UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 24, 2021

 

LEGATO MERGER CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware   001-39906   85-1783294
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)       Identification No.)

 

777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor

New York, NY 10017

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 319-7676

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one redeemable warrant   LEGOU   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share   LEGO   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable warrants, exercisable for shares of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   LEGOW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 24, 2021, Legato Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Legato”), 1295908 B.C. Ltd., a British Columbia corporation (“Algoma”) and Algoma Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Algoma (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Legato, with Legato surviving the merger (“Merger”). As a result of the Merger, Legato will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Algoma, with the stockholders of Legato becoming shareholders of Algoma.

 

Algoma is the parent holding company of Algoma Steel Inc., a Canadian fully integrated steel producer of hot and cold rolled steel products, including sheet and plate, whose product applications are used in the automotive, construction, energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors.

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Algoma and Legato entered into subscription agreements (“Subscription Agreements”) with investors for an aggregate investment in the combined company of $100,000,000 (“PIPE”), contingent upon the consummation of the Merger, as described in more detail below.

 

The Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (“Transactions”) are expected to be consummated in the third quarter of 2021, following receipt of the required approval by Legato’s stockholders and the fulfilment of certain other conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Closing”) and described herein.

 

The parties have ascribed a post-Closing enterprise value of $1.7 billion, including contingent consideration, to the combined company. Immediately following the Closing and assuming all contingent consideration is paid, Algoma’s current shareholders will own approximately 74% of Algoma’s outstanding common shares, no par value (“Algoma Common Shares”), Legato’s current shareholders will own approximately 19% of the outstanding Algoma Common Shares, and the investors in the PIPE will own approximately 7% of the outstanding Algoma Common Shares, assuming no holders of shares of common stock of Legato, par value $0.0001 per share (“Legato Common Stock”), which Legato initially issued in its initial public offering, exercise their rights to convert such shares into a pro rata portion of Legato’s trust account.

 

The following summary of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as an exhibit hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Merger Agreement

 

Closing Consideration

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (“Effective Time”), Algoma will effectuate a stock split (“Stock Split”), such that each outstanding Algoma Common Share will become such number of Algoma Common Shares, each valued at $10.00 per share, as determined by the conversion factor set forth in the Merger Agreement; (ii) immediately prior to the Effective Time, each outstanding long-term incentive plan award that has vested and that is held by a shareholder of Algoma who has executed an exchange agreement and joinder to the Lockup Agreement (defined below) will be exchanged for the right to receive a number of Algoma Common Shares as determined by reference to the conversion factor; (iii) each outstanding share of Legato Common Stock (other than shares of Legato Common Stock held in Legato’s treasury or owned by Algoma or Merger Sub or any other wholly-owned subsidiary of Algoma) will be exchanged for one Algoma Common Share; and (iv) each outstanding warrant of Legato to purchase one share of Legato Common Stock will become a warrant to purchase one Algoma Common Share (“Algoma Warrants”).

 

1

 

 

Earnout

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the holders of Algoma Common Shares prior to the Merger (including the holders of Algoma Common Shares issued upon exchange of long-term incentive plan awards pursuant to the Merger Agreement) (collectively, the “Algoma Shareholders”) will have the contingent right to receive their pro rata portion of additional earnout consideration if certain earnout targets based on Adjusted EBITDA and the trading price of the Algoma Common Shares are met, as described in more detail below. The Merger Agreement defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as consolidated net income (loss) of Algoma Steel Inc. for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2021 before amortization of property, plant, equipment and amortization of assets, finance costs, interest on pension and other post-employment benefit obligations, income taxes, reorganization costs, finance income, inventory write-downs, carbon tax, certain exceptional items, tariff expense, non-cash adjustments and write-downs, loss (gain) on commodity hedging, loss (gain) on foreign exchange and loss (gain) associated with the Algoma Warrants.

 

The Algoma Shareholders may earn the following aggregate number of Algoma Common Shares upon the satisfaction of the following earnout targets (each, an “Earnout Event”):

 

(i) 15,000,000 Algoma Common Shares if Adjusted EBITDA (as calculated by Algoma’s management and accepted by its board of directors, including a majority of disinterested directors), is equal to or greater than $674,000,000 (the “First Earnout Event”). Additionally, Algoma Shareholders will have the opportunity to earn up to an additional 22,500,000 Algoma Common Shares in connection with the First Earnout Event if Adjusted EBITDA exceeds $674,000,000, as follows: (x) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 additional Algoma Common Shares based on the linear interpolation between Adjusted EBITDA of $674,000,000 and $750,000,000 (the “Second EBITDA Issuance”); (y) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 additional Algoma Common Shares based on the linear interpolation between Adjusted EBITDA of $750,000,000 and $825,000,000 (the “Third EBITDA Issuance”); and (z) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 additional Algoma Common Shares based on the linear interpolation between Adjusted EBITDA of $825,000,000 and $900,000,000 (the “Fourth EBITDA Issuance”).

 

(ii) 7,500,000 Algoma Common Shares, less the number of shares issued in connection with the Second EBITDA Issuance, if the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of Algoma Common Shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) or other primary stock exchange exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five-year anniversary of the Closing (the “Second Earnout Event”).

 

(iii) 7,500,000 Algoma Common Shares, less the number of shares issued in connection with the Third EBITDA Issuance, if the VWAP exceeds $15.00 per share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five-year anniversary of the Closing (the “Third Earnout Event”).

 

(iv) 7,500,000 Algoma Common Shares, less the number of shares issued in connection with the Fourth EBITDA Issuance, if the VWAP exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five-year anniversary of the Closing (the “Fourth Earnout Event”).

 

2

 

 

Algoma Common Shares will be issuable in connection with each Earnout Event; provided, however, the maximum number of Algoma Common Shares issuable in connection with (i) the Second EBITDA Issuance and the Second Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000, (ii) the Third EBITDA Issuance and the Third Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000, and (iii) the Fourth EBITDA Issuance and the Fourth Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000.

 

Governance

 

Algoma has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to increase the size of Algoma’s board of directors to ten members, of which three will be appointed by Legato (who will initially be Eric Rosenfeld, David Sgro, and Brian Pratt, each an officer and/or director of Legato (the “SPAC Nominees”)), six will be appointed by Algoma, and Legato and Algoma will use reasonable efforts to mutually appoint the final director.

 

Representations and Warranties

 

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Algoma and its subsidiaries relating to, among other things, organization and qualification; subsidiaries; capitalization; the authorization, performance and enforceability against Algoma of the Merger Agreement; governmental actions and filings; compliance with laws; possession of requisite approvals; financial statements; absence of undisclosed liabilities; absence of certain changes; litigation; collective bargaining agreements; benefit plans; labor relations; real property; tax matters; environmental matters; intellectual property; privacy and data security; material contracts; insurance; major customers and major suppliers; transactions with affiliates; compliance with international trade and anti-corruption laws; and brokers’ fees.

 

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of Legato relating to, among other things, organization and qualification; subsidiaries; capitalization; the authorization, performance and enforceability against Legato of the Merger Agreement; governmental actions and filings; compliance with laws; reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), financial statements, and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; absence of certain changes; litigation; business activities of Legato; material contracts; Nasdaq listing; absence of undisclosed liabilities; Legato’s trust account; tax matters; employees and benefit plans; board approval and shareholder approval; transactions with affiliates; application of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012; brokers’ fees; the opinion of Legato’s financial advisor; anti-takeover laws; and the PIPE.

 

The representations and warranties of the parties will not survive the Closing.

 

3

 

 

Covenants

 

The Merger Agreement includes customary covenants of the parties with respect to business operations prior to consummation of the Transactions and efforts to satisfy conditions to the consummation of the Transactions. Each party agreed to abide by exclusivity provisions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement also contains additional covenants of the parties, including, among others: covenants providing for Legato and Algoma to cooperate in the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”), and the proxy statement for the solicitation of approval of the adoption of the Merger agreement and the approval of the Transactions, among other proposals to be considered by Legato’s stockholders (the “SPAC Stockholder Approval”) and the prospectus for the offer and sale of Algoma Common Shares in the Transactions included therein; for Algoma and Legato to cooperate in the preparation and filing with the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”) a preliminary non-offering prospectus in respect of Algoma (the “Canadian Prospectus”); for Algoma to adopt an incentive equity plan to be effective following the Closing, with the number of Algoma Common Shares to be allocated under the incentive equity plan equal to 5% of the total number of Algoma Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing (on a fully-diluted basis assuming the conversion of all securities convertible into Algoma Common Shares); for Legato to use reasonable best efforts to ensure Legato remains listed as a public company on, and for the Legato Common Stock and warrants to continue to be listed on, Nasdaq until the Closing, and for Algoma to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Algoma Common Shares and Algoma Warrants to be listed on Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) following the Closing; for the parties to purchase directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies; for Legato and Algoma to make appropriate adjustments, amend or terminate certain existing agreements with each of their securityholders; and for the Algoma Shareholders, SPAC Nominees and SPAC Founders (defined below), to be granted customary registration and nomination rights.

 

Conditions to Closing

 

Mutual Conditions

 

The consummation of the Transactions is conditioned upon the following, among other things:

 

approval of the Transactions by Legato’s stockholders;

 

Legato shall have at least $5,000,001 of net tangible assets (after giving effect to redemptions by Legato’s public stockholders) immediately prior to or upon the Closing;

 

no order, judgment, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any governmental authority or statute, rule or regulation that is in effect and prohibits or enjoins the consummation of the Transactions;

 

the Algoma Common Shares and Algoma Warrants shall be approved or conditionally approved for listing upon the Closing by Nasdaq and TSX, as applicable, subject to official notice of issuance or the satisfaction of the conditions of approval;

 

the Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC that remains in effect with respect to the Registration Statement, and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been threatened or initiated by the SEC which remains pending;

 

the OSC shall have cleared the final Canadian Prospectus for filing;

 

the Stock Split shall have been completed; and

 

the PIPE shall be consummated substantially concurrently with the Closing.

 

4

 

 

Other Conditions to Algoma’s and Merger Sub’s Obligations

 

The obligations of Algoma and Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions are also conditioned upon, among other things:

 

the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Legato (subject to certain bring-down standards);

 

performance in all material respects of the covenants of Legato required by the Merger Agreement to be performed on or prior to the Closing;

 

no material adverse effect with respect to Legato shall have occurred between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Closing;

 

Legato having delivered a customary officer’s certificate; and

 

the funds contained in Legato’s trust account (after giving effect to redemptions by Legato’s public stockholders and the payment of Legato’s transaction costs), together with the proceeds of the PIPE and the cash on Legato’s balance sheet, shall equal or exceed $200 million (the “Minimum Cash Condition”).

 

Other Conditions to Legato’s Obligations

 

The obligations of Legato to consummate the Transactions are also conditioned upon, among other things:

 

the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Algoma (subject to certain bring-down standards);

 

performance in all material respects of the covenants of Algoma required by the Merger Agreement to be performed on or prior to the Closing;

 

no material adverse effect with respect to Algoma shall have occurred between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Closing; and

 

Algoma having delivered a customary officer’s certificate.

 

Waivers

 

Either Legato or Algoma may waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to such party contained in the Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to the Merger Agreement and waive compliance with any agreements or conditions for the benefit of such party contained in the Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to Legato’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Legato cannot consummate the proposed business combination if it has less than $5,000,001 of net tangible assets remaining immediately prior to or upon consummation of the Transactions, after taking into account any redemptions of Legato shares held by public stockholders.

 

Termination

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

 

by mutual written consent of Legato and Algoma;

 

5

 

 

by either Legato or Algoma if the Transactions are not consummated on or before December 31, 2021;

 

by either Legato or Algoma if a governmental entity shall have issued a final, non-appealable governmental order, rule or regulation permanently enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions;

 

by either Legato or Algoma if the other party has breached any of its covenants or representations and warranties such that the party’s closing conditions would not be satisfied at the Closing (subject to a thirty-day cure period);

 

by either Legato or Algoma if the SPAC Stockholder Approval is not obtained;

 

by Algoma if Legato’s board of directors or any committee thereof changes its recommendation to Legato’s stockholders prior to the receipt of the SPAC Stockholder Approval; or

 

by Algoma if the Minimum Cash Condition is not satisfied within ten days following the meeting called for the purpose of obtaining the SPAC Stockholder Approval (including any permitted adjournments) or at any time thereafter.

 

Other Agreements Entered into in Connection with the Merger Agreement

 

Lockup Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Algoma’s sole shareholder, the SPAC Nominees and the other initial stockholders of Legato (the “SPAC Founders”) have entered into a lockup agreement with Algoma (the “Lockup Agreement”). Additionally, the Merger Agreement provides that each person who will receive Algoma Common Shares issued upon exchange of long-term incentive plan awards pursuant to the Merger Agreement will sign a joinder to the Lockup Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Lockup Agreement, the Algoma Common Shares to be issued to Algoma Shareholders immediately prior to the Effective Time will be subject to transfer restrictions until the earlier of (a) the six-month anniversary of the Closing and (b) the date on which the closing share price of the Algoma Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period following the Closing. The SPAC Nominees and SPAC Founders will be subject to the same lock-up as the Algoma Shareholders, except that the release date will be the twelve-month anniversary of the Closing, rather than the six-month anniversary. Further, such lockup will apply to all of the Algoma Common Shares and Algoma Warrants held by the SPAC Nominees and to only the Algoma Common Shares to be issued to the SPAC Founders in exchange for shares of Legato Common Stock that were issued to them prior to Legato’s initial public offering.

 

Support Agreements

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Algoma, SPAC Nominees and SPAC Founders entered into an agreement (“Support Agreement”) pursuant to which they agreed to vote or cause to be voted all shares of Legato Common Stock beneficially held by them (i) in favor of approval of the adoption of the Merger agreement, the approval of the Transactions, and each other proposal presented by Legato for approval by Legato’s stockholders, and (ii) against (x) any proposal or offer from any other person (other than Algoma and its affiliates) with respect to certain competing transactions and (y) any action, proposal, transaction, or agreement that could reasonably be expected to materially impede, interfere with, delay, discourage, adversely affect or inhibit the timely consummation of the Transactions or the fulfillment of Legato’s obligations under the Merger Agreement or change in any manner the voting rights of any class of shares of Legato (including any amendments to Legato’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws other than in connection with the Transactions). Pursuant to the Support Agreement, SPAC Nominees and SPAC Founders also agreed to waive any appraisal and dissenters rights under applicable law and not to exercise any right to redeem shares of Legato Common Stock for a pro rata portion of Legato’s trust account.

 

6

 

 

Subscription Agreements

 

Legato engaged EarlyBirdCapital Inc., Maison Placements Canada Inc., and Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Algoma engaged Jefferies Group LLC as placement agents in the PIPE.

 

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Algoma and Legato entered into Subscription Agreements with certain investors (the “Investors”), pursuant to which Algoma will, substantially concurrently with, and contingent upon, the consummation of the Merger, issue an aggregate of 10,000,000 Algoma Common Shares (“PIPE Shares”) to the Investors at a price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds to Algoma of $100,000,000.

 

The closing of the PIPE is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the substantially concurrent consummation of the Merger, (ii) the accuracy of all representations and warranties of Algoma, Legato and the Investors in the Subscription Agreements, subject to certain bringdown standards, and (iii) the Merger Agreement shall not have been amended or modified, and no waiver shall have occurred thereunder, that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the economic benefits that an Investor would reasonably expect to receive under the Subscription Agreement without having received the Investor’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed).

 

Algoma has agreed that, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 calendar days following the Closing, it shall file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale by the Investors of Algoma Common Shares issued to them and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective as promptly as practicable thereafter, but in no event later than the earlier of 90 calendar days after the Closing in the event the SEC notifies Algoma that it will review the registration statement or 10 business days after Algoma is notified by the SEC that the registration statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review.

 

The PIPE Shares were offered and will be sold to Investors outside the United States in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act, based on the fact that the sale will have been made to eligible investors outside of the United States. The PIPE Shares were offered and will be sold to Investors in the United States in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act based on the fact that the sale will have been made without any general solicitation or advertising and based on representations from each Investor that (a) it was a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), (b) it was purchasing the shares for its own account investment, and not with a view to distribution, (c) it had been given full and complete access to information regarding Legato, Algoma, and the Transactions, and (d) it understood that the offer and sale of the PIPE Shares was not registered and the shares may not be publicly sold or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption therefrom.

 

The foregoing description of the Support Agreement, Lock-up Agreement, and Subscription Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Lock-up Agreement, form of Support Agreement, and form of Subscription Agreement attached as exhibits hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

 

7

 

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 relating to the Subscription Agreements is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

Press Release

 

Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report is the press release jointly issued by the parties announcing the Transactions on May 24, 2021.

 

Investor Meetings

 

Attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Report is the form of investor presentation to be used by Legato and Algoma in presentations to certain of their securityholders and other persons regarding the proposed Transactions.

 

The information set forth in this Item 7.01, including the exhibits attached hereto, is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

Neither Legato, Algoma nor any of their respective affiliates makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K. This Current Report on Form 8-K is not intended to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that a person may desire in considering the proposed Transactions discussed herein. It is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed Transactions.

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibits filed or furnished herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transactions between Legato and Algoma, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the Transactions, the business of Algoma and the markets in which it operates. Legato’s and Algoma’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “aspire,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “could,” “should,” “believe(s),” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “future,” “opportunity,” “strategy,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Legato’s and Algoma’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed Transactions.

 

8

 

 

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside Legato’s and Algoma’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the risk that the benefits of the Merger may not be realized; the risk that the Merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of Legato’s securities; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Merger, including the failure of Legato’s stockholders to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement or the failure of Legato to satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition following redemptions by its stockholders; the inability to complete the PIPE; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be initiated following announcement of the Merger; the combined company’s continued listing on Nasdaq and application to list on the TSX after closing of the proposed business combination; the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Algoma as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Merger; costs related to the Merger; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; the impact of COVID-19 or other adverse public health developments; and other risks and uncertainties that will be detailed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined below) and as indicated from time to time in Legato’s filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

 

Legato and Algoma caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Legato and Algoma caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Neither Legato nor Algoma undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

This document is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transaction and does not constitute an offer to sell, buy, or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to sell, buy, or exchange any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, purchase, or exchange of securities or solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

 

In connection with the proposed transaction between Algoma and Legato, Algoma will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 which will include Algoma’s prospectus as well as Legato’s proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). Legato plans to mail the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS OF LEGATO ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALGOMA, LEGATO, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and securityholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Algoma and Legato through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and securityholders will be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC on Legato’s website at https://legatomerger.com or by directing a written request to Legato at 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10017 or by contacting Algoma at 705.206.1022 or brenda.stenta@algoma.com.

 

9

 

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

Legato, Algoma and certain of their respective directors, executive officers, and employees may be considered to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Legato in connection with the transaction, including a description of their respective direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above when it is filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding Legato’s directors and executive officers can also be found in Legato’s final prospectus dated January 19, 2021 and filed with the SEC on January 21, 2021. These documents are available free of charge as described above.

 

Non-GAAP/IFRS Financial Information

 

Some of Algoma’s financial information and data contained herein and in the exhibits hereto does not conform to SEC Regulation S-X in that it includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). Accordingly, such information and data will be adjusted and presented differently in the registration statement filed with the SEC. Legato and Algoma believe that the presentation of non-GAAP/IFRS measures provides information that is useful to investors as it indicates more clearly the ability of Algoma to meet capital expenditures and working capital requirements and otherwise meet its obligations as they become due and facilitates comparison of the results of its business operations between its current, past, and projected future periods.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit   Description
2.1*   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 24, 2021, by and among 1295908 B.C. Ltd., Algoma Merger Sub, Inc., and Legato Merger Corp.
10.1   Form of Subscription Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2021.
10.2   Form of Support Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2021.
10.3   Form of Lockup Agreement, dated as of May 24, 2021.
99.1   Joint Press release, dated May 24, 2021.
99.2   Investor Presentation.

 

* Certain exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2).

 

10

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Dated: May 25, 2021 LEGATO MERGER CORP.
     
  By: /s/ David Sgro
    David Sgro
    Chief Executive Officer

 

11

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

BY AND AMONG

 

1295908 b.c. ltd.,

 

ALGOMA MERGER SUB, INC.,

 

and

 

LEGATO MERGER CORP.,

 

DATED AS OF MAY 24, 2021

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I The Closing Transactions   3
       
Section 1.1 Closing   3
Section 1.2 Closing Statements   4
Section 1.3 Closing Deliverables   4
       
ARTICLE II Transactions   5
       
Section 2.1 Stock Split and LTIP Awards   5
Section 2.2 Earnout Rights   6
Section 2.3 Effective Time   9
Section 2.4 The Merger   9
Section 2.5 Effect of the Merger   9
Section 2.6 Governing Documents   9
Section 2.7 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Company   9
Section 2.8 Effect of the Merger on Securities of SPAC and Merger Sub   10
Section 2.9 Delivery of Merger Consideration   12
Section 2.10 Withholding Taxes   12
Section 2.11 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action   12
Section 2.12 Tax Treatment of the Merger   12
       
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties Regarding the Company And Merger Sub   13
       
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification   13
Section 3.2 Company Subsidiaries   13
Section 3.3 Capitalization   14
Section 3.4 Due Authorization   15
Section 3.5 No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings   16
Section 3.6 Legal Compliance; Approvals   16
Section 3.7 Financial Statements   17
Section 3.8 No Undisclosed Liabilities   17
Section 3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events   18
Section 3.10 Litigation   18
Section 3.11 Collective Bargaining Agreements   18
Section 3.12 Company Benefit Plans   18
Section 3.13 Labor Relations   20
Section 3.14 Real Property   21
Section 3.15 Taxes   21
Section 3.16 Environmental Matters   24
Section 3.17 Intellectual Property   25
Section 3.18 Privacy and Data Security   26
Section 3.19 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments   26
Section 3.20 Insurance   28
Section 3.21 Customers and Suppliers   28
Section 3.22 Affiliate Matters   28
Section 3.23 Information Supplied   29

 

i

 

 

Section 3.24 Absence of Certain Business Practices   29
Section 3.25 Brokers   29
Section 3.26 PIPE Investment Amount   30
Section 3.27 Disclaimer of Other Warranties   30
       
ARTICLE IV Representations and Warranties of SPAC   31
       
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification   31
Section 4.2 SPAC Subsidiaries   31
Section 4.3 Capitalization   31
Section 4.4 Due Authorization   32
Section 4.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents   32
Section 4.6 Legal Compliance; Approvals   33
Section 4.7 SPAC SEC Reports and Financial Statements   33
Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events   34
Section 4.9 Litigation   35
Section 4.10 Business Activities   35
Section 4.11 SPAC Material Contracts   35
Section 4.12 SPAC Listing   35
Section 4.13 Undisclosed Liabilities   36
Section 4.14 Trust Account   36
Section 4.15 Taxes   37
Section 4.16 Information Supplied   38
Section 4.17 Employees; Benefit Plans   39
Section 4.18 Board Approval; Shareholder Vote   39
Section 4.19 Title to Assets   39
Section 4.20 Affiliate Transactions   39
Section 4.21 Investment Company Act; JOBS Act   39
Section 4.22 Brokers   40
Section 4.23 Opinion of Financial Advisor   40
Section 4.24 State Takeover Statutes; Anti-Takeover Laws   40
Section 4.25 PIPE Investment Amount   40
Section 4.26 Disclaimer of Other Warranties   41
       
ARTICLE V Conduct Prior to the Closing Date   42
       
Section 5.1 Conduct of Business by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries   42
Section 5.2 Conduct of Business by SPAC   45
Section 5.3 No Control   46
       
ARTICLE VI Additional Agreements   47
       
Section 6.1 Registration Statement; Shareholder Meetings   47
Section 6.2 Employee Matters   50
Section 6.3 Regulatory Approvals   50
Section 6.4 Other Filings; Press Release   51
Section 6.5 Confidentiality; Access to Information   51
Section 6.6 Reasonable Best Efforts   52
Section 6.7 No Claim Against Trust Account   52
Section 6.8 Company and SPAC Securities Listings   53

 

ii

 

 

Section 6.9 No Solicitation   53
Section 6.10 Trust Account   54
Section 6.11 Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance   55
Section 6.12 Tax Matters   56
Section 6.13 Section 16 Matters   56
Section 6.14 Takeover Statutes   56
Section 6.15 Board of Directors   56
Section 6.16 Termination of Certain Agreements   57
Section 6.17 Organizational Documents   57
Section 6.18 Warrant Agreement   57
Section 6.19 Transaction Litigation   57
Section 6.20 Certain Financial Information   57
Section 6.21 Subscription Agreements   57
Section 6.22 Disclosure of Certain Matters   58
Section 6.23 Investor Rights Agreement   58
Section 6.24 Termination of Company Parent Shareholders Agreement   58
Section 6.25 Certain SPAC Borrowings   58
       
ARTICLE VII Conditions to the Transaction   58
       
Section 7.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party’s Obligations   58
Section 7.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company and Merger Sub   59
Section 7.3 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of SPAC   60
       
ARTICLE VIII Termination   61
       
Section 8.1 Termination   61
Section 8.2 Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination   62
       
ARTICLE IX No Survival   62
       
Section 9.1 No Survival   62
       
ARTICLE X General Provisions   63
       
Section 10.1 Notices   63
Section 10.2 Interpretation   64
Section 10.3 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery   64
Section 10.4 Entire Agreement   65
Section 10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries   65
Section 10.6 Severability   65
Section 10.7 Other Remedies; Specific Performance   65
Section 10.8 Governing Law   66
Section 10.9 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial   66
Section 10.10 Rules of Construction   67
Section 10.11 Expenses   67
Section 10.12 Assignment   67
Section 10.13 Amendment   67
Section 10.14 Extension; Waiver   67
Section 10.15 No Recourse   68
Section 10.16 Disclosure Letters and Exhibits   68
       
ARTICLE XI Defined Terms   69
       
Section 11.1 Defined Terms   69
Section 11.2 Additional Terms   73

 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A   Form of Restated Articles
Exhibit B   Form of Notice of Alteration

 

iii

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made and entered into as of May 24, 2021, by and among 1295908 B.C. Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (the “Company”), Algoma Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Legato Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SPAC”). Each of the Company, Merger Sub and SPAC shall individually be referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.” The term “Agreement” as used herein refers to this Agreement and Plan of Merger, as the same may be amended from time to time, and all schedules, exhibits and annexes hereto. Defined terms used in this Agreement are listed alphabetically in Section 11.1, together with the section and, if applicable, subsection in which the definition of each such term is located.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, SPAC is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

 

WHEREAS, Merger Sub is a newly incorporated, direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and was formed for the sole purpose of consummating the Transactions.

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has unanimously: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party, providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved and recommended, among other things, the approval of, this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party and the Transactions by the Company Shareholder.

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has unanimously: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Merger Sub and the Company (as sole stockholder of Merger Sub), and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements to which Merger Sub is a party, providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved and recommended the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the Company (as sole stockholder of Merger Sub).

 

WHEREAS, the Company, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, has: (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Merger Sub, and declared it advisable, for Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements to which Merger Sub is a party, providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements to which Merger Sub is a party and the Transactions in accordance with Applicable Law, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the “Merger Sub Stockholder Approval”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company Shareholder, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of the Company, has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company, and declared it advisable, for the Company to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Agreement to which the Company is a party, providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved this Agreement, the Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party and the Transactions in accordance with Applicable Law, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the “Company Shareholder Approval”).

 

1

 

 

WHEREAS, the Company Investors with requisite ownership of the Company Parent Shares have approved the Transactions in accordance with Applicable Law and the Company Parent Shareholders Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement (the “Company Investor Approval”).

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of SPAC has unanimously: (a) determined that it is advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of SPAC and SPAC’s stockholders (“SPAC Stockholders”) to enter into this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements to which SPAC is a party, providing for the Merger and the other Transactions; and (b) approved and recommended, among other things, the adoption and approval of this Agreement, including authorization of the Merger, by the SPAC Stockholders.

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution hereof, certain investors (the “PIPE Investors”) have entered into subscription agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have committed to purchase Company Common Shares from the Company or SPAC Shares from SPAC, as specified therein immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “PIPE Investment”).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Founders will enter into a transaction support agreement (the “Founder Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Founders will agree to vote in favor of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which SPAC is or will be a party and the Transactions (including the Merger).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company Shareholder, and the Founders have entered into a lockup agreement (the “Lockup Agreement”), pursuant to which each of the Company Shareholder and the Founders has agreed with the Company to certain restrictions on the transfer of its Company Common Shares.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Organizational Documents of SPAC, SPAC is required to provide an opportunity for its public shareholders to have their outstanding SPAC Shares redeemed on the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in this Agreement, SPAC’s Organizational Documents and the Trust Agreement in conjunction with obtaining the SPAC Stockholder Approval.

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the Parties intend that (a) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, (b) this Agreement is and is hereby adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a), and (c) the Merger will not result in gain being recognized under Section 367(a)(1) of the Code, other than by any SPAC Stockholders who are U.S. persons and who are or will be “five-percent transferee shareholders” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.367(a)-3(c)(5)(ii) but who do not enter into gain recognition agreements within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.367(a)-3(c)(1)(iii)(B) and 1.367(a)-8 (the “Intended Tax Treatment”).

 

2

 

 

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, the Company shall amend and restate the articles of the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Restated Articles”) and alter its notice of articles by filing with the Province of British Columbia Registrar of Companies the Notice of Alteration in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Notice of Alteration”), in each case, with such changes as mutually agreed to by the parties to this Agreement, provided that SPAC’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing, the Company shall adopt, with the consent of SPAC and the Company which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, an incentive equity plan on the terms and conditions set forth herein, to be effective upon and following the Closing (the “Incentive Equity Plan”).

 

WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall effect the Stock Split in accordance with Section 2.1(a).

 

WHEREAS, following the Stock Split and at the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), Merger Sub shall merge with and into SPAC (the “Merger”), with SPAC continuing as the surviving company after the Merger (the “Surviving Company”), as a result of which, SPAC will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

WHEREAS, as a result of the Merger, (i) each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of SPAC (each, a “SPAC Share”) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be converted into and exchanged for one Company Common Share and (ii) each outstanding SPAC Warrant shall be assumed by the Company and, subject to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, thereafter exercisable to purchase one (1) Company Common Share.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises and representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
The Closing Transactions

 

Section 1.1 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.1, the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”), other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger, shall take place by conference call and by exchange of signature pages by email or other electronic transmission at a time and date to be specified in writing by the Company and SPAC, which shall be no later than the third (3rd) Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VII (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), or at such other time, date and manner as the Company and SPAC agree in writing (the date on which the Closing occurs, the “Closing Date”).

 

3

 

 

Section 1.2 Closing Statements.

 

(a) On the date of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, SPAC shall deliver to the Company written notice setting forth: (i) the aggregate amount of cash proceeds that will be required to satisfy any exercise of the redemption or conversion of SPAC Shares prior to the Closing pursuant to the Organizational Documents of SPAC (the “SPAC Stockholder Redemptions”); (ii) SPAC’s good faith estimate of the amount of cash that will be in the Trust Account and the amount of SPAC Transaction Costs and Unpaid SPAC Liabilities as of the Closing; and (iii) the number of SPAC Shares and SPAC Warrants to be outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and after giving effect to the SPAC Stockholder Redemptions (such written notice of (i), (ii) and (iii), together, the “SPAC Closing Statement”); provided; however, if the Closing does not occur within five (5) Business Days of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, SPAC shall deliver to the Company an updated SPAC Closing Statement.

 

(b) On the date of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, the Company shall provide to SPAC a written notice setting forth: (i) the Company’s good faith estimate of the amount of the Company Transaction Costs and (ii) the number of Company Common Shares that will be issued and outstanding immediately following the transactions described in Section 2.1 (such written notice, the “Company Closing Statement”).

 

Section 1.3 Closing Deliverables.

 

(a) At the Closing, SPAC shall:

 

(i) make any payments required to be made by SPAC or on SPAC’s behalf in connection with the SPAC Stockholder Redemptions pursuant to Section 6.10;

 

(ii) pay, or cause to be paid, all SPAC Transaction Costs and Unpaid SPAC Liabilities to the applicable payees, to the extent not paid prior to the Closing;

 

(iii) deliver to the Company an executed resignation from each director and officer listed on Schedule 1.3(a)(iii) of the SPAC Disclosure Letter; and

 

(iv)   deliver to the Company the certificate required to be delivered by SPAC pursuant to Section 7.2(d).

 

(b) At the Closing, the Company shall:

 

(i) deliver to SPAC a copy of the Restated Articles and a copy of the Notice of Alteration, as filed with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies and the notice of articles issued by the British Columbia Registrar of Companies in connection therewith; and

 

(ii) deliver to SPAC the certificate required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 7.3(d).

 

4

 

 

ARTICLE II

Transactions

 

Section 2.1 Stock Split and LTIP Awards. The following transactions will occur on the Closing Date prior to the Effective Time in the following order:

 

(a) The Company shall take all actions necessary to effectuate, at that time, a stock split such that each Company Common Share (and for the avoidance of doubt, any option, warrant, right or other security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable therefor) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted (or made exchangeable or exercisable) into a number of Company Common Shares determined by multiplying each such Company Common Share by the Conversion Factor (the “Stock Split”).

 

(b) (i) Each LTIP Award that has vested in accordance with the LTIP and that is held by an Eligible Management Shareholder shall be exchanged for a right to acquire a number of Company Common Shares equal to the Conversion Factor (such number of Company Common Shares, the “LTIP Shares”) for an amount per LTIP Share equal to $0.01 divided by the Conversion Factor, the terms and conditions of exercise of which rights (and disposition of Company Common Shares acquired upon exercise thereof) shall be set out in and governed by an agreement between the Company and the Eligible Management Shareholders, and (ii) immediately thereafter, all LTIP Awards and the LTIP shall be cancelled for no consideration.

 

(c) The Company shall grant or issue to the Company Shareholder, in respect of each outstanding Company Common Share held thereby, and each Management Shareholder, in respect of each LTIP Share underlying the right to be received by such Management Shareholder pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i), (i) one (1) First Earnout Right, (ii) immediately following the grant of the First Earnout Rights, one (1) Second Earnout Right, (iii) immediately following the grant of the Second Earnout Rights, one (1) Third Earnout Right and (iv) immediately following the grant of the Third Earnout Rights, one (1) Fourth Earnout Right, with the total number of each of the First Earnout Rights, Second Earnout Rights, Third Earnout Rights and Fourth Earnout Rights issued pursuant to this Section 2.1(c) equal to 75,000,000.

 

(d) No fraction of a Company Common Share will be issued (or, in the case of the rights granted pursuant to Section 2.1(b), issuable) by virtue of the transactions described in Section 2.1(a), (b) or (c), and to the extent the Company Shareholder or a Management Shareholder would otherwise be so entitled to a fraction of a Company Common Share (after aggregating all fractional Company Common Shares that otherwise would be received by the Company Shareholder or such Management Shareholder, as applicable), the Company Shareholder or such Management Shareholder, as applicable, shall instead be entitled to receive such number of Company Common Shares to which the Company Shareholder or such Management Shareholder, as applicable, would otherwise be entitled, rounded up or down to the nearest whole Company Common Share in the case of Section 2.1(a) or (c) and down in the case of Section 2.1(b).

 

5

 

 

Section 2.2 Earnout Rights. (a) Earnout Statement for First Earnout Event. As soon as practicable after the Company’s completion of the consolidated financial statements for the Group Companies for the three-month period ending December 31, 2021, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall deliver to the board of directors of the Company an earnout statement, with detailed calculations, setting forth Adjusted EBITDA and the number of Company Common Shares, if any, to be issued pursuant to the First Earnout Event (the “Earnout Statement”). The board of directors of the Company shall review the Earnout Statement and make any adjustments they determine appropriate, after which the board of directors of the Company shall vote on a resolution to approve the Earnout Statement and, if such resolution is approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Company and a majority of disinterested directors, the Earnout Statement as approved shall be final and binding (the “Final Earnout Statement”).

 

(b) Issuance of Earnout Shares.

 

(i) First Earnout Event. Within five (5) Business Days following the date on which the Final Earnout Statement is approved pursuant to Section 2.2(b) (the “First Earnout Event”), (x) the Company shall publicly report the occurrence of the First Earnout Event and the Adjusted EBITDA set forth in the Final Earnout Statement and (y) the First Earnout Rights shall be automatically converted into, and the Company shall issue to the holders of the First Earnout Rights, pro rata based on the percentage of First Earnout Rights held, that number of Company Common Shares set forth below:

 

(1) if Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is less than $674,000,000, no Company Common Shares will be issued pursuant to the First Earnout Event;

 

(2) if Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is equal to or greater than $674,000,000, an aggregate of 15,000,000 Company Common Shares (the “First EBITDA Earnout Issuance”); plus

 

(3) if Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is more than $674,000,000, (x) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 Company Common Shares based on linear interpolation between $674,000,000 (i.e. 0.0%) and $750,000,000 (i.e. 100.0%); solely for illustrative purposes, if (1) Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is $712,000,000, the number of Company Common Shares issuable pursuant to this clause (x) shall be 3,7500,000 (i.e. 50.0% of 7,500,000) and (2) Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, exceeds $750,000,000, the number of Company Common Shares issuable pursuant to this clause (x) shall be 7,500,000 (i.e. 100.0% of 7,500,000); minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Second Earnout Event (the “Second EBITDA Earnout Issuance”); plus

 

(4) if Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is more than $750,000,000, (x) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 Company Common Shares based on linear interpolation between $750,000,000 (i.e. 0.0%) and $825,000,000 (i.e. 100.0%), minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Third Earnout Event (the “Third EBITDA Earnout Issuance”); plus

 

(5) if Adjusted EBITDA, as set forth on the Final Earnout Statement, is more than $825,000,000, (x) a percentage (not to exceed 100.0%) of 7,500,000 Company Common Shares based on linear interpolation between $825,000,000 (i.e. 0.0%) and $900,000,000 (i.e. 100.0%), minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Fourth Earnout Event (the “Fourth EBITDA Earnout Issuance”).

 

6

 

 

(ii) Second Earnout Event. If the First Price Target is met (the “Second Earnout Event”), within five (5) Business Days thereof the Second Earnout Rights shall be automatically converted into, and the Company shall issue or cause to be issued to the holders of the Second Earnout Rights, pro rata based on the percentage of Second Earnout Rights held, (x) 7,500,000 Company Common Shares, minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Second EBITDA Earnout Issuance.

 

(iii) Third Earnout Event. If the Second Price Target is met (the “Third Earnout Event”), within five (5) Business Days thereof the Third Earnout Rights shall be automatically converted into, and the Company shall issue or cause to be issued to the holders of the Third Earnout Rights, pro rata based on the percentage of Third Earnout Rights held, (x) 7,500,000 Company Common Shares, minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Third EBITDA Earnout Issuance.

 

(iv)   Fourth Earnout Event. If the Third Price Target is met (the “Fourth Earnout Event”), within five (5) Business Days thereof the Third Earnout Rights shall be automatically converted into, and the Company shall issue or cause to be issued to the holders of the Third Earnout Rights, pro rata based on the percentage of Third Earnout Rights held, (x) 7,500,000 Company Common Shares, minus (y) the number of Company Common Shares, if any, previously issued in connection with the Fourth EBITDA Earnout Issuance.

 

(v) Any Company Common Shares issued pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) (such issued Company Common Shares, collectively, the “Earnout Shares”) shall be in full settlement of the applicable Earnout Rights. For the avoidance of doubt, (1) Earnout Shares are issuable in connection with each Earnout Event; provided, however, the maximum number of Earnout Shares issuable in connection with (i) the Second EBITDA Earnout Issuance and the Second Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000, (ii) the Third EBITDA Earnout Issuance and the Third Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000 and (iii) the Fourth EBITDA Earnout Issuance and the Fourth Earnout Event, together, shall be 7,500,000 and (2) if the calculations set forth above with respect to an EBITDA Earnout Issuance or Earnout Event would result in a negative number of Company Common Shares being issued, no Company Common Shares will be issued.

