
(1.0
)
1.3
963.9
799.6
732.1
697.2
611.6
287.2
238.3
(290.4
)
(260.7
)
(231.9
)
(225.9
)
(226.6
)
(75.9
)
(68.3
)
(240.0
)
(224.6
)
(285.3
)
(314.6
)
(300.1
)
(72.2
)
(57.6
)
(11.6
)
(18.9
)
0.2
(2.8
)
(1.8
)
3.5
(9.5
)
(1.0
)
(342.6
)
(60.0
)
(4.8
)
144.1
(1.0
)
(0.5
)
0.4
2.2
0.1
9.3
(1.1
)
1.2
(5.4
)
(180.0
)
(0.5
)
(5.4
)
(180.0
)
(74.8
)
53.7
(43.5
)
(37.4
)
12.5
(15.6
)
(28.6
)
(19.2
)
(0.4
)
(16.2
)
(31.7
)
(34.6
)
(8.2
)
6.8
5.2
2.0
1.0
(1.1
)
0.4
1.1
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
$
88.2
$
203.9
$
112.4
$
(97.1
)
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(in millions of Canadian
dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
314.7
$
210.5
$
194.7
116.0
91.8
149.3
43.2
33.4
42.5
24.2
16.1
20.1
(0.5
)
5.7
2.5
2.3
8.2
8.3
1.4
7.8
0.4
501.3
373.5
417.8
(225.3
)
(402.9
)
(211.1
)
(11.6
)
(18.9
)
0.2
(11.3
)
(5.4
)
(19.0
)
3.7
2.1
(3.1
)
32.7
(22.2
)
(27.4
)
$
289.5
$
(73.8
)
$
157.4
(1)
Interest on long-term debt and other interest, less investment income and interest
capitalized to cost of property, plant and equipment (see Note 2 to our consolidated
financial statements included under Item 17 of this annual report).
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
289.5
$
(73.8
)
$
157.4
468.7
435.5
319.8
(6.1
)
(9.4
)
(5.5
)
$
752.1
$
352.3
$
471.7
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(in millions of Canadian
dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
963.9
$
799.6
$
732.1
(468.7
)
(435.5
)
(319.8
)
6.1
9.4
5.5
$
501.3
$
373.5
$
417.8
services
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
642.7
$
512.5
$
413.3
(330.1
)
(302.6
)
(219.9
)
2.1
0.6
1.3
$
314.7
$
210.5
$
194.7
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
225.9
$
207.6
$
222.2
(111.4
)
(116.3
)
(74.0
)
1.5
0.5
1.1
$
116.0
$
91.8
$
149.3
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
59.4
$
42.1
$
53.0
(16.2
)
(9.0
)
(12.9
)
0.3
2.4
$
43.2
$
33.4
$
42.5
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
27.0
$
19.3
$
27.0
(2.9
)
(3.4
)
(7.9
)
0.1
0.2
1.0
$
24.2
$
16.1
$
20.1
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian
dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
2.8
$
7.5
$
3.9
(3.3
)
(1.8
)
(1.4
)
$
(0.5
)
$
5.7
$
2.5
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Cash flows from segment operations
(in millions of Canadian
dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
6.9
$
10.1
$
9.0
(4.6
)
(1.9
)
(0.7
)
$
2.3
$
8.2
$
8.3
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(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Less than
5yrs
Total
1yr
1-3yrs
3-5yrs
and more
$
3,077.8
$
24.7
$
303.4
$
221.2
$
2,528.5
1,796.0
257.9
513.9
488.8
535.4
167.0
47.5
61.1
32.5
25.9
187.7
143.5
40.5
3.7
508.2
0.6
1.3
1.3
505.0
$
5,736.7
$
474.2
$
920.2
$
747.5
$
3,594.8
(1)
Estimate of interest to be paid on long-term debt based on the interest rates and foreign
exchange rate at December 31, 2007.
(2)
Estimated future disbursements on derivative financial instruments related to foreign
exchange hedging.
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Fair value of derivative financial instruments
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
December 31, 2007
Fair Value
Notional Value
asset (liability)
CA$
75.0
$
0.2
US$
73.1
(4.2
)
13.0
(0.2
)
CHF
6.7
(0.1
)
US$
2,598.9
(534.2
)
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Videotron is party to 5 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately
2,558 employees. Of these collective bargaining agreements, one (representing
approximately 40 employees) has expired. Negotiations regarding this collective
bargaining agreement will be undertaken in 2008. Two others, representing
approximately 2,308 employees, or 90% of Videotrons unionized employees, will expire
in December 2009. The remaining two collective bargaining agreements, representing 210
employees, or 8% of Videotrons unionized workforce, will expire between January 2010
and August 2011;
Sun Media is party to 48 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 2,004 employees. Of these, 12 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 941 employees, or 47% of Sun Medias unionized workforce,
have expired. Negotiations regarding these 12 collective bargaining agreements are
either in progress or will be undertaken in 2008. The other 36 of Sun Medias
collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately 1,063 employees, or 53% of
its unionized workforce, are scheduled to expire on various dates through December
2010;
Osprey Media is party to 40 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 820 employees. All of Osprey Medias collective bargaining agreements
are scheduled to expire on various date between June 2008 and April 2011;
TVA Group is party to 15 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 830 employees. Of this number, 7 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 120 employees, or 14% of its unionized workforce, are
expired. Negotiations regarding these 7 collective bargaining agreements are either in
progress or will be undertaken in 2008. 8 of TVA Groups collective bargaining
agreements, representing approximately 710 employees, or 86% of its unionized
workforce, will expire between October 2008 and the end of December 2009; and
The other 7 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately 370 or 6%
of our unionized employees, will expire between the end of April 2009 and June 2010.
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Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
At December 31, 2007
(in millions of dollars)
Average
Currencies (sold/bought)
Maturing
Exchange Rate
Notional Amount
Less than 1 year
1.4501
$
18.9
Less than 1 year
0.8897
6.0
February 15, 2013
1.5227
312.2
Less than 1 year
1.0511
76.8
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Cross-currency interest rate swaps
At December 31, 2007
(in millions of dollars)
CDN dollar exchange
rate on interest
Annual
Annual
and capital
Period
Notional
effective
nominal
payments per
covered
amount
interest rate
interest rate
one U.S. dollar
2007 to 2016
US$
700.0
7.69
%
7.75
%
0.9990
2006 to 2016
US$
525.0
7.39
%
7.75
%
1.1600
2006 to 2009
US$
196.5
6.27
%
LIBOR
1.1625
plus 2.00
%
2009 to 2013
US$
196.5
Bankers
LIBOR
1.1625
acceptance
plus 2.00
%
3 months
plus 2.22%
2006 to 2013
US$
147.4
6.44
%
LIBOR
1.1625
plus 2.00
%
2004 to 2014
US$
190.0
Bankers
6.875
%
1.2000
acceptance
3 months
plus 2.80
%
2004 to 2014
US$
125.0
7.45
%
6.875
%
1.1950
2003 to 2014
US$
200.0
Bankers
6.875
%
1.3425
acceptance
3 months
plus 2.73
%
2003 to 2014
US$
135.0
7.66
%
6.875
%
1.3425
2005 to 2015
US$
175.0
5.98
%
6.375
%
1.1781
2003 to 2008
US$
155.0
8.17
%
7.625
%
1.5227
2008 to 2013
US$
155.0
Bankers
7.625
%
1.5227
acceptance
3 months
plus 3.70
%
2003 to 2013
US$
50.0
Bankers
7.625
%
1.5227
acceptance
3 months
plus 3.70
%
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Interest Rate Swaps
At December 31, 2007
(in millions of dollars)
Maturity
Notional Amount
Pay/Receive
Fixed Rate
Floating Rate
$75.0
Pay fixed/Receive Floating
4.05%
Bankers acceptance
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Carrying Value and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As at December 31, 2007
(in millions of dollars)
December 31, 2007
December 31, 2006(1)
Carrying
Carrying
Value
Fair Value
Value
Fair Value
$
(1,664.9
)
$
(1,646.6
)
$
(1,191.6
)
$
(1,206.3
)
(159.8
)
(159.8
)
3.8
(17.8
)
(0.3
)
(0.3
)
2.2
2.2
(973.3
)
(938.2
)
(1,021.2
)
(1,010.6
)
(241.3
)
(241.3
)
(71.8
)
(141.1
)
(4.2
)
(4.2
)
2.1
(238.0
)
(234.1
)
(486.8
)
(492.9
)
(133.1
)
(133.1
)
(148.8
)
(176.1
)
(145.3
)
(145.3
)
0.2
0.2
(56.3
)
(56.3
)
(96.5
)
(96.5
)
(1)
See Changes in accounting policies below.
(2)
The carrying value of long-term debt excludes adjustments to record changes in fair value of
long-term debt related to hedged interest risk, embedded derivatives and financing fees.
Twelve month period ending December 31,
(in millions)
$
24.7
181.8
121.6
171.9
49.3
$
2,528.5
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persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
the sellers price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
the collection of the sale is reasonably assured.
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Quebecor Media uses foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the foreign
currency rate exposure on (i) anticipated equipment or inventory purchases in foreign
currency and (ii) principal payments on certain long-term debt in foreign currency.
These foreign exchange forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
Quebecor Media uses cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge (i) the foreign
currency rate exposure on interest and principal payments on certain foreign currency
denominated debt and/or (ii) the fair value exposure on certain debt resulting from
changes in interest rates. The cross-currency interest rate swaps that set in fixed
Canadian dollars all future interest and principal payments on U.S. denominated debt
are designated as cash flow hedges. The Companys cross-currency interest rate swaps
that set in Canadian dollars all future interest and principal payments on U.S.
denominated debt in addition to converting the interest rate from a fixed rate to a
floating rate or to converting a floating rate index to another floating rate index,
are designated as fair value hedges.
Quebecor Media uses interest rate swaps to manage the fair value exposure on
certain debt resulting from changes in interest rates. These swap agreements require
a periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amount
on which the payments are based. These interest rate swaps are designated as fair
value hedges when they convert the interest rate from a fixed rate to a floating rate
or as cash flow hedges when they convert the interest rate from a floating rate to a
fixed rate.
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decrease in other assets of $44.4 million;
increase in the liability related to derivative financial instruments of $88.9
million;
decrease in long-term debt of $65.5 million;
decrease in future income tax liabilities of $18.0 million;
increase in deficit of $14.3 million; and
increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $35.5 million.
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Name and Municipality of Residence
Age
Position
Outremont, Québec
64
Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Compensation Committee
Montréal, Québec
46
Director, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
52
Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
61
Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee
61
Director and Member of the Audit Committee
Brossard, Québec
57
Director and Member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee
58
Director Member of the Compensation Committee
69
Director
67
Director
53
Director
55
President and Chief Operating Officer
52
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs
43
Senior Vice President, Strategic Development, Customer Relations
40
Senior Vice President, Development and Strategy
50
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
43
Vice President, Communications
53
Vice President, Taxation
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Name and Municipality of Residence
Age
Position
62
Vice President, Institutional Relations
42
Vice President, Interactive Media
59
Vice President, Internal Audit
50
Vice President, Business Opportunities
47
Vice President and Corporate Controller
54
Vice President and Secretary
48
Vice President, Human Resources
47
Vice President, Legal Affairs
57
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
37
Treasurer
33
Assistant Secretary
52
Assistant Secretary
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Years of Participation
Compensation
10
15
20
25
30
$
23,333
$
35,000
$
46,667
$
58,333
$
70,000
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Years of Credited Service
Compensation
10
15
20
25
30
$
16,667
$
25,000
$
33,333
$
41,667
$
50,000
$
56,667
$
85,000
$
113,333
$
141,667
$
170,100
$
96,667
$
145,000
$
193,333
$
241,667
$
290,000
$
136,667
$
205,000
$
273,333
$
341,667
$
410,000
$
176,667
$
265,000
$
353,333
$
441,667
$
530,000
$
216,667
$
325,000
$
433,333
$
541,667
$
650,000
$
256,667
$
385,000
$
513,333
$
641,667
$
770,000
Total number
Number of employees under
Number of
Operations
of employees
collective agreements
collective agreements
4,350
2,558
5
8,260
2,824
88
1,910
830
15
1,480
370
7
750
0
0
400
0
0
150
0
0
17,300
6,582
115
Videotron is party to 5 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately
2,558 employees. Of these collective bargaining agreements, one (representing
approximately 40 employees) has expired. Negotiations regarding this collective
bargaining agreement will be undertaken in 2008. Two others, representing
approximately 2,308 employees, or 90% of Videotrons unionized employees, will expire
in December 2009. The remaining two collective bargaining agreements, representing 210
employees, or 8% of Videotrons unionized workforce, will expire between January 2010
and August 2011;
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Sun Media is party to 48 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 2,004 employees. Of these, 12 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 941 employees, or 47% of Sun Medias unionized workforce,
have expired. Negotiations regarding these 12 collective bargaining agreements are
either in progress or will be undertaken in 2008. The other 36 of Sun Medias
collective bargaining
agreements, representing approximately 1,063 employees, or 53% of its unionized
workforce, are scheduled to expire on various dates through December 2010;
Osprey Media is party to 40 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 820 employees. All of Osprey Medias collective bargaining agreements
are scheduled to expire on various date between June 2008 and April 2011;
TVA Group is party to 15 collective bargaining agreements, representing
approximately 830 employees. Of this number, 7 collective bargaining agreements,
representing approximately 120 employees, or 14% of its unionized workforce, are
expired. Negotiations regarding these 7 collective bargaining agreements are either in
progress or will be undertaken in 2008. 8 of TVA Groups collective bargaining
agreements, representing approximately 710 employees, or 86% of its unionized
workforce, will expire between October 2008 and the end of December 2009; and
The other 7 collective bargaining agreements, representing approximately 370 or 6%
of our unionized employees, will expire between the end of April 2009 and June 2010.
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(a)
standard rights of first refusal with respect to certain transfers of QMI Shares;
(b)
standard preemptive rights which permit shareholders to maintain their respective
holdings of QMI Shares on a fully diluted basis in the event of issuances of additional
QMI Shares or our convertible securities;
(c)
rights of representation on our Board of Directors in proportion to
shareholdings, with Quebecor initially having five nominees (now six nominees) and
Capital CDPQ having four nominees to our Board of Directors;
(d)
consent rights in certain circumstances with respect to matters relating to us
and our non-reporting issuer (public) subsidiaries, including (1) a substantial change
in the nature of our business and our subsidiaries taken as a whole, (2) an amendment to
our articles or certain of our subsidiaries, (3) the merger or amalgamation of us or
certain of our subsidiaries with a person other than an affiliate, (4) the issuance by
us or certain of our subsidiaries of shares or of securities convertible into shares
except in the event of an initial public offering of QMI Shares, (5) any transaction
having a value of more than $75,000,000, other than the sale of goods and services in
the normal course of business, (6) a business acquisition in a business sector unrelated
to sectors in which we and certain of our subsidiaries are involved, and (7) in respect
of capital expenditures in excess of certain amounts for each of the first five years of
our operations;
(e)
standard rights of first refusal in favor of Capital CDPQ with respect to the
sale of all or substantially all of the shares or assets of TVA Group or Videotron;
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(f)
so long as Capital CDPQ holds at least 22.5% of the QMI Shares on a fully diluted
basis, if the Péladeau family (as defined in the shareholders agreement) ceases to
control Quebecor, Capital CDPQ shall have at its option
either a call on Quebecors interest in us at fair market value, or a put right in
respect of Capital CDPQs interest in us to Quebecor or its new controlling shareholder
at fair market value, provided that the call right shall not apply if the Péladeau
family (as defined in the shareholders agreement) has offered a standard right of first
refusal on its Quebecor control block to Capital CDPQ before selling control of
Quebecor, and all of the above-mentioned rights shall cease to apply five years
following the approval by the CRTC of the acquisition by us of Videotron; and
(g)
a non-competition covenant by Quebecor in respect of it and its affiliates
pursuant to which Quebecor and its affiliates shall not compete with QMI and its
subsidiaries in their areas of activity so long as Quebecor has
de jure
or
de facto
control of us, subject to certain limited exceptions.
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123,602,807 common shares outstanding, of which 67,636,713 were held by Quebecor and
55,966,094 were held by Capital CDPQ; and
110,000 Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series C, outstanding, all of which were
held by 9101-0835 Québec Inc.; and
2,555,000 Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series G, outstanding, 1,995,000 of
which were held by 9101-0835 Québec Inc. and 560,000 of which were held by Bowes
Publishers Limited, a subsidiary of Sun Media.
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1.
We were incorporated, in Canada, under Part IA of the
Companies Act
(Québec) (the Companies Act) as 9093-9687
Québec Inc. on August 8, 2000 under registration number
1149501992. On August 18, 2000, a Certificate of Amendment
was filed to change our name to Media Acquisition Inc. Our
name was further changed to Quebecor Media Inc. on September
26, 2000. Our Articles do not describe our object and
purpose.
2
.
(a)
Our by-laws provide that we may transact business with one or
more of our directors or with any firm of which one or more
of our directors are members or employees or with any
corporation or association of which one or more of our
directors are shareholders, directors, officers or employees.
The director who has an interest in the transaction shall
disclose his interest to us and to the other directors and
shall abstain from discussing and voting on the transaction,
except if his vote is required to bind us in respect of the
transaction.
(b)
Neither the Articles nor our by-laws contain provisions with
respect to directors power, in the absence of an independent
quorum, to determine their remuneration.
(c)
Subject to any restriction which may from time to time be
included in the Articles or our by-laws, or the terms, rights
or restrictions of any of our shares or securities
outstanding, the directors may authorize us to borrow money
and obtain advances upon the credit of our company, from any
bank, corporation, firm, association or person, upon such
terms and conditions, in all respects, as they think fit. The
directors may authorize the issuance of bonds or other
evidences of indebtedness of our company, and may authorize
the pledge or sale of the same upon such terms and
conditions, in all respects, as they think fit. The directors
are also authorized to hypothecate the property, undertaking
and assets, movable or immovable, of our company to secure
payment for any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness or
otherwise give guarantees to secure the payment of loans.
3
.
The rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to our Common
Shares, Cumulative First Preferred Shares (consisting of the Series A
Shares, the Series B Shares, the Series C Shares, the Series D Shares,
the Series F Shares and the Series G Shares) and our Preferred Shares,
Series E are set forth below:
(a)
Dividend rights
: Subject to the rights of the holders of our Preferred Shares,
each common share shall be entitled to receive such dividends as our Board of Directors
shall determine.
(b)
Voting rights
: The holders of our common shares shall be entitled to receive
notice of any meeting of our shareholders and to attend and vote on all matters to be
voted on by our shareholders, except at meetings at
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which only the holders of another
specified series or class of shares are entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each
common share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Other than as provided in paragraph (a) above
(the holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends as determined by our
Board of Directors) and paragraph (d) below (the holders
of our common shares are entitled to participation in our remaining property and assets
available for distribution in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
our common shares shall be entitled, subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred
Shares, to participate equally, share for share, in our remaining property and assets
available for distribution to our shareholders, without preference or distinction.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: None
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None
(g)
Liability to capital calls by Quebecor Media
: Our by-laws provide that our
directors may, from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in
respect of or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our
share capital on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law
or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. Our
directors may, from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any
moneys unpaid upon their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of common
shares as a result of such holder owning a substantial number of shares
: None
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series A Shares shall be entitled
to receive in each fiscal year fixed cumulative preferred dividends at the rate of 12.5%
per share per annum. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the Series
A Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series A Shares
have been paid or set aside for payment.
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(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series A Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders unless we shall
have failed to pay semi-annual dividends on the Series A Shares. In that event and only
for so long as the dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series A Shares shall be
entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders meetings,
except meetings at which only holders of another specified series or class of shares are
entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each Series A Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above (the
holders of Series A Shares are entitled to receive a 12.5% cumulative preferential
dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series A Shares are entitled to
receive, in preference to the holders of common shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per
Series A Share and any accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto in the
event of our liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common
shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per Series A Share and any accumulated and unpaid
dividends with respect thereto.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series A Shares may require us to redeem the
Series A preferred shares at any time at a price of $1,000 per share plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto. In addition, we may, at our
option, redeem the Series A Shares at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends with respect thereto.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by us
: Our by-laws provide that our directors may,
from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in respect of or
otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our share capital
on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The directors may,
from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid upon
their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series A
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares
: None.
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series B Shares shall be entitled
to receive a single dividend, payable in cash, in an amount to be determined by our
Board of Directors in accordance with the Articles, which dividend, once determined by
our Board of Directors, shall be paid on the date of conversion of the Series B Shares
into our common shares. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the
Series B Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series B
Shares have been paid or set aside for payment.
(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series B Shares, as such, shall not be entitled to
receive notice of, and to attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders, unless we
shall have failed to pay the dividend due to such holders. In that event and only for so
long as the said dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series B Shares shall be
entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders meetings,
except meetings at which only holders of another specified series or class of shares are
entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each Series B Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above (the
holders of Series B Shares are entitled to receive the dividend referred to in paragraph
(a) above) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of the Series B Shares are entitled to
receive, in preference to the holders of common shares, an amount equal to $1.00
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per
Series B Share and the dividend referred to in paragraph (a) above in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series B Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common
shares, an amount equal to $1.00 per Series B Share held and the dividend referred to in
paragraph (a) above.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series B Shares may require us to redeem the
Series B Shares at any time at a price of $1.00 per share plus the dividend referred to
in paragraph (a) above. In addition, we may, at our option, redeem the Series B Shares
at a price of $1.00 per share plus the dividend referred to in paragraph (a) above.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions:
None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by us
: Our by-laws provide that our directors may,
from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in respect of or
otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our share capital
on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The directors may,
from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid upon
their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series B
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares
: None.
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series C Shares shall be entitled
to receive in each fiscal year fixed cumulative preferred dividends at the rate of
11.25% per share per annum. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the
Series C Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series C
Shares have been paid or set aside for payment.
(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series C Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders unless we shall
have failed to pay certain dividends on the Series C Shares. In that event and only for
so long as the dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series C Shares shall be
entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders meetings,
except meetings at which only holders of another specified series or class of shares are
entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each Series C Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above (the
holders of Series C Shares are entitled to receive a 11.25% cumulative preferential
dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series C Shares are entitled to
receive, in preference to the holders of Common Shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per
Series C Share and any accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto in the
event of our liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation:
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series C Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of Common
Shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per Series C Share and any accumulated and unpaid
dividends with respect thereto.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series C Shares may require us to redeem the
Series C preferred shares at any time at a price of $1,000 per share plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto. In addition, we may, at its
option, redeem the Series C Shares at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends with respect thereto.
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(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by us
: Our by-laws provide that our directors may,
from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in respect of or
otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our share capital
on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The directors may,
from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid upon
their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series C
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares
: None.
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series D Shares shall be entitled
to receive in each fiscal year fixed cumulative preferred dividends at the rate of 11.0%
per share per annum. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the Series
D Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series D Shares
have been paid or set aside for payment.
(b)
Voting rights: Holders of Series D Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders unless we shall
have failed to pay certain dividends on the Series D Shares. In that event and only for
so long as the dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series D Shares shall be
entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders meetings,
except meetings at which only holders of another specified series or class of shares are
entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each Series D Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above (the
holders of Series D Shares are entitled to receive a 11.0% cumulative preferential
dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series D Shares are entitled to
receive, in preference to the holders of Common Shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per
Series D Share and any accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto in the
event of our liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series D Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of Common
Shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per Series D Share and any accumulated and unpaid
dividends with respect thereto.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series D Shares may require us to redeem the
Series D preferred shares at any time at a price of $1,000 per share plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto. In addition, we may, at its
option, redeem the Series D Shares at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends with respect thereto.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by us
: Our by-laws provide that our directors may,
from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in respect of or
otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our share capital
on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The directors may,
from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid upon
their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series D
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares
: None.
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(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series F Shares shall be entitled
to receive in each fiscal year fixed cumulative semi-annual dividends at the rate of
10.85% per share per annum. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the
Series F Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series F
Shares have been paid or set aside for payment.
(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series F Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders unless we shall
have failed to pay eight semi-annual dividends on the Series F Shares. In that event and
only for so long as the dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series F Shares
shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders
meetings, except meetings at which
only holders of another specified series or class of shares are entitled to vote. At
each such meeting, each Series F Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above
(holders of Series F Shares are entitled to receive a 10.85% cumulative preferential
semi-annual dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series F Shares are
entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common shares, an amount equal to
$1,000 per Series F Share and any accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto
in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series F Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common
shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per Series F Share and any accumulated and unpaid
dividends with respect thereto.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series F Shares may require us to redeem the
Series F preferred shares at any time at a price of $1,000 per share plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto. In addition, we may, at our
option, redeem the Series F Shares at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends with respect thereto.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by Quebecor Media
: Our by-laws provide that our
directors may, from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in
respect of or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our
share capital on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law
or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The
directors may, from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any
moneys unpaid upon their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series F
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares
: None.
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series G Shares shall be entitled
to receive in each fiscal year fixed cumulative semi-annual dividends at the rate of
10.85% per share per annum. No dividends may be paid on any shares ranking junior to the
Series G Shares unless all dividends which shall have become payable on the Series G
Shares have been paid or set aside for payment.
(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series G Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders unless we shall
have failed to pay eight semi-annual dividends on the Series G Shares. In that event and
only for so long as the dividend remains in arrears, the holders of Series G Shares
shall be entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, all shareholders
meetings, except meetings at which
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only holders of another specified series or class of
shares are entitled to vote. At each such meeting, each Series G Share shall entitle the
holder thereof to one vote.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above
(holders of Series G Shares are entitled to receive a 10.85% cumulative preferential
semi-annual dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series G Shares are
entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common shares, an amount equal to
$1,000 per Series G Share and any accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto
in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or reorganization), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series G Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common
shares, an amount equal to $1,000 per Series G Share and any accumulated and unpaid
dividends with respect thereto.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series G Shares may require us to redeem the
Series G preferred shares at any time at a price of $1,000 per share plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends with respect thereto. In addition, we may, at our
option, redeem the Series G Shares at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated
and unpaid dividends with respect thereto.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by Quebecor Media
: Our by-laws provide that our
directors may, from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in
respect of or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the unissued shares of our
share capital on such terms and conditions, for such consideration not contrary to law
or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by the Board of Directors. The
directors may, from time to time, make calls upon the shareholders in respect of any
moneys unpaid upon their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series G
Shares as a result of such holders owning a substantial number of shares: None.
(a)
Dividend rights
: The holders of record of the Series E Shares shall be entitled
to receive a maximum non-cumulative preferential monthly dividend at the rate of 1.25%
per share per month, which dividend shall be calculated based on the redemption price
(the amount equal to the aggregate consideration for such share). The Series E Shares
rank senior to the common shares but junior to the Series A Shares, Series B Shares,
Series C Shares and Series D Shares.
(b)
Voting rights
: Holders of Series E Shares shall not, as such, be entitled to
receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of our shareholders.
(c)
Rights to share in our profits
: Except as provided in paragraph (a) above (the
holders of Series E Shares are entitled to receive a 1.25% maximum non-cumulative
preferential monthly dividend) and paragraph (d) below (the holders of Series E Shares
are entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common shares, but subsequent
to the holders of Series A Shares, Series B Shares, Series C Shares and Series D Shares,
an amount equal to the redemption price of the Series E Shares and the amount of any
declared but unpaid dividends on the Series E Shares referred to in paragraph (a)
above), none.
(d)
Rights upon liquidation
: In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or
reorganization or any other distribution of our assets among our shareholders for the
purpose of winding-up our affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
Series E Shares shall be entitled to receive, in preference to the holders of common
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shares, but subsequent to the holders of Series A Shares, Series B Shares, Series C
Shares and Series D Shares, an amount equal to the redemption price of the Series E
Shares held and the amount of any declared but unpaid dividends on the Series E Shares
referred to in paragraph (a) above.