 

7

 

 

(c) Acceleration Event. If, between the Closing and the five year anniversary of the Closing, there is a Change of Control that will result in the holders of Company Common Shares receiving consideration implying a value per share equal to or in excess of the VWAP required in connection with the Second Earnout Event, Third Earnout Event or Fourth Earnout Event (as adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related to the Company Common Shares following the Effective Time), then immediately prior to the consummation of such Change of Control: (i) such Earnout Event that has not previously occurred shall be deemed to have occurred; and (ii) the Second Earnout Rights, the Third Earnout Rights or the Fourth Earnout Rights, as applicable, shall automatically be exercised for and converted into, and the Company shall issue to the holders of the applicable Earnout Rights, the applicable Earnout Shares immediately prior to the closing of such transaction in full settlement of such rights. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that a Change of Control does not result in the holders of Company Common Shares receiving consideration implying a value per share equal to or in excess of the VWAP required in connection with the Second Earnout Event, Third Earnout Event or Fourth Earnout Event (as adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related to the Company Common Shares following the Effective Time), then the Second Earnout Rights, Third Earnout Rights, and/or Fourth Earnout Rights will automatically terminate for no consideration immediately prior to the closing of such transaction.

 

(d) Termination. Each Earnout Right will automatically terminate at such time as it is no longer possible pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for Company Common Shares to be issued to the holders of such Earnout Right, which in no event will be later than five (5) years and six (6) Business Days after the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, termination of any Earnout Rights in accordance with this Section 2.2(d) shall have no effect on any Earnout Shares issued or issuable prior to such termination.

 

(e) Contractual Right. Each Earnout Right (i) is solely a contractual right, (ii) will not initially be evidenced by any certificate or other instrument and (iii) does not give the holder thereof any voting rights or the right to receive interest payments.

 

(f)   Register; Transfer. The Company shall maintain a register of Earnout Rights, with the name, address and email address of each holder thereof as well as any other information regarding the holder thereof that the Company reasonably requests (the “Rights Register”). Subject to Applicable Law, including the Securities Act and Canadian Securities Laws, each holder of Earnout Rights may sell, assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of (collectively, “Transfer”) such Earnout Rights, in whole or in part; provided, however, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to any proposed Transfer of Earnout Rights, the holder of such Earnout Rights shall notify the Company in writing of the proposed Transfer, including the name, address and email address of the proposed transferee as well as any other information regarding the proposed transferee that the Company reasonably requests, and provide such certifications and/or legal opinions with respect to the proposed Transfer as the Company may reasonably request. Unless the Company reasonably determines, with the advice of counsel, that a proposed Transfer would violate Applicable Law, it shall register the Transfer in the Rights Register.

 

(g) Company Conduct. The Company shall be free to conduct its business and the business of the Company Group in the manner it determines to be reasonably prudent and in the best interest of the Company but shall not take any action or omit to take any action that is intended or designed to delay, impede or prevent the occurrence of an Earnout Event, the automatic exercise and conversion of Earnout Rights or the issuance of Earnout Shares in respect thereof.

 

(h) Adjustment to Earnout Shares. The Earnout Shares shall be adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related to the Company Common Shares following the Effective Time.

 

8

 

 

(i) Third-Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall survive the Closing and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each of the holders of Earnout Rights, and their respective successors, assigns and transferees, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 2.2.

 

Section 2.3 Effective Time. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Parties shall cause the Merger to be effected by filing a certificate of merger (a “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL and reasonably agreed by the Parties. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Effective Time” shall mean the time at which the Certificate of Merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and has become effective in accordance with the DGCL or such later time as Merger Sub and SPAC may agree and specify in the Certificate of Merger pursuant to the DGCL.

 

Section 2.4 The Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Merger Sub shall, automatically and without any action on the part of any Party, be merged with and into SPAC, following which the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and SPAC shall continue as the Surviving Company after the Effective Time and as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

Section 2.5 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and SPAC shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Surviving Company, which shall include the assumption by the Surviving Company of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of Merger Sub and SPAC set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Effective Time.

 

Section 2.6 Governing Documents. At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company (the “Surviving Company Charter”), except all references to the name of Merger Sub shall be replaced by the name of the Surviving Company, until, thereafter changed or amended as provided therein (except that no such change or amendment shall have the effect of affecting the Company’s obligations pursuant to Section 6.11(a)) or by Applicable Law.

 

Section 2.7 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Company.

 

(a) Immediately after the Effective Time, the board of directors of the Surviving Company shall be the board of directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, until any such director’s or officer’s successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

 

9

 

 

(b) Immediately after the Effective Time, the officers of the Surviving Company shall be the officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, each to hold office in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Company.

 

Section 2.8 Effect of the Merger on Securities of SPAC and Merger Sub. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the part of the Parties or any other Person, the following shall occur:

 

(a) SPAC Units. To the extent any SPAC Units remain outstanding and unseparated, immediately prior to the Effective Time, the SPAC Shares and the SPAC Warrants comprising each such issued and outstanding SPAC Unit immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically separated (the “Unit Separation”) and the holder of each SPAC Unit shall be deemed to hold one (1) SPAC Share and one (1) SPAC Warrant. The SPAC Shares and SPAC Warrants held following the Unit Separation shall be converted in accordance with the applicable terms of this Section 2.8. 

 

(b) SPAC Shares. At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding SPAC Share (other than any Excluded Shares and after giving effect to the SPAC Stockholder Redemption) shall be automatically converted into and exchanged for the right to receive from the Exchange Agent, for each SPAC Share, one (1) Company Common Share after giving effect to the Stock Split (the “Merger Consideration”), following which, each SPAC Share shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist by virtue of the Merger and each former holder of SPAC Shares shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to the SPAC Shares, except as provided herein or by Applicable Law. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Company Common Shares issued pursuant to this Section 2.8(b) to be issued in book-entry form as of the Effective Time. In respect of the issuance of Company Common Shares pursuant to this Section 2.8(b), an amount shall be added to the capital of the Company Common Shares equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate fair market value of such Company Common Shares at the Effective Time and (ii) an amount (but no less than zero) equal to (A) the amount by which the aggregate fair market value of the assets of the Surviving Company at the Effective Time (excluding any proceeds attributable to PIPE Shares issued by SPAC to PIPE Investors which are exchanged for Company Common Shares pursuant to the applicable Subscription Agreements) exceeds the aggregate amount of the liabilities of the Surviving Company at the Effective Time minus (B) the amount by which the aggregate fair market value of the assets of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time exceeds the aggregate amount of the liabilities of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

(c) SPAC Warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of a SPAC Warrant, each SPAC Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically and irrevocably be converted into one (1) Company Warrant exercisable, in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement, for one (1) Company Common Share.

 

(d) Merger Sub Shares. At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Merger Sub (the “Merger Sub Shares”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically convert into one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Company. The shares of common stock of the Surviving Company shall have the same rights, powers and privileges as the shares so converted and shall constitute the only issued and outstanding share capital of the Surviving Company.

 

10

 

 

(e) Surviving Company Issuance. In consideration for the issuance by the Company of the Merger Consideration, the Surviving Company shall, at the Effective Time, issue to the Company such number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Company, having an aggregate fair market value (which shall not be less than zero) at that time equal to (i) the amount by which the aggregate fair market value of the assets of the Surviving Company at that time (excluding any proceeds attributable to PIPE Shares issued by SPAC to PIPE Investor which are exchanged for Company Common Shares pursuant to the applicable Subscription Agreements) exceeds the aggregate amount of the liabilities of the Surviving Company at that time minus (ii) the amount by which the aggregate fair market value of the assets of Merger Sub immediately prior to that time exceeds the aggregate amount of the liabilities of Merger Sub immediately prior to that time.

 

(f)   No Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.8, none of the Parties or the Surviving Company or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any Person for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Applicable Law. Any portion of the Merger Consideration remaining unclaimed by SPAC Stockholders immediately prior to such time when the amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any Governmental Entity shall become, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the property of the Company free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

 

(g) Excluded Shares. Each SPAC Share held in SPAC’s treasury or owned by the Company or Merger Sub or any other wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or SPAC immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, an “Excluded Share”), other than an Excluded Share that is a PIPE Share held by the Company, shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be paid or payable with respect thereto. Each Excluded Share that is a PIPE Share held by the Company shall, at the Effective Time, automatically convert into and be exchanged for such number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Company, having an aggregate fair market value (which shall not be less than zero) equal to the proceeds attributable to the issuance of such PIPE Shares.

 

(h) Adjustment to Merger Consideration. The Conversion Factor shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect of any stock split, split-up, reverse stock split, stock dividend or stock distribution (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into SPAC Shares), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other like change with respect to SPAC Shares occurring on or after the date hereof and prior to the Closing.

 

11

 

 

Section 2.9 Delivery of Merger Consideration.

 

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall appoint a Person authorized to act as exchange agent in connection with the transactions contemplated by Sections 2.8(a) through (c), which Person shall be reasonably acceptable to SPAC, with Continental being stipulated to be reasonably acceptable to SPAC (the “Exchange Agent”), and enter into an exchange agent agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company and SPAC with the Exchange Agent (the “Exchange Agent Agreement”) for the purpose of exchanging, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (including Section 2.10), each SPAC Share on the register of members of SPAC and the SPAC Shares issuable immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

(b) All Company Common Shares delivered upon the exchange of SPAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this ARTICLE II shall be deemed to have been exchanged and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the securities represented by such SPAC Shares and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the register of members of SPAC of the SPAC Shares that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

Section 2.10 Withholding Taxes. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, SPAC, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Company, the Exchange Agent and their respective Affiliates and Representatives shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration or other amount payable pursuant to this Agreement any amount required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under Applicable Law. If any such withholding is so required in connection with any such payments (other than compensatory payments to employees of the Group Companies), the Party required to so withhold shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide written notice to the Party in respect of whom such withholding is required to be paid of the amounts to be deducted and withheld no later than five (5) days prior to such payment. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such amounts shall be (a) duly and timely paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity, and (b) treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Upon the written request of any Person with respect to which amounts were deducted or withheld, the payor shall provide such Person with a copy of documentary evidence of remittance of such amounts upon request from such Person. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith with any request to eliminate or reduce any such deduction or withholding (including through the request and provision of any statements, forms, declarations or other documents to reduce or eliminate any such deduction or withholding).

 

Section 2.11 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Company following the Merger with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of SPAC and Merger Sub, the officers and directors (or their designees) of the Surviving Company are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

Section 2.12 Tax Treatment of the Merger. The Parties hereto intend that the Merger qualifies for the Intended Tax Treatment. To the extent applicable, the Parties intend to prepare and file all U.S. income Tax Returns consistently with the Intended Tax Treatment unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar U.S. state, local or non-U.S. law) or a change in Applicable Law; provided, however, nothing in this Section 2.12 shall prevent any Party or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives from settling, or require any of them to litigate, any challenge or other similar proceeding by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Intended Tax Treatment. Each Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify all other Parties of any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment by any Governmental Entity.

 

12

 

 

ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties Regarding the Company And Merger Sub

 

Except as set forth in the letter dated as of the date of this Agreement delivered by the Company and Merger Sub to SPAC in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”), the Company and Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to SPAC as follows:

 

Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”) and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except as would not be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which such properties and assets are owned, leased or operated by it, or the nature of the business conducted by it, makes such qualification or licensing necessary. The Company is not in violation of any of the provisions of the Company’s articles or bylaws. Complete and correct copies of the Company’s Organizational Documents, as amended and in full force and effect as of the date of this Agreement, have been made available to SPAC or its representatives.

 

Section 3.2 Company Subsidiaries.

 

(a) The Company’s Subsidiaries, together with their jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, are listed on Schedule 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the “Company Subsidiaries”). Each Company Subsidiary has been duly formed or organized and is validly existing under the Applicable Law of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as now being conducted, except where the failure to be so formed, organized or existing, or to have such power and authority, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No Company Subsidiary is in violation of any of the provisions of such Company Subsidiary’s articles or bylaws. Complete and correct copies of the Organizational Documents of each Company Subsidiary have been made available to SPAC or its representatives.

 

(b) Each Company Subsidiary is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which it is conducting business, or the operation, ownership or leasing of its property or assets or the character of its business activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

13

 

 

Section 3.3 Capitalization.

 

(a) As of the execution of this Agreement, the authorized share capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Company Common Shares, of which 100,000,001 Company Common Shares were issued and outstanding and an unlimited number of Company Preferred Shares, of which 0 Company Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding Company Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Each Company Common Share has been issued in compliance in all material respects with: (x) Applicable Law; and (y) the Company’s Organizational Documents (as in effect at the time of such issuance). Schedule 3.3(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a true and correct list of all Company Common Shares owned by the Company Shareholder as of the execution of this Agreement.

 

(b) The authorized share capital of Merger Sub is 1,000 Merger Sub Shares. As of the execution of this Agreement, only one Merger Sub Share is issued and outstanding. The sole outstanding Merger Sub Share has been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and is non-assessable and is not subject to preemptive rights, and is held by the Company, free and clear of all Liens (other than any restrictions on sales of securities under Applicable Law).

 

(c) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 3.3 or in Schedule 3.3(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock, stock-based performance unit, profit participation, restricted stock, restricted stock unit or other equity-based compensation award or similar rights with respect to the Company, options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Company Common Shares or Company Preferred Shares, or other subscriptions, commitments or agreements providing for the issuance of additional shares (or other equity interests), the sale of treasury shares, or for the repurchase or redemption of Company Common Shares or Company Preferred Shares, and there are no agreements of any kind which may obligate the Company to issue, purchase, register for sale, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its share capital. Except for the Company’s Organizational Documents and this Agreement, there are no registration rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or other agreements or understandings with respect to Company Common Shares.

 

14

 

 

(d) The outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each of the Company Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and (if applicable) are fully paid and non-assessable (where such concepts are applicable) and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. The Company owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, all the issued and outstanding equity interests of such Company Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens other than (i) as may be set forth on Schedule 3.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter; (ii) for any restrictions on sales of securities under applicable securities laws; and (iii) Permitted Liens. There are no outstanding options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of such Company Subsidiaries, any other commitments or agreements providing for the issuance of additional shares (or other equity interests), the sale of treasury shares, or for the repurchase or redemption of such Company Subsidiaries’ shares of capital stock (or other equity interests), or any agreements of any kind which may obligate any Company Subsidiary to issue, purchase, register for sale, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares of capital stock (or other equity interests). Except for the equity interests of the Company Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 3.3(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any ownership, equity, profits or voting interest in any Person or have any agreement or commitment to purchase any such interest, and has not agreed and is not obligated to make nor is bound by any written, oral or other Contract, binding understanding, option, warranty or undertaking of any nature, as of the date hereof or as may hereafter be in effect under which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital contribution to any other entity.

 

(e) Except as provided for in this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, as a result of the consummation of the Transactions, no share capital, warrants, options or other securities of the Company are issuable and no rights in connection with any shares, warrants, options or other securities of the Company accelerate or otherwise become triggered (whether as to vesting, exercisability, convertibility or otherwise).

 

(f)   Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any outstanding bonds, debentures, notes, or other debt securities the holders of which have the right to vote with the Company Stockholders on any matter.

 

Section 3.4 Due Authorization. Each of the Company and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to: (a) execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party; and (b) carry out the Company’s and Merger Sub’s respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which they are a party (including the Merger), in each case, subject to the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements described in Section 3.5. The execution and delivery by each of the Company and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by each of the Company and Merger Sub of the Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action, including approval by the respective board of directors of the Company and Merger Sub, the Merger Sub Stockholder Approval, the Company Investor Approval and the Company Shareholder Approval, as required by Applicable Law, and, other than the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements described in Section 3.5, no other corporate proceeding on the part of the Company or Merger Sub is necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the Company and Merger Sub and (assuming this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of SPAC) constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and Merger Sub (as applicable), enforceable against the Company and Merger Sub (as applicable) in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (collectively, the “Remedies Exception”).

 

15

 

 

Section 3.5 No Conflict; Governmental Consents and Filings.

 

(a) Subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 3.5(b), the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (including the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby) and the other Transaction Agreements to which each of the Company and Merger Sub is a party, by the Company and Merger Sub do not and will not: (i) violate any provision of, or result in the breach of, any Applicable Law to which any of the Group Companies is subject or by which any property or asset of any of the Group Companies is bound; (ii) conflict with or violate the Organizational Documents of any of the Group Companies; (iii) violate any provision of or result in a breach, default or acceleration of, or require a consent under, any Company Material Contract, or terminate or result in the termination of any Company Material Contract, or result in the creation of any Lien under any Company Material Contract upon any of the properties or assets of any of the Group Companies, or constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such violation, breach, default, acceleration, termination or creation of a Lien; or (iv) result in a violation or revocation of any required Approvals, except to the extent that the occurrence of any of the foregoing items would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Assuming the truth of the representations and warranties of SPAC contained in this Agreement, the execution and delivery by each of the Company and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or the consummation of the Transactions (including the Merger) by the Company and Merger Sub, do not, and the performance of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder will not, require any consent, notice, approval or authorization or permit of, or designation, declaration or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for: (i) any consents, notices, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations or filings, the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (ii) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Canadian Securities Laws, blue sky laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which any of the Group Companies is qualified to do business; (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL; and (iv) the filing of the Notice of Alteration in accordance with the BCBCA.

 

Section 3.6 Legal Compliance; Approvals.

 

(a) Each of the Group Companies has, since November 30, 2018, complied in all respects with, and is not in violation of, any Applicable Law with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business, except for any such non-compliance or violation that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect, and no written, or to the Knowledge of the Company, oral notice of material non-compliance with any Applicable Law has been received since November 30, 2018 by any of the Group Companies.

 

(b) Each Group Company is in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, consents, certificates, approvals and orders from Governmental Entities (“Approvals”) necessary to own, lease and operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and is in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Approvals, in each case, except where the failure to have such Approvals or be in compliance therewith would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, to suspend, revoke, withdraw, modify or limit any such Approval, except where the failure to have such Approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

16

 

 

Section 3.7 Financial Statements.

 

(a) Set forth on Schedule 3.7(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter are: (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of Algoma Steel Inc., consisting of the consolidated statements of financial position as at March 31, 2020 and 2019, and the consolidated statements of net income (loss), comprehensive loss, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the notes to the consolidated financial statements (the “Audited Financial Statements”); (ii) the condensed interim consolidated financial statements of Algoma Steel Inc., consisting of the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2020, and the consolidated statements of net income (loss), comprehensive loss, changes in shareholder’s equity and cash flows for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and notes to the consolidated financial statements (the “Interim Financial Statements” and, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and the consolidated financial performance of Algoma Steel Inc. as of the dates and for the periods indicated in such Financial Statements, and have been prepared in all material respects, in conformity with IFRS (except in the case of the Interim Financial Statements for the absence of footnotes and other presentation items and, in the case of the Interim Financial Statements, for normal year-end adjustments, the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material).

 

(b) Algoma Steel Inc. has established and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting that are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance (i) that transactions, receipts and expenditures of Algoma Steel Inc. and its Subsidiaries are being executed and made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management of Algoma Steel Inc. and (ii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain accountability for assets. Neither the Company, any Subsidiary, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, an independent auditor of Algoma Steel Inc. has identified or been made aware of any significant deficiency or material weakness in the internal control over financial reporting utilized by Algoma Steel Inc.

 

Section 3.8 No Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no liability, debt or obligation (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of Algoma Steel Inc. of a type required to be reflected or reserved for on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with IFRS, except for liabilities, debts and obligations: (a) provided for in, or otherwise reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto; (b) that have arisen since December 31, 2020 in the ordinary course of business of Algoma Steel Inc.; (c) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (d) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to Algoma Steel Inc.

 

17

 

 

Section 3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, between March 31, 2020 and the execution of this Agreement, (a) each of the Group Companies has conducted its business in the ordinary course, except as required by Applicable Law (including COVID-19 Measures) or as reasonably necessary or prudent in light of COVID-19 and (b) there has not been any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.10 Litigation. As of the execution of this Agreement, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter and as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, there are: (a) no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against any of the Group Companies or any of their properties or assets, or any of the directors or officers of any of the foregoing in their capacity as such; (b) to the Knowledge of the Company, no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Legal Proceeding, (c) no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing to any of the Group Companies, audits, examinations or investigations by any Governmental Entity against any of the Group Companies; and (d) no pending or threatened in writing Legal Proceedings by any of the Group Companies against any third party.

 

Section 3.11 Collective Bargaining Agreements.

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Collective Bargaining Agreements, certifications, interim certifications, or voluntary recognition agreements with any union, council of trade unions, employee bargaining agency, work council, or any other labor representative of any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision under any Collective Bargaining Agreement, except such violations as would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, there are no actual, or to the Knowledge of the Company, pending organizing activities of any union, council of trade unions, employee bargaining agency, work council, or any other labor representative to establish bargaining rights with respect to any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.12 Company Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Schedule 3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and correct list of all Company Benefit Plans. True and correct copies of the following, as applicable, have been made available to SPAC: (i) the texts of the Company Benefit Plans and all amendments thereto; (ii) copies of all material correspondence since November 30, 2018 with any Governmental Entity relating to a Company Benefit Plan; (iii) the summary plan description or employee booklet for each Company Benefit Plan; (iv) all trust agreements, funding agreements, participation agreements or insurance contracts relating to a Company Benefit Plan; (v) the most recent actuarial report, if any; (vi) the most recent financial report, if any; and (vii) the most recent determination letter from the IRS or evidence of registration under the Tax Act, if any.

 

18

 

 

(b) All Company Benefit Plans are and have been established, registered (where required), administered and invested (where applicable) in all material respects: (A) in accordance with all Applicable Law; and (B) in accordance with their terms and (C) in accordance with any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. No fact or circumstance exists which could adversely affect the tax-preferred or tax-exempt status of any Company Benefit Plan or any related trust entitled to such status.

 

(c) All current obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries regarding the Company Benefit Plans have been satisfied in all material respects. All material contributions, premiums, payments or Taxes required to be made or paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, under the terms of each Company Benefit Plan, any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement, or by Applicable Law in respect of Company Benefit Plans have been made and/or accrued in a timely fashion in accordance therewith and with IFRS. Except as set forth on Section 3.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligations in respect of any defined benefit pension plans or Multiemployer Plans.

 

(d) There does not now exist, nor do any circumstances exist that could result in, any Controlled Group Liability that would be a liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries following the Closing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, has engaged in any transaction described in Section 4069 or Section 4204 or 4212 of ERISA.

 

(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no notice of under-funding, non-compliance, or failure to be in good standing has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from any Governmental Entity in respect of any Company Benefit Plan, and there is no actual, threatened, pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, anticipated action relating to a Company Benefit Plan.

 

(f)   Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Company Benefit Plan provides post-retirement or post-employment health or other welfare benefits to or in respect of either the former employees or beneficiaries of the former employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for health continuation coverage as required by Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and at no expense to the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall, either alone or in connection with any other event(s), give rise to any “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code or any excise tax owing under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

(h) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(h) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company maintains no obligations to gross-up, make-whole or reimburse any individual for any tax or related interest or penalties incurred by such individual, including under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code or otherwise.

 

19

 

 

Section 3.13 Labor Relations.

 

(a) Since November 30, 2018, (i) there have been no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, or lockouts pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against or involving the Company or any Subsidiary except for those which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (ii) there have been no arbitrations or grievances or other labor disputes (including unfair labor practice charges, grievances, or complaints) pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against or involving the Company or any Subsidiary involving any employee of the Company or such Subsidiary, except for those which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) There are no complaints, charges or claims against the Company pending or, to Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing before any Governmental Entity based on, arising out of, in connection with or otherwise relating to the employment, termination of employment or failure to employ by the Company, of any individual, except for those which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) The Company is, and since November 30, 2018 has been, in material compliance with all Applicable Law relating to the employment of labor, including as relating to hiring, termination of employment, wages (including minimum wage and overtime), fringe benefits, social benefits, hours and days of work (including, for the avoidance of doubt, working during rest days and holidays), reasonable accommodation, enforcement of labor laws, child labor, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, civil rights, immigration, withholdings and deductions and payments, classification and payment of employees, independent contractors, and consultants, employment equity, collective bargaining, employment practice, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and immigration, except for instances of noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Since November 30, 2018, to the Knowledge of the Company, there have been no employment discrimination or employment or sexual harassment or sexual misconduct allegations raised, brought, threatened, or settled, in each case in writing, relating to any current or former appointed officer or director of any Group Company involving or relating to his or her services provided to any Group Company. The policies and practices of the Group Companies comply with all Applicable Law concerning employment discrimination and employment harassment, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole. Since November 30, 2018, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiaries has entered into any material settlement agreements resolving, in whole or in part, allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by any current or former appointed officer or director.

 

20

 

 

(e) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party and the performance of the Company hereunder and thereunder do not require the Company to seek or obtain any consent, engage in consultation with, or issue any notice to any unions or labor organizations.

 

(f)   All contributions and premiums required to be paid to all statutory plans and all necessary statutory withholdings to which the Company and its Subsidiaries are required to comply with, including the Canada Pension Plan and plans administered pursuant to applicable provincial health tax, workers’ compensation or workplace safety and insurance and employment insurance laws, have been paid by Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with Applicable Law, except as would not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.14 Real Property.

 

(a) Schedule 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Letters sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all real property owned by any of the Group Companies (the “Owned Real Property”). Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (i) a Group Company has good and marketable fee simple title to the Owned Real Property free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and (ii) no Group Company owns, holds, has granted or is obligated under any option, right of first offer, right of first refusal or other contractual right to buy, acquire, sell, dispose of or lease any Owned Real Property or any material portion thereof or interest therein.

 

(b) Schedule 3.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists, as of the date of this Agreement, all material real property leased, subleased or otherwise occupied by the Group Companies (the “Leased Real Property”). The Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries has a valid, binding and enforceable leasehold estate in all Leased Real Property. Each of the leases, subleases, occupancy agreements and documents related to any Leased Real Property, including all amendments and modifications thereto and guarantees thereof (collectively, the “Company Real Property Leases”) are: (i) in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exception; and (ii) represent the valid and binding obligations of a Group Company party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, represent the valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto. None of the Group Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in material breach of or default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any of the Company Real Property Leases, and no party to any Company Real Property Lease has given any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral, claim or notice of any such material breach, default or event, which individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies, taken as a whole.

 

Section 3.15 Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Letter or, as individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect:

 

21

 

 

(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by the Group Companies have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Entity (taking into account applicable extensions of time to file).

 

(b) The Group Companies have paid all amounts of their Taxes which are due and payable (regardless of whether shown on a Tax Return). The unpaid liability for Taxes of the Group Companies did not, as of the date of the Interim Financial Statements, exceed the reserve for Tax liabilities (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes) accrued on the Financial Statements, and since such date no Group Company has incurred any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business.

 

(c) The Group Companies have complied in all respects with all Applicable Law relating to the withholding and remittance of all amounts of Taxes and all Taxes required by Applicable Law to be withheld by the Group Companies have been withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity.

 

(d) The Group Companies have duly and timely collected, any sales or transfer Taxes, including GST/HST and PST, required by Applicable Law to be collected by them, and duly and timely remitted, in all respects, to the appropriate Governmental Entity any such amounts required by Applicable Law to be remitted by them.

 

(e) No deficiency for any amount of Taxes has been asserted or assessed in writing by any Governmental Entity against any Group Company, which deficiency has not been paid or resolved. There are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any Tax assessment or deficiency of any Group Company. No Group Company is currently contesting any Tax liability before any Governmental Entity. To the Knowledge of the Company, no audit or other proceeding by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress, pending or threatened in writing against any Group Company with respect to any Taxes due from such entities.

 

(f)   There are no Liens (other than Permitted Liens) for amounts of Taxes upon any of the assets of the Group Companies.

 

(g) There are no Tax indemnification agreements or Tax Sharing Agreements under which any Group Company could be liable after the Closing Date for any Tax liability of any Person other than one or more of the Group Companies, except for customary agreements or arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business with customers, vendors, lessors, lenders and the like, in each case, that do not relate primarily to Taxes.

 

(h) Since November 30, 2018, no Group Company has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-deferred treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

 

(i) No Group Company has participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(j) No Group Company has (i) any liability for the Taxes of another Person pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) or as a transferee or a successor; and (ii) in the last two (2) years has not been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes

 

22

 

 

(k) Since November 30, 2018, no claim has been made in writing by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction in which any Group Company does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to Tax or required to file Tax Returns in that jurisdiction which claim has not been dismissed, closed or otherwise resolved.

 

(l) Each Group Company is a Tax resident only in its jurisdiction of formation.

 

(m)   No Group Company has (or has ever had) a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise has an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

 

(n) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action, or is aware of any facts or circumstances with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

(o) No amount in respect of any outlay or expense that is deductible for the purposes of computing the income of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Tax purposes has been owing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for longer than two (2) years to a Person not dealing at arm’s length (for the purposes of the Tax Act) with the Company of any of its Subsidiaries at the time the outlay or expenses was incurred.

 

(p) For purposes of the Tax Act, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has acquired material property from or disposed of material property to another Person with whom it was not dealing at arm’s length for consideration other than consideration equal to the fair market value of the property acquired.

 

(q) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries that carries on business in Canada is duly registered under subdivision (d) of Division V of IX of the Excise Tax Act (Canada) for purposes of goods and services tax and harmonized sales tax (“GST/HST”) and under any similar provincial or territorial sales or transfer Tax statutes (“PST”) in respect of all provincial sales or Transfer Taxes which it is or has been required to collect, all input tax credits claimed by the Company and each such Subsidiary for GST/HST and PST purposes were calculated in accordance with applicable Laws in all material respects, and the Company and each such Subsidiary has in all material respects complied with all registration, reporting, payment, collection and remittance requirements in respect of GST/HST and PST.

 

(r)   None of sections 17, 79, 79.1, 80 to 80.04, inclusive, of the Tax Act (or any similar provision under any applicable Law) have applied or will apply to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at any time up to and including the Closing Date.

 

(s)   Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have made (i) a capital dividend election under subsection 83(2) of the Tax Act in an amount which exceeds the amount in its “capital dividend account” at the time of such election, or (ii) an “excessive eligible dividend designation” as defined in subsection 89(1) of the Tax Act in respect of any dividends, paid or deemed by a provision of the Tax Act to have been paid, on any class of shares of its capital.

 

23

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (a) no representation or warranty is being made as to the use or availability of any Tax attribute or credit of any Group Company in any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning on the day immediately after the Closing Date and (b) nothing in this Agreement (including this Section 3.15) shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty relating or attributable to a taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning on or after the Closing Date (except as specifically contemplated by Section 3.15(g)).

 

Section 3.16 Environmental Matters.

 

(a) Each of the Group Companies is, and since November 30, 2018 has been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for any such instance of non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Group Companies taken as a whole.

 

(b) The Group Companies have obtained, hold, are, and since November 30, 2018 have been, in compliance with all permits required under applicable Environmental Laws to permit the Group Companies to operate their assets in a manner in which they are now operated and maintained and to conduct the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted, except where the absence of, or failure to be in material compliance with, any such permit would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) There are no written claims or notices of violation pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against any of the Group Companies alleging violations of or liability under any Environmental Law, except for any such claim or notice that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Neither the Group Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Person has disposed of or released any Hazardous Material at, on or under any facility currently or formerly leased or operated by any of the Group Companies or any third-party site, in each case in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) None of the Group Companies has agreed to indemnify any Person or assumed by Contract the liability of any third party arising under Environmental Law.

 

(f)   The Group Companies have made available to SPAC copies of all material written environmental reports, audits, assessments, liability analyses, memoranda and studies produced since November 30, 2018 and in the possession of, or conducted by, the Group Companies with respect to compliance or liabilities under Environmental Laws.

 

24

 

 

Section 3.17 Intellectual Property.

 

(a) Schedule 3.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of: (i) all Owned Intellectual Property that is the subject of an application, filing, issuance, registration or other document filed with or issued or recorded by any Governmental Entity, quasi-governmental authority or domain name registrar (collectively, the “Registered Intellectual Property”) including the applicable jurisdiction, title, application, registration or serial number, date, validity, term/expiration date and record owner and, if different, the legal owner and beneficial owner; and (ii) all material unregistered Trademarks that constitute Owned Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Company, all Registered Intellectual Property (excluding any pending applications included in the Registered Intellectual Property) is valid, subsisting and enforceable and has been maintained effective, subject to any expiration of term under Applicable Law, by the filing of all necessary filings, maintenance and renewals and timely payment of requisite fees.

 

(b) The Company or one of its Subsidiaries (other than Merger Sub) is the sole and exclusive owner of, and possesses, all right, title and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and has the right to use pursuant to a valid written license, sublicense, or other written Contract or other lawful right, all other material Licensed Intellectual Property and material Company IT Systems.

 

(c) As of the date of this Agreement and since November 30, 2018, no Group Company has received written notice of any Legal Proceeding pending against the Group Companies, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, has any such Legal Proceeding been threatened in writing (including unsolicited offers to license Patents) against the Company or any of the Group Companies either (A) alleging any Group Company’s infringement, misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property of any third Person; or (B) challenging the ownership, use, registrability, patentability, validity, or enforceability of any Owned Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of the Company, as of the execution of this Agreement, no Group Company nor the conduct or operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted infringes, misappropriates, or violates the Intellectual Property (other than patents) of any Person, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, the patents of any Person. To the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, except as would not reasonably be expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company as a whole, no other Person is infringing, misappropriating or violating any Owned Intellectual Property and no such claims have been made or threatened in writing against any Person in a written notice sent by any of the Group Companies to any such Person in the past two (2) years in a manner that remains unresolved.

 

(d) Each of the Group Companies, as applicable, has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect and maintain the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all material Trade Secrets of each Group Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no material Trade Secret of any of the Group Companies has been disclosed other than subject to a written agreement sufficiently restricting the disclosure and use of such Trade Secret and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Person to whom a material Trade Secret of any of the Group Companies has been so disclosed is in violation of any such agreement.

 

(e) The Company IT Systems are adequate in all material respects for the operation and conduct of the business of the Group Companies as currently conducted.

 

25

 

 

Section 3.18 Privacy and Data Security.

 

(a) To the Knowledge of the Company, each of the Group Companies, has at all times materially complied with: (i) all applicable Privacy Laws; (ii) all of the Group Companies’ obligations regarding Personal Information under any Contracts; and (iii) any policy adopted by a Group Company related to privacy, information security or data security. Since November 30, 2018, none of the Group Companies has received any written notice of, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, has there been any threat of, any investigation, audit, complaint or claim relating to, any Group Company’s use of Personal Information and/or any violation of any Privacy Laws.

 

(b) To the Knowledge of the Company, each of the Group Companies has implemented and maintained commercially reasonable business continuity and security measures regarding the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the Company IT Systems and Personal Information, in its possession, custody, or under its control, including against loss, theft, misuse or unauthorized Processing, access, use, modification or disclosure.

 

(c) To the Knowledge of the Company, (i) there have been no material breaches, security incidents, misuse of, or unauthorized Processing of, access to, or disclosure of, any Personal Information in the possession, custody, or control of any of the Group Companies, Processed by the Group Companies; (ii) none of the Group Companies have experienced any material information security incident that has materially compromised the integrity or availability of the Company IT Systems or the data thereon; and (iii) none of the Group Companies have provided or been legally required to provide any notices to any Person in connection with any Personal Information Breach.

 

Section 3.19 Agreements, Contracts and Commitments.

 

(a) Schedule 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each Company Material Contract (as defined below) that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Material Contract” of the Group Companies shall mean and each of the following Contracts to which any of the Group Companies is a party, other than any Company Benefit Plan, Company Real Property Lease and the Transaction Agreements:

 

(i) Each Contract with a vendor or supplier (other than purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business) that involved annual payments or consideration furnished by or to any of the Group Companies of more than twenty-five million Dollars ($25,000,000) during the twelve-months ended December 31, 2020 or that the Company reasonably anticipates will involve annual payments or consideration furnished by or to any of the Group Companies of more than twenty-five million Dollars ($25,000,000) during the twelve-months ended December 31, 2021 (each such vendor or supplier, a “Material Supplier”);

 

(ii) Each note, debenture, other evidence of Indebtedness, credit or financing agreement or instrument or other contract for money borrowed by any of the Group Companies having an outstanding principal amount, in each case, in excess of twenty million Dollars ($20,000,000), other than a Permitted Lien;

 

26

 

 

(iii) Each guaranty of Indebtedness, direct or indirect, by the Company or a Subsidiary, of any obligation of a third party (other than the Company or any Subsidiary);

 

(iv)   Each Contract for the acquisition or the disposition of any material assets, properties or business divisions entered into by any of the Group Companies involving consideration in an amount in excess of five million Dollars ($5,000,000), in each case, whether by merger, purchase or sale of stock or assets or otherwise (other than Contracts for the purchase or sale of inventory or supplies entered into in the ordinary course of business) occurring in the last two (2) years;

 

(v) Each Contract evidencing a material outstanding obligation to make payments, contingent or otherwise, arising out of the prior acquisition of the business, assets or stock of other Persons;

 

(vi)   Each Collective Bargaining Agreement;

 

(vii)    Each employment or consulting (with respect to an individual, independent contractor) Contract providing for annual base salary or annual consulting fee payments in excess of three hundred thousand Canadian Dollars (C$300,000) excluding any such employment, consulting, or management Contract that either: (A) is terminable by the Company or the applicable Company Subsidiary at will; or (B) provides for severance, notice and/or garden leave obligations of 90 days or less or such longer period as is required by Applicable Law;

 

(viii) Each joint venture Contract, partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement with a third party (in each case, other than with respect to wholly owned Company Subsidiaries);

 

(ix)   Each Contract (other than those made in the ordinary course of business) that purports to limit or contains covenants expressly limiting in any material respect the freedom of any of the Group Companies to: (A) compete with any Person in a product line or line of business; (B) operate in any geographic area; or (C) solicit customers; and

 

(x) Each Contract (other than those made in the ordinary course of business): (A) providing for the grant of any preferential rights to purchase or lease any asset of the Group Companies; or (B) providing for any right (exclusive or non-exclusive) to sell or distribute any material product or service of any of the Group Companies.

 

(b) All Company Material Contracts are: (i) in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exception; and (ii) represent the valid and binding obligations of a Group Company party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, represent the valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, in each case, subject to the Remedies Exception. True, correct and complete copies of all written Company Material Contracts have been made available to SPAC. None of the Group Companies nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in breach of or default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any of the Company Material Contracts, and no party to any Company Material Contract has given any written or, to the Knowledge of the Company, oral, claim or notice of any such breach, default or event, which individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

27

 

 

Section 3.20 Insurance. The Group Companies have in full force and effect all material policies or binders of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers’ compensation, and other forms of insurance held by, or for the benefit of, the Group Companies as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Insurance Policies”). None of the Group Companies has received any written notice from any insurer under any of the Insurance Policies, canceling, terminating or materially adversely amending any such policy or denying renewal of coverage thereunder. There is no pending material claim by any Group Company against any insurance carrier for which coverage has been denied or disputed by the applicable insurance carrier (other than a customary reservation of rights notice), which individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.21 Customers and Suppliers.