(e)
Redemption provisions
: Holders of Series E Shares may require us to redeem the
Series E preferred shares at any time at a price equal to the redemption price plus an
amount equal to any dividends declared thereon but unpaid up to the date of redemption.
The redemption price shall be equal to the aggregate consideration received for such
share.
(f)
Sinking fund provisions
: None.
(g)
Liability to capital calls by us: Our by-laws provide that our directors may,
from time to time, accept subscriptions, allot, issue, grant options in respect of or
otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the
unissued shares of our share capital on such terms and conditions, for such
consideration not contrary to law or to the
Companies Act
(Québec) and as determined by
the Board of Directors. The directors may, from time to time, make calls upon the
shareholders in respect of any moneys unpaid upon their shares.
(h)
Provisions discriminating against existing or prospective holders of Series E
Shares
: None.
4.
For a description of the action necessary to change the rights of
holders of our Cumulative First Preferred Shares, see Section 3.
Cumulative First Preferred Shares above. As regards our Preferred
Shares, Series E, we will not, unless consented to by the holders of
the Series E Shares and upon compliance with the provisions of the
Companies Act
(Québec), repeal, amend or otherwise alter any
provisions of the Articles relating to the Series E Shares. Under the
general provisions of the
Companies Act
(Québec), (i) our Articles may
be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds
(
2
/
3
) of
the vote cast by the shareholders at a special meeting, and (ii) our
by-laws may be amended by our directors and ratified by a majority of
the vote cast by the shareholders at a meeting called for such
purpose.
5.
Our by-laws provide that the annual meetings of the shareholders shall
be held at such time, on such date and at such place as the Board of
Directors determines from time to time. Annual meetings of the
shareholders may be called at any time by order of the Board of
Directors, the chairman of the board, or, provided they are directors
of our company, by the president or any vice president. Special
general meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such time, on
such date and at such place as the Board of Directors determines from
time to time. Special general meetings of the shareholders may be
called at any time by order of the Board of Directors, the chairman of
the board, or, provided they are directors of our company, by the
president or any vice president.
For any general meeting, our by-laws provide that a notice specifying
the date, time and place of the meeting and the items to be discussed
at the meeting must be sent to each shareholder entitled to vote at
that meeting (at the address indicated in our books) at least
twenty-one (21) days before the date of such a meeting. If the
convening of any meeting of shareholders is a matter of urgency,
notice of a meeting may be given not less than 48 hours before such
meeting is to be held.
The Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the President, if he is
a director or, in his absence, one of the Vice Presidents who is a
director of our company shall preside at all meetings of shareholders.
If all of the aforesaid officers are absent or decline to act, the
persons present and entitled to vote may choose one of their number to
act as chairman of the meeting.
Our by-laws provide that the holders of not less than 50.1% of the
outstanding shares of our share capital carrying rights to vote at
such meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for any meeting of our shareholders.
6.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the Articles or
other constituent documents on the right of
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nonresidents or foreign owners to hold or vote shares, other than as
provided in the
Investment Canada Act
(Canada). The
Investment Canada
Act
requires non-Canadian (as defined in the
Investment Canada Act
)
(Canada) individuals, governments, corporations and other entities who
wish to acquire control of a Canadian business (as defined in the
Investment Canada Act
(Canada)) to file either an application for
review (when certain asset value thresholds are met) or a post closing
notification with the Director of Investments appointed under the
Investment Canada Act
(Canada), unless a specific exemption applies.
The
Investment Canada Act
(Canada) requires that, when an acquisition
of control of a Canadian business by a non-Canadian is subject to
review, it must be approved by the Minister responsible for the
Investment Canada Act
(Canada) on the basis that the Minister is
satisfied that the acquisition is likely to be of net benefit to
Canada, having regard to criteria set forth in the
Investment Canada
Act
(Canada).
7.
The Articles provide that none of our shares may be transferred
without the consent of the directors expressed in a resolution duly
adopted by them. In addition, the total number of shareholders of our
company is limited to fifty, exclusive of present or former employees
of our company or a subsidiary.
A register of transfers containing the date and particulars of all
transfers of shares of our share capital shall be kept either at our
head office or at another of our offices or at such other place in the
Province of Québec as may be determined, from time to time, by the
Board of Directors.
8.
Not applicable.
9.
Not applicable.
10.
Not applicable.
(a)
Indenture relating to US$700,000,000 of our 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes due March 15, 2016,
dated as of October 5, 2007, by and between Quebecor Media Inc., and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee.
On October 5, 2007, we issued US$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 7
3
/
4
%
Senior Notes due March 15, 2016 pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of October 5, 2007,
by and between Quebecor Media and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. These
notes are unsecured and are due on March 15, 2016. Interest on these notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December
15, 2007. These notes are not guaranteed by our subsidiaries. These notes are
redeemable, at our option, under certain circumstances and at the redemption prices set
forth in these indentures. These indentures contain customary restrictive covenants with
respect to Quebecor Media and certain of its subsidiaries and customary events of
default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, other than our bankruptcy or
insolvency, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount at maturity
of the then-outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable
immediately.
In connection with the issuance of these notes, we agreed to file, within 120 days after
the issue date of the notes, a registration statement relating to the exchange of these
privately placed notes for publicly registered exchange notes with substantially
identical terms evidencing the same continuing indebtedness. We also agreed to use our
best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective within 210 days
after the issue date of the notes and to consummate the exchange offer with 255 days
after the issue date of the notes. In this regard, we filed a registration statement on
Form F-4 with the SEC on November 20, 2007 and commenced the registered exchange offer
on February 21, 2008. These notes were issued under a different indenture than, and do
not form a single series and are not fungible with, our 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes due 2016
which we issued in 2006, as described in the next paragraph.
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(b)
Indenture relating to US$525,000,000 of our 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes due March 15, 2016,
dated as of January 17, 2006, by and between Quebecor Media Inc., and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee.
On January 17, 2006, we issued US$525,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our 7
3
/
4
%
Senior Notes due March 15, 2016 pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of January 17, 2006,
by and between Quebecor Media and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. These
notes are unsecured and are due on March 15, 2016. Interest on these notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15,
2006. These notes are not guaranteed by our subsidiaries. These notes are redeemable, at
our option, under certain circumstances and at the redemption prices set forth in these
indentures. These indentures contain customary restrictive covenants with respect to
Quebecor Media and certain of its subsidiaries and customary events of default. If an
event of default occurs and is continuing, other than our bankruptcy or insolvency, the
trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount at maturity of the
then-outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
In connection with the issuance of these notes, we agreed to file an exchange offer
registration statement with the SEC with respect to a registered offer to exchange
without novation the unregistered notes for our new SEC-registered 7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes
due 2016 evidencing the same continuing indebtedness and having substantially identical
terms. We filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC on May 8, 2006 and
completed the registered exchange offer on July 14, 2006.
(c)
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2006, by and among Quebecor Media Inc.,
as Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
On January 17, 2006, in connection with our refinancing plan, we entered into Senior
Secured Credit Facilities comprised of (i) a 5-year $100.0 million revolving credit
facility that matures in January 2011, (ii) a 5-year $125.0 million term loan A that
matures in January 2011, and (iii) a 7-year US$350.0 million term loan B facility that
matures in January 2013. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities also include an
uncommitted $350 million incremental facility that may be available to us, subject to
compliance at all times with all financial covenants, absence of default and lenders
being willing to fund the incremental amount. This incremental facility will have a term
to be agreed with the lenders, although the maturity of borrowings under the incremental
facility will be required to have a maturity falling on or extending beyond the maturity
of the term loan B facility. We may draw Letters of Credit under the Senior Secured
Credit Facilities. The proceeds of the term loan A and term loan B were used to
refinance existing debt. The proceeds of our revolving facility may be used for our
general corporate purposes.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility, term loan A and term loan B bear
interest at the Canadian prime rate, the U.S. prime rate, the bankers acceptance rate
or LIBOR, plus, in each case, an applicable margin.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are repayable in full in January 2011.
Borrowings under our term loan A facility are repayable in full in January 2011 and
borrowing under our term loan B facility are repayable in full in January 2013. We are
also required to make specified quarterly repayments of amounts borrowed under the term
loan A and term loan B.
Borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and under eligible derivative
instruments are secured by a first-ranking hypothec and security agreement (subject to
certain permitted encumbrances) on all of our movable property and first-ranking pledges
of all of the shares (subject to certain permitted encumbrances) of Sun Media and
Videotron.
The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary covenants that restrict and limit
our ability to, among other things, enter into merger or amalgamation transactions,
grant encumbrances, sell assets, pay dividends or make other distributions, issue shares
of capital stock, incur indebtedness and enter into related party transactions. In
addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary financial covenants.
The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary events of default including the
non-payment of principal or
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interest, the breach of any financial covenant, the failure
to perform or observe any other covenant, certain bankruptcy events relating to Quebecor
Media and its subsidiaries, and the occurrence of a change of control.
(d)
Indenture relating to US$650,000,000 of Videotrons 6
7
/
8
% Senior Notes due January
15, 2014, dated as of October 8, 2003, by and among Vidéotron ltée, the guarantors party
thereto and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (now Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association) as trustee, as supplemented.
On October 8, 2003, Videotron issued US$335.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6
7
/
8
% Senior Notes due January 15, 2014 and, on November 19, 2004, Videotron issued an
additional US$315.0 million in aggregate principal amount of these notes, pursuant to an
Indenture, dated as of October 8, 2003, by and among Videotron, the guarantors party
thereto and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. (now Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association), as trustee. These notes are unsecured and are due January 15, 2014.
Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of
each year, beginning on July 15, 2004. These notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis by most, but not all, of Videotrons subsidiaries. The notes are redeemable, at
Videotrons option, under certain circumstances and at the redemption prices set forth
in the indenture. The indenture contains customary restrictive covenants with respect to
Videotron and certain of its subsidiaries and customary events of default. If an event
of default occurs and is continuing (other than Videotrons bankruptcy or insolvency)
the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount at maturity of the
then-outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
(e)
Indenture relating to US$175,000,000 of Videotrons 6
3
/
8
% Senior Notes due December
15, 2015, dated as of September 16, 2005, by and among Vidéotron ltée, the guarantors
party thereto, and Wells Fargo, National Association, as trustee.
On September 16, 2005, Videotron issued US$175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
6
3
/
8
Senior Notes due December 15, 2015, pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of September
16, 2005, by and among Videotron, the guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo,
National Association, as trustee. These notes are unsecured and are due on December 15,
2015. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and
December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2005. These notes are guaranteed on
a senior unsecured basis by most, but not all, of Videotrons subsidiaries. These notes
are redeemable, at Videotrons option, under certain circumstances and at the redemption
prices set forth in the indenture. The indenture contains customary restrictive
covenants with respect to Videotron and certain of its subsidiaries, and customary
events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, other than
Videotrons bankruptcy or insolvency, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount at maturity of the then-outstanding notes may declare all the notes to
be due and payable immediately.
(f)
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 19, 2004, by and
among Vidéotron ltée, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the financial
institutions party thereto from time to time, as lenders, and Royal Bank of Canada, as
administrative agent, as amended.
On November 19, 2004, concurrently with the closing of the private placement of a new
series of Videotrons 6
7
/
8
% Senior Notes due January 15, 2014, Videotron amended and
restated its credit agreement, dated as of November 28, 2000, by executing and
delivering the seventh amending agreement to its credit agreement. Pursuant to this
amendment, Videotrons amended and restated credit agreement provides for a $450.0
million revolving credit facility maturing in 2009. The proceeds of Videotrons
revolving credit facility are to be used for Videotrons general corporate purposes,
including for distributions to Videotrons shareholder in certain circumstances.
Borrowings under Videotrons amended and restated credit facility bear interest at the
Canadian prime rate, the bankers acceptance rate or LIBOR, plus, in each case, an
applicable margin. Borrowings under Videotrons revolving credit facility are repayable
in full in November 2009.
Borrowings under this amended and restated credit facility and under eligible derivative
instruments are secured by a first-ranking hypothec or security interest (subject to
certain permitted encumbrances) on most but not all
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of Videotrons current and future
assets, as well as those of the guarantors party thereto, including most but not all of
Videotrons subsidiaries (the Videotron Group), guarantees of all the members of the
Videotron Group, pledges of the shares of Videotron and the members of the Videotron
Group, and other security.
This amended and restated credit facility contains customary covenants that restrict and
limit the ability of Videotron and the members of the Videotron Group to, among other
things, enter into merger or amalgamation transactions, grant encumbrances, sell assets,
pay dividends or make other distributions, issue shares of capital stock, incur
indebtedness and enter into related party transactions. In addition, this amended and
restated credit facility contains customary financial covenants. It also contains
customary events of default including the non-payment of principal or interest, the
breach of any financial covenant, the failure to perform or observe any other covenant,
certain bankruptcy events relating to Videotron and the members of the Videotron Group,
and the occurrence of a change of control.
(g)
Indenture relating to US$205,000,000 of Sun Medias 7
5
/
8
% Senior Notes due
February 15, 2013, dated as of February 7, 2003 by and among Sun Media Corporation, the
guarantors party thereto, and National City Bank, as trustee, as supplemented.
On February 7, 2003 Sun Media issued US$205.0 million aggregate principal amount of its
7
5
/
8
% Senior Notes due February 15, 2013 under an Indenture, dated as of February 7,
2003, as supplemented, by and among Sun Media, the guarantors party thereto, and
National City Bank, as trustee. These notes are
unsecured and are due February 15, 2013. Interest on these notes is payable
semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on August
15, 2003. These notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by most, but not all,
of Sun Medias subsidiaries. These notes are redeemable, at Sun Medias option, under
certain circumstances and at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture. The
indenture contains customary restrictive covenants with respect to Sun Media and certain
of its subsidiaries and customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and
is continuing, other than Sun Medias bankruptcy or insolvency, the trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount at maturity of the then-outstanding notes
may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
(h)
Credit Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2003, by and among Sun Media
Corporation, the guarantors party thereto, Banc of America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse
First Boston Canada, the lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, as amended.
On February 7, 2003, as part of the refinancing of its indebtedness, Sun Media entered
into a secured credit facility consisting of a five-year revolving credit facility of
$75.0 million and a six-year US$230.0 million term loan B. In connection with Quebecor
Medias 2006 refinancing, Sun Medias credit facility was amended for the addition of a
$40.0 million term loan C in January 2006. On October 31, 2007, Sun Media repaid in full
and terminated its term loan B. In addition, on October 31, 2007, Sun Media entered
into a Fifth Amending Agreement to its credit agreement. The amendment reduced the
revolving credit facility from $75.0 million to $70.0 million, extends the term of the
credit facilities to October 31, 2012, and modifies certain definitions and covenants
related to leverage and interest coverage ratios, while removing the fixed charge ratio.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the term loan C are repayable in full
in October 2012. Sun Media is also required to make specified quarterly repayments of
amounts borrowed under the term loan C.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the term loan C facility are in
Canadian dollars and bear interest at the Canadian prime rate or the bankers acceptance
rate plus an applicable margin. The proceeds of the term loan C were used to refinance
existing debt and for permitted distributions to Sun Medias shareholder. The proceeds
of Sun Medias revolving facility may be used for general corporate purposes including
distributions to Sun Medias shareholder in certain circumstances.
Borrowings under this amended and restated credit facility and under eligible derivative
instruments are secured by a first-ranking hypothec and security agreement (subject to
certain permitted encumbrances) on all of Sun Medias current and future assets, as well
as those of the guarantors party thereto, including most, but not all, of
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Sun Medias
subsidiaries (the Sun Media Group), guarantees of all the members of the Sun Media
Group, pledges of shares of the members of the Sun Media Group, and other security.
This credit facility contains customary covenants that restrict and limit the ability of
Sun Media and its subsidiaries to, among other things, enter into merger or amalgamation
transactions, grant encumbrances, sell assets, pay dividends or make other
distributions, issue shares of capital stock, incur indebtedness and enter into related
party transactions. In addition, this credit facility contains customary financial
covenants. This credit facility also contains customary events of default including the
non-payment of principal or interest, the breach of any financial covenant, the failure
to perform or observe any other covenant, certain bankruptcy events relating to Sun
Media and members of the Sun Media Group, and the occurrence of a change of control.
(i)
Share Purchase Agreement dated December 22, 2003 between Carlyle VTL Holdings,
L.P. and Carlyle Partners III (Vidéotron), L.P., and Quebecor Media Inc. and 9101-0827
Québec Inc. relating to the purchase by 9101-0827 Québec Inc. of 5,000 Class C Preferred
Shares of 3662527 Canada Inc., as amended by a First Amendment to Share Purchase
Agreement dated as of December 31, 2004, and by an Assignment and Assumption Agreement
dated as of June 30, 2006.
On December 22, 2003, 9101-0827 Québec Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media
entered into an agreement with Carlyle VTL Holdings, L.P. and Carlyle Partners III
(Vidéotron), L.P. (collectively Carlyle) to purchase the 5,000 Class C Preferred
Shares held by Carlyle in 3662527 Canada Inc., the parent company of Vidéotron Télécom
Ltd., Quebecor Medias business telecommunications venture. The acquisition
was made for a purchase price with a value estimated at approximately $125 million at
closing. A payment of $55 million was made to Carlyle at closing on December 22, 2003.
The balance of the purchase price was subject to variation on the basis of the valuation
of the common shares of Quebecor Media and was payable on demand at any time after
December 15, 2004, but no later than December 15, 2008. Quebecor Media held an option
to pay this Additional Amount in cash, at its fair value for a period of 30 days
following each of June 15, 2007 and June 15, 2008. At the date of the transaction, both
parties had agreed that the initial value of the Additional Amount payable was $70.0
million ($122.0 million as at December 31, 2006), and on July 23, 2007, Quebecor Media
exercised its option to pay in full the Additional Amount payable to The Carlyle Group
for total cash consideration of $127.2 million.
(j)
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2007, by
and among 4411986 Canada Inc., Osprey Media LP and Osprey Media Income Fund, as
borrowers, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as lenders, and
The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent, as amended.
On September 28, 2007, 4411986 Canada Inc., Osprey Media LP and Osprey Media Income Fund
entered into a fourth amended and restated secured credit facility consisting of a
39-month revolving credit facility of $65.0 million and a 39-month $133.3 million term
facility. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the term facility are
repayable in full in January 2011.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the term facility are in Canadian
dollars and bear interest at the Canadian prime rate or the bankers acceptance rate
plus an applicable margin. The proceeds of the term facility were used to refinance
existing debt. The proceeds of Osprey Medias revolving facility may be used for
general corporate purposes including acquisitions, capital expenditures and
distributions to Osprey Medias shareholder (subject in each case to certain
restrictions).
Borrowings under this Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and under eligible
derivative instruments are secured by a first-ranking hypothec and security agreement
(subject to certain permitted encumbrances) on all of Osprey Medias current and future
assets, as well as those of its subsidiaries (the Osprey Media Group) and other
security.
This credit facility contains customary covenants that restrict and limit the ability of
Osprey Media and its subsidiaries to, among other things, enter into merger or
amalgamation transactions, grant encumbrances, sell
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assets, pay dividends or make other
distributions, issue shares of capital stock, incur indebtedness and enter into related
party transactions. In addition, this credit facility contains customary financial
covenants. This credit facility also contains customary events of default including the
non-payment of principal or interest, the breach of any financial covenant, the failure
to perform or observe any other covenant, and certain bankruptcy events relating to
Osprey Media and members of the Osprey Media Group.
dealers in stocks, securities or currencies;
securities traders that use a mark-to-market accounting method;
banks and financial institutions;
insurance companies;
regulated investment companies;
real estate investment trusts;
tax-exempt organizations;
persons holding notes as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle;
persons deemed to sell notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;
persons who or that are, or may become, subject to the expatriation provisions of
the Code;
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; and
direct, indirect or constructive owners of 10% or more of our outstanding voting shares.
an individual citizen or resident alien of the United States;
a corporation or other entity treated as such formed in or under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless
of its source; or
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision
over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons (within the
meaning of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust, or if a valid election is in effect to be treated as a U.S. person.
Table of Contents
a portion of the initial purchase price of the note is attributable to pre-issuance
accrued interest,
the first stated interest payment on the note is to be made within one year of the
notes issue date, and
the first stated interest payment will equal or exceed the amount of the
pre-issuance accrued interest.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received (less any
portion allocable to the payment of accrued interest or, in the case of 2007 OID notes,
OID not previously included in income, which amount will be taxable as ordinary
interest income); and
the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the notes.
fails to furnish a social security number or other taxpayer identification number
(TIN) certified under penalty of perjury within a reasonable time after the request
for the TIN;
furnishes an incorrect TIN;
is notified by the IRS that is has failed to report properly interest or dividends;
or
under certain circumstances, fails to provide a certified statement, signed under
penalties of perjury, that the TIN furnished is the correct number and that such holder
is not subject to backup withholding.
Table of Contents
F
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G
Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H
Documents on Display
Table of Contents
I
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Twelve month period ending December 31,
(in millions)
$
24.7
181.8
121.6
171.9
49.3
2,528.5
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
2007
2006
$
2,723,699
$
2,520,904
921,489
614,494
76,024
23,580
724,564
19,115
$
4,445,776
$
3,178,093
Table of Contents
(1)
Audit Fees consist of fees approved for the annual audit of the Companys
consolidated financial statements and quarterly reviews of interim financial statements of
the Company with the SEC, including required assistance or services that only the external
auditor reasonably can provide and accounting consultations on specific issues.
(2)
Audit-related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are
traditionally performed by the external auditor, and include consultations concerning
financial accounting and reporting standards on proposed
transactions, due diligence or accounting work related to acquisitions; employee
benefit plan audits, and audit or attestation services not required by statute or
regulation and audit and attestation services required by statute or regulation, such
as comfort letters and consents, SEC prospectus and registration statements, other
filings and other offerings, including annual reports and SEC forms and statutory
audits.
(3)
Tax Fees include fees billed for tax compliance services, including the preparation
of original and amended tax returns and claims for refunds, tax consultations, such as
assistance and representation in connection with tax audits and appeals, tax advice
related to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, transfer pricing, and requests for
advance tax rulings or technical interpretations.
(4)
All Other Fees include fees billed for forensic accounting and occasional training
services, assistance with respect to internal controls over financial reporting and
disclosure controls and procedures.
Exhibit
Number
Description
Articles of Incorporation of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5,
2001, Registration Statement No. 333-13792).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation filed February 3, 2003 (translation)
(incorporated by
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
Description
reference to the applicable exhibit to Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form
20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 31, 2003).
By-laws of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001, Registration
Statement No. 333-13792).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation filed December 5, 2003 (translation)
(incorporated by reference to the applicable exhibit to Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form
20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 31, 2004).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation filed January 16, 2004 (translation)
(incorporated by reference to the applicable exhibit to Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form
20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 31, 2004).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation filed November 26, 2004 (translation)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.6 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 31, 2005).
By-law number 2004-1 of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
1.7 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2004,
filed on March 31, 2005).
By-law number 2004-2 of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
1.8 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2004,
filed on March 31, 2005).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Quebecor Media Inc., as of January 14,
2005 (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.9 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report
on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed on March 29, 2006).
By-law number 2005-1 of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
1.10 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2005,
filed on March 31, 2006).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Quebecor Media, Inc., as of January
12, 2007 (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.11 of Quebecor Medias Annual
Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, filed on March 30, 2007).
By-law number 2007-1 of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
1.12 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2006,
filed on March 30, 2007).
Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Quebecor Media Inc., as of November
30, 2007 (translation).
By-law number 2007-2 of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation).
Form of 7
3
/
4
% Senior Note due 2016 originally issued on January 17, 2006 (included as Exhibit A
to Exhibit 2.2 below) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 of Quebecor Medias Annual
Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed on March 29, 2006).
7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of January 17, 2006, by and between Quebecor Media Inc.,
and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 of
Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed on
March 29, 2006).
Form of 7
3
/
4
% Senior Note due 2016 originally issued on October 5, 2007 (included as Exhibit A
to Exhibit 2.4 below) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Quebecor Medias
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated November 20, 2007, Registration Statement No.
333-147551).
7
3
/
4
% Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of October 5, 2007, by and between Quebecor Media Inc.,
and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of
Quebecor Medias
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
Description
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated November 20, 2007, Registration
Statement No. 333-147551).
Form of Sun Media Corporation 7
5
/
8
% Senior Note due 2013 (included in Exhibit A to Exhibit 2.6
below) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2 to Sun Media Corporations
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated April 10, 2003, Registration Statement No.
333-103998).
Indenture relating to Sun Media Corporation 7
5
/
8
% Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of
February 7, 2003, among Sun Media Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors signatory thereto, and
National City Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Sun Media
Corporations Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated April 10, 2003, Registration Statement
No. 333-103998).
Sun Media Corporation First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 30, 2004, by and among Sun
Media Corporation, the subsidiary guarantors signatory thereto, and U.S. Bank Corporate Trust
Services (formerly National City Bank), as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of
Sun Media Corporations annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed
on March 24, 2005).
Form of Vidéotron ltée 6
7
/
8
% Senior Notes due January 15, 2014 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.3 to Vidéotrons Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated January 8,
2004, Registration Statement No. 333-110697).
Form of Notation of Guarantee by the subsidiary guarantors of the 6
7
/
8
% Vidéotron ltée Senior
Notes due January 15, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit E to Exhibit 4.3 to
Vidéotrons Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated January 8, 2004, Registration Statement
No. 333-110697).
Indenture relating to Vidéotron ltée 6
7
/
8
% Notes due 2014, dated as of October 8, 2003, by and
among Vidéotron ltée, the subsidiary guarantors signatory thereto and Wells Fargo Bank
Minnesota, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Vidéotron ltées
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated January 8, 2004, Registration Statement No.
333-110697).
Vidéotron ltée First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 12, 2004, by and among Vidéotron
ltée, SuperClub Vidéotron Canada inc., Les Propriétés SuperClub inc. and Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Vidéotrons
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated January 18, 2005, Registration Statement No.
333-121032).
Form of Vidéotron ltée 6
3
/
8
% Senior Note due 2015 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 2.14 below).
Form of Notation of Guarantee by the subsidiary guarantors of Vidéotron ltées 6
3
/
8
% Senior
Notes due 2015 (included as Exhibit E to Exhibit 2.14 below).
Indenture relating to Vidéotron ltée 6
3
/
8
% Senior Notes, dated as of September 16, 2005, by and
between Vidéotron ltée, the guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo, National Association, as
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Vidéotron ltées Registration Statement
on Form F-4 dated October 14, 2005, Registration Statement No. 333-128998).
Shareholders Agreement dated December 11, 2000 by and among Quebecor Inc., Capital
Communications CDPQ inc. (now known as Capital dAmérique CDPQ inc.) and Quebecor Media,
together with a summary thereof in the English language (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
9.1 to Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001,
Registration Statement No. 333-13792).
Letter Agreement dated December 11, 2000 between Quebecor Inc. and Capital Communications CDPQ
inc. (now known as Capital dAmérique CDPQ inc.) (translation) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 9.2 to Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001
Registration Statement 333-13792).
Written Resolution adopted by the Shareholders of Quebecor Media Inc. on May 5, 2003 relating
to the increase in the size of the Board of Directors of Quebecor Media Inc. (translation)
(incorporated by reference to the applicable exhibit to Quebecor Medias Annual Report on Form
20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 31, 2004).
Lease Agreement dated November 24, 1993 between Le Groupe Vidéotron ltée and National Bank of
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
Description
Canada for the property located at 300 Viger Avenue East, Montréal, Province of Québec, Canada,
together with a summary thereof in the English language (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 to Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001,
Registration Statement No. 333-13792).
Credit Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2006, by and among Quebecor Media Inc., as Borrower,
the financial institutions party thereto from time to time, as Lenders, and Bank of America,
N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Quebecor Medias
Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, filed on March 29, 2006).
Credit Agreement dated as of February 7, 2003 among Sun Media Corporation, as borrower, Bank of
America, N.A., Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, as
arrangers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the financial institutions
signatory thereto, as lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Sun Media
Corporations Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated April 10, 2003, Registration Statement
No. 333-103998).
First Amending Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2003, amending the Credit Agreement dated as
of February 7, 2003 among Sun Media Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit
Suisse First Boston Canada and the lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the applicable
exhibit to Sun Medias Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed
on March 30, 2004).
Second Amending Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2004, amending the Credit Agreement dated as
of February 7, 2003 among Sun Media Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit
Suisse First Boston Canada and the lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of
Sun Media Corporations Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed
on March 24, 2005, Commission file No. 333-6690).
Third Amending Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2006, amending the Credit Agreement dated as
of February 7, 2003, as amended, among Sun Media Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC,
Credit Suisse First Boston Canada, the lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of Sun Media Corporations
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed on March 21, 2006,
Commission file no. 333-6690).
Credit Agreement dated as of November 28, 2000 among Vidéotron ltée, RBC Dominion Securities
Inc., Royal Bank of Canada and the co-arrangers and lenders thereto, together with the First
Amending Agreement dated as of January 5, 2001 and the Second Amending Agreement dated as of
June 29, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Quebecor Media Inc.s Registration
Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001, Registration Statement No. 333-13792).
Sixth Amending Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2003, to the Credit Agreement dated as of
November 28, 2000, among Vidéotron ltée, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the
financial institutions signatory thereto and acknowledged by Le SuperClub Vidéotron ltée,
Groupe de Divertissement SuperClub inc., Vidéotron (1998) ltée, CF Cable TV Inc., Videotron
(Regional) Ltd, Télé-Câble Charlevoix (1997) inc., Vidéotron TVN inc. and Câblage QMI inc., as
guarantors and by Quebecor Media Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Vidéotron
ltées Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated January 8, 2004, Registration Statement No.
333-110697).
Seventh Amending Agreement dated as of November 19, 2004 to the Credit Agreement dated as of
November 28, 2000, among Vidéotron ltée, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the
financial institutions signatory thereto and acknowledged by Le SuperClub Vidéotron ltée,
Groupe de Divertissement SuperClub inc., Vidéotron (1998) ltée, CF Cable TV Inc., Videotron
(Regional) Ltd., 9139-3256 Québec inc., Vidéotron TVN inc., Les Propriétés SuperClub inc. and
SuperClub Vidéotron Canada inc., as guarantors (the Guarantors), and by Quebecor Media Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Vidéotron ltées Registration Statement on Form
F-4 dated January 18, 2005, Registration Statement No. 333-121032).
Form of Amended and Restated Credit Agreement entered into as of November 28, 2000, as amended
by a First Amending Agreement dated as of January 5, 2001, as Second Amending Agreement dated
as of
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
Description
June 29, 2001, a Third Amending Agreement dated December 12, 2001 and accepted by the
Lenders as of December 21, 2001, a Fourth Amending Agreement dated as of December 23, 2002, a
Fifth Amending Agreement dated as of March 24, 2003, a Sixth Amending Agreement dated as of
October 8, 2003 and a Seventh Amending Agreement dated as of November 19, 2004, among Vidéotron
ltée, Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, and the financial institutions signatory
thereto (incorporated by reference to Schedule 2 to Exhibit 10.2 to Vidéotrons Registration
Statement on Form F-4 dated January 18, 2005, Registration Statement No. 333-121032).
Form of Guarantee under the Vidéotron ltée Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to
Schedule D of Exhibit 10.5 to Quebecor Medias Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated
September 5, 2001, Registration Statement No. 333-13792).
Form of Share Pledge of the shares of Vidéotron ltée and of the guarantors of the Vidéotron
ltée Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Schedule E of Exhibit 10.5 to Vidéotrons
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated September 5, 2001, Registration Statement No.
333-13792).
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2006, by and between Société Générale (Canada), as
lender, and Quebecor Media Inc., as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
Quebecor Medias Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated November 20, 2007, Registration
Statement No. 333-147551).
Fourth Amending Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2006, amending the Credit Agreement dated as
of February 7, 2003, as amended, among Sun Media Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC,
Credit Suisse First Boston Canada and the lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as
administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of Quebecor Medias
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated November 20, 2007, Registration Statement No.
333-147551).
Fifth Amending Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2007, amending the Credit Agreement dated as
of February 7, 2003, as amended, among Sun Media Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC,
Credit Suisse First Boston Canada and the lenders party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as
administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Quebecor Medias
Registration Statement on Form F-4 dated November 20, 2007, Registration Statement No.
333-147551).
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2007, between 4411986
Canada Inc., Osprey Media LP, Osprey Media Income Fund, as borrowers, the financial
institutions party thereto, as Credit Facility lenders, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
as syndication agent, Bank of Montreal, as documentation agent, and the Bank of Nova Scotia, as
administrative agent, including the First Amendment, made as of January 1, 2008, to the Fourth
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Statement regarding calculation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
Subsidiaries of Quebecor Media Inc.
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 of Quebecor Medias Annual Report on
Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 31, 2004).
Certification of Pierre Karl Péladeau, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor
Media Inc., pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 78(m)(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Louis Morin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quebecor Media
Inc., pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 78(m)(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Pierre Karl Péladeau, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor
Media Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of Louis Morin, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quebecor Media
Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Table of Contents
QUEBECOR MEDIA INC.
By:
/s/ Louis Morin
Name:
Louis Morin
Title:
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-8
F-10
F-13
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
3,365.9
$
2,998.6
$
2,695.4
2,402.0
2,199.0
1,963.3
290.4
260.7
231.9
240.0
224.6
285.3
11.6
18.9
(0.2
)
1.0
342.6
60.0
(0.4
)
(2.2
)
(0.1
)
5.4
180.0
415.9
(225.0
)
155.2
74.8
(53.7
)
43.5
341.1
(171.3
)
111.7
(19.2
)
(0.4
)
(16.2
)
321.9
(171.7
)
95.5
5.2
2.0
1.0
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
(2.0
)
1.2
(1.3
)
48.0
46.0
1.2
(1.3
)
$
373.1
$
(168.5
)
$
95.2
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
Total
Capital
Contributed
income (loss)
shareholders
stock
surplus
Deficit
(note 20)
equity
$
1,773.7
$
3,216.8
$
(2,529.6
)
$
(1.0
)
$
2,459.9
96.5
96.5
(105.0
)
(105.0
)
(1.3
)
(1.3
)
1,773.7
3,216.8
(2,538.1
)
(2.3
)
2,450.1
(169.7
)
(169.7
)
(23.7
)
(23.7
)
(21.3
)
(21.3
)
0.4
0.4
1.2
1.2
1,752.4
3,217.2
(2,731.5
)
(1.1
)
2,237.0
(14.3
)
(35.5
)
(49.8
)
327.1
327.1
(110.0
)
(110.0
)
46.0
46.0
$
1,752.4
$
3,217.2
$
(2,528.7
)
$
9.4
$
2,450.3
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
321.9
$
(171.7
)
$
95.5
275.4
251.2
225.3
15.0
9.5
6.6
5.4
180.0
4.7
1.2
4.4
5.2
10.5
10.1
4.7
(0.4
)
(1.7
)
1.0
342.6
60.0
(197.3
)
(3.0
)
4.8
7.3
62.7
63.5
(59.1
)
24.5
19.2
0.4
16.2
(1.4
)
0.3
(1.5
)
719.4
374.5
499.1
32.7
(22.2
)
(27.4
)
752.1
352.3
471.7
1.4
2.1
1.0
753.5
354.4
472.7
(468.7
)
(435.5
)
(319.8
)
(438.6
)
(10.5
)
(110.5
)
8.5
0.5
4.3
1.2
39.2
59.1
6.1
9.4
5.5
(14.9
)
(16.1
)
15.9
(15.9
)
15.9
(1.5
)
(3.4
)
(3.6
)
(907.9
)
(400.5
)
(365.0
)
$
(154.4
)
$
(46.1
)
$
107.7
Table of Contents
Consolidated statements of cash flows (
continued
)
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
(154.4
)
$
(46.1
)
$
107.7
(6.6
)
7.9
12.3
(56.7
)
38.4
72.2
756.1
1,225.8
200.9
(301.3
)
(1,201.2
)
(315.9
)
(127.2
)
21.6
(34.1
)
(110.0
)
(105.0
)
(45.0
)
(4.0
)
(4.5
)
(5.2
)
(3.1
)
(0.6
)
(3.6
)
147.2
(17.6
)
(118.4
)
(7.2
)
(63.7
)
(10.7
)
(0.8
)
0.4
(0.7
)
34.1
97.4
108.8
$
26.1
$
34.1
$
97.4
$
6.8
$
13.9
$
14.9
19.3
20.2
82.5
$
26.1
$
34.1
$
97.4
$
(41.5
)
$
(14.5
)
$
(57.6
)
(6.4
)
(2.7
)
(20.3
)
35.5
(15.8
)
43.7
54.1
24.4
10.9
(9.0
)
(13.6
)
(4.1
)
$
32.7
$
(22.2
)
$
(27.4
)
$
243.3
$
446.3
$
233.5
(1.0
)
7.0
13.5
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
$
26.1
$
34.1
0.2
1.4
496.0
426.2
10.5
17.3
1.9
169.0
158.7
32.7
24.4
153.6
65.9
890.0
728.0
2,110.2
1,830.1
57.4
61.1
422.0
243.6
4,081.3
3,721.1
$
7,560.9
$
6,583.9
Table of Contents
consolidated balance sheets (
continued
)
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
$
16.3
$
20.6
756.0
592.4
202.7
177.6
19.2
8.8
11.9
122.0
24.7
23.1
1,018.9
956.4
3,002.8
2,773.0
538.7
231.3
103.5
125.2
292.5
118.9
154.2
142.1
1,752.4
1,752.4
3,217.2
3,217.2
(2,528.7
)
(2,731.5
)
9.4
(1.1
)
2,450.3
2,237.0
$
7,560.9
$
6,583.9
Table of Contents
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
1,552.6
$
1,309.5
$
1,080.3
1,028.1
928.2
915.6
415.5
393.3
401.4
329.8
315.8
255.4
82.0
73.9
65.1
48.3
41.6
35.2
(90.4
)
(63.7
)
(57.6
)
$
3,365.9
$
2,998.6
$
2,695.4
Table of Contents
Segmented information
(continued)
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
2005
$
642.7
$
512.5
$
413.3
225.9
207.6
222.2
59.4
42.1
53.0
27.0
19.3
27.0
2.8
7.5
3.9
6.9
10.1
9.0
964.7
799.1
728.4
(0.8
)
0.5
3.7
$
963.9
$
799.6
$
732.1
2007
2006
2005
$
219.4
$
198.4
$
179.7
44.7
36.5
30.3
13.2
14.3
13.7
7.9
7.2
4.3
3.0
2.3
1.7
1.6
1.1
0.8
0.6
0.9
1.4
$
290.4
$
260.7
$
231.9
2007
2006
2005
$
330.1
$
302.6
$
219.9
111.4
116.3
74.0
16.2
9.0
12.9
2.9
3.4
7.9
3.3
1.8
1.4
4.6
1.9
0.7
0.2
0.5
3.0
$
468.7
$
435.5
$
319.8
Table of Contents
Segmented information
(continued)
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2007
2006
$
4,460.1
$
4,253.5
2,364.9
1,579.2
407.9
408.9
176.9
178.0
85.9
92.8
61.9
59.8
3.3
11.7
$
7,560.9
$
6,583.9
Table of Contents
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
(a)
Basis of presentation:
(b)
Change in accounting policies:
(i)
Comprehensive income:
(ii)
Financial instruments:
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
(b)
Change in accounting policies (continued):
(ii)
Financial instruments (continued):
(iii)
Hedges:
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(b)
Change in accounting policies (continued):
On adoption of these new standards, the transition rules require that the Company adjust
either the opening retained earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income as if the new
rules had always been applied in the past, without restating comparative figures for prior
years. Accordingly, the following adjustments were recorded in the consolidated financial
statements as of January 1, 2007:
Decrease in other assets of $44.4 million
Increase in the liability related to derivative financial instruments of $88.9
million
Decrease in long-term debt of $65.5 million
Decrease in future income tax liabilities of $18.0 million
Increase in deficit of $14.3 million
Increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $35.5 million
The adoption of the new standards resulted in a decrease of $6.0 million in net income
during the year ended December 31, 2007.
(c)
Foreign currency translation:
Financial statements of self-sustaining foreign operations are translated using the rate in
effect at the balance sheet date for asset and liability items, and using the average
exchange rates during the year for revenues and expenses. Adjustments arising from this
translation are recorded in other comprehensive income and are reclassified in income only
when a reduction in the investment in these foreign operations is realized.
Other foreign currency transactions are translated using the temporal method. Translation
gains and losses are included in financial expenses.
(d)
Use of estimates:
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, related amounts of revenues and expenses, and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. Significant areas requiring the use of management
estimates relate to the determination of pension and post-retirements benefits costs, key
economic assumptions used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, the provision
for obsolescence, the allowance for sales returns, legal contingencies, reserves for the
restructuring of operations, the useful life of assets for amortization and evaluation of
expected future cash flows to be generated by those assets, the determination of implied
fair value of goodwill and fair value of assets and liabilities for business purchase price
allocations purposes and goodwill impairment tests purposes, fair value of broadcasting
licences for impairment tests purposes, provisions for income taxes and determination of
future income tax assets and liabilities, and the determination of fair value of financial
instruments and derivatives instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(e)
Impairment of long-lived assets:
The Company reviews long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is
recognized when the carrying amount of a group of assets held for use exceeds the sum of the
undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and eventual disposition. Measurement of an
impairment loss is based on the amount by which the group of assets carrying amount exceeds
its fair value. Fair value is determined using quoted market prices, when available, or
using accepted valuation techniques such as the discounted future cash flows method.
(f)
Revenue recognition:
The Company recognizes its operating revenues when the following criteria are met:
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
the sellers price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
the collection of the sale is reasonably assured.
The portion of revenue that is unearned is recorded under Deferred revenue when customers
are invoiced.
Revenue recognition policies for each of the Companys main segments are as follows:
Cable segment
The Cable segment provides services under arrangements with multiple deliverables, which are
comprised of two separate accounting units: one for subscriber services (cable television,
Internet, IP telephony or wireless telephone, including connecting fees) and the other for
equipment sales to subscribers.
Cable connection fee revenues of the Cable segment are deferred and recognized as revenues
over the estimated average 30-month period that subscribers are expected to remain connected
to the network. The incremental and direct costs related to cable connection fees, in an
amount not exceeding the revenue, are deferred and recognized as an operating expense over
the same 30-month period. Operating revenues from cable and other services, such as
Internet access, IP telephony and wireless telephone, are recognized when services are
rendered. Revenue from equipment sales to subscribers and their costs are recognized in
income when the equipment is delivered and in the case of wireless phones, revenue from
equipment sales are recognized when the phone is delivered and activated. Revenues from
video rentals are recorded as revenue when services are provided. Promotion offers related
to subscriber services are accounted for as a reduction in the related service revenue when
customers take advantage of the offer. Promotion offers related to equipment are accounted
for as a reduction in the related equipment sales when the equipment is delivered.
Operating revenues related to service contracts are recognized in income over the life of
the specific contracts on a straight-line basis over the period in which the services are
provided.
Newspapers segment
Revenues of the Newspapers segment, derived from circulation and advertising are recognized
when the publication is delivered, net of provisions for estimated returns. Revenues from
the distribution of publications and products are recognized upon delivery.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(f)
Revenue recognition (continued):
Broadcasting segment
Revenues of the Broadcasting segment derived from the sale of advertising airtime are
recognized when the advertisement has been broadcasted. Revenues derived from subscription
to speciality television channels are recognized on a monthly basis at the time service is
rendered. Revenues derived from circulation and advertising from publishing activities are
recognized when publication is delivered.
Revenues derived from the distribution of televisual products and movies and from television
program rights are recognized when the customer can begin the exploitation, exhibition or
sale, or when the license period of the arrangement has begun.
Theatrical revenues are recognized over the period of presentation and are based on a
percentage of revenues generated by movie theatres. Revenues generated from the distribution
of video are recognized at the time of delivery of the videocassettes and DVDs, less a
provision for future returns, or are accounted for based on a percentage of retail sales.
Leisure and Entertainment segment
Revenues derived from retail stores, book publishing and distribution activities are
recognized on delivery of the products, net of provisions for estimated returns based on the
segments historical rate of products return.
(g)
Barter transactions:
In the normal course of operations, the Newspapers, the Broadcasting and the
Internet/Portals segments offer advertising in exchange for goods and services. Revenues
thus earned and expenses incurred are accounted for on the basis of the fair value of the
goods and services obtained.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded $19.0 million of barter
advertising ($19.5 million in 2006 and $17.7 million in 2005).
(h)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments purchased three months or less
from maturity and are recorded at fair value. As of December 31, 2007, these highly liquid
investments consisted mainly of bankers acceptances.
(i)
Temporary investments:
Temporary investments consisted mainly of bankers acceptances as of December 31, 2007.
These temporary investments, classified as held for trading, are recorded at fair value.
(j)
Trade receivable:
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the specific credit risk
of its customers and historical trends.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(k)
Tax credits and government assistance:
The Broadcasting and Leisure and Entertainment segments have access to several government
programs designed to support production and distribution of televisual products and movies
and magazine and book publishing in Canada. The financial aid for production is accounted
for as a reduction of expenses. The financial aid for broadcast rights is applied against
investments in televisual products or used directly to reduce operating expenses during the
year. The financial aid for magazine and book publishing is accounted for in revenues when
the conditions for acquiring the government assistance are met.
The Interactive Technologies and Communications and Leisure and Entertainment segments
receive tax credits mainly related to their research and development activities and
publishing activities. These tax credits are accounted for using the cost reduction method.
Under this method, tax credits related to eligible expenses are accounted for as a
reduction in related costs, whether they are capitalized or expensed, in the year the
expenses are incurred, as long as there is reasonable assurance of their realization.
(l)
Inventories:
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method or
the weighted-average cost method, and net realizable value. Net realizable value represents
the market value for all inventories, except for raw materials and supplies, for which it is
replacement cost. Work in progress is valued at the pro-rata billing value of the work
completed.
(m)
Investments in televisual products and movies:
(i)
Programs produced and productions in progress:
Programs produced and productions in progress related to broadcast activities are
accounted for at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost includes direct charges
for goods and services and the share of labour and general expenses relating to each
production. The cost of each program is charged to cost of sales when the program is
broadcasted.
(ii)
Broadcast rights:
Broadcast rights are essentially contractual rights allowing limited or unlimited
broadcast of televisual products or movies. The Broadcasting segment records the
broadcast rights acquired as an asset and the obligations incurred under a licence
agreement as a liability when the broadcast licence period begins and all of the
following conditions have been met: (a) the cost of each program, movies or series is
known or can be reasonably determined; (b) the programs, movies or series have been
accepted in accordance with the conditions of the broadcast licence agreement; (c) the
programs, movies or series are available for the first showing or telecast.
Amounts paid for broadcast rights before all of the above conditions are met are recorded
as prepaid broadcast rights.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(m)
Investments in televisual products and movies (continued):
(ii)
Broadcast rights (continued):
Broadcast rights are classified as short or long term, based on managements estimates of
the broadcast period. These rights are amortized when televisual products and movies are
broadcasted over the contract period, based on the estimated number of showings, using an
amortization method based on future revenues. This amortization is presented in cost of
sales and selling and administrative expenses. Broadcast rights are valued at the lower
of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Broadcast rights payable are classified as
current or long-term liabilities based on the payment terms included in the licence.
(iii)
Distribution rights:
Distribution rights relate to the distribution of televisual products and movies. The
costs include costs for televisual products and movies distribution rights and other
operating costs incurred, which provide future economic benefits. The net realizable
value of distribution rights represents the Broadcasting segments share of future
estimated revenues to be derived, net of future costs. The Broadcasting segment records
an asset and a liability for the distribution rights and obligations incurred under a
licence agreement when (a) the cost of the licence is known or can be reasonably
estimated, (b) the televisual product and movie has been accepted in accordance with the
conditions of the licence agreement and, (c) the televisual product or movie is available
for distribution.
Amounts paid for distribution rights before all of the above conditions are met are
recorded as prepaid distribution rights. Distribution rights are amortized using the
individual film forecast computation method based on actual revenues realized over total
expected revenues.
Estimates of revenues related to distribution of television products and movies are
examined periodically by Broadcasting segment management and revised as necessary. The
value of unamortized costs is reduced to net realizable value, as necessary, based on
this assessment. The amortization of distribution rights is presented in cost of sales
and selling and administrative expenses.
(n)
Income taxes:
The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under
this method, future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Future income
tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates in
effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on future income tax assets and liabilities is
recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment or substantive enactment
date. A valuation allowance is established, if necessary, to reduce any future income tax
asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
In the course of the Companys operations, there are a number of uncertain tax positions due
to the complexity of certain transactions and to the fact that related tax interpretations
and legislation are continually changing. When a tax position is uncertain, the Company
recognizes an income tax benefit or reduces an income tax liability only when the likelihood
is high that the tax benefit will be realized in the future or that the income tax liability
will be extinguished.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(o)
Long-term investments:
Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation
method. Joint ventures represent a negligible portion of the Companys operations.
Investments in companies subject to significant influence are accounted for by the equity
method. As described in note 1(b)(ii), all portfolio investments are classified as
available-forsale. Accordingly, these investments are measured at fair value or at cost, in
the case that they do not have a quoted market price in an active market, and changes in
fair value are recorded in comprehensive income. Prior to 2007, all portfolio investments
were accounted for at cost. Carrying values of investments accounted for by the equity
method or at cost are reduced to estimated market values if there is other than a temporary
decline in the value of the investment.
(p)
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of government grants and investment
tax credits. Cost represents acquisition or construction costs, including preparation,
installation and testing costs and interest incurred with respect to the property, plant and
equipment until they are ready for commercial production. In the case of projects to
construct and connect receiving and distribution networks of cable, cost includes equipment,
direct labour and direct overhead costs. Projects under development may also be comprised of
advances for equipment under construction. Expenditures for additions, improvements and
replacements are capitalized, whereas maintenance and repair expenditures are expensed as
incurred.
Amortization is principally calculated on the straight-line basis over the following
estimated useful lives:
Estimated
Assets
useful life
25 to 40 years
3 to 20 years
3 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease.
The Company does not record an asset retirement obligation in connection with its cable
distribution networks. The Company expects to renew all of its agreements with utility
companies to access their support structures in the future, making the retirement date,
relating to these assets, undeterminable.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(q)
Goodwill and other intangible assets:
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test is carried out
in two steps. In the first step, the carrying amount of the reporting unit is compared to
its fair value. When the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then
the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step is
not required. The second step of the impairment test is carried out when the carrying
amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case the implied fair value of
the reporting units goodwill is compared to its carrying amount to measure the amount of
the impairment loss, if any. When the carrying amount of the reporting units goodwill
exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an
amount equal to the excess.
Intangible assets acquired, such as broadcasting licences and mastheads, that have an
indefinite useful life, are also tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment
test compares the carrying amount of the intangible asset to its fair value, and an
impairment loss is recognized in the statement of income for the excess, if any.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives, such as customer relationships and
non-competition agreements, are amortized over their useful life using the straight-line
method over a period of 3 to 10 years.
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company changed the date of its annual impairment
tests for goodwill and broadcasting licenses from October 1
st
to April
1
st
.
(r)
Deferred start-up costs and financing fees:
Deferred start-up costs are recorded at cost and include development costs related to new
specialty services and pre-operating expenditures and are amortized when commercial
operations begin using the straight-line method over periods of three to five years. Prior
to 2007, financing fees that related to long-term financing were capitalized as other assets
while, effective January 1, 2007, they are capitalized in reduction of long-term debt as
described in note 1(b)(ii). Financing fees are amortized using the effective interest rate
method.
(s)
Stock-based compensation:
The compensation cost attributable to stock-based awards to employees that call for
settlement in cash or other assets, at the option of the employee is recognized in operating
expenses over the vesting period. Changes in the intrinsic value of the stock option awards
between the grant date and the measurement date result in a change in the measurement of the
liability and compensation cost.
In the case of the employee share purchase plans of the Companys subsidiaries, the
contribution paid by the subsidiary on behalf of its employees is considered a compensation
expense. The contribution paid by employees for the purchase of shares is credited to the
subsidiarys capital stock.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(t)
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting:
The Company uses various derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company does not
hold or use any derivative instruments for trading purposes. Under hedge accounting, the
Company documents all hedging relationships between derivatives and hedged items, its
strategy for using hedges and its risk-management objective and also designates its
derivative instruments either as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. The Company assesses
the effectiveness of derivatives when the hedge is put in place and on an ongoing basis.
The Company enters into the following types of derivative instruments:
The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the foreign currency
rate exposure on (i) anticipated equipment or inventory purchases in foreign currency
and (ii) principal payments on certain long-term debt in foreign currency. These
foreign exchange forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
The Company uses cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge (i) the foreign
currency rate exposure on interest and principal payments on certain foreign currency
denominated debt and/or (ii) the fair value exposure on certain debt resulting from
changes in interest rates. The cross-currency interest rate swaps that set in fixed
Canadian dollars all future interest and principal payments on U.S. denominated debt
are designated as cash flow hedges. The Companys cross-currency interest rate swaps
that set in Canadian dollars all future interest and principal payments on U.S.
denominated debt in addition to converting the interest rate from a fixed rate to a
floating rate or to converting a floating rate index to another floating rate index,
are designated as fair value hedges.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage the fair value exposure on certain
debt resulting from changes in interest rates. These swap agreements require a periodic
exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amount on which the
payments are based. These interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges when
they convert the interest rate from a fixed rate to a floating rate or as cash flow
hedges when they convert the interest rate from a floating rate to a fixed rate.
Prior to 2007, under hedge accounting, the Company recorded its hedges relationships as
follows:
For purchases hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign exchange
translation gains and losses were recognized as an adjustment to the cost of property,
plant and equipment or inventories, when the transaction was recorded.
For long-term debt in foreign currency hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts
and cross-currency interest rate swaps, foreign exchange translation gains and losses
on long-term debt were deferred and recorded as derivative instruments under other
assets or other liabilities. The fees on forward foreign exchange contracts and on
cross-currency swaps were recognized as an adjustment to interest expenses over the
term of the agreement.
For long-term debt hedged by interest rate swaps, interest expense on the debt was
adjusted to include payments made or received under interest rate swaps.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(t)
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting (continued):
In addition, realized and unrealized gains or losses associated with derivative
instruments that were terminated or ceased to be effective prior to maturity for
purposes of hedge accounting, were deferred under other current or non-current assets
or liabilities on the balance sheet and recognized in income in the period in which the
underlying hedged transaction was recognized. In the event a designated hedged item
was sold, extinguished or matured prior to the termination of the related derivative
instrument, any realized or unrealized gain or loss on such derivative instrument was
recognized in income.
Effective January 1, 2007, under hedge accounting, the Company follows the accounting
policies described in note 1(b)(iii).
Interest expense on hedged long-term debt is reported at the hedged interest and foreign
currency rates.
Derivative instruments that are ineffective or that are not designated as hedges are
reported on a market-to-market basis in the consolidated financial statements. Any change in
the fair value of these derivative instruments is recorded in income as financial expenses.