 

(a) Schedule 3.21(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the top ten (10) customers (by revenue) of the Group Companies for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (collectively, the “Material Customers”) and the amount of consideration paid to the Group Companies, collectively, by each Material Customer during such periods. To the Company’s Knowledge as of the date hereof, no such Material Customer has expressed in writing to a Group Company (i) its intention to cancel or otherwise terminate, or materially reduce, its relationship with the Group Companies, taken as a whole, or (ii) a condition indicating a material breach of the terms of any Company Material Contract with any such Material Customer. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Material Customer has asserted or threatened in writing a force majeure event or provided written notice of an anticipated inability to perform, in whole or in part, arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to a Company Material Contract.

 

(b) Schedule 3.22(b) sets forth the Material Suppliers and the amount of consideration paid to each Material Supplier by the Group Companies, collectively, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. To the Company’s Knowledge as of the date hereof, no Material Supplier has expressed in writing to a Group Company (i) its intention to cancel or otherwise terminate, or materially reduce, its relationship with the Group Companies, taken as a whole, or (ii) a condition indicating a material breach of the terms of any Company Material Contract with such Material Supplier. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Material Supplier has asserted or threatened in writing a force majeure event or provided written notice of an anticipated inability to perform, in whole or in part, arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to a Company Material Contract.

 

Section 3.22 Affiliate Matters. Except: (a) the Company Benefit Plans (or LTIP); (b) Contracts relating to labor and employment matters set forth on Schedules 3.12 and 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Letter; (c) Contracts between or among the Group Companies; (d) indemnification agreements between or among any director or officer of the Group Companies, on the one hand, and any of the Group Companies, on the other; (e) employment agreements and employee confidentiality and other similar agreements with employees; and (f) Contracts entered into on an arm’s length basis and in the ordinary course of business between any of the Group Companies, on the one hand, and a Company Investor or its Affiliates, on the other hand, (g) as set forth in the Financial Statements, (h) the payment of salary, bonuses and other compensation for services rendered, (i) reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any of the Group Companies and (j) as set forth on Schedule 3.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the Group Companies is party to any Contract with any: (i) present or former officer, director, employee or Company Shareholder or a member of his or her immediate family of any of the Group Companies; or (ii) Affiliate of the Company.

 

28

 

 

Section 3.23 Information Supplied. None of the information relating to the Group Companies supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of the Group Companies or Merger Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference prior to the Closing in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement will, when the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement are declared effective or when the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement are mailed to the SPAC Stockholders or at the time of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, and in the case of any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time of such amendment or supplement, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of the information relating to the Group Companies supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of the Group Companies or Merger Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference prior to the Closing in the Canadian Prospectus will, at the date of the Canadian Prospectus, contain any “misrepresentation” (as defined in Canadian Securities Laws). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Group Companies make no representations or warranties as to the information contained or incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Canadian Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Group Companies by or on behalf of SPAC specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Canadian Prospectus.

 

Section 3.24 Absence of Certain Business Practices. Since November 30, 2018: (a) the Group Companies and, to the Knowledge of the Company, their respective directors, officers, employees and any other Persons, in each case, acting on their behalf, in connection with the operation of the business of the Group Companies, have been in material compliance with all applicable Specified Business Conduct Laws and have not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in the Group Companies becoming the subject or target of any sanctions administered by the U.S. or Canadian governments; and (b) none of the Group Companies has (i) received written notice of, or made a voluntary, mandatory or directed disclosure to any Governmental Entity relating to, any actual or potential violation of any Specified Business Conduct Law; or (ii) been a party to or the subject of any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, Legal Proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Entity related to any actual or potential violation of any Specified Business Conduct Law. None of the Group Companies, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, executives, officers, employees, or agents is the subject or target of any sanctions, identified on the specially designated nationals or other blocked person list, or the target of restrictive export controls administered by the U.S. or Canadian governments, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or the European Union.

 

Section 3.25 Brokers. No broker, finder, investment banker or other Person, other than Jefferies, is entitled to, nor will be entitled to, either directly or indirectly, any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other similar commission, for which any of the Group Companies would be liable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements to which the Company is a party or the transactions contemplated thereby based upon arrangements made by any of the Group Companies or any of their Affiliates.

 

29

 

 

Section 3.26 PIPE Investment Amount. SPAC and the Company have entered into the Subscription Agreements pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have committed to provide equity financing in the aggregate amount of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) (the “PIPE Investment Amount”) through purchases of an aggregate of 10,000,000 Company Common Shares issued by the Company and SPAC Shares issued by SPAC (the “PIPE Shares”) immediately prior to the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, the PIPE Shares reflect a $10.00 per share price. Each PIPE Investor has completed an accredited investor questionnaire customary for financings of the type and size of the PIPE Investment, and the Company has received representations and warranties from each PIPE Investor outside the United States that such PIPE Investor is an eligible investor located outside of the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act), and representations and warranties from each PIPE Investor in the United States that such PIPE Investor is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) and is not acquiring the Company Common Shares or SPAC Shares, as applicable, with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.27 Disclaimer of Other Warranties. THE COMPANY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ARTICLE IV (AS QUALIFIED BY THE SPAC DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, NEITHER SPAC NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB, ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON, WITH RESPECT TO SPAC OR ANY OF ITS BUSINESSES, ASSETS OR PROPERTIES, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FUTURE RESULTS, PROPOSED BUSINESSES OR FUTURE PLANS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY: (A) NEITHER SPAC, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, THE COMPANY SHAREHOLDER, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY MADE BY SPAC TO THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB IN ARTICLE IV AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS; AND (B) EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV AND IN THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, NEITHER SPAC, NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES, HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, THE COMPANY SHAREHOLDER, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO: (I) THE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM BY OR ON BEHALF OF SPAC IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS; (II) ANY MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENT; OR (III) ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTION, FORECAST, ESTIMATE, BUDGET OR SIMILAR ITEM RELATING TO SPAC OR ANY OF ITS BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NOT RELIED ON ANY PROMISE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS CONDUCTED, TO ITS SATISFACTION, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION OF SPAC AND THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING AND, IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION TO PROCEED WITH THE TRANSACTIONS EACH OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB HAS RELIED ON THE RESULTS OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION, IN ADDITION TO THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPAC EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE IV OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS SECTION 3.27, CLAIMS AGAINST SPAC, OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL NOT BE LIMITED IN ANY RESPECT IN THE EVENT OF INTENTIONAL FRAUD IN THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN ARTICLE IV AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS BY SUCH PERSON.

 

30

 

 

ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of SPAC

 

Except: (i) as disclosed in the SPAC SEC Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC (and publicly available) at least 48 hours prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (to the extent the qualifying nature of such disclosure is readily apparent from the content of such SPAC SEC Reports) excluding disclosures referred to in “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and any other disclosures therein to the extent they are generally predictive or cautionary in nature or related to forward-looking statements, and (ii) as set forth in the letter dated as of the date of this Agreement delivered by SPAC to the Company and Merger Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “SPAC Disclosure Letter”), SPAC represents and warrants to the Company and Merger Sub as follows:

 

Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification.

 

(a) SPAC is duly incorporated corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(b) SPAC has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

 

(c) SPAC is not in violation of any of the provisions of SPAC’s Organizational Documents. SPAC’s Organizational Documents, as amended to the date of this Agreement, have been made available to the Company and are true, correct and complete.

 

(d) SPAC is duly qualified or licensed to do business in each jurisdiction where the character of the properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensing necessary.

 

Section 4.2 SPAC Subsidiaries. SPAC has no direct or indirect Subsidiaries or participations in joint ventures or other entities, and does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity interests or other interests or investments (whether equity or debt) in any Person, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

 

Section 4.3 Capitalization.

 

(a) The authorized share capital of SPAC consists of (i) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (“SPAC Preference Shares”); and (ii) 60,000,000 SPAC Shares, par value $0.0001 per share. As of the execution of this Agreement, assuming the separation of all SPAC Units, SPAC had 30,307,036 SPAC Shares issued and outstanding, including 5,893,750 SPAC Founder Shares, 234,286 SPAC Representative Shares 23,575,000 SPAC Public Shares, and 604,000 SPAC Shares issued as part of the SPAC Private Units, and none are held by SPAC in its treasury, and no SPAC Preference Shares issued or outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of the capital of SPAC have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable under, not subject to preemptive rights and free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

(b) As of the execution of this Agreement, assuming the separation of all SPAC Units, SPAC has issued 24,179,000 SPAC Warrants, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement. All outstanding SPAC Warrants have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and are non-assessable and are not subject to preemptive rights.

 

(c) Except for the SPAC Warrants, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities, “phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, commitments or Contracts of any kind to which SPAC is a party or by which it is bound obligating SPAC to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional SPAC Shares or any other share capital of SPAC or any other interest or participation in, or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into SPAC Shares or any other share capital of SPAC or other interest or participation in SPAC.

 

(d) Each issued and outstanding SPAC Share and SPAC Warrant: (i) has been issued in compliance in all material respects with: (A) Applicable Law; and (B) SPAC’s Organizational Documents (as in effect at the time such SPAC Share and SPAC Warrant were issued); and (ii) was not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any Applicable Law, SPAC’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which SPAC is a party or otherwise bound by. SPAC has never issued any SPAC Preference Shares.

 

31

 

 

(e) Each holder of any of SPAC Founder Shares and SPAC Representative Shares: (i) is obligated to vote all of such SPAC Shares in favor of approving the Transactions; and (ii) is not entitled to elect to redeem any of such SPAC Founder Shares or SPAC Representative Shares pursuant to SPAC’s Organizational Documents.

 

(f)   Except as set forth in SPAC’s Organizational Documents, this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, and Schedule 4.3(f) of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, there are no registration rights, and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or other agreements or understandings to which SPAC is a party or by which SPAC is bound with respect to any ownership interests of SPAC.

 

Section 4.4 Due Authorization. SPAC has the requisite power and authority to: (a) execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, and each ancillary document that it has executed or delivered or is to execute or deliver pursuant to this Agreement; and (b) carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder and, to consummate the Transactions (including the Merger). The execution and delivery by SPAC of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation by SPAC of the Transactions (including the Merger) have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of SPAC, and no other proceedings on the part of SPAC are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, other than approval from the SPAC Stockholders. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which SPAC is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by SPAC and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other Parties, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of SPAC, enforceable against SPAC in accordance with their terms, subject to the Remedies Exception. Assuming that a quorum of SPAC Stockholders (as determined pursuant to SPAC’s Organizational Documents) is present at the SPAC Stockholder Meeting, the SPAC Transaction Proposals shall require approval by: (a) in the case of clause “(i)” of the definition of SPAC Transaction Proposals, by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding SPAC Shares entitled to vote on such matter; and (b) in the case of all other clauses of the definition of SPAC Transaction Proposals, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the SPAC Shares present in person or represented by proxy at the SPAC Stockholder Meeting and entitled to vote thereat. The foregoing votes are the only votes of any of SPAC’s capital stock necessary in connection with entry into this Agreement by SPAC and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Closing.

 

Section 4.5 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.

 

(a) Subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 4.5(b), the execution, delivery and performance by SPAC of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, nor (assuming approval of the SPAC Transaction Proposals from the SPAC Stockholders is obtained) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder do not and will not: (i) conflict with or violate SPAC’s Organizational Documents; (ii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law to which the SPAC is subject or by which any property or asset of the SPAC is bound; or (iii) violate any provision of or result in a breach, default or acceleration of, or require a consent under, any SPAC Material Contract, or terminate or result in the termination of any SPAC Material Contract, or result in the creation of any Lien under any SPAC Material Contract upon any of the properties or assets of SPAC, or constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such violation, breach, default, acceleration, termination or creation of a Lien, except, with respect to any of the foregoing, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect.

 

32

 

 

(b) Assuming the truth of the representations and warranties of the Company and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement, the execution and delivery by SPAC of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, does not, and the performance of its obligations hereunder and thereunder will not, require any consent, notice, approval, authorization or permit of, or designation, declaration or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except: (i) any consents, notices, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations or filings, the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect; (ii) applicable requirements, if any, of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Canadian Securities Laws, blue sky laws, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other jurisdictions in which SPAC is qualified to do business; and (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DGCL. There is no stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar antitakeover agreement or plan in effect to which SPAC is subject, party or otherwise bound.

 

Section 4.6 Legal Compliance; Approvals. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, since its incorporation, SPAC has complied in all material respects with, and is not in violation of, any Applicable Law with respect to the conduct of its business, or the ownership or operation of its business. Since the date of its incorporation, to the Knowledge of SPAC, no investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to SPAC has been pending or threatened in writing and no written, or to the Knowledge of SPAC, oral notice of material non-compliance with any Applicable Law has been received by SPAC. SPAC is in possession of all Approvals necessary to own, lease and operate the properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Approvals, except where the failure to have such Approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.7 SPAC SEC Reports and Financial Statements.

 

(a) SPAC has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements, certifications and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by SPAC with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since SPAC’s incorporation to the date of this Agreement, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto (all of the foregoing filed prior to the date of this Agreement, the “SPAC SEC Reports”). SPAC has heretofore furnished to the Company true and correct copies of all amendments and modifications that have not been filed by SPAC with the SEC to all agreements, documents and other instruments that previously had been filed by SPAC with the SEC and are currently in effect. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.7(a) of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, (i) the SPAC SEC Reports were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) the SPAC SEC Reports did not, at the time they were or are filed with the SEC, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC with respect to the SPAC SEC Reports. To the Knowledge of SPAC, none of the SPAC SEC Reports are subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof. SPAC maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. To the Knowledge of SPAC, each director and executive officer of SPAC has filed with the SEC on a timely basis all statements required with respect to SPAC by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. As used in this Section 4.7, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC.

 

33

 

 

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.7(b) of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, the financial statements and notes contained or incorporated by reference in the SPAC SEC Reports (collectively, the “SPAC Financial Statements”) fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of SPAC as at the respective dates of, and for the periods referred to, in such financial statements, all in accordance with: (i) GAAP; and (ii) Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material) and the omission of notes to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable. SPAC has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are not disclosed in the SPAC SEC Reports.

 

(c) SPAC has (i) no Indebtedness and (ii) no SPAC Liabilities, except for SPAC Transaction Costs incurred on or prior to the date hereof and other reasonable liabilities and obligations arising in the ordinary course of SPAC’s business.

 

(d) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by SPAC to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of SPAC. SPAC has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(e) SPAC has established and maintained a system of internal controls. Such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance (i) that transactions, receipts and expenditures of SPAC are being executed and made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management of SPAC and (ii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets. Neither SPAC nor, to the Knowledge of SPAC, SPAC’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by SPAC.

 

Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Between its incorporation and the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in Schedule 4.8 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, there has not been: (a) any SPAC Material Adverse Effect; (b) any change in the auditors of SPAC; (c) any revaluation by SPAC of any of its assets, including any sale of assets of SPAC other than in the ordinary course of business; or (d) any action taken or agreed upon by SPAC or any of its Subsidiaries that would be prohibited by Section 5.2 if such action were taken on or after the date hereof without the consent of the Company.

 

34

 

 

Section 4.9 Litigation. Since its incorporation, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect, there are: (a) no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of SPAC, threatened against SPAC or any of its properties or assets, or any of the directors or officers of SPAC in their capacity as such; (b) to the Knowledge of SPAC, no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Legal Proceeding; (c) no pending or, to the Knowledge of SPAC, threatened in writing to SPAC, audits, examinations or investigations by any Governmental Entity of SPAC; and (d) no pending or threatened in writing Legal Proceedings by SPAC against any third party.

 

Section 4.10 Business Activities. Since its incorporation, SPAC has not conducted any business activities other than activities: (a) in connection with its organization; or (b) directed toward the accomplishment of a business combination. Except as set forth in SPAC’s Organizational Documents, there is no Contract or Order binding upon SPAC or to which it is a party which has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of it, any acquisition of property by it or the conduct of business by it as currently conducted or as currently contemplated to be conducted (including, in each case, following the Closing). Except for the Transactions, SPAC does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity. Except for the Transactions and the Transaction Agreements, SPAC has no material interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or would reasonably be interpreted as constituting a “Business Combination” under SPAC’s Organizational Documents.

 

Section 4.11 SPAC Material Contracts. Each “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) to which SPAC is a party (the “SPAC Material Contracts”) is an exhibit to the SPAC SEC Reports.

 

Section 4.12 SPAC Listing. The issued and outstanding SPAC Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “LEGOU.” The issued and outstanding SPAC Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “LEGO.” The issued and outstanding SPAC Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “LEGOW.” Since January 22, 2021, SPAC has complied in all material respects with the applicable listing requirements of Nasdaq. There is no action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of SPAC, threatened against SPAC by Nasdaq or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the SPAC Units, the SPAC Public Shares or SPAC Warrants or terminate the listing thereof on Nasdaq. None of SPAC or any of its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the SPAC Units, the SPAC Shares or SPAC Warrants under the Exchange Act.

 

35

 

 

Section 4.13 Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, there is no liability, debt or obligation (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of SPAC of a type required to be reflected or reserved for on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities, debts and obligations: (a) provided for in, or otherwise reflected or reserved for on, the SPAC Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto; (b) that have arisen since the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the SPAC Financial Statements in the ordinary course of the operation of business of SPAC; (c) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (d) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 4.14 Trust Account.

 

(a) As of the date of this Agreement, SPAC has at least Two Hundred Thirty Five Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($235,750,000) in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), maintained and invested pursuant to that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”), effective as of January 19, 2021, by and between SPAC and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (“Continental”), for the benefit of its public shareholders, with such funds invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act. Other than pursuant to the Trust Agreement and the Subscription Agreements, the obligations of SPAC under this Agreement are not subject to any conditions regarding SPAC’s, its Affiliates’, or any other Person’s ability to obtain financing for the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(b) The Trust Agreement has not been amended or modified and, to the Knowledge of SPAC with respect to Continental, is valid and in full force and effect and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Remedies Exception. SPAC has complied in all material respects with the terms of the Trust Agreement and is not in breach thereof or default thereunder and there does not exist under the Trust Agreement any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default by SPAC or, to the Knowledge of SPAC, Continental. There are no separate Contracts, side letters or other understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the SPAC SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect or, to SPAC’s Knowledge, that would entitle any Person to any portion of the funds in the Trust Account (other than (i) in respect of deferred underwriting commissions or taxes, (ii) the SPAC Stockholders who shall have elected to redeem their SPAC Public Shares pursuant to the Organizational Documents of SPAC or (iii) if SPAC fails to complete a business combination within the allotted time period set forth in the Organizational Documents of SPAC and liquidates the Trust Account, subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, SPAC (in limited amounts to permit SPAC to pay the expenses of the Trust Account’s liquidation, dissolution and winding up of SPAC) and then the SPAC Stockholders). Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except: (A) to pay income and other taxes from any interest income earned on the Trust Account; (B) to pay liquidation expenses not to exceed $100,000 from any interest income earned on the Trust Account; and (C) to redeem SPAC Public Shares in accordance with the provisions of SPAC’s Organizational Documents. There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of SPAC, threatened in writing with respect to the Trust Account.

 

36

 

 

(c) SPAC has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. As of the Effective Time, the obligations of SPAC to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to SPAC’s Organizational Documents shall terminate, and as of the Effective Time, SPAC shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to SPAC’s Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of SPAC by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and Merger Sub contained herein and the compliance by the Company and Merger Sub with their respective obligations hereunder, SPAC has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to SPAC on the Closing Date.

 

Section 4.15 Taxes. Except as individually or in the aggregate, has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, a SPAC Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by SPAC have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Entity (taking into account applicable extensions of time to file).

 

(b) SPAC has paid all of its Taxes which are due and payable (regardless of whether shown on a Tax Return). The unpaid liability for Taxes of SPAC did not, as of the date of the latest SPAC Financial Statements, exceed the reserve for Tax liabilities (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes) accrued on the SPAC Financial Statements, and since such date SPAC has not incurred any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business.

 

(c) SPAC has complied in all respects with all Applicable Law relating to the withholding and remittance of all amounts of Taxes and all amounts of Taxes required by Applicable Law to be withheld by SPAC have been withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity.

 

(d) No deficiency for any amount of Taxes has been asserted or assessed by any Governmental Entity in writing against SPAC, which deficiency has not been paid or resolved. To the Knowledge of SPAC, no audit or other proceeding by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress, pending or threatened in writing against SPAC with respect to any Taxes due from SPAC. There are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any Tax assessment or deficiency of SPAC. SPAC is not currently contesting any Tax liability before any Governmental Entity.

 

(e) There are no Tax indemnification agreements or Tax Sharing Agreements under which SPAC could be liable after the Closing Date for any Tax liability of any Person other than SPAC, except for customary agreements or arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business with customers, vendors, lessors, lenders and the like, in each case, that do not relate primarily to Taxes.

 

(f)   There are no Liens (other than Permitted Liens) for amounts of Taxes upon any of SPAC’s assets.

 

37

 

 

(g) SPAC has not constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-deferred treatment under Section 355 of the Code since its incorporation.

 

(h) SPAC has not participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(i) SPAC (i) does not have any liability for the Taxes of another Person pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) or as a transferee or a successor; and (ii) in the last two (2) years has not been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes.

 

(j) Since November 30, 2018, no claim has been made in writing by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction in which SPAC does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to Tax or required to file Tax Returns in that jurisdiction, which claim has not been dismissed, closed or otherwise resolved.

 

(k) SPAC is a Tax resident only in its jurisdiction of formation.

 

(l) SPAC does not have (and has not ever had) a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) or otherwise has an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

 

(m)   SPAC has not taken or agreed to take any action, and is not aware of any facts or circumstances, in each case, that would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (a) no representation or warranty is being made as to the use or availability of any Tax attribute or credit of SPAC in any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning on the day immediately after the Closing Date and (b) nothing in this Agreement (including this Section 4.15) shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty relating or attributable to a taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning on or after the Closing Date (except as specifically contemplated by Section 4.15(e)).

 

Section 4.16 Information Supplied. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of SPAC expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference prior to the Closing in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement will, when the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement are declared effective or when the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement are mailed to the SPAC Stockholders or at the time of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, and in the case of any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time of such amendment or supplement, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of SPAC expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference prior to the Closing in the Canadian Prospectus will, at the date of the Canadian Prospectus, include any “misrepresentation” (as defined in Canadian Securities Laws). Notwithstanding the foregoing, SPAC makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained or incorporated by reference in or omitted from the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or Canadian Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to SPAC by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Canadian Prospectus.

 

38

 

 

Section 4.17 Employees; Benefit Plans. Other than as described in the SPAC SEC Reports, SPAC has never had any employees or individual independent contractors. Other than reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by SPAC’s officers and directors in connection with activities on SPAC’s behalf in an aggregate amount not in excess of the amount of cash held by SPAC outside of the Trust Account, as of the date hereof, SPAC has no unsatisfied material liability with respect to any officer, employee or individual independent contractor. SPAC does not maintain, sponsor, contribute to, participate in or have any liability (actual or contingent) with respect to any plan, program, agreement or arrangement providing compensation or benefits to officers, employees or other individual independent contracts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder: (a) will result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any director, officer, individual independent contractor or employee of SPAC; or (b) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such payment or benefits.

 

Section 4.18 Board Approval; Shareholder Vote. The board of directors of SPAC (including any required committee or subgroup of the board of directors of SPAC), as of the date of this Agreement, unanimously (after the recusal of any conflicted directors): (a) approved and declared the advisability of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder; and (b) determined that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party is in the best interest of SPAC. Other than the approval from the SPAC Stockholders, no other corporate proceedings on the part of SPAC are necessary to approve the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party.

 

Section 4.19 Title to Assets. Subject to the restrictions on use of the Trust Account set forth in the Trust Agreement, SPAC owns good and marketable title to, or holds a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use, all of the assets used by SPAC in the operation of its business and which are material to SPAC, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

Section 4.20 Affiliate Transactions. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.20 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, no Contract between SPAC, on the one hand, and any of the present or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders or warrant holders or Affiliates of SPAC (or an immediate family member of any of the foregoing), on the other hand, will continue in effect following the Closing.

 

Section 4.21 Investment Company Act; JOBS Act. SPAC is not an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company,” in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. SPAC constitutes an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the JOBS Act.

 

39

 

 

Section 4.22 Brokers. Other than as set forth on Schedule 4.22 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to, nor will be entitled to, either directly or indirectly, any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other similar commission, for which SPAC would be liable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements to which SPAC is a party or the transactions contemplated thereby based upon arrangements made by SPAC.

 

Section 4.23 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The board of directors of SPAC has received an opinion of Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the various assumptions and limitations set forth therein, the consideration to be received by SPAC Stockholders pursuant to the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to the SPAC Stockholders (other than holders of Excluded Shares) and that the fair market value of the Company is at least 80% of the value of the funds held in the Trust Account (excluding taxes payable). A signed copy of such opinion has been provided to the Company (it being agreed that such opinion is for the benefit of the board of directors of SPAC and may not be relied upon by the Company or any other Person).

 

Section 4.24 State Takeover Statutes; Anti-Takeover Laws. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the board of directors of SPAC has taken all action necessary so that no restrictive provision of any “business combination,” “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “takeover,” “interested shareholder” or other similar anti-takeover Applicable Law (including Section 203 of the DGCL) (“Takeover Laws”) is applicable to this Agreement or the Transactions, including the Merger.

 

Section 4.25 PIPE Investment Amount. SPAC and the Company have entered into the Subscription Agreements pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have committed to provide equity financing in the aggregate amount of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000) (the “PIPE Investment Amount”) through purchases of an aggregate of 10,000,000 Company Common Shares issued by the Company and SPAC Shares issued by SPAC (the “PIPE Shares”) immediately prior to the Effective Time. For the avoidance of doubt, the PIPE Shares reflect a $10.00 per share price. Each PIPE Investor has completed an accredited investor questionnaire customary for financings of the type and size of the PIPE Investment, and SPAC has received representations and warranties from each PIPE Investor outside the United States that such PIPE Investor is an eligible investor located outside of the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act), and representations and warranties from each PIPE Investor in the United States that such PIPE Investor is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) and is not acquiring the Company Common Shares or SPAC Shares, as applicable, with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act.

 

40

 

 

Section 4.26 Disclaimer of Other Warranties. SPAC HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, NONE OF THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO SPAC, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON, WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE GROUP COMPANIES, THE COMPANY SHAREHOLDER (OR ANY HOLDER OF DERIVATIVE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY), OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, BUSINESSES, ASSETS OR PROPERTIES OF THE FOREGOING, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FUTURE RESULTS, PROPOSED BUSINESSES OR FUTURE PLANS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY: (A) NONE OF THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, ANY OF THE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO SPAC OR ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY MADE BY THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB TO SPAC IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS; AND (B) EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, NONE OF THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB NOR ANY OF THE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES, NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES, HAS MADE, IS MAKING, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO MAKE TO SPAC, OR ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OR ANY OTHER PERSON ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO: (I) THE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED OR MADE AVAILABLE TO SPAC OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS; (II) ANY MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR DOCUMENT; OR (III) ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTION, FORECAST, ESTIMATE, BUDGET OR SIMILAR ITEM RELATING TO THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, ANY OF THE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES AND/OR THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING. SPAC HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS NOT RELIED ON ANY PROMISE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS. SPAC ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS CONDUCTED, TO ITS SATISFACTION, AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION OF THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB, THE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES AND THE BUSINESS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, PROPERTIES, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROJECTED OPERATIONS OF THE FOREGOING AND, IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION TO PROCEED WITH THE TRANSACTIONS, SPAC HAS RELIED ON THE RESULTS OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND VERIFICATION, IN ADDITION TO THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY AND MERGER SUB EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS SECTION 4.26, CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY, MERGER SUB OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL NOT BE LIMITED IN ANY RESPECT IN THE EVENT OF INTENTIONAL FRAUD IN THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN ARTICLE III (AS QUALIFIED BY THE COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO THEREIN) AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IN THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, BY SUCH PERSON.

 

41

 

 

ARTICLE V
Conduct Prior to the Closing Date

 

Section 5.1 Conduct of Business by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries to, carry on in the ordinary course of business, except: (x) to the extent that SPAC shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); (y) as required by Applicable Law (including COVID-19 Measures) or as reasonably necessary or prudent in light of COVID-19; or (z) as required or expressly permitted by this Agreement (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment) or the Company Disclosure Letter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as required or expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment) or the Company Disclosure Letter, or as required by Applicable Law (including COVID-19 Measures) or as reasonably necessary or prudent in light of COVID-19, without the prior written consent of SPAC (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall not, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries not to, do any of the following:

 

(a) except as otherwise required by existing Company Benefit Plans or the Contracts listed on Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter, adopt, enter into or materially amend any equity or equity-based compensation plan;

 

(b) except for: (x) transactions between or among the Group Companies, (y) in connection with the Stock Split, or (z) issuance of securities of the Company that are counted in the definition of Conversion Factor: (i) split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or warrants, effect a recapitalization or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock or warrant or effect any similar change in capitalization; (ii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any membership interests, capital stock or any other equity interests, as applicable, in any Group Company, except in connection with the termination or resignation of any employees, directors or officers of the Group Companies; (iii) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution; or (iv) issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the foregoing with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Group Companies, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Group Companies, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Group Companies, or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares of capital stock, equity securities or convertible or exchangeable securities;

 

42

 

 

(c) amend its Organizational Documents (other than in connection with the Restated Articles and the Notice of Alteration) except in order to effect the Transactions or the other Transaction Documents, or form or establish any Subsidiary;

 

(d) (i) merge, consolidate or combine with any Person; or (ii) acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, purchasing any equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof;

 

(e) sell, lease, divest or transfer, or otherwise dispose of, material tangible assets or material properties with a value in excess of five million Dollars ($5,000,000), or agree to do any of the foregoing, other than, in each case, (i) in the ordinary course of business or (ii) with respect to obsolete assets;

 

(f)   (i) issue or sell any debt securities or rights to acquire any debt securities or guarantee any debt securities of another Person; (ii) make, create any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person other than any of the Group Companies; (iii) create, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for, any Indebtedness except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (iv) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, create any material Liens on any material property or material assets of any of the Group Companies in connection with any Indebtedness thereof (other than Permitted Liens); or (v) cancel or forgive any Indebtedness owed to any of the Group Companies;

 

(g) make, incur or commit to make or incur, or authorize any capital expenditures other than capital expenditures consistent in the aggregate with the capital expenditure plan disclosed to SPAC;

 

(h) other than any Transaction Litigation, which is subject to Section 6.19, commence, release, assign, compromise, settle or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding material to the Group Companies or their respective properties or assets, except in the ordinary course of business or where such Legal Proceedings are covered by insurance or involve only the payment of monetary damages in an amount less than fifteen million Dollars ($15,000,000) in the aggregate;

 

(i) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices: (i) modify, amend in a manner that is adverse to the applicable Group Company or terminate any Company Material Contract; (ii) enter into any Contract that would have been a Company Material Contract had it been entered into prior to the date of this Agreement; or (iii) waive, delay the exercise of, release or assign any material rights or claims under any Company Material Contract;

 

43

 

 

(j) except as required by IFRS (or any interpretation thereof) or Applicable Law, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;

 

(k) except in the ordinary course of business: (i) make, change or rescind any Tax election (other than, in the sole discretion of the Company Shareholder, in connection with the transfer of all of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Algoma Steel Holdings Inc. to the Company); (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim outside the ordinary course of business; (iii) change (or request to change) any material method of accounting for Tax purposes; (iv) file any amended Tax Return that could materially increase the Taxes payable by the applicable Group Company; (v) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); (vi) knowingly surrender any material claim for a refund of Taxes; (vii) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Applicable Law) with any Governmental Entity; or (viii) knowingly take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

 

(l) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, restructuring, recapitalization, dissolution or winding-up of the Company;

 

(m)   subject to Section 5.1(a), enter into or amend any agreement with, or pay, distribute or advance any assets or property to, any of its officers, directors, employees, partners, stockholders or other Affiliates, other than payments or distributions relating to obligations in respect of arm’s-length commercial transactions pursuant to the agreements set forth on Schedule 5.1(m) of the Company Disclosure Letter as existing on the date of this Agreement;

 

(n) (i) limit the rights of any Group Company in any respect: (A) to engage in any line of business or in any geographic area; (B) to develop, market or sell products or services; or (C) to compete with any Person; or (ii) grant any exclusive or similar rights to any Person;

 

(o) terminate or amend, in a manner materially detrimental to any Group Company, any insurance policy insuring the business of any Group Company

 

(p) transfer, sell, assign, or license to any Person, grant any security interest in or otherwise encumber or dispose of, or otherwise extend, amend or modify any material rights to any material Owned Intellectual Property or enter into agreements to transfer or license to any Person material future Intellectual Property rights, but only to the extent the foregoing would reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

44

 

 

(q) abandon, allow to lapse, disclaim or dedicate to the public, or fail to make any filing, pay any fee, or take any other action necessary to prosecute and maintain in full force and effect, or to maintain the ownership, validity, and enforceability of, any material Registered Intellectual Property, but only to the extent the foregoing would reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

(r)   agree in writing or otherwise agree, commit or resolve to take any of the actions described in Section 5.1(a) through (q) above.

 

Section 5.2 Conduct of Business by SPAC. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, SPAC shall carry on in the ordinary course of business, except: (a) to the extent that the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); (b) as required by Applicable Law (including COVID-19 Measures) or as reasonably necessary or prudent in light of COVID-19; or (c) as required or expressly permitted by this Agreement (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment) or the SPAC Disclosure Letter. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as required or expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement (including as contemplated by the PIPE Investment) or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, or as required by Applicable Law (including COVID-19 Measures) or as reasonably necessary or prudent in light of COVID-19, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), during the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, SPAC shall not do any of the following:

 

(a) declare, set aside or pay dividends on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, equity securities or property) in respect of any capital stock or warrants or split, combine or reclassify any capital stock or warrants, effect a recapitalization or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any capital stock or warrant, or effect any similar change in capitalization;

 

(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of SPAC except in connection with SPAC Stockholder Redemptions;

 

(c) except in connection with SPAC Borrowings, grant, issue, deliver, sell, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber, or agree to any of the foregoing with respect to, any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities, or subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities, or enter into other agreements or commitments of any character obligating it to issue any such shares of capital stock or equity securities or convertible or exchangeable securities;

 

(d) amend its Organizational Documents or form or establish any Subsidiary;

 

45

 

 

(e) (i) merge, consolidate or combine with any other Person; or (ii) acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of securities or a substantial portion of the assets of) any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division or assets thereof;

 

(f)   (i) incur any Indebtedness, except SPAC Borrowings; (ii) create any material Liens on any material property or assets of SPAC in connection with any Indebtedness thereof (other than Permitted Liens); (iii) cancel or forgive any Indebtedness owed to SPAC; or (iv) make, incur or commit to make or incur any capital expenditures;

 

(g) other than any Transaction Litigation, which is subject to Section 6.19, commence, release, assign, compromise, settle or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding;

 

(h) except as required by GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or Applicable Law, make any change in accounting methods, principles or practices;

 

(i) except in the ordinary course of business: (i) make, change or rescind any Tax election; (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim outside the ordinary course of business; (iii) change (or request to change) any material method of accounting for Tax purposes; (iv) file any amended Tax Return that could materially increase the Taxes payable by SPAC; (v) waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of a period within which an assessment or reassessment of Taxes may be issued (other than any extension pursuant to an extension to file any Tax Return); (vi) knowingly surrender any material claim for a refund of Taxes; (vii) enter into any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar Applicable Law) with any Governmental Entity; or (viii) knowingly take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

 

(j) (i) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, restructuring, recapitalization, dissolution or winding-up of SPAC or (ii) liquidate, dissolve, reorganize or otherwise wind-up the business or operations of SPAC;

 

(k) enter into or amend any agreement with, or pay, distribute or advance any assets or property to, or waive any provision or fail to enforce any provision with any agreement with, any of its officers, directors, employees, partners, stockholders or other Affiliates;

 

(l) engage in any material new line of business;

 

(m)   amend the Trust Agreement or any other agreement related to the Trust Account; or

 

(n) agree in writing or otherwise agree, commit or resolve to take any of the actions described in Section 5.2(a) through (m) above.

 

Section 5.3 No Control. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company or SPAC, directly or indirectly, any right to control or direct the operations of the other Party prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, each of the Company and SPAC shall exercise, consistent with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over their respective businesses.

 

46

 

 

ARTICLE VI
Additional Agreements

 

Section 6.1 Registration Statement; Shareholder Meetings.

 

(a) Registration Statement.

 

(i) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, (x) SPAC and the Company shall jointly prepare and the Company shall file with the SEC, mutually acceptable materials (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by either SPAC or the Company, as applicable) which shall include the proxy statement of SPAC to be filed with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement and sent to the SPAC Stockholders relating to the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting (such proxy statement, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”), (y) the Company shall prepare (with SPAC’s reasonable cooperation) and file with the SEC the Registration Statement, in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of Company Common Shares to be exchanged for the issued and outstanding SPAC Shares, the Company Common Shares to be issued upon exercise of Company Warrants, and, if required by Applicable Law, the Company Warrants, and (z) the Company shall prepare (with SPAC’s reasonable cooperation) and file with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) a preliminary non-offering prospectus in respect of the Company (together with all amendments thereto, the “Canadian Prospectus”). Each of SPAC and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts (which shall include causing their respective counsel and advisors to provide required opinions and consents) to (A) cause the Registration Statement, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and the Canadian Prospectus, to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the OSC, respectively, (B) to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing, and to cause the final Canadian Prospectus to be filed and definitively receipted by the OSC as promptly as practicable after the Closing Date and (C) to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Transactions. In the event there is any tax opinion or other opinion or consent required to be provided in connection with the Registration Statement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither this provision nor any other provision in this Agreement shall require counsel to the Company, SPAC or their respective tax advisors to provide an opinion that the Merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or otherwise qualifies for the Intended Tax Treatment and no such opinion or consent (or the delivery thereof) shall be a condition to the Closing. The Company also agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or “blue sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the Transactions, and SPAC shall furnish all information concerning itself and its equityholders as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. Each of SPAC and the Company agrees to furnish to the other Party and its Representatives all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, stockholders, and other equityholders and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested in connection with the Registration Statement, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Canadian Prospectus, a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Transactions, or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of SPAC or the Group Companies to any regulatory authority (including Nasdaq) in connection with the Merger and the Transactions (the “Transaction Filings”). SPAC will cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the SPAC Stockholders as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

47

 

 

(ii) The Company will advise SPAC, reasonably promptly after the Company receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement or the Canadian Prospectus has become effective or receipted, as applicable, or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the Company Common Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement or by the OSC for the amendment of the Canadian Prospectus or requests by the SEC or OSC for additional information. SPAC and its counsel, on the one hand, and the Company and its counsel, on the other hand, shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, the Canadian Prospectus and any Transaction Filings each time before any such document is filed with the SEC or OSC, as applicable, and the other Party shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by SPAC and its counsel or the Company and its counsel, as applicable. The Company, on the one hand, and SPAC, on the other hand, shall provide the other Party and its counsel with (A) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that SPAC or its counsel or the Company or its counsel, as the case may be, may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff or the OSC, as applicable, with respect to the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, the Canadian Prospectus or any Transaction Filings, in each case, promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (B) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of SPAC or the Company, as applicable, to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given).

 

(iii) If at any time prior to the Effective Time any information relating to the Company, SPAC or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates, directors or officers is discovered by the Company or SPAC, which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement or the Canadian Prospectus, so that neither the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement would include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, with respect to the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or the Canadian Prospectus would include any “misrepresentation” (as defined in Canadian Securities Laws), the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other parties and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC or the OSC, as applicable, and, to the extent required by Applicable Law, disseminated to SPAC Stockholders.