Finally, some of the Companys cross-currency swap agreements repurchased in 2006 were
subject to a floor limit on negative fair market value, below which the Company was required
to make prepayments to reduce the lenders exposure. Such prepayments were reimbursed by
reductions in the Companys future payments under the agreements. The portion of these
reimbursements related to interest was accounted for as a reduction in financial expenses.
The prepayments were presented on the balance sheet as a reduction of the derivative
instrument liability.
(u)
Pension plans and postretirement benefits:
(i)
Pension plans:
The Company offers defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans
to some of its employees. Defined benefit pension plan costs are determined using
actuarial methods and are funded through contributions determined in accordance with the
projected benefit method pro-rated on service, which incorporates managements best
estimate of future salary levels, other cost escalations, retirement ages of employees
and other actuarial factors. Pension plan expense is charged to operations and includes:
Cost of pension plan benefits provided in exchange for employee services rendered
during the year.
Amortization of the initial net transition asset, prior service costs and
amendments on a straight-line basis over the expected average remaining service
period of the active employee group covered by the plans.
Interest cost of pension plan obligations, expected return on pension fund
assets, and amortization of cumulative unrecognized net actuarial gains and losses,
in excess of 10.0% of the greater of the accrued benefit obligation or the fair
value of plan assets, over the expected average remaining service period of the
active employee group covered by the plans.
When an event gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is
accounted for prior to the settlement.
Actuarial gains and losses arise from the difference between the actual rate of return on
plan assets for a period and the expected rate of return on plan assets for that period,
or from changes in actuarial assumptions used to determine the accrued benefit
obligation.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued):
(u)
Pension plans and postretirement benefits (continued):
(i)
Pension plans (continued):
The Company uses the fair value at end of the year to evaluate plan assets for the
purpose of calculating the expected return on plan assets
(ii)
Postretirement benefits:
The Company offers health, life and dental insurance plans to some of its retired employees.
The cost of postretirement benefits is determined using actuarial methods and the related
benefits are funded by the Company as they become due. The Company amortizes the cumulative
unrecognized net actuarial gains and losses, in excess of 10.0% of the accrued benefit
obligation, over the expected average remaining service life of the active employee group
covered by the plans.
(v)
Rates subject to CRTC regulation:
The Cable segment operations are subject to rate regulations on certain services based on
geographical regions, mainly by the Broadcasting Act (Canada) and the Telecommunications Act
(Canada), both managed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commissions.
Accordingly, the Cable segments operating revenues could be affected by changes in
regulations or decisions made by this regulating body. The Company does not select
accounting policies that would differ from GAAP, even though the Company is subject to these
regulations.
(w)
Future changes in accounting standards
In December 2006, the CICA issued a new accounting standard, Section 1535, Capital
Disclosures, which requires the disclosure of both qualitative and quantitative information
that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the entitys objectives, policies and
processes for managing capital. The new standard applies to interim and annual financial
statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2007.
In December 2006, the CICA issued two new accounting standards, Section 3862, Financial
Instruments Disclosures, and Section 3863, Financial Instruments Presentation, which
require additional disclosures relating to financial instruments. The new sections apply to
interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after
October 1, 2007.
In March 2007, the CICA issued a new accounting standard, Section 3031, Inventories, which
provides more extensive guidance on the recognition and measurement of inventories, and
related disclosures. This new standard applies to interim and annual financial statements
relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2008. The Company does not expect
this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2008, the CICA issued Section 3064, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, which will
replace Section 3062, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and results in the withdrawal of
Section 3450, Research and Development Costs and Emerging Issues Committee (EIC) Abstract
27, Revenues and Expenditures During the Pre-operating Period, and amendments to Accounting
Guideline (AcG) 11, Enterprises in the Development Stage. The standard provides guidance
on the recognition of intangible assets in accordance with the definition of an asset and
the criteria for asset recognition as well as clarifying the application of the concept of
matching revenues and expenses, whether these assets are separately acquired or internally
developed. This standard applies to interim and annual financial statements relating to
fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the
effects of adopting this standard.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
2.
FINANCIAL EXPENSES:
2007
2006
2005
$
232.4
$
215.0
$
212.7
4.8
7.3
62.7
4.7
1.2
4.4
5.2
10.5
10.1
0.7
1.3
0.9
(2.8
)
(1.5
)
(4.5
)
245.0
233.8
286.3
(5.0
)
(9.2
)
(1.0
)
$
240.0
$
224.6
$
285.3
1
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded a loss of $44.3
million on embedded derivatives not closely related to their host contract and on
derivative instruments for which hedge accounting is not used ($4.1 million in 2006 and
$13.1 million in 2005).
2
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded a gain of $4.8
million for the ineffective portion of fair value hedges.
3.
RESERVE FOR RESTRUCTURING OF OPERATIONS, IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES:
(a)
Newspapers segment:
In August 2005, the Company announced a plan to invest in two new printing facilities
located in Toronto (Ontario) and in Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel (Québec). As part of the
plan, Sun Media Corporation is transfering the printing of certain of its publications in
Ontario and Québec to the new facilities. These projects resulted in the elimination of the
production positions at
The Toronto Sun
and at
The Ottawa Sun
, and inserters positions at
Le Journal de Montréal
. In 2007, special termination benefits of $6.7 million were recorded
relating to the positions at
The Toronto Sun
and
The Ottawa Sun
. In addition, an accrual of
$4.4 million relating to the closure of the printing facility in London (Ontario) was
reversed in the fourth quarter of 2007.
In June 2006, the Newspapers segment announced a plan to restructure its news production
operations by introducing new content management technologies, and streamlining the news
gathering process. In 2007, the Newspapers segment recorded additional severance costs of
$2.3 million ($2.8 million in 2006) relating to the elimination of editorial positions in
operations across the organization.
Finally, in 2006, Sun Media Corporation implemented a voluntary workforce reduction program
at
The London Free Press
and several smaller involuntary workforce reduction programs,
namely at
The Toronto Sun
and
Bowes Publishers
. In 2007, the Newspapers segment recorded
termination benefits of $5.3 million ($3.2 million in 2006) relating to these workforce
reduction initiatives.
The Company does not expect any material restructuring charges in 2008 related to these
initiatives.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
3.
RESERVE FOR RESTRUCTURING OF OPERATIONS, IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES
(continued):
(a)
Newspaper segment (continued):
Continuity of reserve for restructuring
2007
2006
$
12.7
$
9.9
17.0
(16.6
)
(4.3
)
$
6.0
$
12.7
(b)
Other segments:
In 2007, other segments recorded restructuring costs and other special charges of $1.7
million ($1.9 million in 2006) mainly in the Broadcasting segment.
4.
LOSS ON DEBT REFINANCING:
(a)
Quebecor Media Inc.:
The Company used the net proceeds of $672.2 million (including accrued interest of $16.6
million and before financing fees of $9.8 million) from the issuance of new Senior Notes on
October 5, 2007 (note 15 (iv)) and cash on hand to (i) repay in full the $420.0 million of
advances under the Companys Senior Bridge Credit Facility entered into to finance the
acquisition of Osprey Media Publishing Inc. in August 2007 (note 6) and terminate this
facility on October 9, 2007 as well as (ii) to repay the Sun Media Term Loan B and settle
related hedging contracts on October 31, 2007 for a total cash consideration of $277.8
million, resulting in a loss of $1.0 million.
On January 17, 2006, the Company recorded a loss of $331.6 million as a result of the
refinancing of substantially all of its 11.125% Senior Notes and 13.75% Senior Discount
Notes. The loss represents the excess of the consideration paid of $1.3 billion, including
debt repurchase premiums and disbursements for unwinding hedging contracts, over the book
value of the notes and the hedging contracts, and the write-off of deferred financing costs.
The refinancing transactions carried out were as follows:
The Company issued new 7.75% Senior Notes of US$525.0 million in aggregate principal
amount (note 15 (iii)).
The Company entered into new credit facilities comprised of (i) a five-year $125.0
million term loan A credit facility, (ii) a seven-year US$350.0 million term loan B
credit facility and (iii) a new $100.0 million five-year revolving credit facility
(note 15 (i)).
Videotron Ltd. borrowed $237.0 million under its existing revolving credit facility
and Sun Media Corporation amended its existing credit facilities to borrow $40.0
million under a new term loan C maturing in 2009 (note 15 (ix)).
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
4.
LOSS ON DEBT REFINANCING (continued):
(a)
Quebecor Media Inc. (continued):
The proceeds from new Senior Notes, the full amount of new term loans A and B,
the Videotron Ltd. drawing from its existing revolving credit facility and Sun Media
Corporations new term loan C were used to repurchase US$561.6 million in aggregate
principal amount of the Companys 11.125% Senior Notes and US$275.6 million in
aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Companys 13.75% Senior Discount Notes.
On July 15, 2006, the Company repurchased the remaining balances of its 11.125% Senior Notes
and 13.75% Senior Discount Notes for a total cash consideration of $39.3 million. The
repurchase resulted in a loss of $10.5 million.
On July 19, 2005, as a result of the repurchase of a first portion of its 11.125% Senior
Notes and its 13.75% Discount Notes, the Company recorded a loss of $60.8 million, comprised
of the excess of the consideration paid of $215.3 million, including debt repurchase
premiums and disbursements for unwinding hedging contracts, over the carrying value of the
notes and of the hedging contracts, and the write-off of related financing costs. The
Company repurchased US$128.2 million and US$12.1 million, respectively, in aggregate
principal amounts of its Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes.
(b)
Videotron Ltd.:
On July 15, 2005, Videotron Ltd., Cable segment, repurchased the entire aggregate principal
amount of its subsidiary, CF Cable TV Inc., Senior Secured First Priority Notes, which bore
interest at 9.125%, for a total cash consideration of $99.3 million, including the cost of
unwinding a hedging contract. The repurchase resulted in a gain of $0.8 million.
(c)
Sun Media Corporation:
On December 29, 2006, Sun Media Corporation made a partial repayment of US$15.0 million on
its term loan B credit facility (note 15 (ix)) and settled a corresponding portion of its
hedging contracts. As a result, a loss of $0.5 million was recorded.
5.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
In the fourth quarter 2007, the Company concluded that the goodwill of its Cable segment related
to the DVDs and games rental operations in Ontario was impaired. Accordingly, an impairment
charge of $5.4 million was recorded.
In 2006, the Company completed its annual impairment test for its broadcasting licenses and
goodwill. Based on the results, the Company concluded that the carrying values of the
broadcasting licenses and goodwill of its Broadcasting segment were impaired. Conventional
television broadcasters are experiencing pressures on their advertising revenues caused by the
fragmentation of the television market. Accordingly, the Company reviewed its business plan and
recorded a total impairment charge of $179.2 million in 2006: $30.8 million for one of its
broadcasting licenses and $148.4 million for the goodwill.
In addition, in 2006, the Broadcasting segment recorded an impairment charge of $0.8 million
related to an operating licence co-owned with another entity.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
6.
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS:
During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company acquired or increased its
interest in several businesses and has accounted for these by the purchase method. Certain
purchase price allocations related to the 2007 acquisitions are preliminary and should be
finalized as soon as Companys management has gathered all the significant information believed
to be available and considered necessary. The Company is currently in the process of reviewing
Osprey Media Publishing Inc.s operations and developing its integration plan. The results of
operations of these businesses have been included in the Companys consolidated financial
statements from the dates of their respective acquisitions.
2007
In August 2007, the Company acquired all outstanding units of Osprey Media Income Fund,
which subsequently became Osprey Media Publishing Inc. as a result of a corporate
reorganisation, for a total cash consideration, excluding assumed debt, of $415.2 million
(including transaction costs of $0.8 million). As part of the acquisition, the Company
assumed the debt of $161.8 million under Osprey Media Publishing Inc.s credit facilities
(note 15(xi)). Osprey Media Publishing Inc. is one of Canadas leading publishers of daily
and non-daily newspapers, magazines and specialty publications. Its publications include
20 daily newspapers and 33 non-daily newspapers together with shopping guides, magazines
and other publications.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company acquired or increased its interest
in several businesses, mainly in the Newspaper segment, for total consideration of $20.5
million, resulting in preliminary goodwill of $17.4 million.
In January 2007, TVA Group Inc. and Sun Media Corporation paid the balance payable in
the amount of $3.4 million related to the acquisition of SUN TV in 2004.
2006
Several businesses, mainly in the Interactive Technologies and Communications segment,
were acquired for a total consideration of $14.0 million, including $12.6 million in cash
and $1.4 million in Common Shares of a subsidiary, resulting in additional goodwill of $7.6
million.
2005
A total of 3,739,599 Class B non-voting Common Shares of TVA Group Inc., Broadcasting
segment, were repurchased for a cash consideration of $81.9 million, resulting in
preliminary additional goodwill of $22.3 million, which was reduced by $7.3 million in 2006
when the purchase price allocation was finalized.
On December 12, 2005, the Company acquired Sogides Ltée, a major book publishing and
distribution group in Quebec, for a cash consideration of $24.0 million and an additional
contingent payment of $5.0 million based on the achievement of specific conditions in 2008.
This acquisition resulted in a preliminary additional goodwill of $7.8 million, which was
reduced by $2.9 million in 2006 when the purchase price allocation was finalized.
Other businesses were acquired for considerations including cash of $4.6 million and the
operating assets of the community newspaper
Beauport Express
, resulting in additional
goodwill of $3.5 million.
Table of Contents
Notes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
6.
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (continued):
Business acquisitions for 2007 are summarized as follows:
2007
Osprey Media
Publishing Inc.
Other
Total
$
$
0.5
$
0.5
38.5
0.4
38.9
54.3
0.5
54.8
234.4
0.5
234.9
351.0
17.4
368.4
1.9
1.9
678.2
21.2
699.4
(2.3
)
(2.3
)
(27.3
)
(0.7
)
(28.0
)
(161.8
)
(161.8
)
(5.4
)
(5.4
)
(66.2
)
(66.2
)
(263.0
)
(0.7
)
(263.7
)
$
415.2
$
20.5
$
435.7
1
Other assets include mainly intangible assets relating to customer relationship and
non-competition agreements with a
fair value of $130.3 million and mastheads
with a fair value of $103.4 million.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
6.
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (continued):
Business acquisitions for 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows (continued):
2006
2005
$
2.1
$
2.5
13.0
0.2
8.0
4.4
19.9
7.6
22.9
1.2
60.3
18.0
124.1
(0.4
)
(3.1
)
(3.2
)
(0.9
)
(5.3
)
(4.0
)
(8.9
)
$
14.0
$
115.2
$
12.6
$
110.5
1.4
3.6
1.1
$
14.0
$
115.2
7.
INCOME TAXES:
Income taxes on continuing operations are as follows:
2007
2006
2005
$
11.3
$
5.4
$
19.0
63.5
(59.1
)
24.5
$
74.8
$
(53.7
)
$
43.5
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
7.
INCOME TAXES (continued):
The following table reconciles income taxes at the Companys domestic statuary tax rate of 32.0%
in 2007 (32.0% in 2006 and 31.0% in 2005) and income taxes in the consolidated statement of
income:
2007
2006
2005
$
133.2
$
(72.0
)
$
48.1
(0.9
)
(0.3
)
(7.8
)
(9.8
)
6.6
(3.6
)
(7.8
)
(7.5
)
(35.9
)
(12.9
)
11.9
(7.7
)
(15.9
)
47.5
(2.5
)
1.3
0.6
$
74.8
$
(53.7
)
$
43.5
2007
2006
$
245.1
$
336.1
55.5
36.2
9.9
10.3
28.0
(228.1
)
(217.5
)
(75.3
)
(27.5
)
(4.8
)
13.6
30.3
151.2
(111.8
)
(143.1
)
$
(81.5
)
$
8.1
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
7.
INCOME TAXES (continued):
The current and long-term future income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
2007
2006
$
153.6
$
65.9
57.4
61.1
211.0
127.0
(292.5
)
(118.9
)
$
(81.5
)
$
8.1
2007
2006
$
442.8
$
383.3
53.2
42.9
$
496.0
$
426.2
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
10.
INVENTORIES AND INVESTMENTS IN TELEVISUAL PRODUCTS AND MOVIES:
2007
2006
$
44.2
$
42.0
17.1
12.8
61.8
63.8
45.9
40.1
$
169.0
$
158.7
11.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
2007
Accumulated
Cost
amortization
Net amount
$
41.2
$
$
41.2
314.8
60.7
254.1
873.2
447.2
426.0
2,191.1
921.1
1,270.0
118.9
118.9
$
3,539.2
$
1,429.0
$
2,110.2
2006
Accumulated
Cost
amortization
Net amount
$
26.4
$
$
26.4
185.2
48.3
136.9
698.8
409.1
289.7
1,952.2
756.9
1,195.3
181.8
181.8
$
3,044.4
$
1,214.3
$
1,830.1
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
12.
OTHER ASSETS:
2007
2006
$
145.6
$
27.4
103.4
84.2
84.2
27.2
29.4
20.7
9.5
18.8
18.2
11.4
13.0
0.2
16.7
33.6
10.5
11.6
$
422.0
$
243.6
13.
GOODWILL:
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows:
2007
Adjustment of
Balance as at
Business
purchase price
Balance as at
December 31,
acquisitions
allocation and
December 31,
2006
(disposals)
Impairment
other
2007
$
2,581.7
$
0.6
$
(5.4
)
$
$
2,576.9
1,002.5
364.1
1,366.6
51.4
0.1
(0.1
)
51.4
43.4
43.4
11.2
3.1
(1.8
)
12.5
30.9
(0.4
)
30.5
$
3,721.1
$
367.5
$
(5.4
)
$
(1.9
)
$
4,081.3
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
13.
GOODWILL (continued):
2006
Adjustment of
Balance as at
Business
purchase price
Balance as at
December 31,
acquisitions
allocation and
December 31,
2005
(disposals)
Impairment
other
2006
$
2,581.8
$
(0.1
)
$
$
$
2,581.7
1,002.0
0.5
1,002.5
207.1
(148.4
)
(7.3
)
51.4
46.9
(0.6
)
(2.9
)
43.4
3.6
6.7
0.9
11.2
30.5
0.4
30.9
$
3,871.9
$
6.9
$
(148.4
)
$
(9.3
)
$
3,721.1
2005
Adjustment of
Balance as at
Business
purchase price
Balance as at
December 31,
acquisitions
allocation and
December 31,
2004
(disposals)
other
2005
$
2,581.8
$
$
$
2,581.8
1,011.2
1.0
(10.2
)
1
1,002.0
185.3
22.3
(0.5
)
207.1
39.1
7.8
46.9
3.1
1.3
(0.8
)
3.6
30.5
30.5
$
3,851.0
$
32.4
$
(11.5
)
$
3,871.9
1
Recognition of tax benefits not recognized as of the business acquisition date.
14.
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT PAYABLE:
In July 2007, the Company exercised its rights to repay the Additional Amount payable in the
amount of $127.2 million. Until its repayment, the value of the Additional Amount payable,
resulting from the repurchase of the redeemable preferred shares of a subsidiary in 2003,
fluctuated based on a formula established as per the repurchase agreement. Changes in the amount
payable were recorded as financial expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
Effective interest
rate as of
December 31, 2007
Year of maturity
2007
2006
7.07
%
2011-2013
$
439.1
$
520.6
5.15
%
2015
66.7
59.2
7.75
%
2016
514.8
611.8
8.81
%
2016
644.3
1,664.9
1,191.6
5.58
%
2009
147.7
49.0
6.59
%
2014
652.8
769.1
6.44
%
2015
172.8
203.1
973.3
1,021.2
6.27
%
2012
39.1
250.8
7.88
%
2013
198.9
236.0
238.0
486.8
6.13
%
2011
145.3
5.48
%
2010
56.3
96.5
3,077.8
2,796.1
(24.1
)
11.4
(37.6
)
(50.3
)
3,027.5
2,796.1
24.7
20.0
3.1
24.7
23.1
$
3,002.8
$
2,773.0
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
15.
LONG-TERM DEBT (continued):
(i)
The bank credit facilities are comprised of (i) a $125.0 million term loan A credit
facility, bearing interest at bankers acceptance rate, London Interbanking Offered Rate
(LIBOR) or Canadian prime rate, plus a premium determined by a leverage ratio, and
maturing in January 2011, (ii) a US$350.0 million term loan B credit facility, bearing
interest at U.S. prime rate, plus a premium of 1.0%, or at LIBOR, plus a premium of 2.0%,
and maturing in January 2013, and (iii) a $100.0 million revolving credit facility, bearing
interest at bankers acceptance rate, LIBOR or Canadian prime rate, plus a premium
determined by a leverage ratio, and maturing in January 2011. These new credit facilities
contain covenants concerning certain financial ratios and restricting the declaration and
payment of dividends and other distributions. They are collateralized by liens on all of
the movable property and assets of the Company (primarily shares of its subsidiaries), now
owned or hereafter acquired. As of December 31, 2007, the carrying value of the Companys
assets guaranteeing the credit facilities was $4,384.3 million ($3,640.2 million in 2006).
The Company shall repay the term loan A in quarterly repayments equal to 2.5% of the
principal amount during the first three years of the term, 5.0% in the fourth year and
12.5% in the fifth year of the term. It shall repay the principal amount of its term loan
B in quarterly repayments of 0.25% of the principal amount and the balance at the end of
the term. The Company has fully hedged the foreign currency risk associated with the term
loan by using cross-currency interest rate swaps, under which all payments have been set in
Canadian dollars. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, no amount had been drawn on the
revolving credit facility, while $102.0 million ($115.6 million in 2006) and US$343.9
million (US$347.4 million in 2006) were drawn the term A and B credit facilities,
respectively.
(ii)
The long-term committed credit facility with Société Générale (Canada) for the Canadian
dollar equivalent of
59.4 million, bears interest at bankers acceptance rate, plus a
premium, and matures in 2015. The facility is secured by all the property and assets of the
Company, now owned and hereafter acquired. This facility mostly contains the same covenants
as the bank facilities described in (i).
(iii)
In January 2006, the Company issued Senior Notes of US$525.0 million in aggregate
principal amount for net proceeds of $609.0 million, before issuance fees of $9.0 million.
The notes bear interest at 7.75% and mature in March 2016. These notes contain certain
restrictions on the Company, including limitations on its ability to incur additional
indebtedness and pay dividends or make other distributions. The notes are unsecured and are
redeemable at the option of the Company at a decreasing premium, commencing on March 15,
2011. The Company has fully hedged the foreign currency risk associated with the new
Senior Notes by using cross-currency interest rate swaps, under which all payments have
been set in Canadian dollars.
(iv)
In October 2007, the Company issued Senior Notes of US$700.0 million in aggregate
principal amount at a discount price of 93.75% for net proceeds of $672.2 million,
including accrued interest of $16.6 million and before financing fees of $9.8 million. The
new senior notes bear interest at 7.75% for an effective interest rate of 8.81% and mature
in March 2016. These notes contain certain restrictions for the Company, including
limitations on its ability to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or make other
distributions. The notes are unsecured and are redeemable at the option of the Company at a
decreasing premium, commencing on March 15, 2011. The Company has fully hedged the foreign
currency risk associated with the new Senior Notes by using cross-currency interest rate
swaps, under which all payments have been set in Canadian dollars.
(v)
The debts of these subsidiaries are non-recourse to the parent company, Quebecor Media
Inc.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
15.
LONG-TERM DEBT (continued):
(vi)
The credit facility of $450.0 million is a revolving credit facility maturing in
November 2009 and bears interest at bankers acceptance or Canadian prime rates, plus a
margin, depending on Videotron Ltd.s leverage ratio. The credit facility is secured by a
first ranking hypothec on the universality of all tangible and intangible assets, current
and future, of Videotron Ltd. and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2007, the carrying
value of assets guaranteeing the credit facility of Videotron Ltd. was $4,389.4 million
($4,253.5 million in 2006). The credit facility contains covenants such as maintaining
certain financial ratios and some restrictions on the payment of dividends and asset
acquisitions and dispositions.
(vii)
In October 2003, a first series of US$335.0 million in aggregate principal amount of
Senior Notes was issued at discount for net proceeds of $445.6 million, before issuance
fees of $7.6 million. In November 2004, a second series of US$315.0 million in aggregate
principal amount of Senior Notes was issued at premium for net proceeds of $405.1 million
including accrued interest of $8.9 million and before issuance fees of $7.4 million. These
notes bear interest at a rate of 6.875%, payable every six months on January 15 and July
15, and mature in January 2014. The notes contain certain restrictions on Videotron Ltd.,
including limitations on its ability to incur additional indebtedness, and are unsecured.
The Senior Notes are guaranteed by specific subsidiaries of Videotron Ltd. Videotron Ltd.
has fully hedged the foreign currency risk associated with the Senior Notes by using
cross-currency interest rate swaps, under which all payments were set in Canadian dollars.
The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on
or after January 15, 2009, at a decreasing premium.
(viii)
On September 16, 2005, US$175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes
were issued at discount for net proceeds of $205.2 million, before issuance fees of $3.8
million. These notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% payable every six months on December
15 and June 15, and mature on December 15, 2015. The notes contain certain restrictions for
Videotron Ltd., including limitations on its ability to incur additional indebtedness, and
are unsecured. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by specific subsidiaries of Videotron Ltd.
Videotron Ltd. has fully hedged the foreign currency risk associated with the Senior Notes
by using cross-currency interest rate swaps, under which all payments were set in Canadian
dollars. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any
time on or after December 15, 2010, at a decreasing premium.
(ix)
The bank credit facilities amended on October 31, 2007, are comprised of (i) a
revolving credit facility amounting to $70.0 million, maturing in 2012, and (ii) a term
loan C credit facility amounting to $40.0 million also maturing in 2012. The credit
facilities are collateralized by liens on all of the property and assets of Sun Media
Corporation and its operating subsidiaries, now owned or hereafter acquired. The bank
credit facilities contain covenants concerning certain financial ratios and restrictions on
the declaration and payment of dividends and other distributions. As of December 31, 2007,
the carrying value of assets guaranteeing the bank credit facilities was $1,984.3 million
($1,419.0 million in 2006). Any amount borrowed under the revolving credit facility bears
interest at Canadian bankers acceptance and/or Canadian prime rate plus an applicable
margin determined by financial ratios. Advances under the term C credit facility bear
interest at Canadian bankers acceptance rate plus a margin of 1.50% per annum or Canadian
prime rate plus a margin of 0.50% per annum. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, no amount
had been drawn on the revolving credit facility, while $39.1 million ($39.3 million in
2006) were drawn down on the term loan C credit facilities. In 2006, US$181.4 million
were drawn down on the term loan B credit facility repaid on October 31, 2007 (note 4
(a)).
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N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
15.
LONG-TERM DEBT (continued):
(x)
The US$205.0 million in aggregate principal amount Senior Notes were issued in February
2003 at discount for net proceeds of $306.8 million, before issuance fees of $6.2 million.
These notes bear interest at a rate of 7.625% and mature in 2013. The notes contain certain
restrictions for Sun Media Corporation, including limitations on its ability to incur
additional indebtedness and to make other distributions, and are unsecured. The Senior
Notes are guaranteed by specific subsidiaries of Sun Media Corporation Inc. Sun Media
Corporation has fully hedged the foreign currency risk associated with the Senior Notes by
using cross-currency interest rate swaps and a foreign exchange forward contract, under
which all payments were set in Canadian dollars. The notes are redeemable at the option of
the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after February 15, 2008, at a
decreasing premium.
(xi)
The credit facilities are comprised of revolving credit facility in the amount of $65.0
million and a term facility in the amount of $133.3 million maturing in January 2011. The
credit facilities bear interest at Canadian prime rate or bankers acceptance rate plus an
applicable margin determined by financial ratios and they contain covenants concerning,
among other things, certain financial ratios and restrictions on the declaration and
payment of any distributions. The credit facilities are secured by liens on all assets of
Osprey Media Publishing Inc. and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2007, $13.4 million
was drawn on the revolver credit facility and $131.9 million was drawn on the term
facility.
(xii)
The revolving credit facility of a maximum of $160.0 million bears interest at the
prime rate of a Canadian chartered bank or bankers acceptances rates, plus a variable
margin determined by certain financial ratios. In 2005, the revolving credit facility
maturity was extended to June 15, 2010. The credit facility contains certain restrictions,
including the obligation to maintain certain financial ratios.
On December 31, 2007, the Company and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all debt
covenants.
Principal repayments of long-term debt over the next years are as follows:
$
24.7
181.8
121.6
171.9
49.3
2,528.5
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
16.
OTHER LIABILITIES:
2007
2006
$
12.7
$
57.2
48.3
37.0
36.7
24.0
5.8
7.0
$
103.5
$
125.2
1
A current portion of accrued stock-based compensation in the amount of $98.6
million is included in accounts payable and accrued charges (nil at December 31, 2006).
17.
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST:
Non-controlling interest represents the interest of non-controlling shareholders in the
participating shares of the Companys subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2007, the most
significant non-controlling interests were as follows:
Non-controlling interest
Subsidiary
Segment
%voting
%equity
Broadcasting
0.08
%
54.76
%
Interactive Technologies and Communications
42.51
%
42.51
%
18.
CAPITAL STOCK:
(a)
Authorized capital stock:
An unlimited number of Common Shares, without par value;
An unlimited number of non-voting Cumulative First Preferred Shares, without par value; the
number of preferred shares in each series and the related characteristics, rights and
privileges are to be determined by the Board of Directors prior to each issue;
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series A (Preferred A
Shares), carrying a 12.5% annual fixed cumulative preferential dividend,
redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the
Company;
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series B (Preferred B
Shares), carrying a fixed cumulative preferential dividend generally equivalent to
the Companys credit facility interest rate, redeemable at the option of the holder
and retractable at the option of the Company;
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series C (Preferred C
Shares), carrying an 11.25% annual fixed cumulative preferential dividend,
redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the
Company;
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N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
18.
CAPITAL STOCK (continued):
(a)
Authorized capital stock (continued):
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series D (Preferred D
Shares), carrying an 11.00% annual fixed cumulative preferential dividend,
redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the
Company;
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series F (Preferred F
Shares), carrying a 10.85% annual fixed cumulative preferential dividend,
redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the
Company;
An unlimited number of Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series G (Preferred G
Shares), carrying a 10.85% annual fixed cumulative preferential dividend,
redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the
Company;
An unlimited number of non-voting Preferred Shares, Series E (Preferred E Shares),
carrying a non-cumulative dividend subsequent to the holders of Cumulative First Preferred
Shares, redeemable at the option of the holder and retractable at the option of the Company.
(b)
Issued capital stock:
Common Shares
Number
Amount
123,602,807
$
1,773.7
(21.3
)
123,602,807
$
1,752.4
In 2006, the Company reduced its Common Share paid-up capital by $21.3 million in the form
of cash distributions to its shareholders.
As of December 31, 2007, Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries, Newspaper segment,
owned 560,000 Preferred G Shares for a total amount of $560.0 million while as of December
31, 2006 Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries owned 235,000 Preferred A Shares and
320,000 Preferred F Shares for a total amount of $555.0 million. In addition, as of December
31, 2007, 9101-0835 Quebec Inc., owned 110,000 Preferred C Shares (275,000 Preferred C
Shares in 2006) for an amount of $110.0 million ($275.0 million in 2006), and 1,995,000
Preferred G Shares for an amount of $1,995.0 million (1,000,000 Preferred F Shares in 2006
which were converted in G Shares in 2007). These shares are eliminated on consolidation.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
18.
CAPITAL STOCK (continued):
(c)
Transactions during the year:
2007
On January 3, 2007, the Company issued 1,000,000 Preferred F Shares to 9101-0835 Québec Inc.
which were converted in Preferred G Shares on January 12, 2007.
On May 31, 2007, the Company issued 995,000 Preferred G Shares to 9101-0835 Quebec Inc. for
a total amount of $995.0 million.
On July 13, 2007, the Company redeemed 235,000 Preferred A Shares, owned by Sun Media
Corporation and its subsidiaries, for an amount of $235.0 million. On December 20, 2007,
320,000 Preferred F Shares, owned by Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries, were
converted into 320,000 Preferred G Shares while on July 27, 2007, the Company issued 240,000
Preferred G Shares to Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries for an amount of $240.0
million.
On November 1, 2007 and on December 20, 2007, the Company redeemed 165,000 Preferred C
Shares, owned by 9101-0835 Quebec Inc., for an amount of $165.0 million.
2006
On June 12 and December 28, 2006, the Company redeemed 255,000 and 500,000 Preferred A
Shares, respectively, owned by Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries, for a total
amount of $755.0 million. On the same respective days, the Company issued 120,000 Preferred
F shares for an amount of $120.0 million and redeemed 55,000 Preferred F shares for an
amount of $55.0 million to Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries.
On April 25, April 30, June 9 and June 29, 2006, the Company issued 25,000, 44,000, 50,000
and 40,000 Preferred C Shares respectively, for a total amount of $159.0 million, to
9101-0835 Québec Inc. On October 12, 2006, the Company redeemed 31,950 Preferred C Shares
owned by 9101-0835 Quebec inc. for an amount of $32.0 million.
2005
On January 14, 2005, the Company redeemed 150,000 Preferred A Shares for an amount of $150.0
million from Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries and issued 255,000 Preferred F
Shares for an amount of $255.0 million to Sun Media Corporation and its subsidiaries.
On March 9, 2005 and April 29, 2005, the Company issued a total of 61,950 Preferred C Shares
to 9101-0835 Quebec inc. for a total amount of $61.9 million. On August 2, 2005, the Company
redeemed 184,000 Preferred C Shares for an amount of $184.0 million.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
19.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS:
(a)
Quebecor Media Inc. stock option plan:
Under a stock option plan established by the Company, a number of Common Shares of the
Company are currently set aside for officers, senior employees, directors and other key
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. In 2007, the stock option plan of the Company
was amended in order to increase, until December 31, 2008, the total number of shares
issuable under the plan from 6,185,714 to 8,034,000. After that date, the number of shares
issuable under the plan will automatically be re-established at a number of shares equal to
5% of the shares then issued and outstanding. Each option may be exercised within a maximum
period of 10 years following the date of grant at an exercise price not lower than, as the
case may be, the fair market value of the Common Shares of Quebecor Media Inc. at the date
of grant, as determined by its Board of Directors (if the Common Shares of Quebecor Media
Inc. are not listed on a stock exchange at the time of the grant) or the five-day weighted
average closing price ending on the day preceding the date of grant of the Common Shares of
the Company on the stock exchanges where such shares are listed at the time of grant. Unless
authorized by the Company Compensation Committee in the context of a change of control, no
options may be exercised by an optionee if the shares of the Company have not been listed on
a recognized stock exchange. Should the Common Shares of Quebecor Media Inc. have not been
so listed on March 1, 2008, optionees may exercise from March 1 to March 30, from June 1 to
June 29, from September 1 to September 29 and from December 1 to December 30 of each year,
starting March 1, 2008, their right to receive an amount in cash (equal to the difference
between the fair market value, as determined by the Companys Board of Directors, and the
exercise price of their vested options) or, subject to certain stated conditions, exercise
their options to purchase Common Shares of Quebecor Media Inc. at the exercise price. Except
under specific circumstances, and unless the Compensation Committee decides otherwise,
options vest over a five-year period in accordance with one of the following vesting
schedules as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant: (i) equally over
five years with the first 20% vesting on the first anniversary of the date of the grant;
(ii) equally over four years with the first 25% vesting on the second anniversary of the
date of grant; and (iii) equally over three years with the first 33 1/3% vesting on the
third anniversary of the date of grant.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
19.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (continued):
(a)
Quebecor Media Inc. stock option plan (continued):
The following table gives summary information on outstanding options granted as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:
2007
2006
Weighted average
Weighted average
Options
exercise price
Options
exercise price
3,781,767
$
21.38
3,228,321
$
18.90
3,359,563
44.38
795,393
31.60
(111,473
)
29.49
(241,947
)
21.86
7,029,857
$
32.25
3,781,767
$
21.38
2,517,181
$
18.42
1,639,460
$
17.59
The following table gives summary information on outstanding options as of December 31, 2007:
Outstanding options
Vested options
Weighted
Weighted
Weighted
average
average
Range of
average years
exercise
exercise
exercise price
Number
to maturity
price
Number
price
2,709,224
5.00
$
17.97
2,342,813
$
17.58
995,070
8.04
30.55
174,368
29.74
3,325,563
9.60
44.38
7,029,857
7.60
$
32.25
2,517,181
$
18.42
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
19.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (continued):
(b)
TVA Group Inc. plans:
(i)
Stock option plan for senior executives and directors
Under this stock option plan, 1,400,000 Class B shares of TVA Group Inc. have been set
aside for senior executives and directors of TVA Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. The
terms and the conditions of options granted are determined by TVA Group Inc.s
Compensation Committee. The subscription price of an option cannot be less than the
closing price of Class B shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange the day before the option
is granted. Except under specific circumstances, and unless the Compensation Committee
decides otherwise, options will vest over a five-year period in accordance with one of
the following vesting schedules as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time
of grant: (i) equally over five years with the first 20% vesting on the first anniversary
of the date of the grant; (ii) equally over four years with the first 25% vesting on the
second anniversary of the date of grant; and (iii) equally over three years with the
first 33 1/3% vesting on the third anniversary of the grant. The term of an option cannot
exceed 10 years. Holders of options under the plan have the choice, at the time of
exercising their options, to receive from TVA Group Inc. an amount in cash (equal to the
number of shares corresponding to the options exercised, multiplied by the difference
between the fair market value and the exercise price of the option) or, subject to
certain conditions, exercise their options to purchase Class B shares of TVA Group Inc.
at the exercise price. The fair market value is defined by the average closing market
price of the Class B share for the last five trading days preceeding the date on which
the option was exercised.
The following table gives details on changes to outstanding options for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
2007
2006
Weighted average
Weighted average
Options
exercise price
Options
exercise price
489,695
$
17.59
310,177
$
20.27
561,875
14.82
503,684
15.62
(27,500
)
14.00
(67,877
)
15.52
(296,666
)
17.36
983,693
$
16.16
489,695
$
17.59
84,082
$
20.61
31,625
$
20.75
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
19.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (continued):
(b)
TVA Group Inc. plans (continued):
(i)
Stock option plan for senior executives and directors (continued)
The following table gives summary information on outstanding options as of December 31, 2007:
Outstanding options
Vested options
Weighted
Weighted
Weighted
average
average
Range of
average years
exercise
exercise
exercise price
Number
to maturity
price
Number
price
789,562
9.4
$
14.99
3,923
$
15.81
194,131
6.7
20.90
80,159
20.84
983,693
8.9
$
16.16
84,082
$
20.61
Had the vested options been exercised as of December 31, 2007, Quebecor Media Inc.s
interest in TVA Group Inc. would have decreased from 45.24% to 45.10% (45.24% to 45.23%
as of December 31, 2006).
(ii)
Share purchase plan for executives and employees
In 1998, TVA Group Inc. introduced a share purchase plan relating to 375,000 TVA Group
Inc. Class B shares for its executives and a share purchase plan relating to 375,000 TVA
Group Inc. Class B shares for its employees. The plans provide that participants can
acquire shares on certain terms related to their salary. The shares can be acquired at a
price equal to 90% of the average closing market price of TVA Group Inc. Class B shares.
The plans also provide financing terms free of interest. No Class B shares were issued
under the plans during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The remaining
balance that may be issued under the share purchase plan for executives is 332,643 TVA
Group Inc. Class B shares as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The remaining balance
that may be issued under the share purchase plan for employees is 229,753 TVA Group Inc.
Class B shares as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
(iii)
Deferred share unit plan
In 2000, TVA Group Inc. introduced a long-term profit sharing plan for certain members of
senior management of TVA Group Inc., and its subsidiaries. The deferred share units
(DSUs) are redeemable only upon termination of the participants employment. The
redemption price is payable in cash or, at TVA Group Inc.s discretion, in Class B shares
of TVA Group Inc. or by a combination of cash and shares. Under this plan, a maximum of
25,000 Class B shares of TVA Group Inc. can be issued. No DSUs were issued under this
plan during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
19.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (continued):
(c)
All Stock-based option plans:
For the year ended December 31, 2007, a charge of $50.8 million related to all stock-based
option plans is included in income ($24.8 million in 2006 and $10.9 million in 2005).
20.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Translation of net
investments in
Cash flow
foreign operations
hedges
Total
$
(1.0
)
$
$
(1.0
)
(1.3
)
(1.3
)
(2.3
)
(2.3
)
1.2
1.2
(1.1
)
(1.1
)
(35.5
)
(35.5
)
(2.0
)
48.0
46.0
$
(3.1
)
$
12.5
$
9.4
No significant amount is expected to be reclassified in income over the next 12 months in
connection with derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, while the
balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be reversed over an 8-year
period.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
21.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
(a)
Leases and purchasing agreements:
The Company rents premises and equipment under operating leases and has entered into
long-term commitments to purchase services, capital equipment and distribution and
broadcasting rights that call for total future payments of $354.7 million. The minimum
payments for the coming years are as follows:
Other
Leases
commitments
$
47.6
$
143.5
33.1
33.2
28.0
7.3
18.7
3.2
13.7
0.5
25.9
Operating lease expenses amounted to $46.1 million, $44.8 million and $42.4 million for the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(b)
Other commitments:
As part of the acquisition of Group TVA Inc. in 2001 and Sun TV in 2004, the Company was
committed, over a period ending in 2011, to invest $58.2 million in the Canadian TV industry
and in the Canadian communications industry to promote Canadian TV content and the
development of communications. As of December 31, 2007, $4.9 million remained to be
invested.
(c)
Contingencies:
On July 20, 2007, a motion to certify a class action lawsuit
was filed in the Province of Québec against Videotron in
connection with an interruption of Internet service on July 18,
2007 and other sporadic interruptions of Internet service. The
plaintiff is claiming a credit for the portion of the fees paid for
the Internet service for the duration of the interruptions. The
plaintiff is also seeking punitive damages and damages for troubles
and inconveniences. The class certification hearing has not been
scheduled yet. Although it is not possible as of the date of these
financial statements to determine with a reasonable degree of certainty the
outcome of this legal proceeding, the Companys management believes
that the suit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend its
position.
A number of other legal proceedings against the Company and its subsidiaries are still
outstanding. In the opinion of the management of the Company and its subsidiaries, the
outcome of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Companys results or its financial position.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
22.
GUARANTEES:
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into numerous agreements containing
guarantees, including the following:
Operating leases:
The Company has guaranteed a portion of the residual values of certain assets under operating
leases for the benefit of the lessor. Should the Company terminate these leases prior to term
(or at the end of these lease term) and should the fair value of the assets be less than the
guaranteed residual value, then the Company must, under certain conditions, compensate the
lessor for a portion of the shortfall. In addition, the Company has provided guarantees to the
lessor of certain premise leases, with expiry dates through 2015. Should the lessee default
under the agreement, the Company must, under certain conditions, compensate the lessor. As of
December 31, 2007, the maximum exposure with respect to these guarantees was $18.5 million and
no liability has been recorded in the consolidated balance sheet since the Company does not
expect to make any payments pertaining to these guarantees and since the Company was unable to
determine the fair value of these guarantees.
Business and asset disposals:
In the sale of all or part of a business or an asset, in addition to possible indemnification
relating to failure to perform covenants and breach of representations or warranties, the
Company may agree to indemnify against claims related to its past conduct of the business.
Typically, the term and amount of such indemnification will be limited by the agreement. The
nature of these indemnification agreements prevents the Company from estimating the maximum
potential liability it could be required to pay to guaranteed parties. The Company has not
accrued any amount in respect of these items in the consolidated balance sheet since the Company
was unable to determine the fair value of these guarantees.
Outsourcing companies and suppliers:
In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into contractual agreements with
outsourcing companies and suppliers. In some cases, the Company agrees to provide
indemnifications in the event of legal procedures initiated against them. In other cases, the
Company provides indemnification to counterparties for damages resulting from the outsourcing
companies and suppliers. The nature of the indemnification agreements prevents the Company from
estimating the maximum potential liability it could be required to pay. No amount has been
accrued in the consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnifications since
the Company was unable to determine the fair value of these guarantees.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
23.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The Company is exposed to risks relating to foreign exchange fluctuations and to risks relating
to interest rate fluctuations. In order to manage these risks, the Company and its subsidiaries
use derivative financial instruments (i) to achieve a targeted balance of fixed and variable
rate debts and (ii) to set in Canadian dollars all future payments on debts denominated in U.S.
dollars (interest and principal) and on certain capital or inventory expenditures denominated in
foreign currency. None of these instruments is held or issued for speculative purposes. The
Company designates its derivative financial instruments either as fair value hedges or cash flow
hedges.
(a)
Description of derivative financial instruments:
(i)
Foreign exchange forward contracts:
Average
Notional
Currencies (sold/bought)
Maturing
exchange rate
amount
Less than 1 year
1.4501
$
18.9
Less than 1 year
0.8897
6.0
February 15, 2013
1.5227
312.2
Less than 1 year
1.0511
76.8
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
23.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued):
(a)
Description of derivative financial instruments (continued):
(ii) Cross-currency interest rate swaps:
CDN dollar
exchange rate
Annual
Annual
of interest
effective
nominal
and capital
Period
Notional
interest
interest
payments per
covered
amount
rate
rate
one US dollar
2007 to 2016
US$
700.0
7.69
%
7.75
%
0.9990
2006 to 2016
US$
525.0
7.39
%
7.75
%
1.1600
2006 to 2009
US$
196.5
6.27
%
LIBOR
1.1625
+2.00
%
2009 to 2013
US$
196.5
Bankers'
LIBOR
1.1625
acceptances
+2.00
%
3 months
+2.22
%
2006 to 2013
US$
147.4
6.44
%
LIBOR
1.1625
+2.00
%
2004 to 2014
US$
190.0
Bankers'
6.875
%
1.2000
acceptances
3 months
+2.80
%
2004 to 2014
US$
125.0
7.45
%
6.875
%
1.1950
2003 to 2014
US$
200.0
Bankers'
6.875
%
1.3425
acceptances
3 months
+2.73
%
2003 to 2014
US$
135.0
7.66
%
6.875
%
1.3425
2005 to 2015
US$
175.0
5.98
%
6.375
%
1.1781
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
23.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued):
(a)
Description of derivative financial instruments (continued):
(ii)
Cross-currency interest rate swaps (continued):
CDN dollar
exchange rate
Annual
Annual
of interest
effective
nominal
and capital
Period
Notional
interest
interest
payments per
covered
amount
rate
rate
one US dollar
2003 to 2008
US$
155.0
8.17
%
7.625
%
1.5227
2008 to 2013
US$
155.0
Bankers'
7.625
%
1.5227
acceptances
3 months
+3.70
%
2003 to 2013
US$
50.0
Bankers'
7.625
%
1.5227
acceptances
3 months
+3.70
%
The cross-currency swap agreements settled as part of the refinancing of the Companys
debts on January 17, 2006, were subject to a floor limit on negative fair market value,
below which the Company was required to make prepayments to limit the exposure of the
counterparties. Such prepayments were offset by equal reductions in the Companys
commitments under the agreements. The Company was required to make prepayments of $75.9
million in 2005 under this provision.
Also, certain cross-currency interest rate swaps entered into by the Company and its
subsidiaries include an option that allows each party to unwind the transaction on a
specific date at the then-market value.
(iii)
Interest rate swaps
Notional
Pay/
Fixed
Floating
amount
receive
rate
rate
$
75.0
Pay fixed/
4.05
%
Bankers'
receive floating
acceptance
3 months
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
23.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued):
(b)
Fair value of financial instruments:
The carrying amount of accounts receivable from external or related parties (classified as
loans and receivables), accounts payable and accrued charges to external or related parties
(classified as other liabilities) approximates their fair value since these items will be
realized or paid within one year or are due on demand.
Carrying value and fair value of long-term debt and derivative financial instruments as of
December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
2007
2006
Carrying
Carrying
value
Fair value
value
Fair value
$
(1,664.9
)
$
(1,646.6
)
$
(1,191.6
)
$
(1,206.3
)
(159.8
)
(159.8
)
3.8
(17.8
)
(0.3
)
(0.3
)
2.2
2.2
(973.3
)
(938.2
)
(1,021.2
)
(1,010.6
)
(241.3
)
(241.3
)
(71.8
)
(141.1
)
(4.2
)
(4.2
)
2.1
(238.0
)
(234.1
)
(486.8
)
(492.9
)
(133.1
)
(133.1
)
(148.8
)
(176.1
)
(145.3
)
(145.3
)
0.2
0.2
(56.3
)
(56.3
)
(96.5
)
(96.5
)
1
The carrying value of long-term debt excludes adjustments to record changes in
fair value of long term debt related to hedged interest risk, embedded derivatives and
financing fees.
The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on discounted cash flows using year-end
market yields or market value of similar instruments with the same maturity. The fair value
of the derivative financial instruments is estimated using year-end market rates, and
reflects the amount the Company would receive or pay if the instruments were closed out at
those dates.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
23.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued):
(c)
Credit risk management:
The Company is exposed to credit losses resulting from defaults by counterparties when using
financial instruments.
When the Company enters into derivative contracts, the counterparties (either foreign or
Canadian) must have at least credit ratings in accordance with the Companys credit risk
management policy and are subject to concentration limits. The Company does not foresee any
failure by counterparties in meeting their obligations.
In the normal course of business, the Company continuously monitors the financial condition
of its customers and reviews the credit history of each new customer. As of December 31,
2007, no customer balance represented a significant portion of the Companys consolidated
trade receivables. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the
specific credit risk of its customers and historical trends.
The Company believes that its product-lines and the geographic diversity of its customer
base is instrumental in reducing its credit risk, as well as the impact of fluctuations in
product-line demand. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to an unusual level of
customer credit risk.
24.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Operating transactions
During the year, the Company made purchases and incurred rent charges from companies under
common control and from affiliated companies in the amount of $64.3 million ($89.6 million in
2006 and $91.0 million in 2005), included in the cost of sales and selling and administrative
expenses. The Company made sales to companies under common control and to an affiliated company
in the amount of $18.3 million ($18.1 million in 2006 and $21.7 million in 2005). These
transactions were concluded and accounted for at the exchange value.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, Nurun Inc., Interactive Technologies and Communications
segment, received interest of $0.9 million ($0.9 million in 2006 and $0.8 million in 2005) from
Quebecor Inc. As of December 31, 2007, cash and cash equivalents totalling $19.3 million ($20.2
million as of December 31, 2006) have been invested on a revolving basis in Quebecor Inc. under
the terms of an agreement for the consolidation of bank operations. These advances on demand
bear interest at prime rate less 1.4%.
In 2007, the Company signed a 10 years manufacturing agreement with Quebecor World Inc., a
company under common control, for the printing of directories in its Toronto and
Saint-Janvier-de-Mirabel printing facilities.
Transfer of assets
In October 2007, the Company increased its investment in Nurun Inc. by acquiring from Quebecor
World Inc., a company under common control, 500,000 common shares of Nurun Inc. for a cash
consideration of $1.7 million.
On October 11, 2007, the Company acquired a property from Quebecor World Inc., a company under
common control, for a total net consideration of $62.5 million. Simultaneously, Quebecor World
Inc. entered into a long-term operating lease with the Company to rent a portion of the property
over a term of 17 years. The consideration for the two transactions was settled by the payment
to Quebecor World Inc. of a net amount $43.9 million as of the date of the transactions and the
assumption by the Company of a $7.0 million balance of sale, including interest, payable in
2013. The transactions were concluded and accounted at the exchange value.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
24.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (continued):
Transfer of assets
(continued)
In 2005, the Company acquired certain assets from Quebecor World Inc., for a cash consideration
of $3.3 million. The transaction was recorded at the carrying value of the assets transferred.
Management arrangements
Quebecor Inc. (the parent company) has entered into management arrangements with the Company.
Under these management arrangements, the parent company and the Company provide each other
management services on a cost reimbursement basis. The expenses subject to reimbursement
include the salaries of the Companys executive officers who also serve as executive officers of
the parent company. Also, in connection with the Companys previous credit facility, which was
secured by the Companys shareholders, an annual security fee equivalent to 1% of the credit
facility was charged to the Company by its shareholders. The current credit facilities, entered
into in January 2006, are not secured by the Companys shareholders. In 2007, the Company
received an amount of $3.0 million, which is included as a reduction in selling and
administrative expenses ($3.0 million in 2006 and 2005) and the Company has incurred management
fees of $1.1 million ($1.1 million in 2006 and in 2005) with the shareholders. In 2005, the
Company incurred security fees of $1.1 million with its shareholders.
Tax transactions
During the year ended December 31, 2006, some of the Companys subsidiaries acquired tax
benefits amounting to $6.5 million from Quebecor World Inc., a company under common control,
that were recorded as income taxes receivable. These transactions allowed the Company to realize
a gain of $0.4 million (net of non-controlling interest) which was recorded as contributed
surplus.
On December 14, 2005, the Company entered into a tax consolidation transaction by which the
Company has transferred to its parent company $192.0 million of capital losses for a cash
consideration of $15.9 million. In addition, in 2007 and 2006, the parent company transferred to
certain of the Companys subsidiaries $66.5 million and $74.2 million of non-capital losses,
respectively, in exchange of cash considerations of $14.9 million and $16.1 million. These
transactions were recorded at the exchange amounts. As a result, the Company has recorded
reductions of $7.7 million and $15.9 million, respectively, of its income tax expense in 2007
and 2005 and expects to reduce its income tax expense by $6.4 million in the future.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
25.
PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:
The Company maintains various flat-benefit plans, final-pay plans with indexation features from
none to 2%, and defined contribution plans. The Companys policy is to maintain its contribution
at a level sufficient to cover benefits. Actuarial valuations of the Companys numerous pension
plans were performed once at least in the last three years and the next required valuations will
be performed at least over the next three years.
The Company provides postretirement benefits to eligible employees. The costs of these
benefits, which are principally health care, are accounted for during the employees active
service period.
The following tables give a reconciliation of the changes in the plans benefit obligations and
the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and a statement of
the funded status as of those dates:
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2007
2006
$
595.8
$
555.9
$
40.7
$
40.4
24.9
22.1
1.4
1.3
31.9
29.0
2.0
1.9
11.1
11.7
(34.8
)
1.8
(1.0
)
1.3
(30.2
)
(25.6
)
(0.6
)
(1.7
)
5.0
0.7
(3.1
)
(0.5
)
32.4
1.0
0.2
0.6
$
635.6
$
595.8
$
43.5
$
40.7
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2007
2006
$
560.4
$
480.8
$
$
5.4
68.5
25.0
25.0
0.6
1.7
11.1
11.7
(30.2
)
(25.6
)
(0.6
)
(1.7
)
32.3
$
604.0
$
560.4
$
$
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
25.
PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued):
The plan assets are comprised of:
2007
2006
56.8
%
59.8
%
38.2
36.5
5.0
3.7
100.0
%
100.0
%
As of December 31, 2007, plan assets included shares of the parent company and of a company
under common control representing an amount of $2.2 million ($2.5 million as of December 31,
2006).
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2007
2006
$
(31.6
)
$
(35.4
)
$
(43.5
)
$
(40.7
)
47.7
47.9
11.5
13.0
(4.6
)
(5.2
)
0.4
0.5
19.9
17.0
(4.6
)
(5.1
)
(22.8
)
(19.5
)
$
8.6
$
4.8
$
(36.2
)
$
(32.3
)
Included in the above benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets at year-end are the
following amounts in respect of plans that are not fully funded:
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2007
2006
$
(457.8
)
$
(585.5
)
$
(43.5
)
$
(40.7
)
417.2
548.8
$
(40.6
)
$
(36.7
)
$
(43.5
)
$
(40.7
)
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
25.
PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued):
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2007
2006
$
20.7
$
9.5
$
$
(12.1
)
(4.7
)
(36.2
)
(32.3
)
$
8.6
$
4.8
$
(36.2
)
$
(32.3
)
Components of the net benefit costs are as follows:
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2005
2007
2006
2005
$
24.9
$
22.1
$
15.3
$
1.4
$
1.3
$
1.8
31.9
29.0
27.7
2.0
1.9
2.2
(5.4
)
(68.5
)
(47.2
)
(34.8
)
1.8
68.7
(1.0
)
1.3
4.5
4.9
0.7
5.6
(3.1
)
(0.5
)
(1.6
)
21.0
(14.9
)
70.1
2.4
1.4
6.9
(36.5
)
33.0
15.1
34.8
(1.8
)
(68.7
)
1.0
(1.3
)
(4.5
)
(4.9
)
(0.7
)
(5.6
)
3.1
1.9
2.0
(0.2
)
0.6
0.6
(0.1
)
2.0
1.8
1.6
(0.5
)
(0.7
)
(0.3
)
(0.5
)
(0.5
)
(0.5
)
0.1
(3.2
)
33.8
(58.3
)
1.1
1.7
(4.8
)
3.3
2.1
1.0
$
21.1
$
21.0
$
12.8
$
3.5
$
3.1
$
2.1
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
25.
PENSION PLANS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (continued):
The expense related to defined contribution pension plans amounted to $11.1 million in 2007
($10.9 million in 2006 and $9.7 million in 2005).
The total cash amount paid or payable for employee future benefits for all plans, consisting of
cash contributed by the Company to its funded pension plans, cash payment directly to
beneficiaries for its unfunded other benefit plans, and cash contributed to its defined
contribution plans, totalled $36.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 ($37.6 million
in 2006 and $29.0 million in 2005).
The weighted average rates used in the measurement of the Companys benefit obligations as of
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and current periodic costs are as follows:
Pension benefits
Postretirement benefits
2007
2006
2005
2007
2006
2005
5.50
%
5.00
%
5.00
%
5.50
%
5.00
%
5.00
%
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
5.00
%
5.00
%
6.00
%
5.00
%
5.00
%
6.00
%
7.25
7.25
7.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
3.50
1
After management and professional fees.
The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligations was 9.0% at the end of 2007. The cost, as per an estimate, is expected to decrease
gradually for the next eight years to 5.0% and remain at that level thereafter. A
one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend would have the following
effects:
Postretirement
benefits
1%
1%
Sensitivity analysis
increase
decrease
$
0.6
$
(0.5
)
6.7
(5.2
)
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
26.
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP IN CANADA AND IN THE UNITED STATES:
The Companys consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP,
which differ in some respects from those applicable in the United States (U.S.). The following
tables set forth the impact of material differences between Canadian and U.S. GAAP on the
Companys consolidated financial statements:
(a)
Consolidated statements of income:
2007
2006
2005
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
1.9
(0.7
)
(1.3
)
0.8
0.9
2.1
11.0
71.6
(7.2
)
(6.9
)
(4.8
)
(21.0
)
(40.1
)
37.2
1.5
(14.2
)
26.9
32.3
$
312.9
$
(142.8
)
$
128.8
(b)
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss):
2007
2006
2005
$
373.1
$
(168.5
)
$
95.2
(14.2
)
26.9
32.3
(5.9
)
17.6
(18.8
)
3.0
132.0
(22.0
)
0.9
(64.4
)
73.3
(2.0
)
85.2
32.5
$
356.9
$
(56.4
)
$
160.0
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
26.
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP IN CANADA AND IN THE UNITED STATES (continued):
(b)
Consolidated comprehensive income (loss) (continued):
Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:
2007
2006
2005
$
9.4
$
(1.1
)
$
(2.3
)
(58.2
)
(52.3
)
(30.2
)
3.0
(44.4
)
(176.4
)
17.8
25.8
77.8
(37.4
)
(70.9
)
(128.8
)
$
(28.0
)
$
(72.0
)
$
(131.1
)
(c)
Consolidated balance sheets:
2007
2006
Canada
United States
Canada
United States
$
4,081.3
$
4,077.5
$
3,721.1
$
3,717.1
422.0
388.3
243.6
197.1
(1,018.9
)
(1,053.2
)
(956.4
)
(945.9
)
(3,002.8
)
(2,991.4
)
(2,773.0
)
(2,743.2
)
(538.7
)
(538.7
)
(231.3
)
(322.8
)
(103.5
)
(129.3
)
(125.2
)
(148.1
)
(292.5
)
(252.9
)
(118.9
)
(81.0
)
(154.2
)
(150.0
)
(142.1
)
(137.1
)
(3,217.2
)
(3,400.9
)
(3,217.2
)
(3,395.2
)
2,528.7
2,717.4
2,731.5
2,920.3
(9.4
)
28.0
1.1
72.0
(i)
Under GAAP in Canada, certain development and pre-operating costs that satisfy
specified criteria for recoverability are deferred and amortized. Also, under GAAP in
Canada, certain start-up costs incurred in connection with various projects have been
recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under the item Other assets, and are
amortized over a period not exceeding five years. Under GAAP in the United States,
these costs must be included in income as incurred.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
26.
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP IN CANADA AND IN THE UNITED STATES (continued):
(c)
Consolidated balance sheets (continued):
(ii)
Under GAAP in the United States, Statement No. 158, Employers Accounting for
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (SFAS 158) was issued in 2006
and requires the recognition in the balance sheet of the over or under funded positions
of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, along with a corresponding
non-cash adjustment, which will be recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive
loss. SFAS 158 was adopted prospectively on December 31, 2006 and did not have an
impact on the Companys consolidated statement of income.
Under GAAP in the United States, for 2006 and prior years, if the accumulated benefit
obligation exceeded the fair value of a pension plans assets, the Company was required
to recognize a minimum accrued liability equal to the unfunded accumulated benefit
obligation, which was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The additional
minimum liability concept has been eliminated with the adoption of SFAS 158.
On the adoption of SFAS 158, an adjustment of $27.3 million was recorded as a component
of the ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2006 to
reflect the unfunded status of benefit plans and the reversal of the minimum pension
liability that was recognized in accordance with SFAS 87. Adjustments were also recorded
to increase other liabilities by $54.2 million, decrease future income tax liabilities
by $12.4 million and to decrease non-controlling interest by $14.5 million.
Under GAAP in Canada, a company is not required to recognize the over or under funded
positions or to recognize an additional minimum liability. However, when a defined
benefit plan gives rise to an accrued benefit asset, a company must recognize a
valuation allowance for the excess of the adjusted benefit asset over the expected
future benefit to be realized from the plan asset. GAAP in the United States does not
provide for a valuation allowance against pension assets.
(iii)
Prior to 2007, under GAAP in Canada, derivative financial instruments were
accounted for on an accrual basis. Realized and unrealized gains and losses were
deferred and recognized in income in the same period and in the same financial
statement category as the income or expense arising from the corresponding hedged
positions. Since January 1, 2007, standards for hedge accounting under Canadian GAAP
are now similar to those under U.S. GAAP, as established by the Statement No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
However, under Canadian GAAP, certain embedded derivatives, such as early settlement
options included in certain of the Companys borrowing agreements, do not meet the
criteria to be considered closely related to their host contracts and therefore must be
recorded at their fair value with changes in the consolidated statement of income. Under
U.S. GAAP, these embedded derivatives are considered closely related to their host
contract and do not have to be recorded at their fair value. Accordingly, measurement of
hedging relationships ineffectiveness recorded in the consolidated statement of income
under U.S. GAAP could differ from the measurement under Canadian GAAP.
Further differences result from the different transition rules and timing of the
adoption of the current standards in Canada and in the United States for derivative
financial instruments and hedge accounting.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
26.
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP IN CANADA AND IN THE UNITED STATES (continued):
(c)
Consolidated balance sheets (continued):
(iv)
Under U.S. GAAP, the Company adopted the new standards of FASB No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)) in 2006. In accordance with SFAS 123(R), the
liability related to stock-based awards that call for settlement in cash or other
assets, must be measured at its fair value based on the fair value of stock options
awards, and shall be remeasured at the end of each reporting period through settlement.
Prior to 2006, the Company used the intrinsic value method for the liability related to
its stock option plan. Under Canadian GAAP, the liability is measured and remeasured
based on the intrinsic value of the stock options awards instead of the fair value.
(v)
Under U.S. GAAP, on January 1, 2007, the FASB issued interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN48), an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109. FIN48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in
an enterprises financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement
attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides
guidance as to derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in
interim periods, disclosure, and transition. As a result of the adoption of FIN48, the
Company recorded adjustments to increase its opening deficit under U.S. GAAP by $0.3
million, to increase future income tax assets by $4.8 million, to decrease future
income tax liabilities by $25.8 million, to increase other liabilities by $31.1 million
and to decrease non-controlling interest by $0.2 million.
Under Canadian GAAP, there is no such interpretation and therefore, the reserve related
to income taxes contingencies is not based on the same level of likelihood as the new
rules of FIN48.
Furthermore, under Canadian GAAP, income taxes are measured using substantially enacted
tax rates, while under U.S. GAAP, measurement is based on enacted tax rates.
Other adjustments represent the tax impact of U.S. GAAP adjustments.
(vi)
The Company or its subsidiaries have entered into tax consolidation
transactions with the Companys parent company by which tax losses were transferred
between the parties. Under GAAP in Canada, these transactions were recorded in
accordance with CICA Handbook 3840, Related Party Transactions. It resulted in the
recognition of a deferred credit of $8.4 million in 2006 and $5.7 million in 2007 of
which $7.7 million was recognized in income in 2007, and in a reduction of $15.9
million of the Companys income tax expense in 2005. Under U.S. GAAP, since these
transactions related to asset transfers between a subsidiary and its parent company,
the difference between the carrying value of the tax benefits transferred and the cash
consideration received or paid would have been recognized in contributed surplus.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
26.
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAAP IN CANADA AND IN THE UNITED STATES (continued):
(c)
Consolidated balance sheets (continued):
(vii)
In April 2005, Sun Media Corporation, Newspaper segment, exchanged a community
publication for another community publication. Under U.S GAAP, this exchange of
businesses is recorded in accordance with FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations
and the cost of the purchase should be determined as the fair value of the
consideration given or the fair value of the net assets or equity interest received,
whichever is more reliably measurable. Under Canadian GAAP, since this exchange of
businesses is a non-monetary transaction, it is accounted for in accordance with CICA
Handbook 3830, Non-monetary Transactions, and recorded at the carrying value of the
asset or service given up in the exchange adjusted by any monetary consideration
received or given.
Accordingly, under US GAAP, this transaction resulted in a gain on disposal of a
publication and also resulted in an increase of the purchase price of the publication
acquired.
(viii)
Under GAAP in Canada, in 2003, the Company recorded a gain on repurchase of
redeemable preferred shares of a subsidiary of $153.7 million in the statement income.
Under GAAP in the United States, this gain would have been recognized in contributed
surplus.
(ix)
The adjustments to comply with U.S. GAAP, with respect to the consolidated
statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 would
have no effect on cash provided by operations, cash used in investing activities and
cash provided by (used in) financing activities.
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option
data)
27.
NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY:
The Company has access to the cash flow generated by its subsidiaries by way of dividends
declared by its public subsidiaries and dividends and advances from its private subsidiaries.
However, some of the Companys subsidiaries have restrictions, based on contractual debt
obligations and corporate solvency tests, regarding the amounts of dividends and advances that
could be paid to the Company.
The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission requires that the non-consolidated financial
statements of the parent company be presented when its subsidiaries have restrictions that may
limit the amount of cash that can be paid to the parent company. These non-consolidated and
condensed financial statements, as prepared under Canadian GAAP, are as follows:
Non-consolidated and condensed statements of income and comprehensive income (loss)
2007
2006
2005
$
65.4
$
41.8
$
30.0
3.4
0.7
6.9
7.3
28.0
68.8
49.8
64.9
(66.5
)
(49.1
)
(53.7
)
(0.6
)
(0.8
)
(1.2
)
(138.8
)
(106.4
)
(171.3
)
(137.1
)
(106.5
)
(161.3
)
1.0
0.1
(342.1
)
(60.8
)
(136.1
)
(448.5
)
(222.1
)
41.8
(93.6
)
(24.9
)
(177.9
)
(354.9
)
(197.2
)
505.0
185.2
293.7
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
2007
2006
2005
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
34.5
11.5
1.2
(1.3
)
46.0
1.2
(1.3
)
$
373.1
$
(168.5
)
$
95.2
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
27.
NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY (continued):
Non-consolidated and condensed statements of cash flows
2007
2006
2005
$
327.1
$
(169.7
)
$
96.5
0.6
0.8
1.2
5.4
(1.0
)
(0.1
)
342.1
60.8
(197.3
)
(3.0
)
1.5
4.8
61.2
5.1
13.8
41.8
(93.3
)
(25.7
)
(420.3
)
(86.3
)
(111.2
)
56.5
21.2
(29.7
)
16.7
(164.0
)
50.1
(484.9
)
(100.3
)
(39.9
)
10.0
210.0
299.6
164.6
3.5
7.7
35.2
78.4
1.2
8.3
(1.6
)
(180.6
)
90.3
282.1
$
(163.9
)
$
(73.7
)
$
332.2
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
27.
NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY (continued):
Non-consolidated and condensed statements of cash flows (continued)
2007
2006
2005
$
(163.9
)
$
(73.7
)
$
332.2
2,235.0
279.0
316.9
(400.0
)
(842.0
)
(334.0
)
(0.1
)
1.9
(20.7
)
(1,174.2
)
(212.7
)
657.5
1,186.5
(127.2
)
21.6
(34.1
)
(110.0
)
(105.0
)
(45.0
)
(2,072.5
)
563.0
17.1
2.1
124.9
(36.9
)
164.1
55.7
(328.7
)
0.2
(18.0
)
3.5
18.0
14.5
$
0.2
$
$
18.0
Non-consolidated and condensed balance sheets
2007
2006
$
119.3
$
101.4
38.7
216.3
4,005.6
3,448.7
2,902.5
830.0
40.2
155.5
$
7,106.3
$
4,751.9
Table of Contents
N
otes to consolidated financial statements (continued)
(tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except for option data)
27.
NON-CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY (continued):
Non-consolidated and condensed balance sheets (continued)
2007
2006
$
119.9
$
199.4
1,626.3
1,171.4
69.7
245.3
175.1
68.8
2,665.0
830.0
2,450.3
2,237.0
$
7,106.3
$
4,751.9
28.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 2008, the Company acquired all of the non-controlling interest in Nurun Inc.,
pursuant to its offer to purchase their shares at a price of $4.75 per common share for a total
cash consideration of $75.4 million. Common shares of Nurun Inc. were de-listed from the Toronto
Stock Exchange after this transaction.
In January 2008, Quebecor World Inc., a company under common control, filed for creditor
protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act. The Company does not expect any
significant impact on its operations in relation with this situation.
|
[ Signed ] | |
|
||
[Seal of Québec Registrar]
|
Enterprise Registrar |
(i) | by the replacement of the text set forth in ANNEX 1 ( Annexe 1 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 12, 2007 with the SCHEDULE 1 to these Articles of Amendment; and | |
(ii) | by the replacement of the text set forth in SCHEDULE 2 ( Annexe 2 ) to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated August 8, 2000, as amended on June 27, 2001, with SCHEDULE 2 to these Articles of Amendment. |
(i) | creating an unlimited number of a seventh series of no par value Cumulative First Preferred Shares, namely, the Series G Shares; | |
(ii) | establishing the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Series G Shares, the text whereof appears in Schedule 2 ( Annexe 2 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 12, 2007 and forms an integral part thereof; and | |
(iii) | amending the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Series F Shares set out in Schedule 1 ( Annexe 1 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 14, 2005, in order to add the following paragraphs at the end of Schedule 1 so as to provide a right of conversion: |
(a) | borrow money upon the credit of the Company; | |
(b) | issue debentures or other securities of the Company and pledge and sell the same at such price or amount as shall be deemed appropriate; | |
(c) | hypothecate the immoveable and the movable or otherwise affect the movable property of the Company. |
(A) | by the replacement of the text appearing at Schedule 1 of the Articles of amendment of the Company, dated January 12, 2007, by Schedule 1 to the Articles of amendment mentioned at paragraph 2 of this Special By-law 2007-2; and | ||
(B) | by the replacement of the text appearing at Schedule 2 of the Articles of constitution of the Company, dated August 8, 2000, as amended on June 27,2001, by Schedule 2 to the Articles of amendment mentioned at paragraph 2 of this Special By-law 2007-2. |
Adopted on October 9, 2007.
In witness whereof, the President and Assistant Secretary have signed : |
||||
/s/ Pierre Francoeur | ||||
Pierre Francoeur | ||||
President | ||||
/s/ Claudine Tremblay | ||||
Claudine Tremblay | ||||
Assistant Secretary |
(i) | by the replacement of the text set forth in ANNEX 1 ( Annexe 1 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 12, 2007 with the SCHEDULE 1 to these Articles of Amendment; and |
(ii) | by the replacement of the text set forth in SCHEDULE 2 ( Annexe 2 ) to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company dated August 8, 2000, as amended on June 27, 2001, with SCHEDULE 2 to these Articles of Amendment. |
(i) | creating an unlimited number of a seventh series of no par value Cumulative First Preferred Shares, namely, the Series G Shares; | |
(ii) | establishing the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Series G Shares, the text whereof appears in Schedule 2 ( Annexe 2 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 12, 2007 and forms an integral part thereof; and | |
(iii) | amending the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Series F Shares set out in Schedule 1 ( Annexe 1 ) to the Articles of Amendment of the Company dated January 14, 2005, in order to add the following paragraphs at the end of Schedule 1 so as to provide a right of conversion: | |
8. Conversion | ||
Each issued and outstanding Series F Share may, at any time until January 31, 2008, at the option of its holder, be converted into one Series G Share. | ||
The right to convert Series F Shares set out in the preceding paragraph may be exercised by written notice sent to the Company, at its head office, together with the certificate(s) representing the Series F Shares the holder wishes to convert. The notice shall be signed by the holder or its representative and shall specify the number of Series F Shares the holder wishes to convert; if only part of the Series F Shares represented by the certificate(s) accompanying the notice is to be converted, the holder shall be entitled to receive, at the Companys expense, a new certificate representing the Series F Shares which were included in the certificate(s) sent, as previously mentioned, and which are not to be converted. | ||
Upon every conversion of Series F Shares, the certificate representing the shares resulting from the conversion shall be issued in the name of the holder of the converted shares. The right of a holder of Series F Shares to convert its shares under this section 8 shall be presumed to have been exercised and the holder of shares to be converted shall be deemed to have become a holder of the shares resulting from the conversion, for all purposes, on the date or dates of delivery of the certificate(s) representing the shares to be converted together with the notice mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the whole notwithstanding any delay in the delivery of the certificate representing the shares resulting from the conversion. |
(a) | borrow money upon the credit of the Company; | |
(b) | issue debentures or other securities of the Company and pledge and sell the same at such price or amount as shall be deemed appropriate; | |
(c) | hypothecate the immoveable and the movable or otherwise affect the movable property of the Company. |
RECITALS
|
1 | |||||
|
||||||
SECTION 1 INTERPRETATION | 3 | |||||
1.1
|
Certain Defined Terms | 3 | ||||
1.2
|
Business Day | 30 | ||||
1.3
|
Conflict | 30 | ||||
1.4
|
Currency | 30 | ||||
1.5
|
Time | 30 | ||||
1.6
|
GAAP | 30 | ||||
1.7
|
Headings and Table of Contents | 31 | ||||
1.8
|
Number and Gender | 31 | ||||
1.9
|
References | 31 | ||||
1.10
|
Statutory References | 31 | ||||
1.11
|
Time of Day | 31 | ||||
1.12
|
Governing Law | 31 | ||||
1.13
|
Entire Agreement | 31 | ||||
1.14
|
Severability | 32 | ||||
1.15
|
Action by Osprey LP | 32 | ||||
1.16
|
Schedules | 32 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 2 THE CREDIT FACILITIES | 33 | |||||
2.1
|
Establishment of Revolving Facility | 33 | ||||
2.2
|
Establishment of Term Facility | 33 | ||||
2.3
|
Obligations of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent | 33 | ||||
2.4
|
Revolving Nature of Revolving Facility | 34 | ||||
2.5
|
Purpose | 34 | ||||
2.6
|
Borrowing Procedures General | 34 | ||||
2.7
|
Minimum Advances | 35 | ||||
2.8
|
Bankers Acceptances | 35 | ||||
2.9
|
Swing Line Loans | 38 | ||||
2.10
|
Letters of Credit and Letters of Guarantee | 40 | ||||
2.11
|
Hedge Contracts | 43 | ||||
2.12
|
Conversion Option | 44 | ||||
2.13
|
Conversion and Rollover Not Repayment | 44 | ||||
2.14
|
Determination Final | 44 | ||||
2.15
|
Mandatory Conversion of Bankers Acceptances | 44 | ||||
2.16
|
Reliance on Oral Instructions | 45 | ||||
2.17
|
Deposit of Proceeds of Loans and Discount Proceeds | 45 | ||||
2.18
|
Evidence of Obligations | 45 | ||||
2.19
|
Single Obligation of Borrowers | 45 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 3 INTEREST, FEES AND EXPENSES | 46 | |||||
3.1
|
Interest on Prime Loans | 46 | ||||
3.2
|
Fees on Bankers Acceptances | 46 |
(i)
3.3
|
Letter of Credit and Letter of Guarantee Fees | 46 | ||||
3.4
|
Pricing Matrix | 46 | ||||
3.5
|
Fees | 48 | ||||
3.6
|
Commitment Fees | 48 | ||||
3.7
|
Interest on Overdue Amounts | 48 | ||||
3.8
|
Interest Act | 48 | ||||
3.9
|
Limit on Rate of Interest | 48 | ||||
3.10
|
Change in Circumstances | 49 | ||||
3.11
|
Payment of Portion | 51 | ||||
3.12
|
Illegality | 51 | ||||
3.13
|
Indemnity | 51 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 4 REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT | 53 | |||||
4.1
|
Term and Maturity of Revolving Facility | 53 | ||||
4.2
|
Term and Maturity of Term Facility | 53 | ||||
4.3
|
Repayment of Revolving Facility | 53 | ||||
4.4
|
Repayment of Term Facility | 53 | ||||
4.5
|
Mandatory Repayment | 53 | ||||
4.6
|
Permanent Prepayment | 54 | ||||
4.7
|
Cancellation | 54 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 5 PAYMENTS AND TAXES | 54 | |||||
5.1
|
Payments Generally | 54 | ||||
5.2
|
Taxes | 55 | ||||
5.3
|
No Set-Off | 56 | ||||
5.4
|
Application of Payments Before Exercise of Rights | 56 | ||||
5.5
|
Application of Payments After Exercise of Rights Under Section 11.2 | 57 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 6 SECURITY DOCUMENTS | 58 | |||||
6.1
|
Security Documents | 58 | ||||
6.2
|
Additional Material Subsidiaries | 58 | ||||
6.3
|
Additional Subsidiaries | 59 | ||||
6.4
|
Credit Facility Obligations and Other Secured Obligations | 59 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 7 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 60 | |||||
7.1
|
Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness | 60 | ||||
7.2
|
Conditions Precedent to All Advances | 61 | ||||
7.3
|
Waiver of a Condition Precedent | 62 | ||||
7.4
|
Conditions Precedent to Bidco Effective Date | 62 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 8 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 63 | |||||
8.1
|
Representations and Warranties | 63 | ||||
8.2
|
Deemed Repetition | 67 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 9 COVENANTS | 68 | |||||
9.1
|
Affirmative Covenants | 68 | ||||
9.2
|
Negative Covenants | 71 | ||||
9.3
|
Financial Covenants | 74 |
(ii)
9.4
|
Accounting, Financial Statements and Other Information | 75 | ||||
9.5
|
Reorganization | 77 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 10 ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS | 77 | |||||
10.1
|
Compliance with Environmental Laws | 77 | ||||
10.2
|
Environmental Notices | 77 | ||||
10.3
|
Environmental Conditions | 78 | ||||
10.4
|
Environmental Consultant | 78 | ||||
10.5
|
Environmental Audit | 78 | ||||
10.6
|
Indemnity | 78 | ||||
10.7
|
Environmental Approvals | 79 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 11 DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT | 79 | |||||
11.1
|
Events of Default | 79 | ||||
11.2
|
Rights upon Default and Event of Default | 82 | ||||
11.3
|
Hedge Contracts | 83 | ||||
11.4
|
Waiver of Default | 83 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 12 REMEDIES | 84 | |||||
12.1
|
Remedies Cumulative | 84 | ||||
12.2
|
Sharing of Information | 84 | ||||
12.3
|
Remedies Not Limited | 84 | ||||
12.4
|
Sharing of Proceeds Among the Lenders | 84 | ||||
12.5
|
Set-Off, etc. | 85 | ||||
12.6
|
Administrative Agent or Lender May Perform Covenants | 85 | ||||
12.7
|
Determination of Exposure | 85 | ||||
12.8
|
Decision to Enforce Security Documents | 86 | ||||
12.9
|
Enforcement | 86 | ||||
12.10
|
Application of Cash Proceeds of Realization | 86 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 13 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS | 87 | |||||
13.1
|
Authorization of Administrative Agent | 87 | ||||
13.2
|
Arrangements for Advances | 87 | ||||
13.3
|
Arrangements for Repayment of Advances | 88 | ||||
13.4
|
Lenders Bound by Decision to Exercise Remedies | 89 | ||||
13.5
|
Deemed Repayment and Funding | 89 | ||||
13.6
|
Responsibility of Administrative Agent | 90 | ||||
13.7
|
Acknowledgement of Lenders | 90 | ||||
13.8
|
Successor Administrative Agent | 91 | ||||
13.9
|
Notices between the Lenders and the Administrative Agent | 91 | ||||
13.10
|
Relations with the Borrowers | 91 | ||||
13.11
|
Reliance by Administrative Agent | 92 | ||||
13.12
|
Reimbursement of Administrative Agents Expenses and Indemnity | 92 | ||||
13.13
|
Action by Administrative Agent | 92 | ||||
13.14
|
Borrowers Right to Rely on Administrative Agent | 92 | ||||
13.15
|
Amendments, Waivers, etc. | 93 | ||||
13.16
|
Administrative Agents Duty to Deliver Documents | 95 |
(iii)
13.17
|
No Partnership | 95 | ||||
13.18
|
Adjustments Among Lenders | 95 | ||||
13.19
|
Indemnity of Administrative Agent | 95 | ||||
13.20
|
Administrative Agent May Debit Accounts | 96 | ||||
13.21
|
Consultation with Counsel | 96 | ||||
13.22
|
Administrative Agent as Lender | 96 | ||||
13.23
|
Delegation by Administrative Agent | 96 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 14 ASSIGNS AND PARTICIPANTS | 96 | |||||
14.1
|
Assignment and Participation | 96 | ||||
14.2
|
Assignment After Default | 98 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 15 MISCELLANEOUS | 98 | |||||
15.1
|
Amendments | 98 | ||||
15.2
|
Notice | 99 | ||||
15.3
|
Disruption of Postal Service | 99 | ||||
15.4
|
Further Assurances | 99 | ||||
15.5
|
Judgment Currency | 99 | ||||
15.6
|
Waivers | 100 | ||||
15.7
|
Reimbursement of Expenses | 100 | ||||
15.8
|
Submission to Jurisdiction | 100 | ||||
15.9
|
Counterparts | 100 | ||||
15.10
|
Confidentiality | 100 | ||||
15.11
|
Acknowledgement re Liability of Fund | 101 | ||||
15.12
|
No Novation | 102 |
(iv)
(v)
-2-
-3-
-4-
-5-
(a) | to a Loan Party by an Affiliate of such Loan Party in circumstances where, immediately prior to the issuance of such preferred shares, an Affiliate of such Loan Party has loaned on an unsecured basis to such Loan Party, or an Affiliate of such Loan Party has subscribed for preferred shares of such Loan Party in an amount equal to, the requisite subscription price for such preferred shares; |
-6-
(b) | by a Loan Party to one of its Affiliates in circumstances where, immediately prior to or immediately after, as the case may be, the issuance of such preferred shares, such Loan Party has loaned an amount equal to the proceeds of such issuance to an Affiliate on an unsecured basis; or | ||
(c) | by a Loan Party to one of its Affiliates in circumstances where, immediately after the issuance of such preferred shares, such Loan Party has used all of the proceeds of such issuance to subscribe for preferred shares issued by such Affiliate; | ||
in each case on terms where: |
(i) | the aggregate redemption amount applicable to the preferred shares issued to or by such Loan Party is identical: |
(A) | in the case of (a) above, to the principal amount of the loan made or the aggregate redemption amount of the preferred shares subscribed for by such Affiliate prior to the issuance thereof; | ||
(B) | in the case of (b) above, to the principal amount of the loan made to such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof; or | ||
(C) | in the case of (c) above, to the aggregate redemption amount of the preferred shares issued by such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof; |
(ii) | the dividend payment date applicable to the preferred shares issued to or by such Loan Party will: |
(A) | in the case of (a) above, be immediately prior to the interest payment date relevant to the loan made or the dividend payment date on the preferred shares subscribed for by such Affiliate immediately prior to the issuance thereof; | ||
(B) | in the case of (b) above, be immediately after the interest payment date relevant to the loan made to such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof; or | ||
(C) | in the case of (c) above, be immediately after the dividend payment date on the preferred shares issued by such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof; |
(iii) | the amount of dividends provided for on any payment date in the share conditions attaching to the preferred shares issued: |
(A) | to a Loan Party in the case of (a) above, will be equal to or in excess of the amount of interest payable in respect of the loan made or the amount of dividends provided for in respect of the |
-7-
preferred shares subscribed for by such Affiliate prior to the issuance thereof; | |||
(B) | by a Loan Party in the case of (b) above, will be equal to or less than the amount of interest payable in respect of the loan made to such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof; or | ||
(C) | by a Loan Party in the case of (c) above, will be equal to the amount of dividends in respect of the preferred shares issued by such Affiliate with the proceeds of the issuance thereof. |
Provided, for greater certainty, that in all cases, (I) the redemption of any preferred shares by a Loan Party; (II) the repayment of any Back-to-Back Debt by a Loan Party; (III) the payment of any dividends by a Loan Party in respect of its preferred shares; and (IV) the payment of any interest on Back-to-Back Debt of a Loan Party, may, in each case, be made by a Loan Party solely by delivering the relevant Back-to-Back Securities to the Affiliate in question, or by paying to the Affiliate an amount in cash not in excess of the amount already received in cash from such Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the requirement set out above with respect to the timing and order of events or to the effect that certain amounts stipulated in (ii) and (iii) above must be equal to or not in excess of or not less than certain other amounts stipulated thereunder shall not apply to Back-to-Back Transactions between QMI Entities provided the exchange of payments relating to such transactions are completed on the same day absent administrative, technical or technological constraints. |
-8-
-9-
-10-
(a) | Section 2.8 with respect to Bankers Acceptances; | ||
(b) | Section 2.10 with respect to Letters of Credit; and | ||
(c) | Section 2.11 with respect to Hedge Facilities. |
-11-
(a) | all debts and liabilities of the Person for borrowed money, including all debts and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency; for the purposes of calculating the amount of debt denominated in US$, the Borrowers shall use the exchange rate contemplated in the hedging agreements entered into by it to the extent to which such US$ denominated debt is covered by such hedging agreements; | ||
(b) | any obligation, contingent or other, which is required to be classified in accordance with GAAP upon the Persons balance sheet as a liability; | ||
(c) | any obligation secured by any Lien existing on property owned or acquired by the Person subject to the Lien whether or not the obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed; | ||
(d) | any debt or liability of the Person representing the deferred acquisition cost (other than such obligations incurred in the ordinary course of the Persons business and payable within a period not exceeding 120 days from the date of its incurrence) of property, assets or services created or arising under any conditional sale agreement or other title retention agreement even though the rights and remedies of the seller under that agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of property or assets covered thereby; | ||
(e) | any liabilities, contingent, unmatured or other, under indemnities given in respect of any bankers acceptance, letter of credit or letter of guarantee; | ||
(f) | all obligations of such Person under any Capital Lease by which the Person is bound; | ||
(g) | any obligation in respect of any share, ownership interest or other security of such Person that are redeemable at the option of its holder; | ||
(h) | without duplication of the Debt in respect of any hedging agreement under clause (a) above, the out of the money mark-to-market exposure of the Person to any counterparty arising under Hedge Contracts entered into with such counterparty; and | ||