 

48

 

 

(b) SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

(i) SPAC shall, as promptly as practicable following the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act, establish a record date for, duly call and give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of SPAC Stockholders (the “SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting”), in each case in accordance with SPAC’s Organizational Documents and Applicable Law, solely for the purpose of (x) providing SPAC Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem SPAC Public Shares, (y) obtaining all requisite approvals and authorizations from the SPAC Stockholders in connection with the Transactions (including the SPAC Stockholder Approval) at the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting and (z) related and customary procedural and administrative matters. SPAC shall, through unanimous (after the recusal of any conflicted directors) approval of its board of directors, recommend to the SPAC Stockholders the adoption and approval of the SPAC Transaction Proposals by the SPAC Stockholders (the “SPAC Board Recommendation”). SPAC shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain such approvals and authorizations from the SPAC Stockholders at the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting, including by soliciting proxies as promptly as practicable in accordance with Applicable Law for the purpose of seeking such approvals and authorizations from the SPAC Stockholders, and minimize redemptions of SPAC Public Shares by SPAC Stockholders.

 

(ii) Subject to the provisos in the following sentence, SPAC shall include the SPAC Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The board of directors of SPAC shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the SPAC Board Recommendation (a “SPAC Change in Recommendation”); provided, that the board of directors of SPAC may make a SPAC Change in Recommendation prior to receipt of the SPAC Stockholder Approval if it is required to do so by Applicable Law; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby clarified that the board of directors of SPAC shall not be entitled to exercise its rights to make a SPAC Change in Recommendation pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) as a result of an offer, proposal or inquiry relating to any merger, sale of ownership interests and/or assets, recapitalization or similar transaction involving SPAC. SPAC agrees that its obligation to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting for the purpose of seeking approval from the SPAC Stockholders shall not be affected by any SPAC Change in Recommendation, and SPAC agrees to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting and submit for the approval of the SPAC Stockholders the matters contemplated by the Proxy Statement as contemplated by this Section 6.1(b), regardless of whether or not there shall have occurred any SPAC Change in Recommendation.

 

(iii) SPAC shall be entitled to postpone or adjourn the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting: (i) to the extent required by Applicable Law; (ii) to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement that the board of directors of SPAC has determined in good faith is required by Applicable Law is disclosed to SPAC Stockholders with sufficient time prior to the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting for SPAC Stockholders to consider the disclosures contained in such supplement or amendment; (iii) if, as of the time for which the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement), there are insufficient SPAC Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business to be conducted at the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting; (iv) in order to solicit additional proxies from SPAC Stockholders for purposes of obtaining approval from the SPAC Stockholders; or (v) to continue to attempt to satisfy all conditions to Closing; provided, that, the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting may not be adjourned or postponed to a date that is more than twenty (20) days after the date for which the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any postponements or adjournments required by Applicable Law) without the prior written consent of the Company (except that the Company may not unreasonably fail to consent to one further extension if the Company determines the purpose of such extension is reasonable and the length of such extension is no more than five (5) additional days, which the parties have deemed to be reasonable), and provided the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting is held no later than four (4) Business Days prior to the Outside Date; provided, further, that in the event of a postponement or adjournment the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting shall be reconvened as promptly as practicable following such time as the matter causing the postponement or adjournment has been resolved.

 

49

 

 

Section 6.2 Employee Matters.

 

(a) Equity Plan. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall approve and adopt the Incentive Equity Plan, based on the terms and conditions as reasonably mutually agreed upon between SPAC and the Company (provided neither Party will unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its agreement) to be effective upon and following the Closing, with the number of Company Common Shares allocated under the Incentive Equity Plan equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of the Company Common Shares outstanding immediately following the Closing (on a fully-diluted basis assuming the conversion of all securities convertible into Company Common Shares). As soon as practicable following the Closing, the Company shall file an effective registration statement on Form S-8 (or other applicable form) with respect to the Company Common Shares issuable under the Incentive Equity Plan. Notwithstanding this Section 6.2(a), if the Company reasonably determines that it would be beneficial to any recipient to grant options pursuant to the Incentive Equity Plan to such recipient prior to the Closing Date (but contingent on the Closing occurring), the parties will discuss in good faith the possibility of doing so and, if the Company reasonably determines to do so, will cooperate in good faith and use their reasonable best efforts to do so.

 

(b) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all provisions contained in this Section 6.2 are included for the sole benefit of SPAC and the Company, and nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, (i) shall be construed to establish, amend, or modify any employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, (ii) shall limit the right of SPAC, the Company or their respective Affiliates to amend, terminate or otherwise modify any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement following the Closing Date, or (iii) shall confer upon any Person who is not a party to this Agreement (including any equityholder, any current or former director, manager, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Company, or any participant in any Company Benefit Plan or other employee benefit plan, agreement or other arrangement (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof)), any right to continued or resumed employment or recall, any right to compensation or benefits, or any third-party beneficiary or other right of any kind or nature whatsoever.

 

Section 6.3 Regulatory Approvals. Each Party will promptly provide the other with copies of all substantive written communications (and memoranda setting forth the substance of all substantive oral communications) between each of them, any of their Affiliates and their respective agents, representatives and advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions as appropriate. Without limiting the foregoing, SPAC and the Company shall: (i) promptly inform the other of any substantive communication to or from any Governmental Entity regarding the Transactions; (ii) permit each other to review in advance any proposed substantive written communication to any such Governmental Entity and incorporate reasonable comments thereto; (iii) give the other prompt written notice of the commencement of any Legal Proceeding with respect to the Transactions, subject to the requirements of Section 6.19; (iv) not agree to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion with any such Governmental Entity in respect of any filing, investigation or inquiry concerning this Agreement or the Transactions unless, to the extent reasonably practicable, it consults with the other Party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, gives the other Party the opportunity to attend; (v) keep the other reasonably informed as to the status of any such Legal Proceeding; and (vi) promptly furnish each other with copies of all correspondence, filings and written communications between such Party and their Affiliates and their respective agents, representatives and advisors, on one hand, and any such Governmental Entity, on the other hand, in each case, with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions. SPAC, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall each pay fifty percent (50%) of any filing fees required by Governmental Entities, including with respect to any registrations, declarations and filings required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of the obligations hereunder and the consummation of the Transactions.

 

50

 

 

Section 6.4 Other Filings; Press Release.

 

(a) As promptly as practicable after execution of this Agreement, SPAC will prepare and file a Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to the Exchange Act to report the execution of this Agreement, the form and substance of which shall be approved in advance in writing by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(b) Promptly after the execution of this Agreement, SPAC and the Company shall also issue a mutually agreed joint press release announcing the execution of this Agreement. Prior to Closing, the Company shall prepare a press release announcing the consummation of the Transactions hereunder, the form and substance of which shall be approved in advance by SPAC, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (“Closing Press Release”). Concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall issue the Closing Press Release.

 

Section 6.5 Confidentiality; Access to Information.

 

(a) SPAC and the Company acknowledge that they are parties to the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event that this Section 6.5(a) or the Confidentiality Agreement conflicts with any other covenant or agreement contained herein or any other Transaction Agreement that contemplates the disclosure, use or provision of information or otherwise, then the Confidentiality Agreement shall govern and control to the extent of such conflict.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Parties will make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement, any other Transaction Agreement or the Transactions or any matter related to the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Company, in the case of a public announcement by SPAC or its Affiliates, or SPAC, in the case of a public announcement by the Company or its Affiliates (such consents, in either case, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except: (i) for routine disclosures to Governmental Entities made by the Company in the ordinary course of business; (ii) if such announcement or other communication is required by Applicable Law, in which case the disclosing Party shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, first allow such other Parties to review such announcement or communication and have the opportunity to comment thereon and the disclosing Party shall consider such comments in good faith; (iii) if such announcement or other communication is made in connection with SPAC or the Company’s fundraising or other investment related activities, in each case, in connection with the Transactions, and is made to such Person’s direct and indirect investors or potential investors or financing sources subject to an obligation of confidentiality to the disclosing Party; (iv) to the extent such announcements or other communications are consistent with information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved or made in accordance with Section 6.4 or this Section 6.5(b); (v) announcements and communications to Governmental Entities in connection with registrations, declarations and filings relating to the Transactions required to be made under this Agreement; and (vi) communications to employees of the Group Companies, and to customers and suppliers of the Group Companies for purposes of seeking any consents and approvals required in connection with the Transactions, and then only to the extent such communications are consistent with information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved or made in accordance with Section 6.4.

 

51

 

 

(c) Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, the Company will afford SPAC and its financial advisors, accountants, counsel and other representatives who have a need to know such information reasonable access during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the books, records and personnel of the Group Companies during the period prior to the Closing to obtain all information concerning the business, including the status of business development efforts, properties, results of operations and personnel of the Group Companies, as SPAC may reasonably request in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; provided, however, that any such access shall be (i) conducted in a manner not to unreasonably interfere with the businesses or operations of the Company and (ii) limited as required by the Company’s policies or Applicable Law in connection with COVID-19 (including the COVID-19 Measures). Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, SPAC will afford the Company and its financial advisors, underwriters, accountants, counsel and other representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to the books, records and personnel of SPAC during the period prior to the Closing to obtain all information concerning the business, including properties, results of operations and personnel of SPAC, as the Company may reasonably request in connection with the consummation of the Transactions; provided, however, that any such access shall be (i) conducted in a manner not to unreasonably interfere with the businesses or operations of SPAC and (ii) limited as required by SPAC’s policies or Applicable Law in connection with COVID-19 (including the COVID-19 Measures). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor SPAC, nor any of their respective Subsidiaries or Representatives, shall be required to provide, or cause to be provided to, the other party any information if and to the extent doing so would (A) violate any Applicable Law to which the Company or SPAC, as applicable, is subject, (B) result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties in breach of any Contract with such third-party, (C) violate any legally binding obligation of the Company or SPAC, as applicable, with respect to confidentiality, non-disclosure or privacy or (D) jeopardize protections afforded to the Company or SPAC, as applicable, under the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine (provided that, in case of each of clauses (A) through (D), the Company and SPAC shall each use reasonable best efforts to (x) provide such access as can be provided (or otherwise convey such information regarding the applicable matter as can be conveyed) without violating such privilege, doctrine, Contract, obligation or Applicable Law and (y) provide such information in a manner without violating such privilege, doctrine, Contract, obligation or Applicable Law).

 

Section 6.6 Reasonable Best Efforts.

 

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, as soon as practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party. Each of the Parties agrees to use reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the taking of all commercially reasonable acts necessary to cause the conditions precedent set forth in ARTICLE VII to be satisfied; (ii) the obtaining of all necessary actions, waivers, consents, approvals, orders and authorizations from Governmental Entities and third parties, and to make all necessary registrations, declarations and filings (including registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental Entities, if any); and (iii) the defending of any suits, claims, actions, investigations or proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this Section 6.6 shall be deemed to require any Party to pay or commit to pay any amount to (or incur any obligation in favor of) any Person from whom any such consent may be required (unless such payment is required in accordance with the terms of the relevant Contract requiring such consent).

 

Section 6.7 No Claim Against Trust Account. The Company acknowledges that SPAC has established the Trust Account for the benefit of its public shareholders. For and in consideration of SPAC entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company (on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, Representatives, Subsidiaries, and the Company Shareholder) hereby irrevocably waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind it has or may have in the future in or to the Trust Account, and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom regardless of whether such right, title interest or claim of any kind arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to this Agreement or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on Contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue a claim against SPAC pursuant to this Agreement for legal relief against monies or other assets of SPAC held outside the Trust Account (other than distribution therefrom directly or indirectly to SPAC’s public shareholders), or for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements or for intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties in ARTICLE IV. The Company agrees and acknowledges that such irrevocable waiver is material to this Agreement and specifically relied upon by SPAC to induce SPAC to enter this Agreement, and the Company further intends and understands such waiver to be valid, binding and enforceable against the Company. This Section 6.7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

52

 

 

Section 6.8 Company and SPAC Securities Listings.

 

(a) From the date hereof through the Closing, SPAC shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure SPAC remains listed as a public company on, and for SPAC Shares and SPAC Warrants to be listed on, Nasdaq. Prior to the Closing Date, SPAC shall cooperate with the Company and use reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are reasonably necessary or advisable to cause the SPAC Shares and SPAC Warrants to be delisted from Nasdaq and deregistered under the Exchange Act with such delisting and deregistration effective as soon as practicable following the Effective Time.

 

(b) From the date hereof through the Closing, SPAC will use reasonable best efforts to keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under Applicable Law.

 

(c) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause: (i) the Company’s initial listing application with Nasdaq in connection with the Transactions to have been approved and the Company’s initial listing application with the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) in connection with the Transactions to have been conditionally approved; (ii) the Company to satisfy all applicable initial listing requirements of Nasdaq and TSX; and (iii) the Company Common Shares to be issued and the Company Warrants to be assumed in accordance with this Agreement to be approved for listing on Nasdaq and the TSX (and SPAC shall reasonably cooperate in connection therewith), subject to official notice of issuance or conditional listing approval, as applicable, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event prior to the Effective Time.

 

Section 6.9 No Solicitation.

 

(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall direct its employees, agents, officers, directors, representatives and advisors (collectively, “Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, enter into or continue discussions, negotiations or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any information to, any Person (other than SPAC, the PIPE Investors and their respective agents, representatives and advisors) concerning (A) any financing, investment, purchase, merger or sale of ownership interests of the Company, recapitalization, share exchange, or similar transaction pursuant to which any Person(s) acquires twenty percent (20%) or more of the voting power of the equity securities of the Company (except (x) for issuance of securities to existing security holders of the Company solely to the extent such newly issued securities are taken into account in the Conversion Factor or (y) for issuance of Company Common Shares in the PIPE Investment), (B) sale of all or a material portion of the assets of the Company (whether by recapitalization or a similar transaction or otherwise), or (C) any underwritten public offering, direct listing, or other transaction intended to result in the listing of securities of the Company on any stock exchange other than as contemplated by this Agreement (each, a “Company Competing Transaction”); (ii) enter into any agreement regarding, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way that would otherwise reasonably be expected to lead to a Company Competing Transaction; or (iii) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a Company Competing Transaction. In addition, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, and shall cause their respective Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any Company Competing Transaction.

 

53

 

 

(b) During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Closing, SPAC shall not, and shall direct its Representatives not to, directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, enter into or continue discussions or transactions with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or provide any information to, any Person (other than the Company, the Company Investors, the PIPE Investors, and their respective Representatives) concerning any merger, purchase of ownership interests or assets of SPAC, recapitalization or other business combination transaction (each, a “SPAC Business Combination”); (ii) enter into any agreement regarding, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or cooperate in any way that would otherwise reasonably be expected to lead to a SPAC Business Combination; or (iii) commence, continue or renew any due diligence investigation regarding a SPAC Business Combination. SPAC shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to any SPAC Business Combination.

 

(c) Each Party shall promptly (and in no event later than 48 hours after becoming aware of such inquiry, proposal, offer or submission) notify the other Parties if it or, to its Knowledge, any of its Representatives receives any inquiry, proposal, offer or submission with respect to a Company Competing Transaction or SPAC Business Combination, as applicable (including the identity of the Person making such inquiry or submitting such proposal, offer or submission), after the execution and delivery of this Agreement. If either Party or its Representatives receives an inquiry, proposal, offer or submission with respect to a Company Competing Transaction or SPAC Business Combination, as applicable, such Party shall provide the other Parties with a copy of such inquiry, proposal, offer or submission.

 

Section 6.10 Trust Account. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VII and provision of notice thereof to Continental (which notice SPAC shall provide to Continental in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement): (a) in accordance with and pursuant to the Trust Agreement, at the Closing, SPAC: (i) shall cause the documents, opinions and notices required to be delivered to Continental pursuant to the Trust Agreement to be so delivered; and (ii) shall make all appropriate arrangements to cause Continental to, and Continental shall thereupon be obligated to, distribute the Trust Account as directed in the termination letter substantially in the applicable form attached to the Trust Agreement, including all amounts payable: (A) to holders of SPAC Public Shares pursuant to the SPAC Stockholder Redemptions; (B) for income tax or other tax obligations of SPAC prior to the Closing; (C) for any SPAC Transaction Costs; (D) for any Unpaid SPAC Liabilities, including the repayment of SPAC Borrowings and other loans and reimbursement of expenses to directors, officers and shareholders of SPAC; and (E) following the payments made in (A) through (D), to the Company all remaining amounts then available in the Trust Account in accordance with the Trust Agreement; and (b) thereafter, the Trust Account shall terminate, except as otherwise provided therein.

 

54

 

 

Section 6.11 Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance.

 

(a) All rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses now existing in favor of the current or former directors or officers of SPAC (each, together with such person’s heirs, executors or administrators, a “D&O Indemnified Party”), as provided in SPAC’s Organizational Documents or under any indemnification agreement such D&O Indemnified Parties may have with SPAC, in each case, as in effect as of immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date. For a period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, the Company shall cause the Surviving Company (or another Group Company at the Company’s election) to maintain in effect the exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of SPAC’s Organizational Documents as in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall, and shall cause the applicable Group Company to, not amend, repeal or otherwise modify any such provisions in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any D&O Indemnified Party; provided, however, that all rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses in respect of any Legal Proceedings pending or asserted or any claim made within such period shall continue until the disposition of such Legal Proceeding or resolution of such claim.

 

(b) Prior to the Closing, SPAC shall purchase a “tail” or “runoff” directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (the “D&O Tail”) in respect of acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time covering each such Person that is a director or officer of SPAC currently covered by a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy of SPAC on terms with respect to coverage, deductibles and amounts no less favorable than those of such policy in effect on the date of this Agreement for the six-year period following the Closing. If SPAC fails to obtain such D&O Tail prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall or shall cause the Surviving Company to obtain such a D&O Tail. The Company shall, and shall cause the Surviving Company to, maintain the D&O Tail in full force and effect for its full term and cause all obligations thereunder to be honored by the Surviving Company, and no other party shall have any further obligation to purchase or pay for such insurance pursuant to this Section 6.11(b).

 

(c) On the Closing Date, the Company shall enter into customary indemnification agreements reasonably satisfactory to each of the Company and SPAC with the post-Closing directors of the Company and the Surviving Company, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective following the Closing.

 

(d) The rights of each D&O Indemnified Party hereunder shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such person may have under SPAC’s Organizational Documents, any other indemnification arrangement, any Applicable Law or otherwise. The obligations of SPAC and the Company under this Section 6.11 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party without the consent of such D&O Indemnified Party. The provisions of this Section 6.11 shall survive the Closing and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Parties, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 6.11.

 

(e) If after the Closing, the Surviving Company or any of its successors or assigns: (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such case, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to make proper provisions for the successors and assigns of such Group Company, as applicable, to assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.11.

 

55

 

 

Section 6.12 Tax Matters.

 

(a) All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, excise, recording, registration value added and other such similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest, but excluding for the avoidance of doubt, any Taxes or fees based in whole or in part upon income, profits or gains) (“Transfer Taxes”) that become payable by the Company or SPAC in connection with or by reason of the execution of this Agreement or the Transactions shall be borne and paid by the Company. The Company shall timely file any Tax Return or other document with respect to such Taxes or fees (and SPAC shall reasonably cooperate with respect thereto as necessary). The Parties shall reasonably cooperate to establish any available exemption from (or reduction in) any Transfer Tax.

 

(b) On or prior to the Closing Date, SPAC shall deliver to the Company a certification from SPAC pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c) and a notice to be delivered to the United States Internal Revenue Service as required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), each dated no more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company, and signed by a responsible corporate officer of SPAC.

 

Section 6.13 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Effective Time, SPAC shall take all reasonable steps as may be required or permitted to cause any acquisition or disposition of the SPAC Shares that occurs or is deemed to occur by reason of or pursuant to the Transactions by each individual who is or will be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to SPAC to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, including by taking steps in accordance with the No-Action Letter, dated January 12, 1999, issued by the SEC regarding such matters.

 

Section 6.14 Takeover Statutes. SPAC and its board of directors shall (a) grant all such approvals and take all such actions as are reasonably necessary or appropriate so that no Takeover Law is or becomes applicable to this Agreement (including the Merger and the other Transactions) and (b) if any Takeover Law is or may become applicable to this Agreement (including the Merger and the other Transactions), grant all such approvals and take all such actions as are reasonably necessary or appropriate so that such transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable hereafter on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act reasonably to eliminate or minimize the effects of such Takeover Law on such transactions.

 

Section 6.15 Board of Directors. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that, effective immediately after the Effective Time (a) the board of directors of the Company shall consist of ten (10) members, of which three (3) shall be appointed by the SPAC, six (6) shall be appointed by the Company, and SPAC and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to mutually name one (1) director prior to Closing, and (b) the Company agrees that Eric Rosenfeld, David Sgro, and Brian Pratt shall be SPAC’s appointees to the board of directors of the Company.

 

56

 

 

Section 6.16 Termination of Certain Agreements. At the Effective Time, the Contracts entered into between SPAC and certain SPAC Stockholders set forth on Schedule 6.16 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter and all Liabilities and obligations of SPAC pursuant thereto shall be terminated.

 

Section 6.17 Organizational Documents. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall alter its articles to adopt the Restated Articles and alter its notice of articles by filing the Notice of Alteration, in accordance with the provisions thereof and the applicable provisions of the BCBCA.

 

Section 6.18 Warrant Agreement. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, SPAC shall assign to the Company and the Company shall assume all of SPAC’s rights, interests, and obligations in and under the Warrant Agreement, and the Company and SPAC shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Agent to enter into an amendment to the Warrant Agreement reflecting such assignment and assumption of the SPAC Warrants by the Company.

 

Section 6.19 Transaction Litigation. In the event that any shareholder litigation related to this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements or the Transactions is brought or threatened in writing against either the Company or SPAC, or any of the respective members of their boards of directors, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time (the “Transaction Litigation”), the Company or SPAC, as applicable, shall promptly notify the other Party in writing of any such Transaction Litigation and shall keep such other Party reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. The Party subject to the Transaction Litigation shall give the other Party the opportunity to participate in the defense of any Transaction Litigation (at the other Party’s own cost and expense) and keep the other Party reasonably apprised of, and consult with such other Party (and consider in good faith such Party’s advice), with respect to, proposed strategy and any material decisions related thereto. Neither the Company nor SPAC shall settle or agree to settle any Transaction Litigation without the other Party’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

 

Section 6.20 Certain Financial Information. SPAC shall use reasonable best efforts (i) to assist, upon advance written notice, during normal business hours and in a manner such as to not unreasonably interfere with the normal operation of SPAC, the Company in its timely preparation of any other financial information or statements (including customary pro forma financial statements) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any other filings to be made by the Company with the SEC in connection with the Transactions and (ii) to obtain the consents of its auditors in accordance with Applicable Law or requested by the SEC.

 

Section 6.21 Subscription Agreements. The Company will not amend the Subscription Agreements or waive any provision thereto without the prior written consent of the SPAC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

57

 

 

Section 6.22 Disclosure of Certain Matters. Each of SPAC, Merger Sub and the Company will promptly provide the other Parties with prompt written notice of: (a) any event, development or condition that: (i) would reasonably be expected to cause any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE VII not to be satisfied; (ii) would require any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement; or (b) the receipt of notice from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person may be required in connection with the Transactions to the extent failure to obtain such consent would cause a Company Material Adverse Effect or SPAC Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 6.23 Investor Rights Agreement. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company, Founders, and Company Investors shall enter into an investor rights agreement such that, after giving effect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein, the Company Warrants and Company Common Shares held by the Founders and Company Investors, including the Company Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of Company Warrants and other derivative securities, shall bear the same registration rights and nomination rights as contemplated by the Company Parent Shareholders Agreement.

 

Section 6.24 Termination of Company Parent Shareholders Agreement. The Company shall cause all rights and obligations with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Company Parent Shareholders Agreement to be terminated on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

Section 6.25 Certain SPAC Borrowings. Through the Closing, subject to the Company’s consent which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, SPAC shall be allowed to borrow funds from the Founders and SPAC’s officers and directors and any of their respective Affiliates to meet SPAC’s reasonable working capital requirements, with any such loans to be made on a non-interest bearing basis and be convertible, at the option of the Company, into SPAC Units immediately prior to the Effective Time at an exchange rate of $10.00 of borrowings per SPAC Unit, and evidenced by promissory notes issued by SPAC (collectively, “SPAC Borrowings”).

 

ARTICLE VII
Conditions to the Transaction

 

Section 7.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party’s Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to this Agreement to effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, in writing, by any of the Parties:

 

(a) The SPAC Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

 

(b) SPAC shall have at least Five Million One Dollars ($5,000,001) of net tangible assets immediately after giving effect to the SPAC Stockholder Redemption immediately prior to or upon the Closing.

 

(c) No provision of any Applicable Law prohibiting, enjoining or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions shall be in effect and no temporary, preliminary or permanent restraining Order prohibiting, enjoining or making illegal the consummation of the Transactions will be in effect or shall be threatened in writing by a Governmental Entity.

 

58

 

 

(d) The Company Common Shares to be issued and the Company Warrants to be assumed in accordance with this Agreement shall be approved or conditionally approved for listing upon the Closing on Nasdaq and TSX, as applicable, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof or the satisfaction of the conditions of approval.

 

(e) The Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC which remains in effect with respect to the Registration Statement, and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been threatened or initiated by the SEC which remains pending.

 

(f)   The OSC shall have cleared the final Canadian Prospectus for filing.

 

(g) The Stock Split shall have been completed in accordance with the terms hereof and the Company’s Organizational Documents.

 

(h) The PIPE Investment (and the funding of the PIPE Investment Amount) shall have been consummated or will be consummated substantially concurrently with the Closing in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreements.

 

Section 7.2 Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company and Merger Sub. The obligations of each of the Company and Merger Sub to consummate, or cause to be consummated, and effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, in writing, exclusively by the Company:

 

(a) (i) The Fundamental Representations of SPAC shall be true and correct in all material respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “SPAC Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contain herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); (ii) all other representations and warranties of SPAC set forth in ARTICLE IV (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.8(a)) hereof shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “SPAC Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contained herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties of SPAC to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) the representation and warranty set forth in Section 4.8(a) shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement.

 

(b) SPAC shall have performed all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case in all material respects.

 

59

 

 

(c) No change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement, that, individually or in the aggregate with all other changes, events, state of facts, developments or occurrences, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a SPAC Material Adverse Effect that is continuing.

 

(d) SPAC shall have delivered a certificate, signed by an executive officer of SPAC and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 7.2(a), Section 7.2(b) and Section 7.2(c) to the Company.

 

(e) The funds contained in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the SPAC Stockholder Redemptions and payment of the SPAC Transaction Costs), together with (i) the aggregate amount of proceeds from the PIPE Investment and (ii) the cash on SPAC’s balance sheet, shall equal or exceed Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000).

 

Section 7.3 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of SPAC. The obligations of SPAC to consummate and effect the Merger and the other Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, in writing, exclusively by SPAC:

 

(a) (i) The Fundamental Representations of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or any similar limitation contain herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); (ii) all other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in ARTICLE III (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.9(b)) hereof shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation contained herein) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties of the Company to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.9(b)) shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Company shall have performed all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date, in each case, in all material respects.

 

(c) No change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence shall have occurred since the date of this Agreement, that, individually or in the aggregate with all other changes, events, state of facts, developments or occurrences, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect that is continuing.

 

60

 

 

(d) The Company shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, a certificate, signed by an executive officer of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 7.3(a), Section 7.3(b) and Section 7.3(c).

 

ARTICLE VIII
Termination

 

Section 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

 

(a) by mutual written agreement of SPAC and the Company at any time;

 

(b) by either SPAC or the Company if the Transactions shall not have been consummated by December 31, 2021 (the “Outside Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any Party whose action or failure to act has been a principal cause of or resulted in the failure of the Transactions to occur on or before such date and such action or failure to act constitutes a material breach of this Agreement;

 

(c) by either SPAC or the Company if a Governmental Entity shall have issued an Order or taken any other action, in any case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions, which Order or other action is final and nonappealable;

 

(d) by the Company, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on the part of SPAC, or if any representation or warranty of SPAC shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) or (b) would not be satisfied; provided, that if such breach by SPAC is curable by SPAC prior to the Closing, then the Company must first provide written notice of such breach and may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(d) until the earlier of: (i) 30 days after delivery of written notice from the Company to SPAC of such breach; and (ii) the Outside Date; provided, further, that SPAC continues to exercise reasonable best efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that the Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) if: (A) the Company shall have materially breached this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) or (b) would not be satisfied and such breach has not been cured; or (B) such breach by SPAC is cured prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period such that the applicable conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) or (b) shall be satisfied);

 

(e) by SPAC, upon a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on the part of the Company or Merger Sub or if any representation or warranty of the Company or Merger Sub shall have become untrue, in either case such that the conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) or (b) would not be satisfied; provided, that if such breach is curable by the Company or Merger Sub prior to the Closing, then SPAC must first provide written notice of such breach and may not terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(e) until the earlier of: (i) 30 days after delivery of written notice from SPAC to the Company of such breach; and (ii) the Outside Date; provided, further, that the Company or Merger Sub, as applicable, continues to exercise reasonable best efforts to cure such breach (it being understood that SPAC may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) if: (A) SPAC shall have materially breached this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) or (b) would not be satisfied and such breach has not been cured; or (B) such breach by the Company or Merger Sub, as applicable, is cured prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period such that the applicable conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) or (b) shall be satisfied);

 

61

 

 

(f) by either SPAC or the Company, if, at the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting (including any adjournments thereof), the SPAC Transaction Proposals are not duly adopted by the SPAC Stockholders by the requisite vote under the Applicable Law and SPAC’s Organizational Documents; or

 

(g) by the Company, if the board of directors of SPAC or any committee thereof makes, prior to receipt of the SPAC Stockholder Approval, a SPAC Change in Recommendation.

 

(h) by the Company, if the condition set forth in Section 7.2(e) is not satisfied as of the date that is ten (10) days following the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting (or the later date that the SPAC Stockholder’s Meeting is reconvened following all adjournments permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii)) or at any time thereafter.

 

Section 8.2 Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination.

 

(a) Any termination of this Agreement under Section 8.1 above will be effective immediately upon the delivery of written notice of the terminating Party to the other Parties.

 

(b) In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall be of no further force or effect and the Transactions shall be abandoned, except for and subject to the following: (i) Section 6.5(a), Section 6.7, this Section 8.2, ARTICLE X and the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement; and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any Party from liability for any Willful Breach of this Agreement or intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IX
No Survival

 

Section 9.1 No Survival. None of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and all rights, claims and causes of action (whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, or whether at law or in equity) with respect thereto shall terminate at the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither this Section 9.1 nor anything else in this Agreement to the contrary shall limit: (a) the survival of any covenant or agreement of the Parties which by its terms is required to be performed or complied with in whole or in part after the Closing, which covenants and agreements shall survive the Closing in accordance with their respective terms; or (b) any claim against any Person with respect to intentional fraud in the making of the representations and warranties by such Person in ARTICLE III or ARTICLE IV, as applicable.

 

62

 

 

ARTICLE X
General Provisions

 

Section 10.1 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given: (a) on the date established by the sender as having been delivered personally; (b) one Business Day after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; (c) on the date sent, if sent by email, to the addresses below; or (d) on the fifth Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications, to be valid, must be addressed as follows:

 

if to SPAC to:

 

Legato Merger Corp.
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attention: David S. Sgro
Email: dsgro@crescendopartners.com

 

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Graubard Miller
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10174

Attention: David Alan Miller
Jeffrey Gallant
Email: dmiller@graubard.com

jgallant@graubard.com

 

if to the Company or Merger Sub to:

 

Algoma Steel Inc.

105 West Street

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4

Attention: John Naccarato
Email: john.naccarato@algoma.com

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Adam M. Givertz

Email: agivertz@paulweiss.com

 

63

 

 

Goodmans LLP

Bay Adelaide Centre – West Tower

333 Bay Street, Suite 3400

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S7

Attention: Robert Chadwick

Michael Partridge

Email: rchadwick@goodmans.ca

mpartridge@goodmans.ca

 

or to such other address or to the attention of such Person or Persons as the recipient Party has specified by prior written notice to the sending Party (or in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel may hereafter maintain). If more than one method for sending notice as set forth above is used, the earliest notice date established as set forth above shall control.

 

Section 10.2 Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereunder,” and “hereto” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or subsection of this Agreement and reference to a particular section of this Agreement will include all subsections thereof, unless, in each case, the context otherwise requires. The definitions of the terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context shall require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Exhibit, Schedule or Annex such reference shall be to an Exhibit, Schedule or Annex to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections or subsections, such reference shall be to a Section or subsection of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “made available” mean that the subject documents or other materials were posted to the electronic data site maintained by the Company in connection with the Transactions or otherwise provided to SPAC or its Representatives in electronic form, in each case, prior to the date of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When reference is made herein to “the business of” an entity, such reference shall be deemed to include the business of all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of such entity. Reference to the Subsidiaries of an entity shall be deemed to include all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of such entity. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded and if the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day. References to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder. References to a particular statute, rule or regulation shall include any predecessor or successor statute, rule or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time. References to a particular security (including Company Common Shares) shall be deemed to also refer to any security or securities issued in substitution or exchange thereof. Unless otherwise specified, all references to currency amounts in this Agreement shall mean United States Dollars.

 

Section 10.3 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement, the Transaction Agreements and each other document executed in connection with the Transactions, and the consummation thereof, may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same document and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery by electronic transmission to counsel for the other Parties of a counterpart executed by a Party shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the previous sentence.

 

64

 

 

Section 10.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and any other documents and instruments and agreements among the Parties as contemplated by or referred to herein, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 10.5 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and any other documents and instruments and agreements among the Parties as contemplated by or referred to herein, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto other than as set forth in Section 2.2, Section 6.11 and Section 10.15 (which, in each case, will be for the benefit of the Persons named therein), are not intended to confer upon any other Person other than the Parties any rights or remedies.

 

Section 10.6 Severability. In the event that any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Applicable Law: (a) such provision will be fully severable; (b) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof; (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom; and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

Section 10.7 Other Remedies; Specific Performance. Except as otherwise provided herein, prior to the Closing or valid termination of this Agreement, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each Party shall be entitled to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to immediate injunctive relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement, without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy and without bond or other security being required, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the Parties hereby acknowledges and agrees that it may be difficult to prove damages with reasonable certainty, that it may be difficult to procure suitable substitute performance, and that injunctive relief and/or specific performance will not cause an undue hardship to the Parties. Each of the Parties hereby further acknowledges that the existence of any other remedy contemplated by this Agreement does not diminish the availability of specific performance of the obligations hereunder or any other injunctive relief. Each Party hereby further agrees that in the event of any action by any other party for specific performance or injunctive relief, it will not assert that a remedy at law or other remedy would be adequate or that specific performance or injunctive relief in respect of such breach or violation should not be available on the grounds that money damages are adequate or any other grounds.

 

65

 

 

Section 10.8 Governing Law. This Agreement and the consummation the Transactions, and any action, suit, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without the application of principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

Section 10.9 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a) Each of the Parties irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to any federal court located in Wilmington, Delaware and, in either case, any appellate court therefrom in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware for such Person and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection which they might otherwise have to such manner of service of process. Each Party and any Person asserting rights as a third-party beneficiary may do so only if he, she or it hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any legal dispute, that: (i) such Person is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason; (ii) such Legal Proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court; (iii) such Person’s property is exempt or immune from execution; (iv) such Legal Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum; or (v) the venue of such Legal Proceeding is improper. Each Party and any Person asserting rights as a third-party beneficiary hereby agrees not to commence or prosecute any such action, claim, cause of action or suit other than before one of the above-named courts, nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such action, claim, cause of action or suit to any court other than one of the above-named courts, whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each Party hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Delaware law, and further consents to service of process by nationally recognized overnight courier service guaranteeing overnight delivery, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 10.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 10.9, any Party may commence any action, claim, cause of action or suit in a court other than the above-named courts solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the above-named courts.

 

(b) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH OF THE PARTIES AND ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY MAY DO SO ONLY IF HE, SHE OR IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS, AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS AND THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY NOR ANY PERSON ASSERTING RIGHTS AS A THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARY SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.

 

66

 

 

Section 10.10 Rules of Construction. Each of the Parties agrees that it has been represented by independent counsel of its choice during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and each Party hereto and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or document.

 

Section 10.11 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whether or not the Transaction are consummated, each Party will pay its own costs and expenses incurred in anticipation of, relating to and in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the Transactions.

 

Section 10.12 Assignment. No Party may assign, directly or indirectly, including by operation of law, either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Parties. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 10.12, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 10.13 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the Parties at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

 

Section 10.14 Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing, the Company (on behalf of itself, and Merger Sub), on the one hand, and SPAC may, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law: (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party; (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties made to the other Party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto; and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for the benefit of such Party contained herein. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party. Delay in exercising any right under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right. In the event any provision of any of the other Transaction Agreement in any way conflicts with the provisions of this Agreement (except where a provision therein expressly provides that it is intended to take precedence over this Agreement), this Agreement shall control.

 

67

 

 

Section 10.15 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any Legal Proceeding for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the entities that are expressly identified herein as Parties to this Agreement, and no Related Party of a Party shall have any liability for any liabilities or obligations of the Parties for any Legal Proceeding (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Agreement or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith. No Party shall have any right of recovery in respect hereof against any Related Party of a Party and no personal liability shall attach to any Related Party of a Party through such Party, whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, by the enforcement of any judgment, fine or penalty or by virtue of any Applicable Law or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 10.15 shall survive the Closing and expressly are intended to benefit, and are enforceable by, each Related Party of a Party, each of whom is an intended third-party beneficiary of this Section 10.15.

 

Section 10.16 Disclosure Letters and Exhibits. The Company Disclosure Letter and the SPAC Disclosure Letter shall be arranged in separate parts corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections in this Agreement, and the information disclosed in any numbered or lettered part shall be deemed to relate to and to qualify only the particular provision set forth in the corresponding numbered or lettered Section or subsection of this Agreement, except to the extent that: (a) such information is cross-referenced in another part of the Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, as applicable; or (b) it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such information would qualify another provision in this Agreement. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or the inclusion of any specific item in the Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, as applicable, is not intended to imply that such amounts (or higher or lower amounts) are or are not material, and no Party shall use the fact of the setting of such amounts or the fact of the inclusion of any such item in the Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, as applicable, in any dispute or controversy between the Parties as to whether any obligation, item, or matter not described herein or included in Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, as applicable, is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement. The inclusion of any item in the Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter shall not be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment by the Company or SPAC, as applicable, that the matter is required to be disclosed by the terms of this Agreement, nor shall such disclosure be deemed (a) an admission of any breach or violation of any Contract or Applicable Law, (b) an admission of any liability or obligation to any third party, or (c) to establish a standard of materiality. The disclosure of any items or information that is not required by this Agreement to be so included is solely for informational purposes and the convenience of the Company and Merger Sub or SPAC, as applicable. In addition, under no circumstances shall the disclosure of any matter in the Company Disclosure Letter or the SPAC Disclosure Letter, where a representation or warranty of the Company or SPAC, as applicable, is limited or qualified by the materiality of the matters to which the representation or warranty is given or by Company Material Adverse Effect or SPAC Material Adverse Effect, imply that any other undisclosed matter having a greater value or other significance is material or would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or SPAC Material Adverse Effect, as applicable. Neither the Company or SPAC shall be prejudiced in any manner whatsoever, and no presumptions shall be created, by virtue of the disclosure of any matter in the Company Disclosure Letter or SPAC Disclosure Letter, which otherwise is not required to be disclosed by this Agreement.

 

68

 

 

ARTICLE XI
Defined Terms

 

Section 11.1 Defined Terms. Terms defined in this Agreement are organized alphabetically as follows, together with the Section and, where applicable, paragraph, number in which definition of each such term is located:

 

Affiliate Section 11.2
Agreement Preamble
Applicable Law Section 11.2
Approvals Section 3.6(b)
Audited Financial Statements Section 3.7(a)
BCBCA Section 3.1
Business Day Section 11.2
Canadian Prospectus Section 6.1(a)(i)
Canadian Securities Laws Section 11.2
Canadian Securities Regulators Section 11.2
Certificate of Merger Section 2.3
Change of Control Section 11.2
Closing Section 1.1
Closing Date Section 1.1
Closing Press Release Section 6.4(b)
Code Section 11.2
Collective Bargaining Agreement Section 11.2
Company Preamble
Company Benefit Plan Section 11.2
Company Competing Transaction Section 6.9(a)
Company Closing Statement Section 1.2(b)
Company Common Shares Section 11.2
Company Disclosure Letter ARTICLE III
Company Investors Section 11.2
Company Investor Approval Recitals
Company IT Systems Section 11.2
Company Material Adverse Effect Section 11.2
Company Material Contract Section 3.19(a)
Company Parent Section 11.2
Company Parent Shareholders Agreement Section 11.2
Company Parent Shares Section 11.2
“Company Preferred Shares” Section 11.2
“Company Real Property Leases” Section 3.14(b)
“Company Shareholder” Section 11.2
“Company Shareholder Support Agreement” Recitals
“Company Shareholder Approval” Recitals
“Company Subsidiaries” Section 3.2(a)
“Company Transaction Costs” Section 11.2

 

69

 

 

“Company Warrants” Section 11.2
“Confidentiality Agreement” Section 11.2
“Continental” Section 4.14(a)
“Contract” Section 11.2
“Controlled Group Liability” Section 11.2
“Conversion Factor” Section 11.2
“COVID-19” Section 11.2
“COVID-19 Measures” Section 11.2
“D&O Indemnified Party” Section 6.11(a)
“D&O Tail” Section 6.11(b)
“DGCL” Recitals
“Earnout Event” Section 11.2
“Earnout Rights” Section 11.2
“Earnout Shares” Section 2.2(c)
“Earnout Statement” Section 2.2(b)
“EBC” Section 11.2
“EBITDA Earnout Issuance” Section 11.2
“Effective Time” Section 2.3
“Eligible Management Shareholder” Section 11.2
“Environmental Law” Section 11.2
“Equity Value” Section 11.2
“ERISA” Section 11.2
“ERISA Affiliate” Section 11.2
“Exchange Act” Section 11.2
“Exchange Agent” Section 2.9(a)
“Exchange Agent Agreement” Section 2.9(a)
“Exchange Agreements” Section 11.2
“Excluded Share” Section 2.8(g)
“Final Earnout Statement” Section 2.2(b)
“Financial Statements” Section 3.7(a)
“First Earnout Event” Section 2.2(c)(i)
“First Earnout Right” Section 11.2
“First EBITDA Earnout Issuance” Section 2.2(c)(i)(2)
“First Price Target” Section 11.2
“Founders” Section 11.2
“Founder Support Agreement” Recitals
“Fourth Earnout Event” Section 2.2(c)(iv)
“Fourth Earnout Right” Section 11.2
“Fourth EBITDA Earnout Issuance” Section 2.2(c)(i)(5)
“Fundamental Representations” Section 11.2
“GAAP” Section 11.2
“Governmental Entity” Section 11.2
“Group Companies” Section 11.2
“GST/HST” Section 3.15(q)
“Hazardous Material” Section 11.2

 

70

 

 

“IFRS” Section 11.2
“Incentive Equity Plan” Recitals
“Indebtedness” Section 11.2
“Insurance Policies” Section 3.20
“Intellectual Property” Section 11.2
“Intended Tax Treatment” Recitals
“intentional fraud” Section 11.2
“Intercompany Loan Agreement” Recitals
“Interim Financial Statements” Section 3.7(a)
“Investment Company Act” Section 11.2
“JOBS Act” Section 11.2
“Knowledge” Section 11.2
“Leased Real Property” Section 3.14(b)
“Legal Proceeding” Section 11.2
“Liability” Section 11.2
“Licensed Intellectual Property” Section 11.2
“Lien” Section 11.2
“Lockup Agreement” Recitals
“Lockup Agreement Joinder” Section 11.2
“LTIP” Section 11.2
“LTIP Awards” Section 11.2
“LTIP Shares” Section 2.1(b)
“Management Shareholders” Section 11.2
“Material Customers” Section 3.21(a)
“Material Supplier” Section 3.19(a)(i)
“Merger” Recitals
“Merger Consideration” Section 2.8(a)
“Merger Sub” Preamble
“Merger Sub Shares” Section 2.8(d)
“Merger Sub Stockholder Approval” Recitals
“Multiemployer Plan” Section 11.2
“Nasdaq” Section 11.2
“Notice of Alteration” Recitals
“OFAC” Section 11.2
“Order” Section 11.2
“Organizational Documents” Section 11.2
“OSC” Section 6.1(a)(i)
“Outside Date” Section 8.1(b)
“Owned Intellectual Property” Section 11.2
“Owned Real Property” Section 3.14(a)
“Parties”

 Preamble

“Patents” Section 11.2
“Permitted Lien” Section 11.2
“Person” Section 11.2
“Personal Information” Section 11.2

 

71

 

 

“PIPE Investment” Recitals
“PIPE Investment Amount” Section 4.25
“PIPE Investors” Recitals
“PIPE Shares” Section 4.25
“Privacy Laws” Section 11.2
“Processing,” “Process” and “Processed” Section 11.2
“Proxy Statement” Section 6.1(a)(i)
“Proxy Statement/Prospectus” Section 6.1(a)(i)
“PST” Section 3.15(q)
“Registered Intellectual Property” Section 3.17(a)
“Registration Rights Agreement” Section 11.2
“Registration Statement” Section 11.2
“Related Parties” Section 11.2
“Remedies Exception” Section 3.4
“Representatives” Section 6.9(a)
“Restated Articles” Recitals
“SEC” Section 11.2
“Second Earnout Event” Section 2.2(c)(ii)
“Second Earnout Right” Section 11.2
“Second EBITDA Earnout Issuance” Section 2.2(c)(i)(3)
“Second Price Target” Section 11.2
“Securities Act” Section 11.2
“SPAC” Preamble
“SPAC Board Recommendation” Section 6.1(b)
“SPAC Borrowings” Section 6.25
“SPAC Business Combination” Section 6.9(b)
“SPAC Change in Recommendation” Section 6.1(b)
“SPAC Closing Statement” Section 1.2(a)
“SPAC Disclosure Letter” ARTICLE IV
“SPAC Financial Statements” Section 4.7(b)
“SPAC Founder Shares” Section 11.2
“SPAC Liabilities” Section 11.2
“SPAC Material Adverse Effect” Section 11.2
“SPAC Material Contracts” Section 4.11
“SPAC Preference Shares” Section 4.3(a)
“SPAC Private Units” Section 11.2
“SPAC Representative Shares” Section 11.2
“SPAC SEC Reports” Section 4.7(a)
“SPAC Share” Recitals
“SPAC Stockholders” Recitals
“SPAC Stockholder Approval”

 Section 11.2

“SPAC Stockholder Redemptions” Section 1.2(a)
“SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting” Section 6.1(b)
“SPAC Transaction Costs” Section 11.2
“SPAC Transaction Proposals” Section 11.2

 

72

 

 

“SPAC Units” Section 11.2
“SPAC Warrants” Section 11.2
“Specified Business Conduct Laws” Section 11.2
“Stock Split” Section 2.1
“Subscription Agreements” Recitals
“Subsidiary” Section 11.2
“Surviving Company” Recitals
“Surviving Company Charter” Section 2.6
“Takeover Laws” Section 4.24
“Tax/Taxes” Section 11.2
“Tax Act” Section 11.2
“Tax Return” Section 11.2
“Tax Sharing Agreement” Section 11.2
“Third Earnout Event” Section 2.2(c)(iii)
“Third Earnout Right” Section 11.2
“Third EBITDA Earnout Issuance” Section 2.2(c)(i)(4)
“Third Price Target” Section 11.2
“Trade Secrets” Section 11.2
“Trademarks” Section 11.2
“Transaction Agreements” Section 11.2
“Transaction Filings” Section 6.1(a)(i)
“Transaction Litigation” Section 6.19
“Transactions” Section 11.2
“Transfer Taxes” Section 6.12(a)
“Treasury Regulations” Section 11.2
“Trust Account” Section 4.14(a)
“Trust Agreement” Section 4.14(a)
“TSX” Section 6.8(c)
“Unit Separation” Section 2.8(a)
“Unpaid SPAC Liabilities” Section 11.2
“VWAP” Section 11.2
“WARN” Section 3.13(c)
“Warrant Agreement” Section 11.2
“Willful Breach” Section 11.2

 

Section 11.2 Additional Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

Adjusted EBITDA” shall mean the consolidated net income (loss) of Algoma Steel Inc. for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2021 before amortization of property, plant, equipment and amortization of assets, finance costs, interest on pension and other post-employment benefit obligations, income taxes, reorganization costs, finance income, inventory write-downs, carbon tax, certain exceptional items, tariff expense, non-cash adjustments and write-downs, loss (gain) on commodity hedging, loss (gain) on foreign exchange and loss (gain) associated with the Company Warrants.

 

73

 

 

Affiliate” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Applicable Law” shall mean any federal, state, provincial, local, municipal or other law, statute, constitution, treaty, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling, injunction, judgment, Order, assessment, writ or other legal requirement, administrative policy or guidance, or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity, in each case applicable to the referent Person, property, asset, Liability or circumstance.

 

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York, Vancouver, British Columbia or Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close.

 

Canadian Securities Laws” means all applicable securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and the respective rules and regulations made thereunder together with the applicable published national and local instruments, policy statements, notices, blanket orders and rulings thereunder of the Canadian Securities Regulators.

 

Canadian Securities Regulators” means the applicable securities commission or securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.

 

Change of Control” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions the result of which is: (a) the acquisition by any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) of Persons of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities the Company; (b) a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other business combination, however effected, resulting in any person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) acquiring at least 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company or the surviving Person outstanding immediately after such combination; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Collective Bargaining Agreement” shall mean each material labor agreement or collective bargaining agreement (including expired collective bargaining agreements which have not been renewed) with any labor union, labor organization or works council that govern the employment of any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

74

 

 

Company Benefit Plan” shall mean all material employee benefit plans, programs, policies, practices, or other arrangements sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to which any of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or bound or contributes or is obligated to contribute, or have any obligations or liability (contingent or otherwise), in which current or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, current or former directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any beneficiaries or dependents thereof participate or pursuant to which payments are made, or benefits are provided, to current or former employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or current or former directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries (or their spouses, dependents or beneficiaries), including any bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, vacation, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation, phantom stock or stock unit, severance, employment, change of control, fringe benefit, welfare, supplemental unemployment benefit, pension, profit sharing, termination pay, retirement, supplementary retirement, hospitalization insurance, salary continuation, legal, health, medical, dental, life, disability or other insurance (whether insured or self-insured) plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement, other than any Multiemployer Plan or plans established pursuant to and mandated by statute.

 

Company Common Shares” shall mean the common shares, without par value, of the Company.

 

Company Investors” shall mean the holders of Company Parent Shares.

 

Company IT Systems” shall mean all computer systems, hardware, servers, networks, data communication lines, and other information technology and telecommunications equipment and tangible assets, in each case, owned, leased, licensed, or outsourced, or otherwise used or held for use by or for any Group Company in connection with the business of the Group Companies.

 

Company Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate: (a) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Group Companies, taken as a whole; or (b) has or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions by the Outside Date; provided, however, that in no event would any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Company Material Adverse Effect pursuant to clause (a): (i) acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening thereof in countries in which any of the Group Companies operate; (ii) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, disease, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 virus or any mutation or variation thereof, or any COVID-19 Measures or any change in such COVID-19 Measures or interpretations following the date of this Agreement) or other natural or man-made disasters; (iii) changes attributable to the public announcement or pendency of the Transactions (including the impact thereof on relationships with customers, suppliers or employees); (iv) changes or proposed changes in Applicable Law (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; (v) changes or proposed changes in IFRS (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; (vi) any downturn in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial, capital or reinsurance markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets), in each case, in the United States, Canada or anywhere else in the world; (vii) any failure to meet any projections, forecasts, guidance, estimates, milestones, budgets or financial or operating predictions of revenue, earnings, cash flow or cash position, provided that this clause (vii) shall not prevent a determination that any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence underlying such failure has resulted in a Company Material Adverse Effect; (viii) any actions required to be taken, or required not to be taken, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; or (ix) any action taken by, or at the request of, SPAC; provided, however, that if a change or effect related to clauses (i), (ii), and (iv) through (vi) disproportionately adversely affects the Group Companies, taken as a whole, compared to similarly situated Persons operating in the same industry as the Group Companies, then such disproportionate impact may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred, but only to the extent of the incremental disproportionate effect on the Group Companies, taken as a whole, relative to similarly situated Persons operating in the same industry as the Group Companies.

 

75

 

 

Company Parent” shall mean Algoma Steel Parent S.C.A., a société en commandite par actions (SCA) incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the holder of all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares, without nominal value, of the Company Shareholder.

 

“Company Parent Shares” shall mean the ordinary shares, without nominal value, of Company Parent.

 

Company Parent Shareholders Agreement” shall mean that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2018, by and among (a) Company Parent, (b) Algoma Steel Parent GP S.A., a société anonyme (SA) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, (c) Algoma Steel Intermediate Parent S.à r.l., a société à responsabilité limitée (SARL) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, (d) the Company, (e) Algoma Steel Holdings Inc., (e) Algoma Steel Intermediate Holdings Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of British Columbia, (f) Algoma Steel Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of British Columbia, and (g) the holders of the Company Parent Shares who are or become party thereto.

 

Company Preferred Shares” shall mean the preferred shares, issuable in series, without par value, of the Company.

 

Company Shareholder” shall mean Algoma Steel Intermediate Parent S.à r.l., a société à responsabilité limitée (SARL) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the holder of all of the issued and outstanding Company Common Shares.

 

Company Transaction Costs” shall mean, as of any determination time, the aggregate amount of all out-of-pocket fees, commissions, costs, finder’s fees, expenses and other amounts incurred by or on behalf of, or otherwise payable by, whether or not due, the Company in connection with the review, negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, the consummation of the Transactions, including (a) the fees and expenses of outside legal counsel, accountants, brokers, investment bankers, consultants, or other agents or service providers of the Company, and (b) any other fees, filing fees, expenses, commissions or other amounts that are expressly allocated to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreements, in each case, whether paid or unpaid prior to the Closing; provided, that “Company Transaction Costs” shall not include any Transfer Taxes payable by the Company pursuant to Section 6.12(a).

 

76

 

 

Company Warrants” shall mean the SPAC Warrants as of and following the Effective Time, which having been assumed by the Company shall be exercisable, in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement, for Company Common Shares.

 

Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2021, by and between SPAC and the Company, as amended and joined from time to time.

 

Contract” shall mean any contract, subcontract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan or credit agreement, instrument, installment obligation, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, license, sublicense, commitment, power of attorney, guaranty or other legally binding commitment, arrangement, understanding or obligation, in writing, in each case, as amended and supplemented from time to time and including all schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto.

 

Controlled Group Liability” shall mean any and all liabilities of an ERISA Affiliate (a) under Title IV of ERISA, (b) under Section 302 of ERISA, (c) under Sections 412 and 4971 of the Code or (d) under similar provisions of foreign laws or regulations.

 

Conversion Factor” shall mean (a) the Equity Value divided by (b) the product of (i) the aggregate number of Company Common Shares and LTIP Awards outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Split multiplied by (ii) $10.00.

 

COVID-19” shall mean SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus or COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof or related or associated epidemics, pandemic or disease outbreaks.

 

COVID-19 Measures” shall mean any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, mask wearing, temperature taking, personal declaration, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Applicable Law in connection with or in response to COVID-19.

 

Earnout Event” shall mean each of the First Earnout Event, Second Earnout Event, Third Earnout Event and Fourth Earnout Event.

 

Earnout Rights” shall mean, collectively, the First Earnout Rights, the Second Earnout Rights, the Third Earnout Rights and the Fourth Earnout Rights.

 

EBC” shall mean EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

 

EBITDA Earnout Issuance” shall mean each of the First EBITDA Earnout Issuance, the Second EBITDA Earnout Issuance, the Third EBITDA Earnout Issuance and the Fourth EBITDA Earnout Issuance.

 

Eligible Management Shareholder” shall mean each Management Shareholder that executes an Exchange Agreement and a Lockup Agreement Joinder prior to the Closing Date.

 

77

 

 

Environmental Law” shall mean any and all Applicable Law relating to pollution, Hazardous Materials, the environment, natural resources, endangered or threatened species, or health and safety.

 

Equity Value” shall mean an amount equal to $750,000,000.

 

ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Exchange Agreements” shall mean those certain exchange agreements among the Company and Algoma Steel Holdings Inc., on the one hand, and each Management Shareholder, on the other hand, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and to be provided to the Management Shareholders by the Company following the date hereof, pursuant to which the transactions described in Section 2.1 shall be effectuated.

 

First Earnout Right” shall mean a right, automatically exercisable and convertible by the holder thereof upon the First Earnout Event, for and into such number of Company Common Shares that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number of Company Common Shares issuable in connection with the First Earnout Event by (ii) the number of First Earnout Rights.

 

First Price Target” shall mean the VWAP exceeds $12.00 per Company Common Share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five year anniversary of the Closing.

 

Founders” shall mean the holders of SPAC Founder Shares.

 

Fourth Earnout Right” shall mean a right, automatically exercisable and convertible by the holder thereof upon the Fourth Earnout Event, for and into such number of Company Common Shares that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number of Company Common Shares issuable in connection with the Fourth Earnout Event by (ii) the number of Fourth Earnout Rights.

 

Fundamental Representations” shall mean: (a) in the case of the Company, the representations and warranties contained in the first sentence of Section 3.1 (Organization and Qualification); Section 3.3(a), (b), (c) and (d) (Capitalization); Section 3.4 (Due Authorization) and Section 3.25 (Brokers); and (b) in the case of SPAC, the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1(a), (b) and (c) (Organization and Qualification); Section 4.3 (Capitalization); Section 4.4 ( Due Authorization); Section 4.10 (Business Activities) and Section 4.22 (Brokers).

 

78

 

 

GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

Governmental Entity” shall mean any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, arbitrator, court or tribunal.

 

Group Companies” shall mean the Company and all of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, which shall include SPAC following the Closing.

 

Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance, material or waste that is listed, classified, defined, characterized, designated or otherwise regulated by a Governmental Entity as a “toxic substance,” “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste” or words of similar meaning or effect, including any radioactive materials, chlorinated solvents, petroleum, petroleum derivatives (or synthetic substitutes), petroleum byproducts, petroleum breakdown products, asbestos, asbestos containing materials, mold, radon, flammable substances, explosive substances, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and any other substances regulated under Environmental Law.

 

IFRS” shall mean the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, consistently applied.

 

Indebtedness” shall mean any of the following: (a) any indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) any obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (c) any obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable and other current liabilities; (d) any obligations as lessee under capitalized leases; (e) any obligations, contingent or otherwise, under acceptance, letters of credit or similar facilities to the extent drawn; (f) any guaranty of any of the foregoing; (g) any accrued interest, fees and charges in respect of any of the foregoing; and (h) any prepayment premiums and penalties actually due and payable, and any other fees, expenses, indemnities and other amounts actually payable as a result of the prepayment or discharge of any of the foregoing.

 

Intellectual Property” shall mean all intellectual property (and rights therein and thereto) in any jurisdiction throughout the world including: (a) all inventions (whether or not patentable or reduced to practice), invention disclosures, certificates of invention, all improvements thereto, patents, utility models, industrial designs and all applications for any of the forgoing, including all provisionals, substitutions, divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissuances, renewals, extensions, reexaminations, patents of addition, supplementary protection certificates, or the like and any foreign equivalents of the foregoing (collectively, “Patents”); (b) all trademarks, service marks, certification marks, brand names, trade dress rights, logos, slogans, corporate names, business names and trade names, and other source or business identifiers, indicia of origin and general intangibles of a like nature, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, along with all applications, registrations, intent-to-use applications or similar reservations of marks, renewals and extensions thereof (collectively, “Trademarks”); (c) all copyrights, copyrights works, works of authorship (whether or not copyrightable), literary works, rights in software, design rights, masked works, pictorial and graphic works, reversions and moral rights, along with all applications, registrations and any renewals and extensions thereof; (d) all internet domain names, and social media usernames, handles and accounts; (e) all trade secrets, know-how, technology, discoveries and improvements, proprietary rights, formulae, confidential information, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals, technical information, source code, techniques, ideas, research, data analytics, designs, drawings, specifications, procedures, processes, models, algorithms, formulations, manuals and systems, whether or not patentable or copyrightable (collectively “Trade Secrets”); and (f) data, databases and data collections.

 

79

 

 

intentional fraud” shall mean, with respect to a party to this Agreement, an actual and willful fraud with respect to the making of the representations and warranties pursuant to ARTICLE III or ARTICLE IV (as applicable), provided, that such actual and intentional fraud of such Party shall only be deemed to exist if the Party making such representation and warranty had actual knowledge (as opposed to imputed or constructive knowledge) that such representation and warranty made by such Party pursuant to, in the case of the Company, ARTICLE III as qualified by the Company Disclosure Letter, or, in the case of SPAC, ARTICLE IV as qualified by the SPAC Disclosure Letter, was actually breached when made, with the express intention that the other party to this Agreement rely thereon to its detriment, and such other Party did in fact rely on such representation or warranty and was damaged thereby.

 

Investment Company Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

JOBS Act” shall mean the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.

 

Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge or awareness as to a specified fact or event, following reasonable inquiry, of: (a) with respect to the Company or Merger Sub, the individuals listed on Schedule 11.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter; and (b) with respect to SPAC, the individuals listed on Schedule 11.2 of the SPAC Disclosure Letter.

 

Legal Proceeding” shall mean any action, suit, hearing, claim, charge, audit, lawsuit, litigation, investigation (formal or informal), inquiry, arbitration or proceeding (in each case, whether civil, criminal or administrative or at law or in equity) by or before a Governmental Entity.

 

Liability” shall mean any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, known or unknown, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Applicable Law, Legal Proceeding or Order and those arising under any Contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or undertaking.

 

Licensed Intellectual Property” shall mean all Intellectual Property licensed to any of the Group Companies or used in or necessary for the conduct or operation of the business of the Group Companies, as presently conducted.

 

Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, license, option, right of first offer, right of first refusal, restriction or charge of any kind (including, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any agreement to give any security interest and any restriction relating to use, quiet enjoyment, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership).

 

Lockup Agreement Joinder” shall mean a joinder to the Lockup Agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and to be provided to the Management Shareholders by the Company following the date hereof.

 

80

 

 

LTIP” shall mean the Long-Term Incentive Plan adopted by Algoma Steel Holdings Inc. effective as of May 13, 2020.

 

LTIP Awards” shall mean Director Units, Incentive RSUs and Incentive PSUs granted under the LTIP.

 

Management Shareholders” shall mean the holders of LTIP Awards.

 

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Company Benefit Plan that applies to or permits participation by employers that are not Affiliates of the Company, including any “multi-employer plan” as that term is defined under subsection 1(1) of the Pension Benefits Standards Act (British Columbia) or an equivalent plan under pension standards legislation of another applicable Canadian jurisdiction and any “multi-employer plan” as that term is defined in subsection 8500(1) of the Tax Act, and any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code.

 

Nasdaq” shall mean The Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

OFAC” shall mean the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

Order” shall mean any award, injunction, judgment, regulatory or supervisory mandate, order, writ, decree or ruling entered, issued, made, or rendered by any Governmental Entity that possesses competent jurisdiction.

 

Organizational Documents” shall mean, with respect to any Person that is not an individual, the articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, articles, notice of articles, bylaws, articles and memorandum of association, limited partnership agreement, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, shareholders agreement and other similar organizational documents of such Person, as applicable.

 

Owned Intellectual Property” shall mean all Intellectual Property which any of the Group Companies has (or purports to have) an ownership interest.

 

PCAOB” shall mean the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

Permitted Lien” shall mean: (a) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and that are sufficiently reserved for on the Financial Statements or the SPAC Financial Statements, as applicable, in accordance with IFRS or GAAP, as applicable; (b) statutory and contractual Liens of landlords with respect to Leased Real Property that do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the present use of or occupancy of the affected parcel by any of the Group Companies; (c) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and repairmen incurred in the ordinary course and: (i) that are not yet delinquent; or (ii) that are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings; (d) in the case of real property, zoning, building code, or other restrictions, variances, covenants, rights of way, encumbrances, easements and other irregularities in title, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the present use of or occupancy of the affected parcel by any of the Group Companies; (e) Liens securing the Indebtedness of any of the Group Companies set forth on Schedule 3.19(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter; (f) in the case of Intellectual Property, third party non-exclusive license agreements entered into in the ordinary course; (g) Liens incurred in connection with capital lease obligations of any of the Group Companies; and (h) all exceptions, restrictions, easements, imperfections of title, charges, rights-of-way and other Liens of record that do not materially interfere with the present use of, or materially detract from the value of, the assets of the Group Companies, taken as a whole.

 

81

 

 

Person” shall mean any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise, association, organization, entity or Governmental Entity.

 

Personal Information” shall mean, to the extent regulated by Privacy Laws, “personal data,” “personally identifiable information,” or all information that identifies or could be used to directly or indirectly identify an individual person.

 

Privacy Laws” shall mean Applicable Law relating to privacy and the Processing of Personal Information, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada), the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, and any and all comparable provincial legislation and any other related regulations, directives and orders applicable to Personal Information or the access thereto or use or transfer thereof.

 

Processing” shall mean any operation or set of operations which is performed upon Personal Information, whether or not by automatic means, including but not limited to: collection, recording, organization, storage, adaptation or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, blocking, erasure or destruction. “Process” and “Processed” shall be construed accordingly.

 

Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2021, by and among SPAC and the investors party thereto.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean the Registration Statement on Form F-4, or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, to be filed with the SEC by the Company under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Company Common Shares that constitute the Merger Consideration and the Earnout Shares.

 

Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to a Person, such Person’s former, current and future direct or indirect equityholders, controlling Persons, shareholders, optionholders, members, general or limited partners, Subsidiaries, Representatives, and each of their respective successors and assigns.

 

SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Second Earnout Right” shall mean a right, automatically exercisable and convertible by the holder thereof upon the Second Earnout Event, for and into such number of Company Common Shares that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number of Company Common Shares issuable in connection with the Second Earnout Event by (ii) the number of Second Earnout Rights.

 

82

 

 

Second Price Target” shall mean the VWAP exceeds $15.00 per Company Common Share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five year anniversary of the Closing.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933.

 

SPAC Founder Shares” shall mean SPAC Shares sold by SPAC prior to its initial public offering.

 

SPAC Liabilities” shall mean, as of any determination time, the aggregate amount of Liabilities of SPAC that would be accrued on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, whether or not such Liabilities are due and payable as of such time, including but not limited to SPAC Borrowings. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, SPAC Liabilities shall not include any SPAC Transaction Costs.

 

SPAC Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate: (a) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of SPAC; or (b) has or would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede the ability of SPAC to consummate the Transactions by the Outside Date; provided, however, that in no event would any of the following, alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a SPAC Material Adverse Effect pursuant to clause (a): (i) acts of war, sabotage, civil unrest or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening thereof in the United States; (ii) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, disease, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 virus or any mutation or variation thereof, or any COVID-19 Measures or any change in such COVID-19 Measures or interpretations following the date of this Agreement) or other natural or man-made disasters; (iii) changes attributable to the public announcement or pendency of the Transactions; (iv) changes or proposed changes in Applicable Law after the date of this Agreement; (v) changes or proposed changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) after the date of this Agreement; (vi) any downturn in general economic conditions, including changes in the credit, debt, securities, financial, capital or reinsurance markets (including changes in interest or exchange rates, prices of any security or market index or commodity or any disruption of such markets), in each case, in the United States or anywhere else in the world; (vii) any actions required to be taken, or required not to be taken, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; or (viii) any action taken by, or at the request of, the Company; provided, however, that if a change or effect related to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) through (vi) disproportionately adversely affects SPAC compared to similarly situated Persons, then such disproportionate impact may be taken into account in determining whether a SPAC Material Adverse Effect has occurred, but only to the extent of the incremental disproportionate effect on SPAC, relative to similarly situated Persons.

 

83

 

 

SPAC Private Units” shall mean the SPAC Units sold by SPAC to the Founders and EBC in connection with SPAC’s initial public offering.

 

SPAC Public Shares” shall mean the SPAC Shares sold to the public by SPAC as part of SPAC’s initial public offering (whether purchased in such offering or thereafter in the public market).

 

SPAC Representative Shares” shall mean SPAC Shares issued to EBC and its designees by SPAC.

 

SPAC Stockholder Approval” shall mean the vote of the holders of SPAC Shares required to approve the SPAC Transaction Proposals, as determined in accordance with Applicable Law and SPAC’s Organizational Documents.

 

SPAC Transaction Costs” shall mean, as of any determination time, the aggregate amount of all out-of-pocket fees, commissions, costs, finder’s fees, expenses and other amounts incurred by or on behalf of, or otherwise payable by, whether or not due, SPAC in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, the consummation of the Transactions or the consummation of SPAC’s initial public offering, including (a) the fees and expenses of outside legal counsel, accountants, brokers, investment bankers, consultants, or other agents or service providers of SPAC, (b) deferred underwriting fees, costs and expenses from SPAC’s initial public offering and (c) any other fees, filing fees, expenses, commissions or other amounts that are expressly allocated to SPAC pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreements (including the cost of the D&O Tail), in each case, whether paid or unpaid prior to the Closing.

 

SPAC Transaction Proposals” shall mean (a) the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Transactions, including the authorization of the Merger, (b) if required by Applicable Law, the approval of the material differences between the SPAC’s Organizational Documents and the Restated Articles, (c) the adoption and approval of each other proposal reasonably agreed to by SPAC and the Company as necessary or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (including any proposal to alter the authorized share capital of SPAC to match the authorized share capital of Merger Sub) and (d) the adoption and approval of a proposal for the adjournment of the SPAC Stockholders’ Meeting in accordance with Section 6.1(b)(iii).

 

SPAC Units” shall mean equity securities of SPAC each consisting of one share of SPAC Share and one SPAC Warrant.

 

SPAC Warrants” shall mean the warrants of SPAC that entitle the holders thereof to purchase SPAC Shares at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.

 

84

 

 

Specified Business Conduct Laws” shall mean: (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), and other Applicable Law relating to bribery or corruption; (b) all Applicable Law imposing economic or financial sanctions on any Person, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), all Applicable Law administered by OFAC or the Bureau of Industry and Security administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, all sanctions laws or embargos imposed or administered by the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, the European Union and all anti-boycott or anti-embargo laws; (c) all Applicable Law relating to the import, export, re-export, transfer of information, data, goods, software, and technology, including the Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of State; and (d) the Money Laundering Control Act, the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada) and other Applicable Law relating to money laundering.

 

Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity of which: (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; (b) if a partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interests thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; or (c) in any case, such Person controls the management thereof.

 

Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean (i) any and all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including, without limitation, gross receipts, income, profits, capital gains, capital stock, windfall profits, license, sales (including GST/HST and PST), use, estimated, occupation, VAT, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, severance, social security, payroll, recapture, net worth, employment, excise and property taxes, assessments, escheat, abandoned property, stamp, environmental, registration, governmental charges, duties, fees, levies and other similar charges, in each case, imposed by a Governmental Entity, (whether disputed or not) together with all interest, penalties, surcharges, deficiency assessments, and additions imposed by a Governmental Entity with respect to any such amounts, (ii) a liability for amounts of the type described in clause (i) as a result Treasury Regulations §1.1502-6, as a result of being a transferee or successor, or as a result of a contract or otherwise, or (iii) any penalties or fees for failure to file or late filing of any Tax Returns.

 

Tax Act” shall mean the Income Tax Act (Canada) and regulations thereto.

 

Tax Return” shall mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes that is filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Entity, including any schedule or attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.

 

85

 

 

Tax Sharing Agreement” shall mean any agreement or arrangement (including any provision of a Contract) primarily related to Taxes pursuant to which any Group Company is or may be obligated to indemnify any Person for, or otherwise pay, any Tax of, or imposed on, another Person.

 

Third Earnout Right” shall mean a right, automatically exercisable and convertible by the holder thereof upon the Third Earnout Event, for and into such number of Company Common Shares that is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number of Company Common Shares issuable in connection with the Third Earnout Event by (ii) the number of Third Earnout Rights.

 

Third Price Target” shall mean the VWAP exceeds $18.00 per Company Common Share (as adjusted appropriately in light of any stock dividend, share capitalization, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination, consolidation or exchange of shares, or any similar event related thereto) for 20 consecutive trading dates at any time between the Closing and the five year anniversary of the Closing.

 

Transaction Agreements” shall mean this Agreement, the Subscription Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Restated Articles, the Notice of Alteration, the Founder Support Agreement and all the agreements documents, instruments and certificates entered into in connection herewith or therewith and any and all exhibits and schedules thereto.

 

Transactions” shall mean the transactions contemplated pursuant to this Agreement and the Transaction Agreements, including the Merger.

 

Treasury Regulations” shall mean the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code.

 

Unpaid SPAC Liabilities” shall mean the outstanding SPAC Liabilities.

 

VWAP” shall mean, with respect to a Company Common Share, the dollar-weighted average price on the Nasdaq or other primary stock exchange during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (set to weighted average) or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. If VWAP cannot be calculated on any of the foregoing bases, VWAP shall be the fair market value per Company Common Share on such date(s) as reasonably determined by a majority of the board of directors of the Company, including a majority of disinterested directors.

 

Warrant Agreement” shall mean the Warrant Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2021, between Continental and SPAC.

 

Willful Breach” shall mean a material breach that is a consequence of an omission by, or act undertaken by or caused by, the breaching party intentionally and with the knowledge that such omission or taking or causing of such act would, or would reasonably be expected to, cause such material breach, including the failure to cause the Closing to occur when required pursuant to this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

86

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  1295908 B.c. ltd.
   
  By: /s/ Rajat Marwah
  Name: Rajat Marwah
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
     
  ALGOMA MERGER SUB, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Michael McQuade
  Name: Michael McQuade
  Title: President
     
  LEGATO MERGER CORP.
   
  By: /s/ David D. Sgro
  Name: David D. Sgro
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Restated Articles

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Notice of Alteration

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “Subscription Agreement”) is entered into this __________ day of _____, 2021, by and among 1295908 B.C. Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada (the “Issuer”), Legato Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Legato”), and [____________________], a [_________] (“Subscriber”).

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Subscription Agreement, the Issuer entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, Algoma Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer (“Merger Sub”), and Legato, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the Issuer will amend and restate its articles of incorporation, complete a stock split and change its name to “Algoma Steel Group Inc.”; (ii) Merger Sub will merge with and into Legato (the “Merger”), with Legato continuing as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer; and (iii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Legato (the “Common Stock”), will be cancelled and exchanged for the right to receive the Issuer’s common shares (the “Common Shares”) and all of the issued and outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share will to be assigned to, and assumed by, the Issuer and become warrants to purchase Common Shares at an exercise price of $11.50 per share;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber desires to subscribe for and purchase from the Issuer and the Issuer desires to issue and sell to the Subscriber, substantially concurrently with, or immediately following, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) and on the date the Closing occurs (the “Closing Date”), the number of Issuer’s Common Shares set forth on the signature page hereto (such Common Shares, the “Acquired Shares”) for a purchase price of $10.00 per share (the “Share Purchase Price”), or the aggregate purchase price set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Purchase Price”); and

 

WHEREAS, certain other investors (each such investor, an “Other Subscriber”) that are either institutional “accredited investors” (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act,”)) or otherwise eligible investors outside of the United States (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”)), have entered into subscription agreements with the Issuer substantially similar to this Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which such Other Subscribers have agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and the Issuer has agreed to issue and sell to such Other Subscribers, on the Closing Date, a total, when combined with the Acquired Shares, of at least 10,000,000 Common Shares at the Share Purchase Price (the “Other Subscription Agreements”), for aggregate gross proceeds to the Issuer, when combined with the Purchase Price, of at least $100,000,000.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants, and subject to the conditions, herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Subscription. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Subscriber hereby agrees to subscribe for and purchase, and the Issuer hereby agrees to issue and sell to Subscriber, upon the payment of the Purchase Price, the Acquired Shares (such subscription and issuance, the “Subscription”). The undersigned understands and agrees that the undersigned’s subscription for the Acquired Shares shall be deemed to be accepted by the Issuer only when this Subscription Agreement is signed by a duly authorized person by or on behalf of the Issuer. In the event of the termination of this Subscription Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, this Subscription Agreement shall be null and void and have no force or effect.

 

 

 

 

2. Closing.

 

(a) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in writing) of the conditions set forth in Section 2(d), (e) and (f) (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Subscription Closing, but without affecting the requirement that such conditions be satisfied or waived at the Subscription Closing), the closing of the Subscription contemplated hereby (the “Subscription Closing”) is contingent upon the substantially concurrent consummation of the Closing and the Subscription Closing, both of which shall occur on the Closing Date. Not less than four (4) business days prior to the date on which the Issuer reasonably expects the Closing to occur (the “Scheduled Closing Date”), the Issuer shall provide written notice (which may be via email) to Subscriber of the Scheduled Closing Date (the “Closing Notice”), which Closing Notice shall contain the Issuer’s wire instructions for an escrow account (“Escrow Account”) established by the Issuer with a third-party escrow agent appointed by the Issuer, which may be the transfer agent for the Common Stock or the Common Shares (the “Escrow Agent”), for the purpose of receiving the Purchase Price from Subscriber in advance of the Subscription Closing.

 

(b) At least three (3) business days prior to the Scheduled Closing Date, Subscriber shall deliver the Purchase Price to the Escrow Account by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds. If this Subscription Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing or the Subscription Closing does not occur on the Scheduled Closing Date (or any permitted delay thereof) and all or any portion of the Purchase Price has been delivered to the Escrow Account, then promptly (but in no event longer than two (2) business days thereafter) after such termination or failure of the Subscription Closing to occur, the Issuer will instruct the Escrow Agent to promptly (but in no event longer than two (2) business days thereafter) return such funds to Subscriber.

 

(c) On the Closing Date and as soon as practicable following the Closing, subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in writing) of the conditions set forth in Section 2(d), (e) and (f) (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Subscription Closing, but without affecting the requirement that such conditions be satisfied or waived at the Subscription Closing), if Subscriber has delivered the Purchase Price to the Escrow Account, the Issuer shall deliver the Acquired Shares to Subscriber in book-entry form, and when delivered the Acquired Shares shall be fully paid, non-assessable and free and clear of any liens or other restrictions whatsoever (other than those arising under applicable securities laws), in the name of Subscriber, or a nominee or custodian designated by Subscriber, in each case, in accordance with Subscriber’s delivery instructions. Each book entry for the Acquired Shares shall contain a notation, and each certificate (if any) evidencing the Acquired Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend, in substantially the following form:

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND MAY NOT BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

 

UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE [INSERT THE DATE THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AND ONE DAY AFTER THE CLOSING DATE.]