(i) | Financial Assistance provided by such Person in respect of the Debt of another Person of the type referred to in clause (a) to (h) above. |
-12-
(a) | the face amount of the Bankers Acceptance | ||
by |
(b) | the quotient obtained by dividing: |
(i) | one | ||
by |
(ii) | the sum of one plus the product of: |
(A) | the Discount Rate applicable to the Bankers Acceptance | ||
and | |||
(B) | a fraction, the numerator of which is the applicable Contract Period and the denominator of which is 365 |
-13-
-14-
(a) | to advance or supply funds for the purpose of the payment or purchase of any Debt of any other Person; | ||
(b) | to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) any property, assets, goods, services, materials or supplies primarily for the purpose of enabling any Person to make payment of Debt or to assure the holder thereof against loss in respect of any Debt; or | ||
(c) | to indemnify or hold harmless any creditor of any other Person from or against any losses, liabilities or damages in respect of any Debt; |
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(a) | the Acquisition Target shall be in, or used for, substantially the same line of business as the Business; | ||
(b) | the Acquisition Target and all assets and operations ancillary thereto shall be located in Canada; provided that at any time assets or operations of an Acquisition Target may be located in any of the northern States of the United States of America, so long as the acquisition costs for all such non-Canadian assets (including all Transaction Costs) do not exceed in aggregate in respect of all Permitted Acquisitions, an amount greater than $10,000,000; | ||
(c) | pro forma compliance, based on the Borrowers reasonable projections, with all covenants in Section 9.3 for a period of one year following the closing date of such acquisition; | ||
(d) | the Acquisition Target shall be free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens and the Administrative Agent, for itself and the benefit of the Lenders, shall have obtained a first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in the Acquisition Target; under such documents, agreements and instruments and with such legal opinions in respect thereof as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent; and | ||
(e) | in respect of each Permitted Acquisition where all or a portion of the purchase price for the business or assets acquired (including all Transactions Costs) is funded from advances under the Revolving Facility, the sum of all amounts payable (including the purchase price and all Transaction Costs) of such acquisition or series of related acquisitions permitted hereunder shall not exceed Cdn$50,000,000 or the Equivalent Amount in any other currency; |
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(a) | the Obligations; | ||
(b) | trade payables and other Debt to customers or suppliers of such Person (including obligations under carrier bonds) incurred in the ordinary course of business as part of or related to the purchase of goods and services provided to or by such Person; | ||
(c) | Permitted Subordinated Debt; | ||
(d) | Debt in respect of any Hedging Facilities and other Debt to any of the Lenders referred to in Section 6.4(b) whether or not it constitutes Other Secured Obligations; | ||
(e) | Debt of a Borrower to any of its Material Subsidiaries or of any Material Subsidiary to a Borrower or any other Material Subsidiary; | ||
(f) | Debt in respect of Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not at the time due or delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by proper legal proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP and any Lien in connection therewith has been stayed or enforcement has not commenced; | ||
(g) | Debt of any corporation which shall be acquired as a Permitted Acquisition or Debt of any vendor of assets which are purchased by a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary as a Permitted Acquisition which Debt is assumed as part of such purchase transaction, provided that (i) the recourse of such Debt is limited to the assets being acquired; (ii) any Lien in respect of such Debt does not extend to any assets other than such assets which are acquired; (iii) such Debt was not created as a result of or in contemplation of such acquisition; and (iv) the aggregate of all such Debt for all acquisitions which is not otherwise Permitted Debt shall not exceed in the aggregate $5,000,000 ; | ||
(h) | Debt under Capital Leases; | ||
(i) | Debt which is represented by a Permitted Lien; | ||
(j) | any Financial Assistance provided by such Person in respect of any Debt (in the case of a Borrower, only in respect to Debt of its Material Subsidiaries, and in the case of a Material Subsidiary, only in respect to Debt of a Borrower or another Material Subsidiary) referred to in clauses (a) to (i) of this definition; | ||
(k) | net employee pension liabilities and post-retirement liabilities of the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries for up to a maximum amount of $10,000,000 in the |
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aggregate, so long as the Borrowers and each Material Subsidiary is at all times in compliance with its obligations under Section 9.1(12); | |||
(l) | month-end accruals for taxes, benefits, salaries and other accruals including, without limitation, accruals on the amount set out in (k) above, all arising in the ordinary course of business and not yet due; | ||
(m) | Debt under any Back-to-Back Securities; and | ||
(n) | unsecured Debt having a maturity in excess of the Maturity Date and having covenants or restrictions which are less onerous than the Credit Facilities except in respect of pricing. |
(a) | any Distribution paid or made in shares or other ownership interests, provided that such shares, or other ownership interests comply with Section 9.2(14); | ||
(b) | any Distribution by a Borrower to its unitholders or shareholders, as applicable; | ||
(c) | any Distribution in accordance with the Long Term Incentive Plan; | ||
(d) | subject to clause (e) below, any Distribution paid in interest or the prepayment or repayment of principal on account of any Permitted Subordinated Debt; | ||
(e) | any Distribution in respect of the Back-to-Back Securities; provided, however, that to the extent such payments are made to any Affiliates of the Borrowers other than QMI Entities, all corresponding payments required to be paid by such Affiliates pursuant to the related Back-to-Back Securities are received, immediately prior to, concurrently with or immediately subsequent to, any such payments by the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries, and each such payment by the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries shall be conditional upon receipt of an equal or greater amount from such Affiliate; | ||
(f) | any Distributions between or among the Borrowers and any Material Subsidiary; and | ||
(g) | any Distribution in respect of any Tax Benefit Transaction; |
provided, in the case of each of clauses (a) to (d) inclusive and clause (g), that no Material Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that no Material Default or Event of Default will result from the making of any such Distribution and, in the case of clauses (e) and (f), that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that no Event of Default will result from the making of such Distribution. |
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(a) | any Lien created by, or arising under any statute or regulation or common law (in contrast with Liens voluntarily granted) in connection with, without limiting the foregoing, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, employers health tax or other social security or statutory obligations that secure amounts that are not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued and as to which adequate reserves have been established on a Borrowers or a Subsidiarys books and records and so long as no proceedings to enforce such Lien have been commenced; | ||
(b) | Liens made or incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the borrowing of money), leases, statutory obligations or surety and performance bonds; | ||
(c) | any construction, workers, materialmens or other like Lien created by law (in contrast with Liens voluntarily granted), arising in connection with construction or maintenance in the ordinary course of business, in respect of obligations which are not due or which are being contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued and as to which adequate reserves have been established on a Borrowers or a Subsidiarys books and records and so long as no proceedings to enforce such Liens have been commenced and, in respect only of Liens claiming in excess of $20,000, such Lien has not been registered against any real property or has been removed from any assets by way of lien bond or other manner acceptable to the Credit Facility Lenders; | ||
(d) | any Lien for Taxes not due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and as to which adequate reserves have been established on a Borrowers or a Subsidiarys books and records and so long as no proceedings to enforce such Lien have been commenced; | ||
(e) | minor imperfections in title on real property that do not materially detract from the value of the real property subject thereto and do not materially impair a Borrowers or a Subsidiarys, as the case may be, ability to carry on its business or the Administrative Agents or the Lenders rights and remedies under the Documents; | ||
(f) | any purchase money Lien on specific assets (including Capital Leases) to secure indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition of those assets where the amount of the obligations secured does not exceed 100% of the lesser of the cost or fair market value of the assets and the amount secured by all such Liens does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any one Fiscal Year; and extensions, renewals or replacements thereof upon the assets if the amount of the obligations secured thereby is not increased; | ||
(g) | restrictions, licenses, easements, rights-of-way, servitudes or other similar rights in land (including rights-of-way and servitudes for railways, sewers, drains, gas |
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and oil pipelines, gas and water mains, electric light and power and telephone or telegraph or cable television conduits, poles, wires and cables) granted to or reserved by other Persons which in the aggregate do not materially impair the usefulness, in the operation of the business of a Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, of the real property subject to the restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, servitudes or other similar rights in land granted to or reserved by other Persons; | |||
(h) | the rights reserved to or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, licence, franchise, grant or permit held by a Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, or by any statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, licence, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof; | ||
(i) | the reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions, if any, expressed in any original grants from the Crown and any statutory exceptions to title; | ||
(j) | restrictive covenants affecting the use to which real property may be put, provided that the covenants are complied with and do not materially detract from the value of the real property concerned or materially impair its use in the operations of a Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be; | ||
(k) | the Security Documents; | ||
(l) | the right reserved to or vested in any municipality or governmental or any other public authority by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit acquired by that Person or by any statutory provision to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or other payments as a condition to the continuance thereof; | ||
(m) | Liens resulting from the deposit of cash or securities in connection with surety and appeal bonds and costs of litigation when required by law provided that such Lien does not extend beyond the cash or securities deposited and provided that the aggregate amount of all such Liens outstanding at any time shall not exceed $500,000; | ||
(n) | security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of its business; | ||
(o) | any Lien securing Permitted Debt which was existing on any property or asset when acquired by a Borrower provided such Lien does not extend beyond the properties acquired and extensions, renewals or replacements thereof upon such property if the amount of the obligations secured thereby are not increased; | ||
(p) | undetermined or inchoate Liens, rights of distress and charges incidental to current operation which have not at such time been filed or exercised and of |
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which none of the Credit Facility Lenders nor the Administrative Agent has been given notice, and which relate to obligations not due or payable; | |||
(q) | zoning by-laws and other land use restrictions including, without limitation, site plan agreements, development agreements and contract zoning agreements; | ||
(r) | restrictive covenants, private deed restrictions or other agreements that relate to the use of real property provided that such agreements would not have a material adverse effect on such real property; | ||
(s) | Liens on any specific asset acquired through a Tax Benefit Transaction provided such Liens do not extend to any assets other than such specific asset and provided further that such Liens are fully discharged or such specific asset is sold within 5 Business Days of such transaction; and | ||
(t) | those Liens set out in Schedule 1.1(147) and extensions, renewals or replacements thereof provided such extension, renewal or replacement does not increase the obligations in respect of such Lien or extend the Lien to any additional property. |
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(a) | the annual rate of interest announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as being the reference rate of the Administrative Agent, or if the Administrative Agent shall not be a Schedule I Lender, a Schedule I Lender selected by the Administrative Agent, then in effect for determining interest rates on Canadian Dollar denominated commercial loans made by it in Canada; and | ||
(b) | the CDOR Rate in effect on such date plus 75 basis points per annum. |
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(a) | the Credit Facility Obligations; | ||
(b) | all debts and liabilities of such Person for borrowed money, including all debts and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency; for the purposes of calculating the amount of debt denominated in US$, the Borrowers shall use the exchange rate contemplated in the hedging agreements entered into by it to the extent to which such US$ denominated debt is covered by such hedging agreements; | ||
(c) | obligations of such Person under Capital Leases; | ||
(d) | indebtedness of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property other than Debt referred to in clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Debt and debt incurred in the ordinary course of the Persons business and payable within a period not exceeding 120 days of its incurrence; | ||
(e) | indebtedness of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments; | ||
(f) | reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, letters of guarantee, bankers acceptances and similar agreement; | ||
(g) | without duplication of Debt in respect of any hedging agreement under clause (b) above, the out of the money mark-to-market exposure of the Person to any counterparty arising under Hedge Contracts entered into with such counterparty; | ||
(h) | all Debt of the type referred to in clauses (a) to (g) above directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or for which such Person may be contingently liable; and |
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(i) | to the extent that the Debt in clauses (a) to (g) above would be classified as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, provided that Total Debt shall not include any Debt described in clause (e) of the definition of Permitted Debt. |
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(a) | the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement; or | ||
(b) | the legality, validity or enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction. |
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Type of Advance | Time of Notice | |
|
||
Prime Loans or Swing Line Loans
(other than Overdrafts) |
Before 10:00 a.m. one Business Day prior to the Drawdown Date. | |
|
||
Bankers Acceptances
|
Before 10:00 a.m. two Business Days prior to the requested Drawdown Date. |
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Type of Advance
Time of Notice
Before 10:00 a.m. two Business Days prior
to the Issuance Date.
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(a) | the right of each Borrower to request an Advance by means of Bankers Acceptances shall be suspended until the Majority Lenders determine that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and the Administrative Agent so notifies the Borrowers; and | ||
(b) | any notice of Drawdown or Rollover in respect of a Bankers Acceptance which is outstanding shall be cancelled and any outstanding notice of Conversion to convert a Prime Rate Loan into a Bankers Acceptance shall be cancelled and the request for a Drawdown or Rollover by means of Bankers Acceptance shall be deemed to be a request for a Drawdown of, or Rollover to, a Prime Loan in the face amount of the requested Bankers Acceptance. |
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(a) | the term of a Discount Note shall be the same as the Contract Period for Bankers Acceptances accepted and purchased on the same Drawdown Date in respect of the same Advance; | ||
(b) | an acceptance fee will be payable in respect of a Discount Note and shall be calculated at the same rate and in the same manner as the Acceptance Fee in respect of a Bankers Acceptance; and | ||
(c) | the Discount Rate applicable to a Discount Note shall be the Discount Rate applicable to Bankers Acceptances accepted by the Administrative Agent (as Credit Facility Lender) on the same Drawdown Date, Rollover Date or Conversion Date, as the case may be, in respect of the same Advance. |
(a) | is a credit in excess of $100,000, the Swing Line Lender may apply the amount of the credit or any part thereof rounded down to the nearest Cdn$25,000 as applicable, as a repayment of Swing Line Loans owing to the Swing Line Lender; or | ||
(b) | is a debit, the Swing Line Lender shall, if there is sufficient availability under its Commitment, make available an Advance (a Swing Line Loan ) by way of Prime Loan in an amount rounded up to the nearest Cdn$25,000 to place the applicable Revolving Facility Borrower in a minimum net credit position of zero (an Overdraft ). |
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(a) | the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness, or legal effect of any Letter of Credit or Letter of Guarantee or any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for or issuance of a Letter of Credit or Letter of Guarantee, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent, or forged; | ||
(b) | the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness, or legal effect of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of |
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Credit or Letter of Guarantee or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; |
(c) | failure of the beneficiary to comply fully with conditions required in order to demand payment under a Letter of Credit or Letter of Guarantee; | ||
(d) | errors, omissions, interruptions, or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, telecopier, or otherwise; or | ||
(e) | any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document or draft required in order to make a Disbursement under a Letter of Credit or Letter of Guarantee or of the proceeds thereof. |
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(a) | each conversion to an Advance shall be for minimum aggregate amounts and whole multiples in excess thereof as are specified in respect of that type of Advance in this Section 2; | ||
(b) | an Advance by way of Bankers Acceptance may be converted only on the last day of the relevant Contract Period; if less than all Advances by way of Bankers Acceptances are converted, after the conversion not less than Cdn$1,000,000 shall remain as Advances by way of Bankers Acceptances; and | ||
(c) | no Conversion into or Rollover of Bankers Acceptances shall be permitted if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the relevant Conversion Date or Rollover Date or after giving effect to the Conversion or Rollover of the Advance to be made on the Conversion Date or Rollover Date. |
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Acceptance Fees, Letter of
Credit and Letter of
Total Debt to EBITDA
Prime Loans
Guarantee Fees
³
3.0x
0.750%
1.750%
>2.5x
0.375%
1.375%
£
2.5x
0.100%
1.100%
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(a) | firstly, by reducing the amount or rate of interest required to be paid by such Borrower to the affected Credit Facility Lender under this Section 3; and | ||
(b) | thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid by such Borrower to the affected Credit Facility Lender which would constitute interest for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). |
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(a) | subjects any Credit Facility Lender to, or causes the withdrawal or termination of a previously granted exemption with respect to, any Tax or changes the basis of taxation, or increases any existing Tax, on payments of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable by a Borrower to the Credit Facility Lender under or by virtue of this Agreement (except for Excluded Taxes); | ||
(b) | imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve, special deposit, deposit insurance or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans by or any other acquisition of funds by, an office of any Credit Facility Lender in respect of any Advance or any other condition with respect to this Agreement; | ||
(c) | imposes on a Credit Facility Lender or expects there to be maintained by a Credit Facility Lender any additional capital in respect of the Credit Facilities; or | ||
(d) | imposes any Tax on reserves or deemed reserves with respect to the undrawn portion of the Revolving Commitment of any Credit Facility Lender. |
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(a) | firstly, in payment of any amounts due and payable as and by way of agency fees owing to the Administrative Agent for its services provided hereunder; | ||
(b) | secondly, in payment of any amounts due and payable as and by way of recoverable expenses hereunder; |
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(c) | thirdly, in payment of any interest, other fees, or default interest then due and payable on or in respect of the Advances; | ||
(d) | fourthly, in respect of payment by the Revolving Facility Borrowers, in the non-permanent repayment of any principal amounts of the Advances due under the Revolving Facility, and | ||
(e) | fifthly, in payment of any other amounts then due and payable by such Borrower hereunder or in connection herewith. |
(a) | firstly, in payment of agency fees and the reasonable costs and expenses of any realization against a Borrower or of its property and assets, including the out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent and the reasonable fees and out-of pocket expenses of counsel, consultants and other advisers employed in connection therewith and in payment of all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement or the other Documents, to the extent that those funds, costs and expenses shall not have been reimbursed to the Administrative Agent; | ||
(b) | secondly, in payment of any other unpaid fees payable hereunder by a Borrower; | ||
(c) | thirdly, in payment or prepayment of principal under the Term Facility (in respect of the Term Facility Borrowers) or the Revolving Facility (in respect of the Revolving Facility Borrowers) and any other Obligations (other than on account of interest) outstanding under this Agreement, any other Documents and any document or agreement under which Other Secured Obligations arise and then to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest thereunder; and | ||
(d) | fourthly, in payment of the balance, if any, to the applicable Borrower or such other person or persons who may be entitled at law or, in each case, their respective successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. |
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(a) | unconditional and unlimited guarantee of Osprey GP, each other Material Subsidiary, Amalco I and Nominee in respect of the Obligations; | ||
(b) | general security agreements creating a first priority security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens, in all of the personal property, assets and undertaking of each Borrower (including Bidco, as and from the Bidco Effective Date), Amalco I, Nominee and each Material Subsidiary (and a deed of hypothec to the same effect in respect of Bidco, as and from the Bidco Effective Date); | ||
(c) | debenture of Osprey LP and each Material Subsidiary creating a first fixed charge, subject only to Permitted Liens, on all of its owned and leasehold real property together with a related debenture delivery or pledge agreement; | ||
(d) | assignment of all property and business interruption insurance policies; | ||
(e) | specific assignments of certain contracts by Osprey LP and each Material Subsidiary, acknowledged by all parties to such contracts; | ||
(f) | pledges of shares, intercompany indebtedness and all other ownership interests of each Subsidiary of the Borrowers and each Material Subsidiary; | ||
(g) | subordination and/or inter-creditor agreement in respect of all Permitted Subordinated Debt; | ||
(h) | pledge of all of the Securities of Osprey LP and Osprey GP, and of the Fund (as and from the Bidco Effective Date); | ||
(i) | pledge of all of the Securities of Amalco I and Nominee; and | ||
(j) | such other security as the Credit Facility Lenders may reasonably require, including revisions to any of the foregoing security, if necessary, to reflect any uncertificated securities held by the applicable pledgor. |
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(a) | the Credit Facility Obligations; and | ||
(b) | the present and future debts, liabilities and obligations of any Borrower to any Lender (collectively, the Other Secured Obligations ) under or in connection with, (i) Hedge Contracts permitted pursuant to Section 9.2(16), (ii) cash management and consolidation, money management, foreign-exchange, credit card and other facilities provided by a Lender to any Borrower, and (iii) other transactions not made under this Agreement if it is agreed by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent acting on the instructions of the Credit Facility Lenders that such facilities, debts, liabilities and obligations shall be secured; provided, for greater certainty, that upon any financial institution ceasing to be a Credit Facility Lender, the Other Secured Obligations of such financial institution and its Affiliates, as the case may be, shall continue to be secured by the Security Documents so long as such financial institution was a Credit Facility Lender at the time any agreement under which any such Other Secured Obligations arise was entered into. |
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(a) | this Agreement duly executed by all the parties thereto; | ||
(b) | each Security Document or, where applicable, confirmation of the validity of existing security, and all other Documents duly executed by all the parties thereto; | ||
(c) | a Compliance Certificate, dated September 28, 2007, confirming the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 9.3; | ||
(d) | Certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Credit Facility Lenders of each Existing Borrower, Bidco and Osprey GP dated the Closing Date executed by an Authorized Signatory certifying: |
(i) | the names and the specimen signatures of the Persons authorized to sign this Agreement, the Security Documents and the other Documents to be executed and delivered by it under this Agreement; | ||
(ii) | that its declaration of trust, limited partnership agreement or articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, as the case may be, and all other constating documents, which shall be attached thereto, are a complete and correct copy and that each of the declaration of trust, limited partnership agreement or articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, as the case may be, and all other constating documents have not been amended, modified or supplemented and are in full force and effect; and | ||
(iii) | its resolution and all other authorizations necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of and the performance by it of its obligations under the Security Documents and the other Documents to which it is a party and all the transactions contemplated thereby; |
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(e) | opinions of Ogilvy Renault LLP, counsel to Bidco, the Fund, Osprey LP and Osprey GP and each of their Subsidiaries, dated as of September 28, 2007 regarding corporate existence, due authorization, enforceability of this Agreement and the Security Documents and registration of the Security Documents etc. addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Credit Facility Lender; | ||
(f) | opinions of Aikins, MacAuley & Thorvaldson LLP, Manitoba counsel to Osprey LP, dated as of September 28, 2007 regarding, existence, due authorization of this Agreement and the Security Documents etc. addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Credit Facility Lender; | ||
(g) | certified copies of all Material Contracts then in effect not previously provided to the Administrative Agent; and | ||
(h) | such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request on behalf of the Credit Facility Lenders, including standard documentation used by a Credit Facility Lender in connection with the issuance of Bankers Acceptances, Letters of Credit, Letters of Guarantee and Hedge Contracts prior to any Advance by way of any such method. |
(2) | Registration of Security Documents . All registrations, recordings and filings of or with respect to the Security Documents which in the opinion of counsel to the Administrative Agent are necessary to render effective the security intended to be created thereby shall have been completed. | |
(3) | Fees . All fees payable by the Borrowers on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid to the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, all reasonable legal fees and disbursements of McMillan Binch Mendelsohn LLP, counsel to the Administrative Agent. | |
(4) | Representations Correct . The representations and warranties set forth in Section 8 shall be true and correct as at the Closing Date. | |
(5) | No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall exist as at the Closing Date. |
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(a) | each Security Document and all other Documents (other than this Agreement) duly executed by Bidco; | ||
(b) | a Certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Credit Facility Lenders of Bidco dated the Bidco Effective Date executed by an Authorized Signatory certifying: |
(i) | the names and the specimen signatures of the Persons authorized to sign the Security Documents and the other Documents to be executed and delivered by it under this Agreement; | ||
(ii) | that its articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, as the case may be, and all other constating documents, which shall be attached thereto, are a complete and correct copy and that each of the articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, as the case may be, and all other constating documents have not been amended, modified or supplemented and are in full force and effect; and | ||
(iii) | its resolution and all other authorizations necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of and the performance by it of its obligations under the Security Documents and the other Documents to which it is a party and all the transactions contemplated thereby; |
(c) | a copy of the Advanced Income Tax Ruling issued by Canada Revenue Agency with respect to the Reorganization or an opinion of Ogilvy Renault LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel; |
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(d) | opinions of Ogilvy Renault LLP, counsel to Bidco, dated as of the Bidco Effective Date regarding corporate existence, due authorization, enforceability of the Security Documents entered into by Bidco and registration of such Security Documents etc. addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Credit Facility Lender; and | ||
(e) | such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request on behalf of the Credit Facility Lenders, including standard documentation used by a Credit Facility Lender in connection with the issuance of Bankers Acceptances, Letters of Credit, Letters of Guarantee and Hedge Contracts prior to any Advance by way of any such method. |
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(a) | the most recent financial statements as of August 30, 2007 of the Fund, copies of each which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with preceding periods, except as stated therein or in the notes, and those financial statements fairly represent the financial condition of the Borrowers as at their date; and | ||
(b) | the Compliance Certificate delivered on the Closing Date denominating compliance with all financial covenants of the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries under this Agreement were based on the financial statements of the Fund referred to in (a) above and such balance sheet and income statement were |
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prepared in accordance with GAAP with only adjustments thereto that would be required under GAAP. |
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(a) | conduct its business in a proper and efficient manner and keep proper books of account and records with respect to the operation of its business; | ||
(b) | diligently maintain, repair, use and operate its property and premises in a commercially reasonable and efficient manner; and | ||
(c) | subject to the exceptions set out in Section 9.1(13), maintain its physical assets in good condition so that each asset may be used at all times for the purpose for which it was intended. |
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(a) | the Credit Facility Lenders exercise of their rights under this paragraph does not reasonably interfere with the operations of the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries; | ||