 

2

 

 

(d) The Subscription Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction on the Closing Date, or the waiver (in writing) by each of the parties hereto, of each of the following conditions:

 

(i) no suspension of the qualification of the Acquired Shares for offering or sale or trading in any jurisdiction, or initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, shall have occurred;

 

(ii) no governmental authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any judgment, order, law, rule or regulation (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect of making consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and no governmental authority shall have instituted or threatened in writing a proceeding seeking to impose any such prevention or prohibition; and

 

(iii) (a) all conditions precedent to the closing of the Merger contained in the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied (as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement and other than those conditions that may only be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to satisfaction of such conditions as of the Closing) or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at Closing, but without affecting the requirement that such conditions be satisfied or waived at Closing) and (b) the Subscription Closing shall be scheduled to occur substantially concurrently with the Closing and on the Closing Date.

 

(e) The obligations of Subscriber at the Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction on the Closing Date, or the waiver by Subscriber, of each of the following conditions:

 

(i) all representations and warranties of each of the Issuer and Legato contained in Section 3 and Section 4, respectively, shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified by “Issuer Material Adverse Effect” or “Legato Material Adverse Effect” (each as defined below), which representations and warranties shall be true in all respects) at and as of the Closing Date, unless they specifically speak as of an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (other than representations and warranties that are qualified by “Issuer Material Adverse Effect” or “Legato Material Adverse Effect,” which representations and warranties shall be true in all respects as of such earlier date);

 

(ii) the Issuer shall have performed, satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Subscription Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing, except where the failure of such performance or compliance would not or would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay, or materially impair the ability of the Issuer to consummate the Closing and the Subscription Closing; and

 

(iii) no amendment, modification or waiver of the Merger Agreement shall have occurred that materially and adversely affects the economic benefits that Subscriber would receive under this Subscription Agreement without having received Subscriber’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

3

 

 

(f) The obligations of the Issuer at the Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction on the Closing Date, or the waiver by the Issuer, of each of the following conditions:

 

(i) all representations and warranties of Subscriber contained in Section 5 shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date; and

 

(ii) Subscriber shall have performed, satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Subscription Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by it at or prior to the Closing, except where the failure of such performance or compliance would not or would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay, or materially impair the ability of Subscriber to consummate the Subscription Closing.

 

(g) At the Subscription Closing, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the Subscription as contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.

 

(h) In the event that the Merger is re-structured where a new entity will become the successor public company following the Merger whose securities are issued in consideration of or in exchange for the Issuer’s or Legato’s securities (the “Successor”), then as a condition to consummating the Merger, the Successor will agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Subscription Agreement that apply to the Issuer after the Closing, and any references in this Subscription Agreement to the Acquired Shares will include any equity securities of the Successor that are issued in consideration of or exchange for the Acquired Shares.

 

3. Issuer Representations and Warranties. The Issuer represents and warrants to the Subscriber, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, that:

 

(a) The Issuer has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of British Columbia, with corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

(b) As of the Closing Date, the Acquired Shares will be duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to Subscriber against full payment for the Acquired Shares in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement, the Acquired Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any statutory or contractual preemptive or similar rights.

 

(c) This Subscription Agreement, the Other Subscription Agreements and the Merger Agreement (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and are enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

(d) As of immediately prior to the Closing and after the stock split, the authorized share capital of the Issuer will consist of an unlimited number of Common Shares, of which 75,000,000 Common Shares will be issued and outstanding, and an unlimited number of preference shares in the capital of the Issuer (the “Preference Shares”), of which no Preferred Shares will be issued and outstanding. As of immediately prior to the Closing, all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares will have been duly authorized and validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable and have not been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights. Each Common Share will have been issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable law and the Issuer’s organizational documents (as in effect at the time of such issuance).

 

4

 

 

(e) The execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Transaction Documents, and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including the issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which the Issuer is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Issuer is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of the Issuer; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer, its subsidiaries or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), for conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, liens or encumbrances that would not result in an Issuer Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Subscription Agreement, “Issuer Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate: (a) has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (b) that would materially affect the validity of the Acquired Shares or the legal authority of the Issuer to comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement.

 

(f) There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which the Issuer is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of (i) the Acquired Shares, (ii) the Common Shares to be issued pursuant to any Other Subscription Agreement or (iii) any securities to be issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in each case, that have not been or will not be validly waived on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(g) The Issuer is not in default or violation (and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or violation) of any term, condition or provision of (i) the organizational documents of the Issuer, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, permit, franchise or license to which the Issuer is now a party or by which the Issuer’s properties or assets are bound or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for defaults or violations that would not result in an Issuer Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h) The Issuer is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, provincial, local or other governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or other person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Issuer of this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Acquired Shares), other than (i) filings required by applicable securities laws, (ii) the filings required in accordance with Section 11(o), (iii) those required by The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”), and (iv) the failure of which to obtain would not result in an Issuer Material Adverse Effect.

 

(i) As of the Closing, the issued and outstanding Common Shares will be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and will be listed for trading on Nasdaq and the TSX. There is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened against the Issuer by Nasdaq, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the TSX or the applicable securities commission or securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (the “Canadian Securities Regulators”), as applicable, with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Common Shares, or prohibit or terminate the listing of the Common Shares, on Nasdaq or the TSX, as applicable.

 

5

 

 

(j) Assuming the accuracy of Subscriber’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 5, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares by the Issuer to Subscriber in the manner contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.

 

(k) Neither the Issuer nor any person acting on its behalf has engaged or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act) in connection with any offer or sale of the Acquired Shares.

 

(l) The Issuer has not entered into any side letter or similar agreement with any Other Subscriber in connection with such Other Subscriber’s direct or indirect investment in the Issuer and no Other Subscription Agreement includes terms and conditions that are materially more advantageous to any such Other Subscriber than Subscriber hereunder.

 

(m) Except for transaction fees payable to Jefferies Group LLC in connection with the Merger, fees otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement and placement fees payable to EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. in its capacity as placement agent for the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares (in such capacity, the “Placement Agent”), the Issuer has not paid, and is not obligated to pay, any brokerage, finder’s or other commission or similar fee in connection with its issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any fee or commission payable to any shareholder or affiliate of the Issuer.

 

4. Legato Representations and Warranties. Legato represents and warrants to the Subscriber, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, that:

 

(a) Legato has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

(b) The Transaction Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Legato and are enforceable against Legato in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

(c) The execution and delivery by Legato of the Transaction Documents, and the performance by Legato of its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of Legato pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Legato is a party or by which Legato is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Legato is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of Legato; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Legato or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), for conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, liens or encumbrances that would not result in a Legato Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Subscription Agreement, “Legato Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of Legato.

 

6

 

 

(d) Legato is not in default or violation (and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or violation) of any term, condition or provision of (i) the organizational documents of Legato, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, permit, franchise or license to which Legato is now a party or by which Legato’s properties or assets are bound or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Legato or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for defaults or violations that would not result in a Legato Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) Legato is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, provincial, local or other governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or other person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Legato of this Subscription Agreement, other than (i) filings required by applicable securities laws, (ii) the filings required in accordance with Section 11(o), (iii) those required by Nasdaq and the TSX, including with respect to obtaining shareholder approval, and (iv) the failure of which to obtain would not result in a Legato Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Legato consists of (i) 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share and (ii) 1,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preference Shares”). As of the date hereof: (i) 30,307,036 shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding, (ii) no Preference Shares are issued and outstanding, and (iii) 24,179,000 warrants, each entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, are issued and outstanding. As of the date hereof and as of the Closing, Legato had and will have no outstanding liabilities other than those reflected on its most recent balance sheet included in the SEC Documents (as defined below).

 

(g) Legato has not received any written communication from a governmental entity that alleges that Legato is not in compliance with or is in default or violation of any applicable law, except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not result in a Legato Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h) Legato has not entered into any side letter or similar agreement with any Other Subscriber in connection with such Other Subscriber’s direct or indirect investment in the Issuer and no Other Subscription Agreement includes terms and conditions that are materially more advantageous to any such Other Subscriber than Subscriber hereunder.

 

(i) Legato has made available to Subscriber (including via the SEC’s EDGAR system) a copy of each form, report, statement, schedule, prospectus, proxy, registration statement and other document, if any, filed by Legato with the SEC since its initial registration of the shares of Common Stock (the “SEC Documents”), which SEC Documents, as of their respective filing dates, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to the SEC Documents and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents. None of the SEC Documents filed under the Exchange Act (except to the extent that information contained in any SEC Document has been superseded by a later timely filed SEC Document) contained, when filed, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that, with respect to information about the Issuer or any of its affiliates included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed by the Issuer and Legato with respect to the Merger, the representation and warranty in this sentence is made to Legato’s knowledge. The financial statements of Legato included in the SEC Documents comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of Legato as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments, and further subject to Legato’s need to restate any previously filed financial statement contained within an SEC Document in order to account for its warrants as liabilities as required by recent SEC guidance. Legato has timely filed each report, statement, schedule, prospectus, and registration statement that Legato was required to file with the SEC since its inception. There are no material outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters from the Staff of the SEC with respect to any of the SEC Documents.

 

7

 

 

(j) Except for such matters that would not result in a Legato Material Adverse Effect, there is no (i) proceeding pending, or, to the knowledge of Legato, threatened against Legato or (ii) judgment, decree, injunction, ruling or order of any governmental entity or arbitrator outstanding against Legato.

 

(k) Except for transaction fees payable to Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC in connection with the Merger, fees otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement and placement fees payable to the Placement Agent, Legato has not paid, and is not obligated to pay, any brokerage, finder’s or other commission or similar fee in connection with its issuance and sale of the Acquired Shares, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any fee or commission payable to any shareholder or affiliate of Legato.

 

5. Subscriber Representations and Warranties. Subscriber represents and warrants to the Issuer and Legato, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, that:

 

(a) Subscriber has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with the requisite entity power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.

 

(b) This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Subscriber. This Subscription Agreement is enforceable against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.

 

(c) The execution and delivery by Subscriber of this Subscription Agreement, and the performance by Subscriber of its obligations under this Subscription Agreement, including the purchase of the Acquired Shares and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereby, will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of Subscriber pursuant to the terms of (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Subscriber is a party or by which Subscriber is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Subscriber is subject; (ii) the organizational documents of Subscriber; or (iii) any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Subscriber or any of Subscriber’s properties that would reasonably be expected to have a Subscriber Material Adverse Effect or materially affect the legal authority of Subscriber to comply in all material respects with this Subscription Agreement, except, in the cases of clauses (i) and (iii), as would not result in a Subscriber Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, “Subscriber Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, state of facts, development or occurrence relating to Subscriber that, individually or in the aggregate, would prevent or materially delay or impede the consummation of the Subscription Closing or that materially affects the legal authority of Subscriber to comply with the terms of this Subscription Agreement.

 

8

 

 

(d) Subscriber is:

 

(i) in the United States and (a) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act), in each case, satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Schedule A, (b) is acquiring the Acquired Shares only for its own account and not for the account of others, or if Subscriber is subscribing for the Acquired Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each owner of such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” or “accredited investor” (each as defined above) and Subscriber has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account and (c) is not acquiring the Acquired Shares with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws. Subscriber has completed Schedule A following the signature page hereto and the information contained therein is accurate and complete. Subscriber is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Acquired Shares; or

 

(ii) not in the United States and (a) is not subscribing for the Acquired Shares for the account of or benefit of a person in the United States, (b) was not offered the Acquired Shares in the United States, (c) the buy order for Subscriber’s Acquired Shares was not originated in the United States and Subscriber did not execute or deliver this Subscription Agreement in the United States, (d) has no intention to distribute either directly or indirectly any of the Acquired Shares in the United States and will not offer, sell or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, any of the Acquired Shares to, or for the account or benefit of, a person in the United States except pursuant to registration under the Securities Act and the securities laws of all applicable states or available exemptions therefrom and (e) did not receive the offer to purchase the Acquired Shares as a result of, nor will it engage in, any “directed selling efforts” (as defined in Regulation S). If Subscriber is in Canada it is (a) an “accredited investor” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”) and (b) is not a person created or used solely to purchase or hold securities as an “accredited investor” as defined in NI 45-106, and it has completed Schedule B (and, if applicable, Schedule B-1) following the signature page hereto and the information contained therein is accurate and complete.

 

(e) Subscriber understands that the Acquired Shares are being offered (i) in the United States in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) in “offshore transactions” within the meaning of Regulation S and that the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. Subscriber understands that the Acquired Shares may not be resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by Subscriber absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except (i) to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of, and in compliance with, Regulation S, (iii) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that all of the applicable conditions thereof have been met or (iv) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and that any certificates or book-entry records representing the Acquired Shares shall contain a legend to such effect; provided that, if any Acquired Shares are being sold in accordance with Regulation S, the legend may be removed by providing to the transfer agent for the Acquired Shares a declaration in the form attached hereto as Schedule C. Subscriber acknowledges that the Acquired Shares will not be eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. Subscriber understands and agrees that the Acquired Shares will be subject to transfer restrictions and, as a result of these transfer restrictions, Subscriber may not be able to readily resell the Acquired Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Acquired Shares for an indefinite period of time. Subscriber acknowledges that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of the Acquired Shares.

 

9

 

 

(f) Subscriber understands and agrees that Subscriber is purchasing the Acquired Shares directly from the Issuer. Subscriber further acknowledges that there have been no representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made to Subscriber by the Issuer, Legato, the Placement Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, affiliates or agents expressly or by implication, other than the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made solely by the Issuer or solely by Legato included in this Subscription Agreement.

 

(g) Subscriber’s acquisition and holding of the Acquired Shares will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any applicable similar law.

 

(h) In making its decision to subscribe for and purchase the Acquired Shares, Subscriber has relied solely upon its own independent investigation. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Subscriber has not relied on any statements or other information provided by the Placement Agent concerning the Issuer or the Acquired Shares or the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that Subscriber has received such information as Subscriber deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Shares, including with respect to the Issuer and the Merger. Subscriber and Subscriber’s professional advisors have had the full opportunity to review documentation, ask such questions, receive answers and obtain such information as Subscriber and its professional advisors have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Shares. Subscriber acknowledges that certain information provided by the Issuer was based on projections, and such projections were prepared based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections.

 

(i) Subscriber became aware of this offering of the Acquired Shares solely by means of direct contact between Subscriber and the Issuer, Legato or the Placement Agent, and the Acquired Shares were offered to Subscriber solely by direct contact between Subscriber and the Issuer, Legato or the Placement Agent. Subscriber did not become aware of this offering of the Acquired Shares, nor were the Acquired Shares offered to Subscriber, by any other means. Subscriber acknowledges that the Acquired Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any other applicable securities laws.

 

10

 

 

(j) Subscriber acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Acquired Shares. Subscriber has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Acquired Shares, and Subscriber has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as Subscriber has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision.

 

(k) Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agent nor any affiliate of the Placement Agent has provided Subscriber with any information or advice with respect to the Acquired Shares nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Subscriber acknowledges that the Placement Agent and its representatives (i) have not made any representation as to the Issuer or the quality of the Acquired Shares, (ii) may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Issuer which Subscriber agrees need not be provided to it, (iii) have made no independent investigation with respect to the Issuer or the Acquired Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information supplied to Subscriber by the Issuer, (iv) have not acted as Subscriber’s financial advisor or fiduciary in connection with the issue and purchase of the Acquired Shares and (v) have not prepared a disclosure or offering document in connection with the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares.

 

(l) Alone, or together with its professional advisor, Subscriber acknowledges that it has adequately analyzed and fully considered the risks of an investment in the Acquired Shares and determined that the Acquired Shares are a suitable investment for Subscriber and that Subscriber is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of Subscriber’s investment in the Issuer. Subscriber acknowledges that the Subscriber may suffer a total loss, and lose all of its investment in the Acquired Shares.

 

(m) Subscriber understands and agrees that none of the SEC, any Canadian Securities Regulator or any other securities regulatory authority has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Acquired Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of an investment in the Acquired Shares.

 

(n) Subscriber is not (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, the Executive Order 13599 List, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders List, or the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List, each of which is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) (collectively “OFAC Lists”), (ii) owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a person, that is named on an OFAC List, (iii) organized, incorporated, established, located, resident or born in, or a citizen, national, or the government, including any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, of, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine, or any other country or territory embargoed or subject to substantial trade restrictions by the United States, (iv) a Designated National as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515 or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. Subscriber represents that if it is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. section 5311 et seq.) (the “BSA”), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”), that Subscriber maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. Subscriber also represents that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with OFAC-administered sanctions programs, including for the screening of its investors against the OFAC Lists. Subscriber further represents and warrants that, to the extent required, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by Subscriber and used to purchase the Acquired Shares were legally derived.

 

11

 

 

(o) If Subscriber is an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), a plan, an individual retirement account or other arrangement that is subject to section 4975 of the Code or an employee benefit plan that is a governmental plan (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), a church plan (as defined in section 3(33) of ERISA), a non-U.S. plan (as described in section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) or other plan that is not subject to the foregoing but may be subject to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Similar Laws”), or an entity whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”) subject to the fiduciary or prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code, then Subscriber represents and warrants that (i) neither the Issuer, nor any of its respective affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”) has acted as the Plan’s fiduciary, or has been relied on for advice, with respect to its decision to acquire and hold the Acquired Shares, and none of the Transaction Parties shall at any time be relied upon as the Plan’s fiduciary with respect to any decision to acquire, continue to hold or transfer the Acquired Shares; (ii) the decision to invest in the Acquired Shares has been made at the recommendation or direction of an “independent fiduciary” (“Independent Fiduciary”) within the meaning of U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 29 C.F.R. section 2510.3 21(c), as amended from time to time (the “Fiduciary Rule”) who is (A) independent of the Transaction Parties; (B) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with respect to particular transactions and investment strategies (within the meaning of the Fiduciary Rule); (C) is a fiduciary (under ERISA and/or section 4975 of the Code) with respect to Subscriber’s investment in the Acquired Shares and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the investment in the Acquired Shares; and (D) is aware of and acknowledges that (I) none of the Transaction Parties is undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the purchaser’s or transferee’s investment in the Acquired Shares, and (II) the Transaction Parties have a financial interest in the purchaser’s investment in the Acquired Shares on account of the fees and other remuneration they expect to receive in connection with transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

(p) As of the date of this Subscription Agreement Subscriber does not have, and during the thirty (30) day period immediately prior to the date of this Subscription Agreement Subscriber has not entered into, any “put equivalent position” as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act or Short Sale positions with respect to the securities of Legato. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “Short Sales” shall mean all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.

 

(q) Subscriber has (or has commitments to have), and at the Closing will have, sufficient funds to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2(b)(i).

 

6. Additional Subscriber Agreement. Subscriber hereby agrees that, from the date of this Subscription Agreement, neither Subscriber nor any person or entity acting on behalf of Subscriber or pursuant to any understanding with Subscriber will engage in any Short Sales with respect to securities of Legato prior to the Closing; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 6 only, the definition of “Short Sales” shall not include options, puts and calls (which shall expressly be permitted). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit other entities under common management with Subscriber that have no knowledge of this Subscription Agreement or of Subscriber’s participation in the transactions contemplated hereby (including Subscriber’s controlled affiliates and/or affiliates) from entering into any Short Sales.

 

12

 

 

7. Registration Rights

 

(a) In the event that the Acquired Shares are not registered in connection with the Closing, the Issuer agrees that, as soon as practicable (but in any case no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the Closing Date) (the “Filing Deadline”), it will file with the SEC (at its sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the Acquired Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) ninety (90) calendar days after the Closing if the SEC notifies the Issuer that it will “review” the Registration Statement and (ii) ten (10) business days after the Issuer is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (the “Effectiveness Deadline”). The Issuer agrees to cause such Registration Statement, or another shelf registration statement that includes the Acquired Shares, to remain effective until the earliest of (i) the first (1st) anniversary of the Subscription Closing, (ii) the date on which Subscriber ceases to hold any Acquired Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, or (iii) on the first date on which Subscriber is able to sell all of its Acquired Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement (or shares received in exchange therefor) under Rule 144 within 90 days without limitation as to the amount of such securities that may be sold and without the requirement for the Issuer to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144. Subscriber agrees to disclose its ownership to the Issuer upon request to assist it in making the determination described above. The Issuer may amend the Registration Statement so as to convert the Registration Statement to a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (or Form S-3, if applicable) at such time after the Issuer becomes eligible to use such Form F-3 (or Form S-3, if applicable). Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that the Issuer may suspend the use of any such Registration Statement if it determines (a) that the use of such Registration Statement would require the inclusion of financial statements that are unavailable for issue for reasons beyond the Issuer’s control, or (b) that in order for such Registration Statement not to contain a material misstatement or omission, an amendment thereto would be needed to include information that would at that time not otherwise be required in a current, quarterly, or annual report under the Exchange Act; provided, that (I) the Issuer shall not so delay filing or so suspend the use of the Registration Statement on more than three (3) occasions or for a period of more than sixty (60) consecutive days or more than a total of one hundred-twenty (120) calendar days, in each case in any three hundred sixty (360)-day period, (II) the Issuer shall have a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public and (III) the Issuer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make such Registration Statement available for the sale by Subscriber of such securities as soon as practicable thereafter. The Issuer’s obligations to include the Acquired Shares issued pursuant to this Subscription Agreement (or shares issued in exchange therefor) for resale in the Registration Statement are contingent upon Subscriber furnishing in writing to the Issuer such information regarding Subscriber, the securities of the Issuer held by Subscriber and the intended method of disposition of such Acquired Shares, which shall be limited to non-underwritten public offerings, as shall be reasonably requested by the Issuer to effect the registration of such Acquired Shares, and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Issuer may reasonably request that are customary of a selling shareholder in similar situations; providedhowever, that Subscriber shall not in connection with the foregoing be required to execute any lock-up or similar agreement or otherwise be subject to any contractual restriction on the ability to transfer the Acquired Shares. The Issuer will provide a draft of the Registration Statement to Subscriber for review at least two (2) business days in advance of filing the Registration Statement. So long as Subscriber delivers to the Issuer a completed questionnaire (which shall include representations and warranties as to relevant matters), Subscriber shall not be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless in response to a comment or request from the staff of the SEC or another regulatory agency; providedhowever, that if the SEC requests that Subscriber be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement, Subscriber will have an opportunity to withdraw from the Registration Statement. For purposes of clarification, any failure by the Issuer to file the Registration Statement by the Filing Deadline or to effect such Registration Statement by the Effectiveness Deadline shall not otherwise relieve the Issuer of its obligations to file or effect the Registration Statement set forth in this Section 7. For purposes of this Section 7, “Acquired Shares” includes any other equity security of the Issuer issued or issuable with respect to the Acquired Shares by way of share split, dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event or otherwise.

 

13

 

 

(b) The Issuer shall advise Subscriber within three (3) business days (email being sufficient) (at the Issuer’s expense): (i) when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective; (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for such purpose; (iii) of the receipt by the Issuer of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Acquired Shares included therein for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and (iv) subject to the provisions in this Subscription Agreement, of a suspension pursuant to Section 7(a) or the occurrence of any event that requires the making of any changes in any Registration Statement or prospectus so that, as of such date, the statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (provided that any such notice pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall solely provide that the use of the Registration Statement or prospectus has been suspended without setting forth the reason for such suspension and shall not contain any material non-public information regarding the Issuer). The Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement as soon as reasonably practicable. Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated in clauses (i) through (iv) above, except for such times as the Issuer is permitted hereunder to suspend, and has suspended, the use of a prospectus forming part of a Registration Statement, the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as soon as reasonably practicable prepare a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Acquired Shares included therein, such prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Subscriber agrees that it will promptly discontinue offers and sales of the Acquired Shares using a Registration Statement until Subscriber receives copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above in clause (iv) and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Issuer that it may resume such offers and sales (which notice shall not contain any material non-public information regarding the Issuer). If so directed by the Issuer, Subscriber will deliver to the Issuer or, in Subscriber’s sole discretion destroy, all copies of the prospectus covering the Acquired Shares in Subscriber’s possession; providedhowever, that this obligation to deliver or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Acquired Shares shall not apply (x) to the extent Subscriber is required to retain a copy of such prospectus in order to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (y) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up.

 

(c) For as long as Subscriber holds Acquired Shares, the Issuer will use commercially reasonable efforts to file all reports necessary to enable the undersigned to resell the Acquired Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and, when Rule 144 of the Securities Act becomes available to Subscriber, Rule 144 of the Securities Act. In connection with any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Acquired Shares by Subscriber pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to any other exemption under the Securities Act such that the Acquired Shares held by Subscriber become freely tradable and upon compliance by Subscriber with the requirements of this Subscription Agreement, if requested by Subscriber, the Issuer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Issuer’s transfer agent to remove any restrictive legends related to the book entry account holding such Acquired Shares and make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry Acquired Shares sold or disposed of without restrictive legends within two (2) trading days of any such request therefor from Subscriber; provided, that the Issuer and the transfer agent have timely received from Subscriber customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the transfer agent in connection therewith. Subject to receipt from Subscriber by the Issuer and the transfer agent of customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Issuer and the transfer agent in connection therewith, including, if required by the transfer agent, an opinion of the Issuer’s counsel, in a form reasonably acceptable to the transfer agent, to the effect that the removal of such restrictive legends in such circumstances may be effected under the Securities Act, Subscriber may request that the Issuer shall remove any legend from the book-entry position evidencing its Acquired Shares following the earliest of such time as such Acquired Shares (i) have been or are about to be sold or transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement, (ii) have been or are about to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or (iii) are eligible for resale under Rule 144(b)(1) or any successor provision without the requirement for the Issuer to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144 and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions applicable to the sale or transfer of such Acquired Shares. If restrictive legends are no longer required for such Acquired Shares pursuant to the foregoing, the Issuer shall, in accordance with the provisions of this section and within two (2) trading days of any request therefor from Subscriber accompanied by such customary and reasonably acceptable representations and other documentation referred to above establishing that restrictive legends are no longer required, deliver to the transfer agent irrevocable instructions that the transfer agent shall make a new, unlegended entry for such book entry Acquired Shares. The Issuer shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent and all Depository Trust Company or CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. fees associated with such issuance.

 

14

 

 

(d) Indemnification.

 

(i) The Issuer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, Subscriber, its directors, and officers, employees, and agents, and each person who controls Subscriber (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and each affiliate of Subscriber (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, any reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, prospectus included in any Registration Statement or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as and to the extent, but only to the extent, the same are caused by or contained in any information regarding Subscriber furnished in writing to the Issuer by or on behalf of Subscriber expressly for use therein.

 

(ii) Subscriber agrees, severally and not jointly with any person that is a party to the Other Subscription Agreements, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors and officers and agents and employees and each person who controls the Issuer (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any form of prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein (in the case of any prospectus, or any form of prospectus or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by Subscriber expressly for use therein. In no event shall the liability of Subscriber be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber upon the sale of the Acquired Shares purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

(iii) Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (1) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and, (2) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties exists with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of legal counsel to any indemnified party a conflict of interest exists between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

(iv) The indemnification provided for under this Subscription Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Acquired Shares purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.

 

15

 

 

(v) If the indemnification provided under this Section 7(d) from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. In no event shall the liability of Subscriber be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber upon the sale of the Acquired Shares purchased pursuant to this Subscription Agreement giving rise to such contribution obligation.

 

8. Stock Exchange Listings. The Issuer shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Acquired Shares to be approved for listing on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance, and conditionally approved for listing on the TSX, subject only to fulfillment of customary conditions following the Closing Date, in each case as promptly as practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement, and in any event on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

9. Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earlier to occur of (a) such date and time as the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms therein, (b) upon the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto to terminate this Subscription Agreement, (c) if any of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 2(d), (e) or (f) are not satisfied on or prior to the Closing Date and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated on the Closing Date or (d) at the election of Subscriber, on December 31, 2021, if the Merger has not occurred by such date; provided, that nothing herein will relieve any party from liability for any willful breach hereof prior to the time of termination, and each party will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover out-of-pocket losses, liabilities or damages arising from such breach. The Issuer and Legato shall promptly notify Subscriber of the termination of the Merger Agreement after the termination of such agreement.

 

10. Trust Account Waiver. Subscriber acknowledges that Legato is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Issuer and one or more businesses or assets. Subscriber further acknowledges that, as described in Legato’s prospectus relating to its initial public offering dated January 19, 2021 (the “Prospectus”), available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of Legato’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Legato’s initial public offering and a private placement of its securities, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of Legato, its public shareholders and the underwriters of Legato’s initial public offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to Legato to pay its tax obligations, if any, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only for the purposes set forth in the Prospectus. For and in consideration of Legato entering into this Subscription Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Subscriber, on behalf of itself and its representatives, hereby irrevocable waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind they have or may have in the future arising out of this Subscription Agreement, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10 shall be deemed to limit any Subscriber’s right, title, interest or claim to the Trust Account by virtue of such Subscriber’s record or beneficial ownership of securities of Legato acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, including but not limited to any redemption right with respect to any such securities of Legato.

 

16

 

 

11. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Subscriber acknowledges that Legato, the Issuer, the Placement Agent and others will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement. Prior to the Closing, Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Issuer and Legato if any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties made by Subscriber as set forth herein are no longer accurate in all material respects. Subscriber further acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agent is a third-party beneficiary of the representations and warranties of Subscriber contained in Section 5.

 

(b) Each of Legato, the Issuer and Subscriber is entitled to rely upon this Subscription Agreement and is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby to the extent required by law or by regulatory bodies.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subscription Agreement, prior to the Closing, this Subscription Agreement shall not be assigned (whether pursuant to a merger, by operation of law or otherwise), by any party without the prior express written consent of the other parties hereto; provided, that Subscriber may assign its rights and obligations under this Subscription Agreement to one or more of its affiliates (including other investment funds or accounts managed or advised by the investment manager who acts on behalf of Subscriber or an affiliate thereof); providedfurther, that (i) prior to such assignment, any such assignee shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms hereof and (ii) no such assignment shall relieve Subscriber of its obligations hereunder if any such assignee fails to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

(d) The representations and warranties made by each party in this Subscription Agreement, as well as covenants to be performed by a party prior to the Subscription Closing, shall survive for a period of six months following the Closing (the “Survival Period”) and thereafter no party shall have any right to bring any claim of any kind with respect to a breach of any such representation, warranty or covenant; provided, however, if a party has notified the other parties in writing of an alleged breach of any such representation, warranty or covenant prior to the expiration of the Survival Period, such party’s right to bring a claim in respect of such breach shall survive indefinitely. All covenants to be performed by a party following the Subscription Closing shall survive until performed.

 

(e) Legato and the Issuer may request from Subscriber such additional information as Legato and the Issuer may reasonably deem necessary to evaluate the eligibility of Subscriber to acquire the Acquired Shares, and Subscriber shall provide such information as may be reasonably requested.

 

17

 

 

(f) This Subscription Agreement may not be modified, waived or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such modification, waiver, or termination is sought.

 

(g) This Subscription Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

(h) Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

(i) If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

(j) This Subscription Agreement may be executed and delivered in two (2) or more counterparts (including by electronic means, such as facsimile, .pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000), all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

(k) Each party shall pay all of its own expenses in connection with this Subscription Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(l) At any time, the Issuer and Legato may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of Subscriber, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of Subscriber contained herein or in any document delivered by Subscriber pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any agreement of Subscriber or any condition to its own obligations contained herein. At any time, Subscriber may (a) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of the Issuer or Legato, (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Issuer or Legato contained herein or in any document delivered by the Issuer or Legato pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any agreement of the Issuer or Legato or any condition to its own obligations contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall only be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound thereby.

 

18

 

 

(m) Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and either delivered personally, emailed or telecopied, sent by overnight mail via a reputable overnight carrier, or sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed to be given and received (a) when so delivered personally, (b) upon receipt of an appropriate electronic answerback or confirmation when so delivered by telecopy (to such number specified below or another number or numbers as such person may subsequently designate by notice given hereunder), (c) when sent, with no mail undeliverable or other rejection notice, if sent by email, or (d) five (5) business days after the date of mailing to the address below or to such other address or addresses as such person may hereafter designate by notice given hereunder:

 

(i) if to Subscriber, to such address or addresses set forth on the signature page hereto;

 

(ii) if to Legato, to:

 

Legato Merger Corp.

777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attn: David D. Sgro

Email: dsgro@crescendopartners.com

 

with a required copy to (which copy shall not constitute notice):

 

Graubard Miller

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10174

Attn: David Alan Miller

 Jeffrey Gallant

Email: dmiller@graubard.com

  jgallant@graubard.com;

 

(iii) if to the Issuer, to

 

Algoma Steel Inc.

105 West Street

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4
Attn: John Naccarato
Email: john.naccarato@algoma.com

 

with required copies to (which copies shall not constitute notice)

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Attn: Adam M. Givertz
Email: agivertz@paulweiss.com

Goodmans LLP
Bay Adelaide Centre – West Tower
333 Bay Street, Suite 3400
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S7
Attn: Robert Chadwick

Michael Partridge

Email: rchadwick@goodmans.ca

mpartridge@goodmans.ca; and

 

(iv) if to the Placement Agent, to:

 

EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.

366 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attn: Steven Levine

Email: slevine@ebcap.com

 

(n) This Subscription Agreement, and any claim or cause of action hereunder based upon, arising out of or related to this Subscription Agreement (whether based on law, in equity, in contract, in tort or any other theory) or the negotiation, execution, performance or enforcement of this Subscription Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

19

 

 

THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK SOLELY IN RESPECT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND IN RESPECT OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY WAIVE, AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING FOR INTERPRETATION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR ANY SUCH DOCUMENT THAT IS NOT SUBJECT THERETO OR THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN SAID COURTS OR THAT VENUE THEREOF MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE OR THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR ANY SUCH DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE ENFORCED IN OR BY SUCH COURTS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED BY SUCH A NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT TO AND GRANT ANY SUCH COURT JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSON OF SUCH PARTIES AND OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF SUCH DISPUTE AND AGREE THAT MAILING OF PROCESS OR OTHER PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION ‎11(m) OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY LAW SHALL BE VALID AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE THEREOF.

 

EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (II) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (III) SUCH PARTY MAKES THE FOREGOING WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION ‎11(n).

 

(o) Legato shall, by 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the first (1st) business day immediately following the date of this Subscription Agreement, issue one or more press releases or file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K (collectively, the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, the Merger, and any other material, nonpublic information that Legato or the Issuer has provided (or that has been provided on their behalf) to Subscriber at any time prior to the filing of the Disclosure Document. From and after the issuance of the Disclosure Document, to Legato’s and the Issuer’s knowledge, Subscriber shall not be in possession of any material, nonpublic information received from Legato, the Issuer or any of their officers, directors or employees, and Subscriber shall no longer be subject to any confidentiality or similar obligations under any current agreement, whether written or oral, with Legato, the Issuer, the Placement Agent or any of their respective affiliates, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything in this Subscription Agreement to the contrary, Legato and the Issuer shall not publicly disclose the name of Subscriber or any of its affiliates, or include the name of Subscriber or any of its affiliates in any press release or in any filing with the SEC or any regulatory agency or trading market, without the prior written consent of Subscriber, except (i) as required by the U.S. federal securities law in connection with the Registration Statement, (ii) in a press release or marketing materials of Legato in connection with the Merger and (iii) to the extent such disclosure is required by applicable law, at the request of the Staff of the SEC, any Canadian Securities Regulator or regulatory agency, or under the regulations of Nasdaq or the TSX, in which case Legato or the Issuer shall provide Subscriber with prior written notice of such disclosure permitted under subclauses (ii) and (iii).

 

20

 

 

(p) Subscriber acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person, firm or corporation (including, without limitation, the Placement Agent, any of its affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing), other than the representations and warranties of the Issuer and Legato expressly contained in Section 3 and Section 4, respectively, of this Subscription Agreement, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Issuer. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that none of (a) any other investor pursuant to this Subscription Agreement or any Other Subscription Agreement (including the investor’s respective affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing) or (b) the Placement Agent, its affiliates or any control persons, officers, directors, employees, partners, agents or representatives of any of the foregoing, in each case, absent their own gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, shall have any liability to Subscriber, or to any other investor, pursuant to, arising out of or relating to this Subscription Agreement or any Other Subscription Agreement, the negotiation hereof or thereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including, without limitation, with respect to any action heretofore or hereafter taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Acquired Shares or with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Subscription Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished by Legato, the Issuer, the Placement Agent or any Non-Party Affiliate concerning Legato, the Issuer, the Placement Agent, any of their controlled affiliates, this Subscription Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “Non-Party Affiliates” means each former, current or future officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or affiliate of Legato, the Issuer, the Placement Agent or any of Legato’s, the Issuer’s or the Placement Agent’s controlled affiliates or any family member of the foregoing.

 

(q) The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereunder,” and “hereto” and words of similar import refer to this Subscription Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or subsection of this Subscription Agreement and reference to a particular section of this Subscription Agreement will include all subsections thereof, unless, in each case, the context otherwise requires. Unless otherwise indicated the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Except where otherwise indicated, all references to currency amounts in this Subscription Agreement, including the schedules hereto, shall mean United States dollars and references to “C$” shall mean Canadian dollars. Each of the parties cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Subscription Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

21

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Subscription Agreement, Subscriber hereby irrevocably subscribes for the number of Common Shares set forth below at a price of $10.00 per Common Share.

 

SUBSCRIBER:

 

[Name of Subscriber]

 

By:            
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
Date: _______________________, 2021  
   
Name of Subscriber:  
   
   
(Please print. Please indicate name and
capacity of person signing above)
 
   
Name in which securities are to be registered  
(if different):  
Email Address:  
   
Subscriber’s EIN: _______________  

 

Address:  
   
   
   
   
   
Attn: _________________________________  
   
Telephone No.: __________________________  
   
Facsimile No.: ___________________________  
   
Number of Common Shares subscribed for at a price of $10.00 per Common Shares: [________________]  

 

Purchase Price: $[________________]

 

You must pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Issuer in the Closing Notice.

 

[Signature page to Subscription Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Number of Acquired Shares subscribed for and Aggregate Purchase Price as of ___________, 2021, accepted and agreed to as of this _____ day of ____________, 2021, by:

 

1295908 B.C. LTD.  
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
LEGATO MERGER CORP.  
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF SUBSCRIBER

 

This Schedule must be completed by Subscriber and forms a part of the Subscription Agreement to which it is attached. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Schedule have the meanings given to them in the Subscription Agreement. Subscriber must check the applicable box in either Part A or Part B below and the applicable box in Part C below.

 

A. QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS (Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

Subscriber is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”)).

 

Subscriber is subscribing for the Acquired Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, and each owner of such accounts is a QIB.

 

*** OR ***

 

B. INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS

(Please check the applicable subparagraphs):

 

Subscriber is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) and has checked below the box(es) for the applicable provision under which Subscriber qualifies as such:

 

Subscriber is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, a corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership that was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities of the Issuer being offered in this offering, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

Subscriber is a “private business development company” as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Subscriber is a “bank” as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Subscriber is a “savings and loan association” or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity.

 

Subscriber is a broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

 

Subscriber is an “insurance company” as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act.

 

Subscriber is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Subscriber is a “business development company” as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Subscriber is a “Small Business Investment Company” licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under either Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

 

Subscriber is a plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, and such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

Subscriber is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of such act, which is one of the following.

 

  A bank;

 

A-1

 

 

  A savings and loan association;

 

  A insurance company; or

 

  A registered investment adviser.

 

Subscriber is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

Subscriber is an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that is a self-directed plan with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors.