(b) | the Credit Facility Lenders maintain the confidentiality of all information they receive in accordance with usual requirements of banker/customer confidentiality, and do not use it except for the purpose of this Agreement; and | ||
(c) | other than during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Credit Facility Lenders shall not exercise such right of access more than twice in any Fiscal Year. |
(a) | Each Borrower shall ensure that each Canadian Pension Plan described in Schedule 8.1(15) retains its registered status under and is administered in a timely manner in all respects in accordance with the applicable pension plan text, funding agreement, the ITA and all other Applicable Laws. | ||
(b) | Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Borrower shall use its best efforts to obtain and to provide the Administrative Agent with written confirmation from the applicable Governmental Authorities that each Canadian Pension Plan adopted by the applicable Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries after the date hereof which is required to be registered under the ITA or any other Applicable Law has been registered without condition. From and after the adoption and registration of any Canadian Pension Plan, each Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to use its best efforts to ensure that the plan retains its registered status under and is administered in all respects in accordance with the applicable pension plan text, funding agreement, the ITA and all other Applicable Laws. | ||
(c) | Each Borrower shall cause all reports and disclosures relating to any Canadian Pension Plan that are required by the plan or any Applicable Laws to be filed or distributed in a timely manner. | ||
(d) | Each Borrower shall, and shall cause its Material Subsidiaries to perform, all obligations (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with each Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan and the funding media therefor; make all contributions and pay all premiums in a timely manner required to be made or paid by a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the |
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plan and all Applicable Laws; withhold by way of authorized payroll deductions or otherwise collect and pay into the plan all employee contributions required to be withheld or collected by a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the plan and all Applicable Laws; and ensure that the plan is fully funded, both on an ongoing basis and on a solvency basis (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authorities and which are consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles). | |||
(e) | The Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, on request, (i) promptly after the filing thereof by any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary with any applicable Governmental Authority, copies of each annual and other return, report or valuation with respect to each Canadian Pension Plan; (ii) promptly after receipt thereof, a copy of any direction, order, notice, ruling or opinion that any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary may receive from any applicable Governmental Authority with respect to any Canadian Pension Plan; and (iii) notification within thirty (30) days of any increases in the benefits of any existing Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the establishment of any new Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, or the commencement of contributions to any plan to which a Borrower or any Material Subsidiary was not previously contributing. | ||
(f) | The Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on request an undertaking signed by the funding agent for each of the Canadian Pension Plans, addressed to the Administrative Agent, stating that such funding agent shall on request deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of any notice required to be delivered by the funding agent under applicable pension standards legislation at the same time such notice is given to the applicable pension standards regulator. |
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(a) | the ratios shall be determined as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter on a rolling four quarter basis based on the Compliance Certificate delivered in respect of such Fiscal Quarter and the ratios so determined shall be deemed to apply throughout the subsequent Fiscal Quarter unless a disposition or Permitted Acquisition occurs during such Fiscal Quarter, in which case the ratios shall be adjusted as of the closing date of such disposition or Permitted Acquisition; provided, that if a Compliance Certificate shall be delivered late, not be in form and substance satisfactory to the Credit Facility Lenders or prove to be incorrect, the Credit Facility Lenders may adjust the calculation based on the information available to them; | ||
(b) | for all purposes if a Borrower or a Material Subsidiary shall make a disposition or Permitted Acquisition, other than a disposition to or acquisition from a Borrower or another Material Subsidiary, then (i) the EBITDA that the Borrowers in respect of the 12-month period following the closing date of such disposition or Permitted Acquisition shall thereupon be adjusted on a pro forma basis to include the EBITDA of the operation comprising the Permitted Acquisition or exclude the EBITDA of the operations disposed of (without deduction for any management fees) and to include annualized interest on any Debt assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition or exclude annualized interest on any Debt repaid or assumed by a third party in connection with such disposition, in each case, for the applicable portion of the 12-month period preceding such closing date and (ii) the Cash Interest Coverage Ratio in respect of the 12-month period following the closing of such disposition or Permitted Acquisition shall thereupon be adjusted on a pro forma basis to include or exclude annualized Cash Interest on Debt assumed in connection therewith or any Debt repaid or assumed by a third party in connection with such disposition, in each case, for the applicable portion of the 12-month period preceding such closing date provided that, where the operations disposed of were previously acquired using the proceeds of an Advance under the Revolving Facility, then for the purposes of this subclause (ii) the amount of the mandatory repayments that may be excluded shall be the amount of such Debt so repaid or assumed as shall exceed that portion of the aforesaid Advance under the Revolving Facility as is reasonably attributable to the operations disposed of. At the closing date of any Permitted Acquisition, the Borrowers will provide the Administrative Agent with EBITDA and Cash Interest projections for the next 12-month period to demonstrate compliance with clauses (1) and (2) above. |
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(a) | unaudited consolidated financial statements of Bidco prepared in accordance with GAAP (including a balance sheet and statements of income and retained earnings and changes in financial position but excluding notes); and | ||
(b) | a Compliance Certificate for such Fiscal Quarter in detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. |
(a) | audited annual consolidated financial statements of Bidco duly certified by its board of directors together with a report of its Auditors whose report shall contain no qualifications except those satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and | ||
(b) | a Compliance Certificate for such Fiscal Year in detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and certifying that, as of the date of such certificate, there are no material outstanding issues arising from the Auditors management letter in respect of the Auditors review of the financial statements of the Borrowers for the most recently completed Fiscal Year or, in the event that any such issues have |
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arisen, an explanation of such issues and the Borrowers plan to rectify them, including any steps taken to rectify such issues. |
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(a) | any term, condition, covenant or undertaking contained in Section 9.2(1), (4), (5), (8), (11), (12) or (15); or |
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(b) | any other term, condition, covenant or undertaking contained in any Document which is not otherwise specifically addressed in this Section 11.1 and that failure, if capable of being remedied, is not remedied within fifteen (15) days of its occurrence. |
(a) | default occurs in the payment thereof when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise; or | ||
(b) | default occurs in the performance or observance of any obligation or condition with respect thereto and that default remains unremedied after any remedial period with respect thereto or any other event occurs with respect thereto, and the effect of that default or other event is to accelerate the maturity of that Debt or to permit the holder or holders thereof, or any trustee or agent for the holder or holders, to cause the Debt to become due and payable prior to its expressed maturity, unless a waiver of such default is given by the holder or holders, or any trustee or agent for the holder or holders, or such default is cured prior to the Credit Facility Lenders declaring an Event of Default. |
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(a) | institutes proceedings for substantive relief in any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring, reorganization, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or other similar proceedings (including any such proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the incorporating statute of the relevant corporation or other similar legislation), including proceedings for the appointment of a trustee, interim receiver, receiver, receiver and manager, administrative receiver, custodian, liquidator, provisional liquidator, administrator, sequestrator or other like official with respect to the relevant corporation or all or any material part of its property or assets; | ||
(b) | makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; | ||
(c) | is unable or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due or otherwise acknowledges its insolvency or commits any other act of bankruptcy or is taken to be insolvent under any applicable legislation; | ||
(d) | voluntarily suspends the conduct of its business or operations; | ||
(e) | or acquiesces to, or takes any action in furtherance of, any of the foregoing. |
(a) | makes any application under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) or similar legislation; | ||
(b) | files a proposal or notice of intention to file a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or similar legislation; | ||
(c) | institutes a winding-up proceeding under the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada), any relevant incorporating statute or any similar legislation; |
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(d) | presents a petition in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or any similar legislation; or | ||
(e) | files, institutes or commences any other petition, proceeding or case under any other bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring, reorganization, incorporation, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or similar law now or hereafter in effect, seeking bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding-up, composition or readjustment of debt of any of them, the appointment of a trustee, interim receiver, receiver, receiver and manager, administrative receiver, custodian, liquidator, provisional liquidator, administrator, sequestrator or other like official for any of them, or any material part of any of their respective assets or any similar relief; | ||
(f) | and if the applicable filing, proceeding, petition or case is not contested by bona fide action on the part of the applicable corporation and is not dismissed, stayed or withdrawn within thirty (30) days of commencement thereof. |
(a) | declare that the Total Commitment has expired and that the Credit Facility Lenders obligations to make Advances have terminated; and | ||
(b) | declare the entire principal amount of all Advances outstanding, all unpaid accrued interest and all fees and other amounts required to be paid by the |
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Borrowers or either of them hereunder to be immediately due and payable without the necessity of presentment for payment, notice of non-payment and of protest (all of which are hereby expressly waived) and proceed to exercise any and all rights and remedies hereunder and under any other Document or otherwise permitted by law. |
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(a) | the Rateable Portion of the Obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the Security Documents shall be the aggregate amount (expressed in Canadian Dollars) of the Commitments and the Other Secured Obligations of such Lender; | ||
(b) | the Rateable Portion of the Other Secured Obligations of a Lender under Hedge Contracts shall be the amount (expressed in Canadian Dollars) by which a Borrower would be out of the money (as such phrase is generally understood in the banking industry) on a net basis if all the Hedge Contracts between that Borrower and such Lender were marked-to-market (as such phrase is generally understood in the banking industry). |
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(a) | firstly, to the payment of all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any trustee of the Lenders appointed by the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, all legal fees and disbursements) in the exercise of all or any of the powers granted to it hereunder or under the Security Documents and in payment of all of the remuneration of any receiver or similar agent and all reasonable costs and expenses properly incurred by such receiver (including, without limitation, all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) in the exercise of all or any powers granted to it under the Security Documents; | ||
(b) | secondly, in payment of all amounts of money borrowed or advanced by the Administrative Agent, any trustee of the Lenders appointed by the Administrative Agent or such receiver pursuant to the Security Documents and any interest thereon; | ||
(c) | thirdly, to the payment or prepayment of the Obligations (including holding as cash collateral to be applied against Obligations which have not then matured) to the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Rateable Portion including, without limitation, any Lenders exposure under any Hedging Facilities; and | ||
(d) | the balance, if any, to the applicable Borrower or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Law. |
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(a) | to check or enquire on its behalf into the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Borrowers or in connection with any of the Documents (whether or not the information has been or is hereafter circulated to the Lender by the Administrative Agent); | ||
(b) | to enquire as to the performance by the Borrowers of its obligations under any of the Documents; or | ||
(c) | to assess or keep under review on its behalf the financial condition, creditworthiness, affairs, status or nature of the Borrowers. |
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(a) | shall be binding upon the Borrowers unless it is evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by the Borrowers; nor | ||
(b) | be binding upon the Administrative Agent and the Lenders unless it is approved in writing by the Administrative Agent and all the Credit Facility Lenders or the Majority Lenders, as applicable. |
(a) | decrease the rate or amount of any principal, interest or fees or any other amount payable by any Borrower or any alteration in the currency or mode of calculation or computation thereof; |
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(b) | any extension or reduction of the time for any payments required to be made by any Borrower, | ||
(c) | any extension of the Maturity Date; | ||
(d) | the types of Advances available; | ||
(e) | an increase in the Total Commitment or in any Credit Facility Lenders Commitment; | ||
(f) | an extension or reduction of the notice period required in connection with any Advance; | ||
(g) | the definition of Majority Lenders; | ||
(h) | the nature and scope of the Security Documents; | ||
(i) | permit any subordination of any secured Obligations; | ||
(j) | an assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement; or | ||
(k) | any provision of this Section 13.15, or of Sections 2.3, 7.1, 7.2, 12.4 and 12.5. |
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(a) | Any Credit Facility Lender (herein sometimes called a Granting Lender ) may, without the prior consent of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, grant a participation in the Revolving Facility to one or more financial institutions that are not non-residents of Canada for the purpose of the ITA (the Participant ). If a participation is granted, (i) the Granting Lender shall remain fully liable for all of its obligations and responsibilities under this Agreement to the same extent as if the participation had not been granted, and (ii) the Granting Lender shall administer the participation of the Participant. None of the Participant, the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall have any rights against or obligations to one another, nor shall any of them be required to deal directly with one another in respect of the participation by a Participant. For greater certainty, Participants, as such, shall have no voting rights as Credit Facility Lenders under this Agreement. | ||
(b) | Any Credit Facility Lender (herein sometimes called an Assigning Lender ) may, prior to an Event of Default, with the consent of the Borrowers, not to be unreasonably withheld, and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, without the prior consent of the Borrowers, but in all cases with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, (for greater certainty, it is hereby acknowledged that if the Administrative Agent has concerns about the ability of the Assignee to fund its Obligations under this Agreement it would be reasonable not to consent to such assignment), assign all or any part of its rights to, and may have its obligations in respect of the Revolving Facility and the Term Facility assumed by, one or more financial institutions that are residents of Canada for the purposes of the ITA (each an Assignee ), provided that, when assigning all or part of its Commitment, the Assigning Lender must assign an equal portion of its Revolving Commitment and Term Commitment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Credit Facility Lender shall assign any portion of its Commitment if, after that assignment, (i) the Assigning Lenders Commitment would be less than Cdn$10,000,000, or (ii) the Assignees Commitment would be less than Cdn$10,000,000, except that, with respect to those Lenders whose Commitment as of the date hereof is less than Cdn$10,000,000, the dollar amount of the foregoing assignment restriction shall be deemed to be equal to the amount of each such Lenders Commitment as of the date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent shall be required in respect of any assignment by an Assigning Lender to (i) its Affiliate which, in the case of any transfer prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, is a financial institution that is not a non-resident in Canada for the purpose of the ITA or (ii) another Credit Facility Lender. An assignment shall become effective when the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent have been notified of it by the Assigning Lender and have received from the Assignee an undertaking (addressed to all the parties to this Agreement) to be bound by this Agreement and to perform the obligations assigned to it, in substantially the form of Schedule 14.1(3)(b) and the Administrative Agent has received from the Assignee an assignment fee of a |
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minimum of $2,500 per Credit Facility Lender per assignment. Any Assignee shall be treated as a Credit Facility Lender for all purposes of this Agreement, shall be entitled to the full benefit hereof and shall be subject to the obligations of the Assigning Lender to the same extent as if it were an original party in respect of the rights or obligations assigned to it, and the Assigning Lender shall be released and discharged accordingly and to the same extent, and such Schedules as applicable shall be amended accordingly from time to time without further notice or other requirement. |
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(a) | to be bound by this Section 15.10; and | ||
(b) | to require such Person to require any other Person to whom such Person discloses such non-public information to be similarly bound by this Section 15.10. |
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100 Renfrew Drive
Suite 110 Markham, Ontario L3R 9R6 |
OSPREY MEDIA INCOME FUND | |||||||||
|
By: | /s/ Michael Sifton | ||||||||
Attention: |
Mr. John Leader,
Vice President, Finance |
Name:
Title: |
Michael Sifton
Authorized Signatory |
|||||||
Telephone:
|
(905) 752-1132 | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(905) 752-0989 | |||||||||
|
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With a copy to | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Attention:
|
VP Legal Affairs | |||||||||
Phone:
|
(514) 954-0101 | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(514) 985-8834 | |||||||||
|
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|
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CREDIT FACILITY LENDERS: | ||||||||||
|
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The Bank of Nova Scotia
P.O. Box 4085, Station A 40 King Street West |
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | |||||||||
Scotia Plaza, 62nd Floor | By: | /s/ Robert A. King | ||||||||
Toronto, Ontario M5W 2X6 | Name: | Robert A. King | ||||||||
|
Title: | Director | ||||||||
Attention: |
Director, Corporate Banking,
Communications Media & Technology |
By: | /s/ Bradley Walker | |||||||
Telephone:
|
(416) 933-1873 | Name: | Bradley Walker | |||||||
Facsimile:
|
(416) 866-2010 | Title: | Associate Director |
National City Bank, Canada Branch
130 King Street West, Suite 2140 Toronto, Ontario M5X 1E4 |
NATIONAL CITY BANK, CANADA BRANCH | |||||||||
|
By: | /s/ Caroline Stade | ||||||||
Attention: | Vice President |
Name:
|
Caroline Stade
| |||||||
Telephone:
|
(416) 361-1744 ext. 224 | Title: | Vice President | |||||||
Facsimile:
|
(416) 361-0085 | |||||||||
By: | /s/ G. William Hines | |||||||||
|
Name: | G. William Hines | ||||||||
|
Title: | SVP & Principal Officer | ||||||||
|
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|
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ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
|
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | |||||||||
The Bank of Nova Scotia | By: | /s/ Ian McKay | ||||||||
P.O. Box 4085, Station A
|
Name: | Ian McKay | ||||||||
40 King Street West | Title: | Managing Director & Unit Head | ||||||||
Scotia Plaza, 62nd Floor | ||||||||||
Toronto, Ontario M5W 2X6 | By: | /s/ Janet Qi | ||||||||
|
Name: | Janet Qi | ||||||||
Attention: |
Director, Corporate Banking,
Loan Syndications |
Title: | Associate | |||||||
Telephone:
|
(416) 866-7826 | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(416) 866-3329 |
RECITALS
|
2 | |||||
|
||||||
SECTION 1 INTERPRETATION | 2 | |||||
1.1
|
Definitions | 2 | ||||
|
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SECTION 2 INCORPORATION INTO CREDIT AGREEMENT | 2 | |||||
|
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SECTION 3 CONSENT | 3 | |||||
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SECTION 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONFIRMATION | 3 | |||||
4.1
|
Acknowledgment of Borrowers | 3 | ||||
4.2
|
Confirmation of Security Documents | 3 | ||||
|
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SECTION 5 AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT | 4 | |||||
5.1
|
Amendments to Credit Agreement | 4 | ||||
|
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SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 5 | |||||
6.1
|
Conditions to Effectiveness of First Amendment | 5 | ||||
|
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SECTION 7 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 7 | |||||
7.1
|
Representations and Warranties | 7 | ||||
|
||||||
SECTION 8 MISCELLANEOUS | 8 | |||||
8.1
|
No Other Amendments | 8 | ||||
8.2
|
Reservation of Rights and Remedies | 8 | ||||
8.3
|
Severability | 9 | ||||
8.4
|
Parties | 9 | ||||
8.5
|
Further Assurances | 9 | ||||
8.6
|
Document | 9 | ||||
8.7
|
Governing Law | 9 | ||||
8.8
|
Submission to Jurisdiction | 9 | ||||
8.9
|
Counterparts | 9 |
(i)
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(a) | this First Amendment duly executed by all the parties thereto; | ||
(b) | a general security agreement granted by Newco in favour of the Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Lenders, creating a first priority security interest in all the personal property, assets and undertaking of Newco; | ||
(c) | a pledge agreement granted by Newco in favour of the Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Lenders, pledging all the Securities of Nominee; | ||
(d) | a pledge amendment executed by Osprey LP in respect of the Securities of Newco; | ||
(e) | a deed of hypothec granted by Newco on the universality of all of its movable and immovable property in favour of the Administrative Agent, acting as fondé de pouvoir for the Lenders; |
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(f) | a bond issued by Newco in favour of the Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Lenders; | ||
(g) | a pledge of the bond granted by Newco in favour of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; | ||
(h) | a confirmation of security executed by Osprey GP and Nominee; | ||
(i) | an assignment and assumption agreement executed by Osprey LP, Newco, Nominee and the Administrative Agent; | ||
(j) | an updated certificate of insurance of the Borrowers evidencing the insurance requirements under the Credit Agreement; | ||
(k) | evidence of the termination of the Fund; | ||
(l) | Certificate or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders of each Borrower, Osprey GP and Nominee dated the Effective Date executed by an Authorized Signatory certifying, as applicable: |
(i) | the names and the specimen signatures of the Persons authorized to sign this First Amendment, the Security Documents and the other Documents to be executed and delivered by it under this Agreement; | ||
(ii) | that its articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, or limited partnership agreement, as the case may be, and all other constating documents, which shall be attached thereto (or in the case of Osprey LP, Osprey GP, Nominee and Bidco, copies of amendments thereto since September 28, 2007, if any), are a complete and correct copy and that each of articles of incorporation, amalgamation or continuance, or limited partnership agreement, as the case may be, and all other constating documents have not been amended, modified or supplemented and are in full force and effect; and | ||
(iii) | its resolution and all other authorizations necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of and the performance by it of its obligations under this First Amendment, the Security Documents and the other Documents to which it is a party and all the transactions contemplated thereby; |
(m) | opinions of Ogilvy Renault LLP, counsel to the Borrowers, Osprey GP and Nominee, dated as of January 1, 2008 regarding corporate existence, due authorization, enforceability of this First Amendment, the Security Documents and the other Documents and registration of the Security Documents etc. addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Credit Facility Lender; |
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(n) | opinions of Aikins, MacAuley & Thorvaldson LLP, Manitoba counsel to Osprey LP, dated as of January 1, 2008 regarding, existence, due authorization of this First Amendment and the other Documents to which Osprey LP is a party addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Credit Facility Lender; and | ||
(o) | such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request on behalf of the Credit Facility Lenders, including standard documentation used by a Credit Facility Lender in connection with the issuance of Bankers Acceptances, Letters of Credit, Letters of Guarantee and Hedge Contracts prior to any Advance by way of any such method. |
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BORROWERS: | ||||||||||||
|
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Quebecor Media Inc.
612, St Jacques Street Montreal, Quebec H3C 4M8 |
4411986 CANADA INC.
|
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|
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Attention:
|
VP Legal Affairs | By: | /s/ Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Phone:
|
(514) 954-0101 | Name: | Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(514) 985-8834 | Title: | Treasurer | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Quebecor Media Inc.
612, St Jacques Street Montreal, Quebec H3C 4M8 |
OSPREY MEDIA LP, by its General
Partner, OSPREY MEDIA GP INC. |
|||||||||||
|
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Attention:
|
VP Legal Affairs | By: | /s/ Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Phone:
|
(514) 954-0101 | Name: | Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(514) 985-8834 | Title: | Authorized Signatory | |||||||||
|
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Quebecor Media Inc.
612, St Jacques Street Montreal, Quebec H3C 4M8 |
OSPREY MEDIA PUBLISHING INC.
|
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|
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Attention:
|
VP Legal Affairs | By: | /s/ Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Phone:
|
(514) 954-0101 | Name: | Jean-François Pruneau | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(514) 985-8834 | Title: | Treasurer |
Caisse centrale Desjardins
1170, rue Peel, Bureau 600 Montreal, Quebec H3B 0B1 |
CAISSE CENTRALE DESJARDINS | |||||||||||
|
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Attention:
|
Senior Manager | By: | /s/ André Roy | |||||||||
Telephone:
|
(514) 281-7791 | Name: | André Roy | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(514) 281-4317 | Title: | Senior Manager | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
By: | /s/ Francine Champoux | |||||||||||
|
Name: | Francine Champoux | ||||||||||
|
Title: | Vice President | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
National City Bank, Canada Branch
130 King Street West, Suite 2140 Toronto, Ontario M5X 1E4 |
NATIONAL CITY BANK, CANADA BRANCH | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Attention:
|
Vice President | By: | /s/ Mike Danby | |||||||||
Telephone:
|
(416) 361-1744 ext. 224 | Name: | Mike Danby | |||||||||
Facsimile:
|
(416) 361-0085 | Title: | Assistant Vice President | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||
By: | /s/ Bill Hines | |||||||||||
|
Name: | Bill Hines | ||||||||||
|
Title: | Senior Vice President & Principal Officer | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: | THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
The Bank of Nova Scotia
P.O. Box 4085, Station A 40 King Street West |
By: | /s/ Jim Beninger | ||||||||||
Scotia Plaza, 62nd Floor | Name: | Jim Beninger | ||||||||||
Toronto, Ontario M5W 2X6 | Title: | Director | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Attention:
|
Director, Corporate Banking,
Loan Syndications |
By: | /s/ Janet Qi | |||||||||
Telephone:
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(416) 866-7826 | Name: | Janet Qi | |||||||||
Facsimile:
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(416) 866-3329 | Title: | Associate Director |
United Overseas Bank Limited,
Vancouver Branch #1680 650 West Georgia Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 4N9 |
UNITED OVERSEAS BANK LIMITED,
VANCOUVER BRANCH |
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Attention:
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Vice President | By: | /s/ K. Jin Koh | |||||||||
Telephone:
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(604) 662-7055 | Name: | K. Jin Koh | |||||||||
Facsimile:
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(604) 662-3356 | Title: | General Manager |
Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Name of Subsidiary
Organization
Equity Interest/Voting Interest
Québec
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Québec
100% / 100%
Sun Media
British Columbia
100% / 100%
British Columbia
100% / 100%
British Columbia
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Québec
45.2% / 99.9%
Canada
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Québec
100% / 100%
Canada
100% / 100%
Québec
92.5% / 99.9%
Canada
100% / 100%
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of the Company; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The Companys other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the Company and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||
b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The Companys other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the Companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Pierre Karl Péladeau | ||||
Name: | Pierre Karl Péladeau | |||
Title: | Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
1. | I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of the Company; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The Companys other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the Company and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | ||
b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | ||
c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and | ||
d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The Companys other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors and the audit committee of the Companys board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and | ||
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
/s/ Louis Morin | ||||
Name: | Louis Morin | |||
Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and | ||
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ Pierre Karl Péladeau | ||||
Name: | Pierre Karl Péladeau | |||
Title: | Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |||
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and | ||
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ Louis Morin | ||||
Name: | Louis Morin | |||
Title: | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||