 

Subscriber is a trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered by the Issuer in this offering, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) under the Securities Act.

 

*** AND ***

 

C. AFFILIATE STATUS

 

(Please check the applicable box)

 

SUBSCRIBER:

 

is:

 

is not:

 

an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer or acting on behalf of an affiliate of the Issuer.

 

A-2

 

 

SCHEDULE B

Canadian Accredited Investor Certificate

 

Upon execution of this Canadian Accredited Investor Certificate by the Subscriber, this Canadian Accredited Investor Certificate shall be incorporated into and form a part of the Subscription Agreement. For purposes hereof, certain definitions are included below for convenience.

 

In addition to the covenants, representations and warranties contained in the Subscription Agreement, the undersigned Subscriber represents, warrants and certifies to the Issuer that the Subscriber is purchasing as principal and qualifies to purchase under National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”), Section 73.3 of the Securities Act (Ontario), or otherwise, by reason of the fact that the Subscriber falls into one or more of the subparagraphs set out below, the Subscriber having initialed the applicable subparagraph or subparagraphs, and is:

 

I. If the Subscriber is not an individual, is subscribing for C$150,000 or more and is an entity not created or used solely to purchase or hold securities, please complete Section I – Minimum C$150,000 Investment below.

 

II. If the Subscriber does not meet the requirements of Section I but is an Accredited Investor, please make the appropriate selection under Section II – Accredited Investor below.

 

(a) All purchasers who are individuals and make a selection under paragraphs (j), (k) or (l) of Section I must also provide a signed Risk Acknowledgement Form (attached as Schedule B-1 hereto).

 

III. If none of the above applies, please make the appropriate selection under Section 4 – Employees, Officers, Directors and Consultants below.

 

I. MINIMUM C$150,000 INVESTMENT

 

_________ (a) A non-individual purchaser purchasing securities having an acquisition cost of not less than C$150,000 paid in cash and was not created or used solely to purchase or hold securities in reliance on the exemption from the dealer registration requirement or prospectus requirement available under section 2.10 of NI 45-106;

 

II. Accredited Investor

 

_________ (a) a Canadian financial institution, or a Schedule III bank (or in Ontario, a bank listed in Schedule I, II, or III of the Bank Act (Canada));

 

_________ (b) the Business Development Bank of Canada incorporated under the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (Canada);

 

_________ (c) a subsidiary of any person referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b), if the person owns all of the voting securities of the subsidiary, except the voting securities required by law to be owned by directors of that subsidiary;

 

_________ (d) a person registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada as an adviser or dealer;

 

_________ (e) an individual registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada as a representative of a person referred to in paragraph (d);

 

B-1

 

 

_________ (e.1) an individual formerly registered under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada, other than an individual formerly registered solely as a representative of a limited market dealer under one or both of the Securities Act (Ontario) or the Securities Act (Newfoundland and Labrador);

 

_________ (f) the Government of Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada, or any crown corporation, agency or wholly owned entity of the Government of Canada or a jurisdiction of Canada;

 

_________ (g) a municipality, public board or commission in Canada or a metropolitan community, school board, the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal or an intermunicipal management board in Québec;

 

_________ (h) a national, federal, state, provincial, territorial or municipal government of or in any foreign jurisdiction, or an agency of that government;

 

_________ (i) a pension fund that is regulated by either the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (Canada) or a pension commission or similar regulatory authority of a jurisdiction of Canada;

 

_________ (j) an individual who, either alone or with a spouse,1 beneficially owns financial assets2 having an aggregate realizable value that before taxes, but net of any related liabilities2 (“Net Financial Assets”), exceeds C$1,000,000;

 

Note: if the Subscriber chooses to select this category, please complete the Risk Acknowledgement Form for Accredited Investors who are Individuals at Schedule B-1 hereto

 

_________ (j.1) an individual who beneficially owns financial assets3 having an aggregate realizable value that, before taxes but net of any related liabilities3 (“Net Financial Assets”), exceeds C$5,000,000;

 

_________ (k) an individual whose net income before taxes (“Net Income”) exceeded C$200,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years or whose net income before taxes combined with that of a spouse4 exceeded C$300,000 in each of the two most recent calendar years and who, in either case, reasonably expects to exceed that net income level in the current calendar year,

 

 

1 For the purposes of this certificate, the term “spouse” means an individual who (i) is married to another individual and is not living separate and apart within the meaning of the Divorce Act (Canada) from the other individual, (ii) is living with another individual in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between individuals of the same gender, or (iii) in Alberta, is an individual referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above, or is an adult interdependent partner within the meaning of the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (Alberta).
2 For the purposes of this certificate, “Financial Assets” means cash, securities, or any contract of insurance or deposit or evidence thereof that is not a security for the purposes of securities legislation, and (ii) “Related Liabilities” means liabilities incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing the acquisition or ownership of financial assets and liabilities that are secured by financial assets.
3 For the purposes of this certificate, “Financial Assets” means cash, securities, or any contract of insurance or deposit or evidence thereof that is not a security for the purposes of securities legislation, and (ii) “Related Liabilities” means liabilities incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing the acquisition or ownership of financial assets and liabilities that are secured by financial assets.
4 For the purposes of this certificate, the term “spouse” means an individual who (i) is married to another individual and is not living separate and apart within the meaning of the Divorce Act (Canada) from the other individual, (ii) is living with another individual in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between individuals of the same gender, or (iii) in Alberta, is an individual referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above, or is an adult interdependent partner within the meaning of the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (Alberta).

 

B-2

 

 

Note: if the Subscriber chooses to select this category, please complete the Risk Acknowledgement Form for Accredited Investors who are Individuals at Schedule B-1 hereto

 

_________ (l) an individual who, either alone or with a spouse5, has net assets6 of at least C$5,000,00 0;

 

Note: if the Subscriber chooses to select this category, please complete the Risk Acknowledgement Form for Accredited Investors who are Individuals at Schedule B-1 hereto

 

_________ (m) a person, other than an individual or investment fund, that has net assets of at least C$5,000,000 as shown on its most recently prepared financial statements;

 

_________ (n) an investment fund that distributes or has distributed its securities only to;

 

(i) a person that is or was an accredited investor at the time of the distribution;

 

(ii) a person that acquires or acquired securities in the circumstances referred to in sections 2.10 of NI 45-106 [Minimum amount investment], and 2.19 of NI 45-106 [Additional investment in investment funds], or

 

(iii) a person described in paragraph (i) or (ii) that acquires or acquired securities under section 2.18 of NI 45-106 [Investment fund reinvestment];

 

_________ (o) an investment fund that distributes or has distributed securities under a prospectus in a jurisdiction of Canada for which the regulator, or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority has issued a receipt;

 

_________ (p) a trust company or trust corporation registered or authorized to carry on business under the Trust and Loan Companies Act (Canada) or under comparable legislation in a jurisdiction of Canada or foreign jurisdiction, acting on behalf of a fully managed account managed by the trust company or trust corporation, as the case may be;

 

_________ (q) a person acting on behalf of a fully managed account7 managed by that person, if that person is registered or authorized to carry on business as an adviser or the equivalent under the securities legislation of a jurisdiction of Canada or a foreign jurisdiction;

 

 

5 For the purposes of this certificate, the term “spouse” means an individual who (i) is married to another individual and is not living separate and apart within the meaning of the Divorce Act (Canada) from the other individual, (ii) is living with another individual in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between individuals of the same gender, or (iii) in Alberta, is an individual referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above, or is an adult interdependent partner within the meaning of the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (Alberta).
6 For the purposes of this question, “net assets” means the value of the total assets of the purchaser less the value of the total liabilities.

7 A “fully managed account” means an account of a client for which a person makes the investment decisions if that person has full discretion to trade in securities for the account without requiring the client’s express consent to a transaction.

 

B-3

 

 

_________ (r) a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada) that, in regard to the trade, has obtained advice from an eligibility adviser or an adviser registered under the securities legislation of the jurisdiction of the registered charity to give advice on the securities being traded;

 

_________ (s) an entity organized in a foreign jurisdiction that is analogous to any of the entities referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) or paragraph (i) in form and function;

 

_________ (t) a person in respect of which all of the owners of interests, direct, indirect or beneficial, except the voting securities required by law to be owned by directors, are persons that are accredited investors;

 

Note: if the Subscriber chooses to select this category, please complete the following:

 

I, ___________________________________, am an authorized signatory of above the Subscriber and confirm that all owners of interest of the Subscriber are Accredited Investors and the Subscriber has done the necessary investigations to verify that fact.

 

_________ (u) an investment fund that is advised by a person registered as an adviser or a person that is exempt from registration as an adviser;

 

_________ (v) a person that is recognized or designated by the securities regulatory authority or, except in Ontario and Québec, the regulator as an accredited investor; or

 

_________ (w) a trust established by an accredited investor for the benefit of the accredited investor’s family members of which a majority of the trustees are accredited investors and all of the beneficiaries are the accredited investor’s spouse, a former spouse of the accredited investor or a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of that accredited investor, of that accredited investor’s spouse or of that accreted investor’s former spouse.

 

III. EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND CONSULTANTS

 

_________ (a) an employee, executive officer, director or consultant of the Issuer;

 

_________ (b) an employee, executive officer, director or consultant of a related entity of the Issuer; or

 

_________ (c) a permitted assign of a person referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b).

 

B-4

 

 

The representations, warranties, statements and certifications made in this Certificate are true and accurate as of the date of this Certificate and will be true and accurate as of the Closing and the Subscriber acknowledges that this certificate is incorporated into and forms part of the subscription agreement to which it is attached. If any such representation, warranty, statement or certification becomes untrue or inaccurate prior to the Closing, the undersigned Subscriber shall give the Issuer immediate written notice thereof.

 

DATED                                  , 2021.

 

    Name of Subscriber
[Please print]    
     
     
Witness
(if Subscriber is an individual)
  Signature of Subscriber
or Authorized Signatory of Subscriber    
     
     
Name of Witness
[Please print]
  Name and Office of Authorized Signatory of Subscriber
[Please print]
   
     
     
    Address of Subscriber    
       
     
     
     

 

B-5

 

 

Definitions

 

In this Canadian Accredited Investor Certificate, the following definitions are included for convenience:

 

affiliate” means an issuer connected with another issuer because

 

(a) one of them is the subsidiary of the other, or

 

(b) each of them is controlled by the same person;

 

director” means

 

(a) a member of the board of directors of a company or an individual who performs similar functions for a company; and

 

(b) with respect to a person that is not a company, an individual who performs functions similar to those of a director of a company;

 

executive officer” means, for an issuer, an individual who is

 

(a) a chair, vice-chair or president,

 

(b) a vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function including sales, finance or production, or

 

(c) performing a policy-making function in respect of the issuer;

 

B-6

 

 

financial assets” means

 

(a) cash,

 

(b) securities, or

 

(c) a contract of insurance, a deposit or an evidence of a deposit that is not a security for the purposes of securities legislation

 

foreign jurisdiction” means a country other than Canada or a political subdivision of a country other than Canada;

 

jurisdiction” means a province or territory of Canada except when used in the term foreign jurisdiction;

 

permitted assign” means, for a person that is an employee, executive officer, director or consultant of an issuer or of a related entity of the issuer,

 

(a) a trustee, custodian, or administrator acting on behalf of, or for the benefit of the person,

 

(b) a holding entity of the person,

 

(c) an RRSP or RRIF of the person,

 

(d) a spouse of the person,

 

(e) a trustee, custodian, or administrator acting on behalf of, or for the benefit of the spouse of the person,

 

(f) a holding entity of the spouse of the person, or

 

(g) an RRSP or RRIF of the spouse of the person;

 

person” includes

 

(a) an individual,

 

(b) a corporation,

 

 

(c) a partnership, trust, fund and an association, syndicate, organization or other organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, and

 

(d) an individual or other person in that person’s capacity as a trustee, executor, administrator or personal or other legal representative;

 

related entity” means, for an issuer, a person that controls or is controlled by the issuer or that is controlled by the same person that controls the issuer;

 

Schedule III bank” means an authorized foreign bank named in Schedule III of the Bank Act (Canada);

 

spouse” means, an individual who,

 

(a) is married to another individual and is not living separate and apart within the meaning of the Divorce Act (Canada), from the other individual;

 

(b) is living with another individual in a marriage-like relationship, including a marriage-like relationship between individuals of the same gender; or

 

(c) in Alberta, is an individual referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), or is an adult interdependent partner within the meaning of the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (Alberta);

 

subsidiary” means an issuer that is controlled directly or indirectly by another issuer and includes a subsidiary of that subsidiary; and

 

voting security” means any security which:

 

(a) is not a debt security; and

 

(b) carries a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing.

 

B-7

 

 

SCHEDULE B-1

 

FORM 45-106F9

Risk Acknowledgement Form for Accredited Investors who are Individuals

 

WARNING!
This investment is risky. Don’t invest unless you can afford to lose
all the money you pay for this investment

 

SECTION 1 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ISSUER OR SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
1. About your investment
Type of securities: Common Shares Issuer: ______________ (the “Issuer”)
Purchased from: the Issuer
SECTIONS 2 TO 4 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PURCHASER
2. Risk acknowledgement
This investment is risky. Initial that you understand that: Your initials
Risk of loss – You could lose your entire investment of C$                                     . [Instruction: Insert the total Canadian dollar amount of the investment.]  
Liquidity risk – You may not be able to sell your investment quickly – or at all.  
Lack of information – You may receive little or no information about your investment.  
Lack of advice – You will not receive advice from the salesperson about whether this investment is suitable for you unless the salesperson is registered. The salesperson is the person who meets with, or provides information to, you about making this investment. To check whether the salesperson is registered, go to  www.aretheyregistered.ca.  
3. Accredited investor status
You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be able to make this investment. Initial the statement that applies to you. (You may initial more than one statement.) The person identified in section 6 is responsible for ensuring that you meet the definition of accredited investor. That person, or the salesperson identified in section 5, can help you if you have questions about whether you meet these criteria. Your initials
●  Your net income before taxes was more than C$200,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years, and you expect it to be more than C$200,000 in the current calendar year. (You can find your net income before taxes on your personal income tax return.)  
●  Your net income before taxes combined with your spouse’s was more than C$300,000 in each of the 2 most recent calendar years, and you expect your combined net income before taxes to be more than C$300,000 in the current calendar year.  
●  Either alone or with your spouse, you own more than C$1 million in cash and securities, after subtracting any debt related to the cash and securities.  
 Either alone or with your spouse, you have net assets worth more than C$5 million. (Your net assets are your total assets (including real estate) minus your total debt.)  
4. Your name and signature
By signing this form, you confirm that you have read this form and you understand the risks of making this investment as identified in this form.
First and last name (please print):
Signature: Date:
SECTION 5 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SALESPERSON
5. Salesperson information
[Instruction: The salesperson is the person who meets with, or provides information to, the purchaser with respect to making this investment. That could include a representative of the issuer, a registrant or a person who is exempt from the registration requirement.]
First and last name of salesperson (please print):
Telephone: Email:
Name of firm (if registered):
SECTION 6 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ISSUER OR SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
6. For more information about this investment

For investment in a non-investment fund

[Issuer]; [Address].

For more information about prospectus exemptions, contact your local securities regulator. You can find contact information at www.securities-administrators.ca.

 

Form instructions

 

1. The information in sections 1, 5 and 6 must be completed before the purchaser completes and signs the form.

 

2. The purchaser must sign this form. Each of the purchaser and the issuer or selling security holder must receive a copy of this form signed by the purchaser. The issuer or selling security holder is required to keep a copy of this form for 8 years after the distribution.

 

B-8

 

 

SCHEDULE C

FORM OF DECLARATION FOR REMOVAL OF LEGEND

 

To: [               ]

 

The undersigned (a) acknowledges that the sale of ____________________ securities of ___________ (the “Issuer”) to which this declaration relates is being made in reliance on Rule 904 of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and (b) certifies that (1) it is not (i) an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act) of the Issuer, (ii) a “distributor” as defined in Regulation S or (iii) an affiliate of a distributor, (2) the offer of such securities was not made to a person in the United States and either (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the buyer was outside the United States, or the seller and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believe that the buyer was outside the United States, or (B) the transaction was executed on or through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange or another designated offshore securities market and neither the seller nor any person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction has been prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (3) neither the seller nor any affiliate of the seller nor any person acting on any of their behalf has engaged or will engage in any “directed selling efforts” in the United States in connection with the offer and sale of such securities, (4) the sale is bona fide and not for the purpose of “washing off” the resale restrictions imposed because the securities are “restricted securities” (as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the U.S. Securities Act), (5) the seller does not intend to replace the securities sold in reliance on Rule 904 of the U.S. Securities Act with fungible unrestricted securities, and (6) the contemplated sale is not a transaction, or part of a series of transactions which, although in technical compliance with Regulation S, is part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration provisions of the U.S. Securities Act. Terms used herein have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.

 

Dated: _________________  
  By:  
  Name:    
  Title:  

 

C-1

 

 

SCHEDULE D

SCHEDULE OF TRANSFERS

 

Subscriber’s Subscription was in the amount of ___________________ Acquired Shares. The following transfers of a portion of the Subscription have been made:

 

Date of Transfer or
Reduction
  Transferee   Number of
Transferee Acquired
Shares Transferred
or Reduced
  Subscriber Revised
Subscription Amount
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

Schedule D as of ______________, 20__, accepted and agreed to as of this ____ day of ____________, 20__ by:

 

1295908 B.C. LTD.  
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

LEGATO MERGER CORP.  
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Signature of Subscriber:  
   
   
     
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

D-1

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

This Support Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 24, 2021, by and between 1295908 B.C. Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (the “Company”) and the undersigned SPAC shareholders (the “Voting Parties” and each a “Voting Party”).

 

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, SPAC and the Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended or modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, on the terms and conditions set forth therein, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into SPAC (the “Merger”), with SPAC surviving as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Voting Shares” shall mean all securities of SPAC beneficially owned (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, excluding shares of stock underlying unexercised warrants, but including any shares of stock acquired upon exercise of such warrants) (“Beneficially Owned”) by any Voting Party, including any and all securities of SPAC acquired and held in such capacity subsequent to the date hereof.

 

(b) “Family Member” means with respect to any Person, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) or spouse of a descendant of such Person, brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption), brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) are beneficiaries.

 

(c) “Permitted Transfer” means a Transfer of Voting Shares by a Voting Party (a) to any Family Member of such Voting Party, (b) to any Affiliate of such Voting Party, (c) to any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Voting Party, (d) to any of such Voting Party’s related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such Voting Party or Affiliate of such Voting Party, (d) to any other Voting Party to the extent that such Voting Party transferee agrees in a written instrument with the Company (which may be an amendment or joinder to the Lockup Agreement if agreed by the Company) to the same restrictions on transfer following Closing with respect to such transferred Voting Shares as would have been applicable to such Voting Shares prior to such transfer, and (e) with the prior consent of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, by private sales made at or prior to the consummation of the Merger at prices no greater than the price at which the SPAC Founder Shares were originally purchased.

 

 

 

 

2. Representations and Warranties of the Voting Parties. Each Voting Party on its own behalf hereby represents and warrants to the other parties hereto, severally and not jointly, with respect to such Voting Party and such Voting Party’s ownership of its Voting Shares set forth on Annex A hereto as follows:

 

(a) Authority. If Voting Party is a legal entity it is duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable, in good standing under the applicable law of the jurisdiction of its organization, and Voting Party has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform fully Voting Party’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. If Voting Party is a natural person, Voting Party has the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement. If Voting Party is a legal entity, this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action, executed and delivered by Voting Party. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Voting Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(b) No Consent. No consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or other Person on the part of Voting Party is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. If Voting Party is a natural person, no consent of such Voting Party’s spouse is necessary under any “community property” or other laws for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. If Voting Party is a trust, no consent of any beneficiary is required for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c) No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the Transactions, including the transactions contemplated hereby, nor Voting Party’s compliance with the terms hereof and performance of his, her or its obligations hereunder, will, directly or indirectly (i) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under any provision of, Voting Party’s organizational documents (as applicable), any trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, notice, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Voting Party or to Voting Party’s property or assets (including the Voting Shares) that would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the consummation of the Transactions or that would reasonably be expected to prevent Voting Party from fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon the Voting Shares.

 

2

 

 

(d) Ownership of Shares. Voting Party (i) Beneficially Owns its Voting Shares free and clear of all Liens (except for any such Lien that may be imposed pursuant to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, any applicable restrictions on transfer under applicable U.S. state or federal securities or “blue sky” law) and (ii) has the sole power to vote or caused to be voted its Voting Shares. Except pursuant hereto and pursuant to, (A) the Subscription Agreements, dated on or about July 30, 2020, by and between SPAC and the Voting Parties and (B) the Letter Agreements, dated as of January 19, 2021, by and among SPAC and the Voting Parties, as of the date hereof, there are no options, warrants or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character to which Voting Party is a party relating to the pledge, acquisition, disposition, transfer or voting of Voting Shares prior to the consummation of the Transactions and there are no voting trusts or voting agreements with respect to the Voting Shares. Other than the Voting Shares set forth on Annex A hereto, as of the date hereof, Voting Party does not Beneficially Own any Voting Shares or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire any additional shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of SPAC (“SPAC Common Stock”) or any security exercisable for or convertible into shares of SPAC Common Stock.

 

(e) No Litigation. There is no Legal Proceeding pending against, or, to the knowledge of Voting Party, threatened against, Voting Party that would reasonably be expected to materially impair or materially adversely affect the ability of Voting Party to perform Voting Party’s obligations hereunder, to consummate the Transactions, including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the consummation of the Transactions.

 

(f) Sophistication. Voting Party is a sophisticated shareholder and has adequate information concerning the business and financial condition of SPAC and the Company to make an informed decision regarding this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements and has independently and based on such information as the Voting Party has deemed appropriate, made its own analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement, without reliance upon SPAC, the Company, any of their Affiliates or any of the respective Representatives of the foregoing. Voting Party acknowledges that SPAC and the Company have not made and do not make any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, of any kind or character except as expressly set forth in this Agreement. Voting Party acknowledges that the agreements contained herein with respect to the Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by Voting Party are irrevocable.

 

3. Agreement to Vote Shares. Each Voting Party shall, solely in his, her or its capacity as a SPAC Stockholder, during the term of this Agreement vote or cause to be voted all Voting Shares that he, she or it Beneficially Owns, at every meeting of the stockholders of SPAC at which such matters are considered and at every adjournment or postponement thereof: (i) in favor of the SPAC Transaction Proposals; and (ii) against (A) any proposal or offer from any Person (other than the Company or any of its Affiliates) concerning a SPAC Business Combination or the adoption of any agreement to enter into a SPAC Business Combination; and (B) any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that could reasonably be expected to materially impede, interfere with, delay, discourage, adversely affect or inhibit the timely consummation of the Transactions or the fulfillment of SPAC’s obligations under the Merger Agreement or change in any manner the voting rights of any class of shares of SPAC (including any amendments to SPAC’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws other than in connection with the Transactions).

 

3

 

 

4. No Voting Trusts or Other Arrangement. Each Voting Party agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, Voting Party will not, and will not permit any entity under Voting Party’s control to, deposit any Voting Shares in a voting trust, grant any proxies with respect to the Voting Shares or subject any of the Voting Shares to any arrangement with respect to the voting of the Voting Shares. Each Voting Party hereby revokes any and all previous proxies and attorneys in fact with respect to the Voting Shares.

 

5. Transfer and Encumbrance. Each Voting Party agrees that, during the term of this Agreement, Voting Party will not, directly or indirectly, transfer (including by operation of law), sell, offer, exchange, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of or encumber (“Transfer”) any of his, her or its Voting Shares or enter into any contract, option or other agreement with respect to, or consent to, a Transfer of, any of his, her or its Voting Shares or Voting Party’s voting or economic interest therein, except a Permitted Transfer; provided, however, as a precondition to such Permitted Transfer, the transferee shall agree in a writing, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to SPAC and the Company, to be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement. Any attempted Transfer (other than a Permitted Transfer) of Voting Shares or any interest therein in violation of this Section 5 shall be null and void.

 

6. Appraisal and Dissenters’ Rights. Each Voting Party hereby (i) waives, and agrees not to assert or perfect, any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Transactions that Voting Party may have by virtue of ownership of the Voting Shares and (ii) agrees not to commence or participate in any claim, derivative or otherwise, against SPAC relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, including any claim (A) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or (B) alleging a breach of any fiduciary duty of the board of directors of SPAC in connection with this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Transactions.

 

7. Redemption Rights. Each Voting Party agrees not to exercise any right to redeem any Voting Shares Beneficially Owned as of the date hereof or acquired and held in such capacity subsequent to the date hereof.

 

8. Acquisition of Additional Shares. In the event that, during the term of this Agreement, (a) any Voting Shares are issued to a Voting Party pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Voting Shares or otherwise, (b) a Voting Party purchases or otherwise acquires beneficial ownership of any Voting Shares or (c) a Voting Party acquires the right to vote or share in the voting of any Voting Shares (collectively the “New Securities”), then such New Securities acquired or purchased by such Voting Party shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Voting Shares owned by such Voting Party as of the date hereof.

 

4

 

 

9. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) the Effective Time, (ii) the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, and (iii) the effective date of a written agreement executed and delivered by the Company and each Voting Party terminating this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities under this Agreement; provided, that nothing in this Section 9 shall relieve any party of liability for any willful breach of this Agreement occurring prior to termination.

 

10. No Agreement as Director or Officer. Each Voting Party is signing this Agreement solely in its capacity as a SPAC Stockholder. No Voting Party makes any agreement or understanding in this Agreement in such Voting Party’s capacity (or in the capacity of any Affiliate, partner or employee of Voting Party) as a director or officer of SPAC (if Voting Party holds such office). Nothing in this Agreement will limit or affect any actions or omissions taken by a Voting Party in his, her or its capacity as a director or officer of SPAC, and no actions or omissions taken in any Voting Party’s capacity as a director or officer shall be deemed a breach of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to prohibit, limit or restrict a Voting Party from exercising his or her fiduciary duties as an officer or director to SPAC or its equityholders. Voting Party shall not be responsible for the actions of SPAC or the board of directors of SPAC (or any committee thereof) or any officers, directors (in their capacity as such), employees and professional advisors of SPAC and Voting Party makes no representations or warranties with respect to the actions of any of the foregoing.

 

11. Specific Enforcement. Monetary damages would not adequately compensate an injured party for the breach of this Agreement by any party hereto and, accordingly, this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable, in addition to any other remedy to which such injured party is entitled at law or in equity, and any breach of this Agreement shall be the proper subject of a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order. Further, each party hereto waives any claim or defense that there is an adequate remedy at law for such breach or threatened breach or an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity and agrees that a party’s rights would be materially and adversely affected if the obligations of the other parties under this Agreement were not carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.

 

12. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement supersede all prior agreements, written or oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and contain the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement is not intended to supersede the voting agreements as among SPAC and the Voting Parties contained in (i) the Letter Agreements, dated as of January 19, 2021, by and among SPAC and the Voting Parties and (ii) the Subscription Agreements, dated on or about July 30, 2020, by and between SPAC and the Voting Parties. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No waiver of any provisions hereof by either party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provisions hereof by such party, nor shall any such waiver be deemed a continuing waiver of any provision hereof by such party.

 

5

 

 

13. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested), (c) on the date sent by e-mail of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, or (d) on the next Business Day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be addressed as follows (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 13):

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Algoma Steel Inc.
105 West Street
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4
Attention: John Naccarato
Email: john.naccarato@algoma.com

 

If to a Voting Party, to the addresses set forth on Annex A.

 

14. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and any action, suit, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement, or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without the application of principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. Each of the parties irrevocably consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to any federal court located in Wilmington, Delaware and, in either case, any appellate court therefrom in connection with any matter based upon or arising out of this Agreement, agrees that process may be served upon them in any manner authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware for such Person and waives and covenants not to assert or plead any objection which they might otherwise have to such manner of service of process. Each party may do so only if he, she or it hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any legal dispute, that: (i) such Person is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason; (ii) such Legal Proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court; (iii) such Person’s property is exempt or immune from execution; (iv) such Legal Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum; or (v) the venue of such Legal Proceeding is improper. Each party hereby agrees not to commence or prosecute any such action, claim, cause of action or suit other than before one of the above-named courts, nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such action, claim, cause of action or suit to any court other than one of the above-named courts, whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Each party hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any manner permitted by Delaware law, and further consents to service of process by nationally recognized overnight courier service guaranteeing overnight delivery, or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 13. Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 14(a), any party may commence any action, claim, cause of action or suit in a court other than the above-named courts solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the above-named courts.

 

6

 

 

(b) Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH OF THE PARTIES MAY DO SO ONLY IF HE, SHE OR IT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.

 

(c) Severability. In the event that any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement, or the application thereof, is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Applicable Law: (a) such provision will be fully severable; (b) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof; (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom; and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

(d) Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same document and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Delivery by electronic transmission to counsel for the other parties of a counterpart executed by a party shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the previous sentence.

 

7

 

 

(e) Titles and Headings. The titles, captions and table of contents in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not in any way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(f) Assignment; Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Rights. No party may assign, directly or indirectly, including by operation of law, either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other parties. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 14(f), this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

(g) No Ownership Interests. Except as provided in this Agreement, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in the Company any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or with respect to any Voting Shares. Except as provided in this Agreement, all rights, ownership and economic benefits relating to the Voting Shares shall remain vested in and belong to the Voting Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as creating or forming a “group” with any other Person for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act or any other similar provision of applicable law.

 

(h) Expenses. All fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such fees, costs and expenses.

 

(i) Further Assurances. Each party hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents as may be necessary or desirable to effect the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Transaction Agreements, including this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

8

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Support Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE COMPANY:  
   
1295908 B.C. LTD.  
   
By:             
Name:    
Title:    

 

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Support Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

[INDIVIDUAL/ENTITY]  
   
By:                                                
[Signature]  
   
Name:    
[Print Name of Signatory]  
   
Title:    
[Print Title of Signatory]
 

 

[Signature Page to Support Agreement]

 

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

Annex A

Voting Interests

 

Name   Address   Voting Interests     Unexercised Warrants  
        SPAC Founders Shares     SPAC Shares underlying SPAC Private Units     SPAC Shares issuable upon exercise of SPAC Warrants underlying SPAC Private Units  
Eric Rosenfeld   c/o Legato Merger Corp.
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
    2,054,792       36,794       36,794  
David Sgro   c/o Legato Merger Corp.
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
    383,765       0       0  
Eric S. Rosenfeld 2017 Trust No. 1   c/o Legato Merger Corp.
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attn: David Sgro, Trustee
    127,922       0       0  
Eric S. Rosenfeld 2017 Trust No. 2   c/o Legato Merger Corp.
777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attn: David Sgro, Trustee
    764,120       5,460       5,460  
De Jong & Co.   70 Distillery Lane, Suite 4004
Toronto, Ontario M5A 0E3
Canada
Attn: Louis DeJong
    40,000       20,000       20,000  
Brian Pratt   5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75225
    1,233,334       170,000       170,000  
Pratt Grandchildren’s Irrevocable Trust U/A/D July 30, 2020   c/o Brian Pratt
5950 Berkshire Lane, Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75225
    300,000       50,000       50,000  
Adam Jaffe   525 E 11th Street, Apt 6B
New York, NY 10009
    28,801       646       646  
Triple J Holdings II, LLC   2 Gedney Way
Chappaqua, NY 10514
Attn: Adam Semler
    53,333       12,000       12,000  
White Star Partners, LP   200 Crescent Court, Suite 1450
Dallas, TX 75201
Attn: D. Blair Baker
    53,333       12,000       12,000  

 

 

 

 

The Mont Blanc Investment Corporation   c/o John Ing
115 Hillside Ave West
Toronto, Ontario M5P 1G6
Canada
    73,333       22,000       22,000  
Craig Martin   930 S El Molino Ave
Pasadena, CA 91106
    83,333       27,000       27,000  
Gregory Monahan   43 Christie Hill Road
Darien, CT 06820
    414,350       3,225       3,225  
Stephen Lack   55 Waugh Drive, Suite 1130
Houston, TX 77007
    20,000       10,000       10,000  
TAH Capital, LLC   2620 N. Dundee Street
Tampa, FL 33629-7517
Attn: Thomas Harrington
    60,000       30,000       30,000  
Jeremy SG Fowden & Louise E. Fowden   100 First Ave Nth #3003
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    50,000       25,000       25,000  
Arbutus Family Holdings Ltd.   2294 West King Edward Ave
Vancouver, BC V6L 3B8
Canada
Attn: Kelly Edmison
    20,000       10,000       10,000  
Ancora Merlin LP   6060 Parkland Blvd, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44124
Attn: Ryan Hummer
    5,533       2,158       2,158  
Ancora Merlin Institutional LP   6060 Parkland Blvd, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44124
Attn: Ryan Hummer
    61,134       23,842       23,842  
Ancora Catalyst LP   6060 Parkland Blvd, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44124
Attn: Ryan Hummer
    4,733       1,846       1,846  
Ancora Catalyst Institutional LP   6060 Parkland Blvd, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44124
Attn: Ryan Hummer
    61,934       24,154       24,154  
TOTAL         5,893,750       486,125       486,125  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

Lock-Up Agreement

May 24, 2021

1295908 B.C. Ltd.

105 West Street

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 7B4

Attention: John Naccarato

Email: john.naccarato@algoma.com

 

RE: Lock-Up Agreement (this “Agreement”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of May 24, 2021, by and among 1295908 B.C. Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia (the “Company”), Algoma Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Legato Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SPAC”), pursuant to which, among other things, on the terms and conditions set forth therein, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will merge with and into SPAC (the “Merger”), with SPAC surviving as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

In connection with the Merger, and for good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees as follows:

 

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member, by contract or otherwise, as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(b) “Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

(c) “Common Shares” means the common shares, without par value, of the Company.

 

(d) “Controlled Entity” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting shares or stock (as applicable) of which is owned by such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the managing partner or in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the manager or managing member or in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least fifty percent (50%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits.

 

 

 

 

(e) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(f) “Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares or equity (or such other interests), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights, profit participation and all of the other ownership or profit interests of such Person (including partnership or member interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting.

 

(g) “Family Member” means with respect to any Person, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) or spouse of a descendant of such Person, brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or adoption), brothers and sisters (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) are beneficiaries.

 

(h) “Founder Holders” means each of David Sgro, Eric S. Rosenfeld, and Brian Pratt, and each of their Affiliates.

 

(i) “Lock-Up Shares” means (i) with respect to the Pre-Closing Holder, the Common Shares held by such Pre-Closing Holder as of immediately following the Closing (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Earnout Shares issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement), (ii) with respect to the SPAC Holders, the Common Shares issuable to the SPAC Holders as Merger Consideration in respect of SPAC Founder Shares and (iii) with respect to the Founder Holders, the Common Shares issuable to the Founder Holders in respect of SPAC Founder Shares and SPAC Private Units and the Company Warrants held by the Founder Holders assumed by the Company.

 

(j) “Permitted Transferee” means with respect to any Person, (a) any Family Member of such Person, (b) any Affiliate of such Person, (c) any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Person, (d) any Controlled Entity of such Person, (e) any direct or indirect holder of Equity Securities of such Person pursuant to a distribution of Lock-Up Shares, and (f) any of such Person’s related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such Person or Affiliate of such Person.

 

(k) “Pre-Closing Holder” means Algoma Steel Intermediate Parent S.à r.l., a société à responsabilité limitée (SARL) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, its Permitted Transferees, and each other Person who signs a joinder to this Agreement.

 

2

 

 

(l) “Securityholder” means a Pre-Closing Holder or Founder Holder.

 

(m) “SPAC Holders” means the holders of SPAC Founder Shares who are not Founder Holders.

 

(n) “Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition by the Transferor (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) and, when used as a verb, the Transferor voluntarily or involuntarily, transfers, sells, pledges or hypothecates or otherwise disposes of (whether by operation of Law or otherwise), or enters into any contract, option, or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the foregoing, including, in each case, (a) the establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to, or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security or (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

2. Lock-Up.

 

(a) The undersigned, in its capacity as a Pre-Closing Holder or a Founder Holder, as the case may be, agrees, severally, and not jointly, not to effect any Transfer, or make a public announcement of any intention to effect such Transfer, of any Lock-Up Shares Beneficially Owned or otherwise held by such Person during the applicable Lock-Up Period (as defined below); provided, that such restrictions shall not apply to (i) the filing of a registration statement or Canadian prospectus covering the Lock-Up Shares and any disclosures in connection with such regarding possible Transfers of the Lock-Up Shares following the Lock-Up Period or (ii) Transfers (A) permitted pursuant to Article 3, (B) by any Pre-Closing Holder following the Pre-Closing Holder Lock-Up Period or (C) by any Founder Holder following the Founder Holder Lock-Up Period.

 

(b) The “Pre-Closing Holder Lock-Up Period” shall be the period commencing on the Closing Date and continuing until the earliest to occur of (i) the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date, (ii) the date on which the closing share price of Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period following the Closing Date or (iii) the date on which the Company completes a Change of Control. The “Founder Holder Lock-Up Period” shall be the period commencing on the Closing Date and continuing until the earliest to occur of (i) the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, (ii) the date on which the closing share price of Common Shares equals or exceeds $12.50 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period following the Closing Date or (iii) the date on which the Company completes a Change of Control. “Lock-Up Period” means with respect to any Pre-Closing Holder (including any Person who succeeds to such Pre-Closing Holder’s rights under this Agreement pursuant to Article 3), the Pre-Closing Holder Lock-Up Period, and with respect to any Founder Holder (including any Person who succeeds to such Founder Holder’s rights under this Agreement pursuant to Article 3), the Founder Holder Lock-Up Period.

 

3

 

 

(c) During the applicable Lock-Up Period, any purported Transfer of Lock-Up Shares other than in accordance with this Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall refuse to recognize any such Transfer for any purpose.

 

(d) The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Equity Securities in the Company Beneficially Owned by such Person shall remain subject to any restrictions on Transfer under Applicable Law, including all applicable holding periods under the Securities Act and other rules of the SEC.

 

(e) During the Lock-Up Period, stop transfer orders shall be placed against the Lock-Up Shares and each certificate or book entry position statement evidencing any Lock-Up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF 24, 2021, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”), THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN AND CERTAIN OTHER PARTIES NAMED THEREIN. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

3. Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions set forth in paragraph 2 shall not apply to:

 

(i) Transfers to any of the undersigned’s Permitted Transferees, upon written notice to the Company;

 

(ii) in the case of an entity, Transfers by virtue of the laws of the state of the entity’s organization and the entity’s organizational documents upon dissolution of the entity;

 

(iii) in the case of an individual, (a) Transfers by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; or (b) Transfers pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, in connection with a divorce settlement, or as a bona fide gift or gifts or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or the undersigned’s Family Members;

 

(iv) transactions relating to Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares acquired in open market transactions after the Closing;

 

(v) the exercise of stock options or warrants to purchase Common Shares or the vesting of stock awards of Common Shares and any related transfer of Common Shares to the Company in connection therewith (x) deemed to occur upon the “cashless” or “net” exercise of such options or warrants or (y) for the purpose of paying the exercise price of such options or warrants or for paying taxes due as a result of the exercise of such options or warrants, the vesting of such options, warrants or stock awards, or as a result of the vesting of such Common Shares, it being understood that all Common Shares received upon such exercise, vesting or transfer will remain subject to the restrictions of this Agreement during the Lock-Up Period;

 

4

 

 

(vi) Transfers to the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Company equity incentive plans or arrangements, it being understood that all Common Shares for which such withholding was paid will be subject to the restrictions of this Agreement during the Lock-Up Period;

 

(vii) Transfers to the Company pursuant to any contractual arrangement in effect at the Closing that provides for the repurchase by the Company or forfeiture of the Securityholder’s Common Shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares in connection with the termination of the Securityholder’s service to the Company; or

 

(viii) the entry, by the Securityholder, at any time after the Closing, of any trading plan providing for the sale of Common Shares by the Securityholder, which trading plan meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act, provided, however, that such plan does not provide for, or permit, the sale of any Common Shares during the Lock-Up Period and no public announcement or filing is voluntarily made or required regarding such plan during the Lock-Up Period.

 

provided, that in connection with any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above, the restrictions and obligations contained in Article 2 and this Article 3 will continue to apply to such Lock-Up Shares after any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares, the Transferee in such Transfer shall be treated as a party to this Agreement (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of this Agreement and the Company may require, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, such Transferee to become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering a signed joinder agreement, prepared by the Company.

 

4. Representations and Warranties.

 

(a) The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

 

(b) The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that it now has, or when the Common Shares are issued, will have and, except as contemplated by this Agreement, throughout the Lock-Up Period will have, good and marketable title to its Lock-Up Shares, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims that could impact the ability of the undersigned to comply with the foregoing restrictions.

 

5

 

 

5. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Merger Agreement (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to the Closing, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Company and SPAC are proceeding with the Transactions in reliance upon this Agreement.

 

(b) This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. This Agreement and all obligations of the undersigned are personal to the undersigned and may not be transferred or delegated by the undersigned at any time without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any successor entity by Change of Control without obtaining the consent or approval of the undersigned. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any instrument or document executed by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall create any rights in, or be deemed to have been executed for the benefit of, any person or entity that is not a party hereto or thereto or a successor or permitted assign of such a party.

 

(c) This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

(d) Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under Applicable Law, but if any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under Applicable Law, all other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable under Applicable Law, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

(e) This Agreement may be amended, modified, or waived only with the written consent of the Company and the Persons holding a majority of the Lock-Up Shares; provided that (i) no such amendment, modification or waiver that would adversely affect a Securityholder in a manner that is different from any other Securityholder shall be effective against such Securityholder without the prior written consent of such Securityholder and (ii) if any amendment, modification, waiver or release of this Agreement provides any Securityholder with rights superior to the rights provided to other Securityholders, such amendment, modification or waiver shall provide such rights to all holders of Lock-Up Shares. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waivers of or exceptions to any term, condition, or provision of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, condition, or provision.

 

(f) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Delaware Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any other Applicable Law. Minor variations in the form of the signature page, including footers from earlier versions of this Agreement or any such other document, shall be disregarded in determining the party’s intent or the effectiveness of such signature.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

6

 

 

Agreed and Acknowledged:

 

1295908 B.C. LTD.
 
By:    
Name:

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 

 

 

ALGOMA STEEL INTERMEDIATE PARENT S.A.R.L.
 
By:    
Name:
Title:
 

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

If an individual, please sign here:
 
  Signature:    
 
  Print Name:    

 

If a corporation, a limited partnership or other legal entity, please sign here:
 
  Legal Name:    
 
    By:    
    Name:
    Title:

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE
May 24, 2021

 

Algoma Steel and Legato Merger Corp. Sign
Definitive Merger Agreement

 

Transaction to result in Algoma Steel becoming a publicly listed company.

 

At $10.00 per share of Legato common stock, this all-stock transaction values the combined company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.7 billion including contingent consideration.

 

At an enterprise value of approximately $1.7 billion including contingent consideration, the combined company would be valued at 1.9x expected calendar year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of $901 million.

 

Transaction expected to provide Algoma Steel with $306 million of capital, including a $100 million fully committed private placement with key investors.

 

New equity capital will provide Algoma Steel with flexibility to continue with strategic and transformational investments in the business, including the potential for a substantial investment in electric arc steelmaking which would enhance earnings potential and substantially reduce Algoma’s carbon footprint by approximately 70%.

 

All dollar figures in this press release are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

May 24, 2021 09:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

 

NEW YORK and SAULT STE MARIE, ONTARIO, CANADA--(CISION)—The Canadian parent company of privately held Algoma Steel Inc. (“Algoma”), a leading independent steel producer with extensive steelmaking and finishing operations in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, and Legato Merger Corp. (NASDAQ: LEGO, LEGOU, LEGOW), a special purpose acquisition company (“Legato”), today jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Algoma becoming a publicly listed company with its common shares traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Algoma also intends to apply to list its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

 

As a publicly traded company, Algoma will continue to execute its growth strategies under the leadership of Algoma’s current management, with a Board of Directors that will include six directors designated by Algoma, three directors designated by Legato and one jointly nominated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

 

 

 

Michael McQuade, CEO of Algoma, commented, “The proposed transaction will provide Algoma with investment capital and an enhanced capital structure to support further transformative investments that are expected to drive improved financial performance and sustainable returns through the steel pricing cycle”.

 

McQuade added, “We continue to evaluate our strategic options, including the potential for a substantial investment in electric arc steelmaking”.

 

“We believe that Algoma’s transformation and potential investments will allow Legato stockholders to participate in a significant value creation opportunity. We are excited to partner with Algoma’s management team which has an impressive track record of implementing cost savings and operational upgrades over the last few years,” said Eric Rosenfeld, Legato’s Chief SPAC Officer. “At an implied valuation multiple of 1.9 times calendar year 2021 expected Adjusted EBITDA, we believe that the combined company represents a substantial valuation discount to Algoma’s peer group and a great value for Legato’s stockholders,” said David Sgro, Legato’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

Summary of the Transaction

 

Assuming no redemptions by Legato stockholders, the all-stock transaction implies a pro forma enterprise value of more than $1.3 billion at closing and approximately $1.7 billion inclusive of contingent consideration. In addition to the approximately $236 million held in Legato’s trust account, various investors have committed to participate in the transaction through a PIPE of $100 million at $10.00 per share. The PIPE includes significant investments from strategic steel industry participants, as well as investments from Legato’s Chairman, TD Wealth Management, Vantage Asset Management, JC Clark, Hite and Goodwood Fund.

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of Algoma will be merged with and into Legato, with Legato surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Algoma. The merger agreement provides that Algoma’s existing shareholders and management team will, collectively, own 75 million Algoma common shares on a fully-diluted basis, with an implied value of $750 million at $10 per share. The merger agreement also provides that Legato stockholders will receive one Algoma common share for each share of Legato common stock and that each Legato warrant will be assumed by Algoma and become exercisable to purchase one Algoma common share at $11.50 per share. The transaction includes contingent consideration of up to 37.5 million Algoma common shares payable to Algoma’s existing shareholders and management team if certain Adjusted EBITDA targets for calendar year 2021 or stock price targets in the five years following closing are achieved. Following completion of the transaction and assuming all of the contingent consideration is paid, Algoma’s current shareholders and management team will hold approximately 74% of the combined company’s outstanding common shares, PIPE investors will hold approximately 7% of the combined company’s outstanding common shares and Legato’s current stockholders will hold approximately 19% of the combined company’s outstanding common shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

2

 

 

Legato’s Board of Directors has approved the merger agreement and resolved to recommend that Legato stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the transaction. Algoma has received both shareholder approval and Board of Director approval for the merger agreement.

 

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021, subject to the approval of Legato stockholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions, including approvals from the Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

 

Additional information about the transaction, including a copy of the investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Legato with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov.

 

Investor Conference Call

 

Algoma and Legato will host an investor conference call on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 9:00 AM ET to discuss the proposed transaction and review an investor presentation. The webcast conference call can be accessed from Algoma’s website or the following link and will be available for three months:
https://services.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=MZtmsm09

 

Advisors

 

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Goodmans LLP are acting as legal counsel to Algoma and Jefferies LLC is acting as financial advisor to Algoma.

 

Graubard Miller is acting as legal counsel to Legato and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., BMO Capital Markets and Maison Placements Canada are acting as financial advisors to Legato.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

3

 

 

Cautionary Information About Forward-Looking Statements

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “pipeline,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: the risk that the benefits of the transaction may not be realized; the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the failure of Legato’s stockholders to approve and adopt the merger agreement or the failure of Legato to satisfy the minimum cash condition following redemptions by its stockholders; the inability to complete the PIPE investment in connection with the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be initiated following announcement of the transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on Algoma’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; risks that the proposed transaction could disrupt current plans and operations of Algoma; the risks associated with the steel industry generally; the ability of Algoma to implement and realize its business plans, including Algoma’s ability to make investments in electric arc steelmaking; the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in Algoma’s highly competitive and cyclical industry; and changes in general economic conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and readers should also consider the other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Legato’s final prospectus dated January 19, 2021 relating to its initial public offering (the “Legato Final Prospectus”) and in subsequent filings with the SEC, including the proxy statement/prospectus described below that will be filed by Algoma and Legato in connection with the transaction. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Algoma and Legato assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

This news release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transaction and does not constitute an offer to sell, buy or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to sell, buy or exchange any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, purchase, or exchange of securities or solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

 

In connection with the proposed transaction between Algoma and Legato, Algoma will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 which will include Algoma’s prospectus as well as Legato’s proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). Legato plans to mail the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders in connection with the transaction once available. INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS OF LEGATO ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALGOMA, LEGATO, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Algoma and Legato through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by contacting Algoma or Legato using the contact information below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

4

 

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

Legato, Algoma and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be considered to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the stockholders of Legato in connection with the transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above when it is filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding Legato’s directors and executive officers can also be found in the Legato Final Prospectus. These documents are available free of charge as described above.

 

About Algoma

 

Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Algoma is a fully integrated steel producer of hot and cold rolled steel products including sheet and plate. With a current raw steel production capacity of an estimated 2.8 million tons per year, Algoma’s size and diverse capabilities enable it to deliver responsive, customer-driven product solutions straight from the ladle to direct applications in the automotive, construction, energy, defense, and manufacturing sectors. Algoma is a key supplier of steel products to customers in the Canadian and Midwest USA and is the only producer of plate steel products in Canada. The Company’s mill is one of the lowest cost producers of hot rolled sheet steel (HRC) in North America owing in part to its state-of-the-art Direct Strip Production Complex (“DSPC”), which is the newest thin slab caster in North America with direct coupling to a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) melt shop.

 

Algoma has achieved several meaningful improvements over the last several years that are expected to result in enhanced long-term profitability for the business. Algoma has modernized its DSPC facility and recently installed its No. 2 Ladle Metallurgy Furnace. Additionally, the company has cost cutting initiatives underway and is in the process of investing to modernize its plate mill facilities.

 

Today Algoma is returning to its roots as a customer-focused, entrepreneurial company with the courage and growing capability to meet the industry’s challenges head-on. It is investing in its people and processes, optimizing and modernizing so that it might continue to be your partner in steel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

5

 

 

About Legato Merger Corp.

 

Legato Merger Corp. is a blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Legato’s common stock, units and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “LEGO,” “LEGOU” and “LEGOW,” respectively.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Algoma Steel Inc.

Brenda Stenta
Manager Communications & Branding
Phone: +1.705.206.1022
E-mail: brenda.stenta@algoma.com

 

Legato Merger Corp.
David D. Sgro

Chief Executive Officer
+ 1 (212) 319 7676
E-mail: dsgro@crescendopartners.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algoma Steel Inc. | 105 West Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada P6A 7B4 | T: 705-945-2351 F: 705-945-2203 | algoma.com

 

YOUR PARTNER IN STEEL. SINCE 1901

 

 

6

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Investor Presentation Proposed Transition to Making Greener Steel May 2021

 

 

1 Disclaimer (1/2) Disclaimer Legato Merger Corp. (“Legato”) is holding presentations for certain of its stockholders, as well as other persons who might b e i nterested in purchasing Legato’s securities, regarding its proposed merger with Algoma Steel (“Algoma” or the “Company”). EarlyBirdCapital (“EBC”) acted as managing underwriter of Legato’s initial public offering (“IPO”) and as Legato’s investment ba nker and will receive a fee upon consummation of the merger. EBC, BMO Capital Markets (“BMO”) and Maison Placements Canada (“MP”) are acting as Legato’s investment bankers and will receive fees upon consummation of the merger. Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) is acting as Algoma’s financial advisor and will receive a fee upon consummation of the merger. Legato and its directors and executives officers, EBC, BMO, and MP may b e d eemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting of Legato’s stockholders to be held to approve the merger and related matters. STOCKHOLDERS OF LEGATO AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE ADVISED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, LEGATO’S PROXY STATEMENT (“PROXY STA TEM ENT”) WHICH WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Such persons may read Legato’s Proxy Statement and Legato’s final Prospectus, dated January 19, 2021, and Legato ’s more recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for a description of the security holdings of Legato’s officers and directors and of EBC and their respective interests in the successful consu mma tion of the business combination. The definitive Proxy Statement will be mailed to stockholders as of a record date to be established for voting on the merger and related matters. Stockholders will also be ab le to obtain a copy of the preliminary Proxy Statement and definitive Proxy Statement, once available, without charge, by directing a request to: Legato Merger Corp., 777 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, New York 1 001 7. The preliminary Proxy Statement and definitive Proxy Statement, once available, and final Prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s internet site ( http://www.sec.gov ). Notice Regarding Algoma Steel Inc. Algoma Steel Inc. was incorporated in 2016 solely for the purpose of purchasing substantially all of the operating assets and li abilities of Essar Steel Algoma Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with a restructuring under the Canadian Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. The purchase transaction was completed on November 30, 2018. Prior to Nove mbe r 30, 2018, the Company had no operations, and was capitalized with 1 common share with a nominal value. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, in this document, all references to th e “Company,” “us,” “we” and “our” refer to Algoma Steel Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and all references to “Essar Steel Algoma” and “Old Steelco” mean Essar Steel Algoma Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company’s and Old Steelco’s fiscal year end is as of March 31 of each calendar year. All financial and other data for periods ending as of or prior to November 30, 2018 relate to Old Steelco and all financial and o the r data for periods subsequent to November 30, 2018 relate to the Company. Financial and other data for the FY 2019, the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, are a pro forma combination of the financial and other info rma tion of Old Steelco for the eight - month period ended November 30, 2018 and the financial and other information of the Company for the four - month period ended March 31, 2019. Neither the combined information or the fin ancial information of Old Steelco are indicative of the results of the Company had the Company acquired Old Steelco on April 1, 2018. Forward - Looking Statements This document includes forward - looking statements in addition to historical information. These forward - looking statements are in cluded throughout this document and relate to matters such as our business strategy, including with respect to the proposed transformation of Algoma to an electric arc furnace producer, our ability to secure ot her funding necessary to fund such transformation; the economy, including future demand for our products; our industry, including with respect to steel prices; our goals and expectations concerning our market position; ou r f uture operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information . , including projections and forecasts regarding our financial and operational performance in future periods such as projected ca pital expenditures, projected revenue, projected EBITDA (including CY 2021P EBITDA) and projected Adjusted EBITDA, projected steel shipments by product, projected steel price s, projected costs and projected headcount. We have generally used the words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “fut ure ,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “will” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward - looking statements in this document. Forward - looking statements reflect our current expectations regarding futu re events, results or outcomes. These expectations may or may not be realized. Some of these expectations may be based upon assumptions or judgments that prove to be incorrect. In addition, our business and opera tio ns involve numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could result in our expectations not being realized or otherwise materially affect our financial condition, results of ope rations and cash flows. Although management believes that expectations reflected in forward - looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and should not be regarded as a representa tio n by the Company or any other person that the anticipated results will be achieved. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward - looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Our forward - looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual events, results and outcomes may differ mate rially from our expectations suggested in any forward - looking statements due to a variety of factors. Although it is not possible to identify all of these factors, they include, among others, the following: foreign exc hange rate; future results of operations; future cash flow and liquidity; future capital investment; the impact of the foregoing items on our debt service obligations; our ability to operate our business, remain in compliance with de bt covenants and make payments on our indebtedness with a substantial amount of indebtedness; restrictive covenants in debt agreements limit our discretion to operate our business; plant operating performa nce ; upgrades to our facilities and equipment; our research and development activities; our ability to source raw materials and other inputs at a competitive cost; debt financing, government or regulatory accommodatio n f or key operational inputs and other current or future compliance requirements, ability to supply to new customers and markets; our ability to effectively manage costs; our ability to attract and retain key personnel an d skilled labor; our ability to obtain and maintain existing financing on acceptable terms; changes in laws, rules and regulations, including international trade regulations; and growth in steel markets and industry t ren ds; significant domestic and international competition; increased use of competitive products; a protracted fall in steel prices; global and North American product demand; excess capacity, resulting in part from expanded p rod uction in China and other developing economies; low - priced steel imports and decreased trade regulation; protracted declines in steel consumption caused by poor economic conditions in North America or by the dete rio ration of the financial condition of our key customers; increases in annual funding obligations resulting from our under - funded pension plans; supply and cost of raw materials and energy; currency fluctuations, i ncluding an increase in the value of the Canadian dollar against the United States dollar; environmental compliance and remediation; unexpected equipment failures and other business interruptions; and a protracted gl oba l recession or depression. Any one of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our future results of operations and could influence whether any forward - looking statements ultimately p rove to be accurate. Our forward - looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future performance may differ materially from those suggested in any forward - looking stateme nts. We undertake no obligation to update these statements unless we are required to do so under applicable securities laws.

 

 

2 Disclaimer (2/2) Market and Industry Data and Forecasts This document includes market share, ranking, industry data and forecasts that we obtained from industry publications and sur vey s, public filings and internal Company sources. Industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the re can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. We have not independently verified any of the data from third - party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding our industry data presented in this document, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various fac tor s, including those discussed under the heading “Forward - Looking Statements” above. The Company does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information contained in this document. Presentation of Financial Information All of our financial information is presented in Canadian dollars, except as otherwise indicated. The Company's functional cu rre ncy is the US Dollar. The Company's financial statements are reported in Canadian Dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated into Canadian Dollars using the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. Inco me and expense items are translated into Canadian Dollars using the average exchange rate over the period. Certain amounts reported in Canadian Dollars have been converted to US Dollars at the exchange rates stated in th is presentation. Our and Old Steelco’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS” ). IFRS differs in certain material respects from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and, as such, our and Old Steelco’s financial statements are not comparable to the financial stateme nts of U.S. companies prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non - IFRS Financial Measures In this document we use certain measures not recognized by the IFRS to evaluate the performance of the Company, or Old Steelc o. These terms do not have any standardized meaning prescribed within IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The term “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA” are fi nancial measures utilized by the Company that are not defined by IFRS. As there is no generally accepted method of calculating these financial measures, they may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Readers are encouraged to consider these financial measures in the context of the Company’s and Old Steelco’s results under IFRS, as provided in the Company’s and Old Steelco’s financial state men ts. EBITDA, as defined by the Company, refers to earnings before interest, taxes, amortization, foreign exchange, interest income, carbon tax expense and certain exceptional items. Adjusted EBITDA, as define d b y the Company, refers to EBITDA before tariff expense and capacity utilization adjustment. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measures for financial statement presentation under IFRS. EBITDA an d A djusted EBITDA are not intended to represent cash flow from operations, as defined by IFRS, and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings, cash flow from operations, or any other meas ure of performance prescribed by IFRS. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined and used by the Company, may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as defined and used by other companies. We consider EBIT DA and Adjusted EBITDA to be meaningful measures to assess its operating performance in addition to IFRS measures. They are included because we believe they can be useful in measuring its ability to se rvice debt, fund capital expenditures, and expand its business. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also used by analysts and our lenders as measures of our financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have li mit ations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation from, or as alternatives to, net income, cash flow from operations or other data prepared in accordance with IFRS. Some of these limitati ons are: they do not reflect cash outlays for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital; they do not reflect the finance costs, or the cash re quirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on indebtedness; they do not reflect income tax expense or the cash necessary to pay income taxes; although depreciation and amortization are non - cash charge s, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; they do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we believe not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; and other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than as pre sented in by us, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and the related ratios should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash availa ble to invest in business growth or to reduce indebtedness. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our IFRS results using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. For a reconciliati on of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income, please see page 38. Cautionary Note Regarding Preliminary Estimated Financial Data This presentation contains preliminary estimated financial data for the Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (“Preliminary Estimates”) marked as “Q4 FY2021E,” “FY2021E” and other variations thereof. The Preliminary Estimates are subject to change and are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s actual financial pe rformance for such periods. Readers are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the Preliminary Estimates and, accordingly, should not place undue reliance on the Preliminary Estimates. The Preliminar y E stimates are based on assumptions, estimates and judgments that have been made with currently available information. Such assumptions, estimates and judgments are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide va riety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Preliminary Estimates. The inclusion of the Preliminary Estimates is not and should not be regarded as a representation by an y p erson that the Preliminary Estimates will be achieved. The Preliminary Estimates are subject to the closing of the quarter and finalization of accounting procedures, and should not be viewed as a substitute for fu ll quarterly and annual financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. Neither the Company’s independent auditors nor any other person has compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the Pr eli minary Estimates and no such person has expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on the Preliminary Estimates or their achievability, or assumes any responsibility for the Preliminary Estimates. P rel iminary estimates of net income (loss) and other amounts necessary to reconcile EBITDA to net income (loss) for the Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 are not yet available. Consequently, no reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss) for such periods is included in this presentation. Cautionary Note Regarding Projections and Other Financial Data This presentation contains projected financial and other information for the Company for the years ending December 31, 2021 a nd 2022 as well as for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2022 through March 31, 2030 which you will find in this document marked as “CY2021P,” “CY2022P,” “FY2022P,” “FY2023P,” “FY2024P,” “FY2025P,” “FY2026P,” “FY2027 P,” “FY2028P,” “FY2029P,” “FY2030P” and other variations thereof. These periods are not yet complete and all information related to such periods are only projections, are not historical information and do not reflect the Company’s actual results for such periods. Such projected financial information constitutes forward - looking information and is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be relied upon as necessarily bein g indicative of future results. Such projections are based on assumptions, estimates and judgments that have been made with currently available information. Such assumptions, estimates and judgments underlying such pr ojected financial information are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, competitive and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ ma ter ially. This presentation also contains illustrative financial data based on realized sales prices. Actual results may differ materially from the results contemplated by the projected financial information, and the inclusion of such information in this presentation should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results reflected in such projections will be achieved. The independent auditors of the Company have not audited, re vie wed, compiled, or performed any procedures with respect to the projections, and accordingly, did not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

 

 

3 Transaction Summary All figures used throughout the presentation are presented in US$ terms unless otherwise noted. (1) TEV includes 37.5 million earnout shares. Based on CY2021P EBITDA of US$901 million. Refer to pages 5 and 6 for additional de tai ls. • Algoma Steel Inc. (“Algoma”) is a leading Canadian flat - rolled steel producer • Legato Merger Corp (Nasdaq:LEGO) (“Legato”) is a publicly - listed special purpose acquisition company with ~$236 million cash held in trust; Legato’s management team has: – Successfully closed five prior SPAC transactions in the industrials space – Deep understanding of the Canadian market having served on the Boards of 17 Canadian public companies • The business combination of Algoma and Legato will provide cash to fund strategic initiatives for Algoma, including a proposed transformational investment that would convert Algoma from a Blast Furnace producer into an Electric Arc Furnace (“EAF”) producer – Provides the flexibility to improve product mix and reduce production costs, driving significant top and bottom - line growth – Improves the environmental footprint of Algoma via substantial reduction in carbon emissions to become the cleanest producer of steel in Canada Michael McQuade Chief Executive Officer Rajat Marwah Chief Financial Officer John Naccarato VP Strategy & General Counsel David Sgro Chief Executive Officer Eric Rosenfeld Chief SPAC Officer Summary of Proposed Transaction $1.7bn (1) Pro Forma Enterprise Value (TEV) 1.9x (1) Pro Forma TEV / CY2021P EBITDA $150mm Potential EBITDA benefit from $500mm EAF Investment 70% CO2 Reduction Potential (~3mm tonnes per annum)

 

 

Numerous Near - and Medium - Term Catalysts • Highly Attractive Steel Market: Steel prices at all - time highs, with HRC reaching +$1,500/ton. Market is supported by demand from infrastructure, automotive and construction end markets which are driving expectations for continued strength • Expected to generate $901mm of EBITDA in CY2021P • Cost Cutting: Cost cutting initiatives launched in 2020 expected to deliver $44mm of annual savings through CY2021 • LMF2 Facility: Completed Feb - 2021, provides $25mm of additional EBITDA by delivering 100kt of new capacity and enhances steel grades • Plate Mill Modernization: $35mm of EBITDA by 2022 via 350kt of incremental high - quality plate capacity Transformational EAF Investment Achieves ESG Goals 4 Algoma Is an Ideal Opportunity for Legato Note: All figures shown in US$, projected figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate and historical figures converte d a t average exchange rate over the period. (1) TEV includes 37.5 million earnout shares. Refer to page 6 for additional details. (2) Peer group represents North American integrated steel producers: Cleveland - Cliffs, United States Steel and Stelco. Refer to page 7 for further details. • The proposed $500 million EAF investment is a transformational opportunity for Algoma with a number of value enhancing charac ter istics • Expected to improve EBITDA by ~$150mm per year (the majority of that benefit realized by 2024) • Potential to enhance Algoma’s capacity to +3mm tons per year, and provide the ability to pursue higher value - add product mix wit h a more flexible operating footprint • Would substantially reduce carbon emissions (~70% reduction – equivalent to decommissioning a coal power plant), allowing Algoma to become one of the greenest producers of steel in North America Leading North American Steel Producer • Leading Canadian flat - rolled steel producer, producing ~2.4mm tpa of hot rolled coil and plate steel for Canadian and U.S. marke ts • 3 rd largest producer of steel in Canada and the sole Canadian producer of plate products • One of the lowest - cost steel producers in North America; $245mm EBITDA of avg. from FY’18 - ’20 with industry leading margin profi le • Benefits from advantaged geographic position, modern equipment, high quality product mix and stable blue - chip customers • Highly experienced management team that has successfully managed through all market environments and optimized the business Attractive Valuation • Algoma valued at 1.9x TEV (1) / CY’21E EBITDA, which represents an attractive entry point relative to Algoma’s peers that currently trade at 4.2x (2) • Well capitalized balance sheet and tax assets position Algoma to generate meaningful cash flow • EAF transformation could provide catalyst for valuation uplift – EAF producers historically trade at a 1.0x premium to BF produc ers

 

 

5 (1) Cash in Trust and Pro Forma Ownership reflects 23.575m Public Shares issued during Legato’s IPO. Assumes no redemptions. (2) Reflects private placement of $100 million at $10.00/share (10 million shares) to be funded concurrently with closing. (3) Transaction structure inclusive of full earn - out consideration based on expected CY2021P EBITDA of $901mm. See page 6 for detail s of Algoma’s earnout. (4) Estimated fees and expenses inclusive of all fees and expenses related to the business combination (including M&A and PIPE fe es and expenses). (5) Sponsor Ownership inclusive of 5.9m Founder Shares and 0.6m Private Shares and 0.2m Representative Shares. (6) Inclusive of $17 million Algoma cash as of March 31, 2021. Proposed Transaction Overview Estimated Sources & Uses (US$mm) Illustrative Pro Forma Ownership (mm shares) Sources: Shares Issued to Algoma Shareholders $1,125 Estimated SPAC Cash in Trust (1) $236 PIPE (2) $100 Total Sources $1,461 Uses: Upfront Equity Consideration to Algoma Shareholders $750 Contingent Shares to Algoma Shareholders (3) $375 Estimated Fees & Expenses (4) $30 Cash to Balance Sheet $306 Total Uses $1,461 Share Price: $10.00 Total Shares Outstanding (3) 152.8 Equity Value $1,528 Less: Pro Forma Cash (6) ($323) Plus: Debt $502 Total Enterprise Value (TEV) $1,707 Implied Multiple on CY2021P EBITDA ($901) 1.9x Note: All figures in USD. All shares valued at $10,00/share. Analysis excludes warrants (Legato has 23.6mm public warrants an d 0 .6mm private warrants outstanding, all exercisable at $11.50/share). All balance sheet figures as of March 31, 2021 are converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. All projected figures are converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. PIPE Investors 7% Public SPAC Owners 15% Sponsor 4% Upfront Consideration 49% Earnout 25% Existing Algoma Shareholders: 74% Algoma Shareholders (Upfront) 75.0 Algoma Shareholders (Earnout) (3) 37.5 Total Algoma Shareholders 112.5 Sponsor Shareholders (5) 6.7 PIPE Shareholders (2) 10.0 Public Shareholders (1) 23.6 Total Shares Outstanding 152.8 Illustrative Pro Forma Valuation (US$mm, except per share)

 

 

6 (1) Subject to the Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of common stock exceeding the share price target for 20 consecutive tra din g days during the period beginning with Closing and ending with the five - year anniversary of the Closing. (2) Shares issued for EBITDA performance are not “cliff” targets, Algoma shareholders to receive a percentage of shares based on a l inear interpolation of actual EBITDA performance between the next lower EBITDA target (for $750 million EBITDA target, the next lowest being $674 million) and the earnout target for each bucket. Algoma Shareholder Contingent Consideration Aligns Incentives with Public Shareholders Size (Shares) Structure Rationale Earnings Based Incentive 15mm 100% if CY2021 EBITDA target of $674 million is reached  Compensates Algoma shareholders for delivering upon stated earnings targets in CY2021 Incremental Earnings/Share Price Based Incentive 22.5mm 33% @ $12.00/share (1) or CY2021 EBITDA of $750 million (2)  Provides Algoma shareholders with compensation for outperformance of earnings targets in CY2021  Aligns Algoma shareholders and Public shareholder for the long - term upside and delivery of key initiatives 33% @ $15.00/share (1) or CY2021 EBITDA of $825 million (2) 33% @ $18.00/share (1) or CY2021 EBITDA of $900 million (2) Algoma and Legato have structured a transaction with an upfront consideration plus two earnout incentives that demonstrates s tro ng conviction in the business and aligns current and prospective shareholders in the long - term through the delivery of key transformational miles tones Algoma’s existing shareholders (including Bain, GoldenTree, Barclays and Marathon) will roll 100% of their shares into the PF Al goma

 

 

1.9x 5.4x 5.0x 4.2x 3.6x 2.6x 9.5x 8.2x 6.7x 6.8x 6.4x 7 Source: Company filings, Bloomberg. Note: Market data as of May 21, 2021. Estimates based on consensus estimates. Refer to pa ge 5 for additional details on transaction structure. (1) TEV includes 37.5 million earnout shares achieved. Refer to page 6 for further details. (2) Preferred stock issued to ArcelorMittal for acquisition of AMUSA valued as 58.3mm shares equivalen t. (3) Includes inventory monetization arrangement and mortgage payable as debt. Attractive Valuation Relative to North American Steel Peers Blast Furnace Steel Producers EAF Producers (2) (2) (3) TEV / EBITDA 2021E 2022E Algoma Steel (TEV / CY’2021P) Averages 2021E 2022E EAF 5.2x 8.8x Blast Furnace 3.5x 6.6x All Peers 4.2x 7.5x (1)

 

 

8 Algoma’s Transformation Source: Company Information. Note: All figures shown in US$, projected figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate an d h istorical figures converted at average exchange rate over the period. (1) At FY18 – FY20 average HRC price of $685/ton. (2) Based on FY18 – FY20 average Adjusted EBITDA. • Released from legacy environmental liabilities • Special regulation fixed pension obligations • Balance sheet restructured to provide sustainable capital structure • Collective Bargaining Agreement through 2022 Emergence from CCAA (Nov - 2018) • Investing over $200 million to update downstream operations: Ladle Metallurgy Furnace 2; DSPC Hot strip mill; Plate Mill Modernization • New strategic (e.g. iron ore) supply agreements to 2024 • Cost cutting measures • ~$44 million in annual cost savings reductions • Fixed cost reductions and process optimization • Well - positioned to take advantage of current strong steel markets and infrastructure spending programs • CY2021P EBITDA of $901 million Algoma Today EAF Opportunity • Proposed $500 million investment in EAF steelmaking • EAF has potential to provide ~$150 million of annual EBITDA uplift • ~$46/ton reduction of fixed conversion costs • $10/ton sustaining CapEx savings • ~70% annual reduction in CO2 emissions from transition to EAF steelmaking • 3.0mm tonnes reduction of CO2 per annum • Elimination of all coal use in steelmaking over time • Reduced exposure to iron ore pricing volatility • Iron ore would be replaced by readily available regional scrap supply

 

 

Key Investment Highlights

 

 

10 Key Investment Highlights Premier Canadian Steel Producer and One of the Leading Flat Steel Producers in North America 1 Robust Steel Market Fundamentals and Favorable Long - Term Outlook Combined With Robust Go - to - Market Strategy to Enhance Shipment Potential Transformational Opportunity: Enhancing Profitability Throughout the Cycle and Meaningfully Improving Environmental Footprint Highly Experienced Management Team with Extensive Industry Experience Geographic Advantages, Flexible Low - Cost Operations, and High - Value Product Offering that Serves Blue Chip Customers Attractive Valuation Relative to North American Steel Peers 2 3 4 5 6

 

 

Historical Performance (FY end March 31) $216 $473 $44 $150 +/ - $901 FY2018A FY2019A FY2020A FY2021E (Ending 3/31/21) CY2021P (Ending 12/31/21) 2,305 2,435 2,305 2,110 2,470 FY2018A FY2019A FY2020A FY2021E (Ending 3/31/21) CY2021P (Ending 12/31/21) Leading midsized North American Flat - Rolled Producer Located in the Great Lakes Region in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario 11 Premier Canadian Steel Producer… Source: Company information. Note: All figures shown in US$, projected figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate an d h istorical figures converted at average exchange rate over the respective period. FY Q4 2021E performance is preliminary and subject to change. (1) Automotive comprised of direct automotive customer sales and estimated service center sales to the automotive industry. • Raw steel capacity of 2.8mm tons (with incremental 0.9mm tons from idled blast furnace capacity) per year • Broad range of high - quality finished sheet and plate steel for automotive, construction, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing end markets • Expanded capabilities versus traditional Blast Furnace / Basic Oxygen Furnace (“BOF”) competitors – Advanced 2.3mm ton Direct Strip Production Complex (“DSPC”) is the newest thin slab caster with direct hot rolling capability in North America coupled to a BOF melt shop – Heat - Treated Plate facility provides a complete range of high - quality heat - treated products, including abrasion resistant, ballistic and other specialty plate applications • Transformational EAF investment expected to improve product mix, reduce fixed costs, increase production capacity and improve environmental footprint • Several other ongoing investments to boost profitability, including Plate Mill Modernization, LMF No. 2 and cost savings initiatives Top 10 Customer Locations LEGEND Iron Ore Sources Algoma 1 Shipments (kt) Steel Price ($/ton) / EBITDA Performance ($mm) $717 $907 $642 $679 $1,224 EBITDA ($mm) Avg. HRC Price ($/ton)

 

 

15% 15% 14% 16% 9% 8% 12 …and One of the Leading Flat Steel Producers in North America Source: Company information , Capital IQ, Bloomberg, Wall Street Research. (1) Represents CY2017 – CY2019. (2) Cleveland - Cliffs EBITDA Margin % based on Steel and Manufacturing Segment and is pro forma for the acquisitions of AK Steel and ArcelorMittal USA (as represented by ArcelorMittal NAFTA segment). 1 Algoma’s independence and strong performance provides flexibility and offers strategic value within the steel industry Highly Competitive Capacity Utilization . . . That Underpins High EBITDA Margins . . . Drives Low Cash Cost Position… Through - the - Cycle Capacity Utilization (%) (1) 91% 92% 85% 92% 67% 94% N.A. EAF Producers 2021 Cash Cost Curve – Hot Rolled Coil (BOF / EAF) $0 $200 $400 $600 $800 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 $/ton 100% 0% 50% 25% 75% Through - the - Cycle EBITDA Margin (%) (1) N.A. Blast Furnace Producers N.A. EAF Producers N.A. Blast Furnace Producers Lowest cost quartile Algoma Cumulative North American Production (%)

 

 

13 Source: Company information. (1) Excludes BF#6 which is currently idled. The Proposed EAF Mill Would Transform Algoma’s Operations… Expected Benefits x +900k tons of incremental liquid steel capacity x ~70% fewer total CO2 emissions (3 million tonne annual reduction in CO2) x Utilizes recycled scrap steel as feedstock, rather than volatile met coal and iron ore x More flexible operations capable of responding dynamically to market conditions x Lower fixed costs x Significantly improves variable nature of cost structure x Reduced sustaining CapEx x Reduces potential impact of Canadian carbon tax regime Expected to improve EBITDA by ~$150mm per year (majority of benefit realized by 2024) Significantly simplifies inputs and production process Blast Furnace Mill (Algoma Today) EAF Mill (Algoma 2024) 2,800kt (1) Capacity 3,700kt Electricity – Ontario power supply largely zero carbon Iron Ore Limestone Coal Scrap Metal Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Raw Materials Materials Preparation Ironmaking Steelmaking Scrap Metal HBI/Pig Iron Optional Coke Ovens Blast Furnace Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) 2

 

 

14 Source: Company information. Note: FYE 31 March. All figures shown in US$ and converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. (1) Net of government support. EAF and Other Improvements Anticipated to Meaningfully Increase EBITDA Generation Through - the - Cycle $245 $44 $25 $35 $150 ($38) $460 Through-the- Cycle Adj. EBITDA (FY'18 - FY'20) Cost Saving Initiatives LMF Investment Plate Modernization Investment EAF Investment Increased Profit Sharing Through-the- Cycle EBITDA Potential Through - the - Cycle (FY’18 – FY’20) Shipments: ~2.4 million tons Adj. EBITDA / ton: ~$104 / ton Roadmap to Long - Term Upside EAF Investment Expected to Enhance Cost Flexibility and Smooth Future Earnings with majority of benefit realized by CY2024 2 … Combining with Other High - Return Strategic Initiatives to Meaningfully Enhance Algoma’s Profitability… • Eliminate bottlenecks and optimize capacity in the hot end • Boost rolling mill capacity utilization • Enhance value - add grades and processing capabilities for sheet and plate • Provide advanced environmentally - friendly steels to ESG - sensitive market sectors • Algoma is an excellent platform for M&A, with focus on opportunities to enhance EAF strategy (US$mm) Description Annualized Benefit CapEx (1) Schedule Cost Saving Initiatives  Ongoing cost - cutting initiatives  200+ projects identified  3 rd party hired to review operational efficiency ~$44 -- 2020: ~60% 2021: 100% LMF No. 2  Completed new 2.1mm ton ladle metallurgy furnace in February 2021  Unlocked 100k tons of additional capacity  Adds more advanced grades of steel to product mix ~$25 ~$35 Feb - 2021 Plate Mill Modernization  Overhaul and optimize plate mill to improve reliability and quality  Additional plate capacity of up to 350kt  New grades capability unlocks new end markets ~$35 ~$70 ($63 remaining) Quality: Nov - 2021 Volume: Oct - 2022 Completed Ongoing Pending

 

 

15 Source: Company information. Note: FYE 31 March. All figures shown in US$, projected figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1 .26 FX rate and historical figures converted at average exchange rate over the period. (1) FY2018 – FY2020. (2) Inclusive of $17 million Algoma cash as of March 31, 2021, $236 million Legato cash as of January 25, 2021 assuming no redemp tio ns and $100 million PIPE investment, net of $30 million in fees and expenses. Includes impact of earnout shares; refer to page 6 for additional details. Historical Through - the - Cycle Adj. EBITDA (1) $245 $297 $460 $842 $1,158 $1,475 $1,792 $0 $200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 $1,600 $1,800 $685 $600 $685 $900 $1,100 $1,300 $1,500 EBITDA (US$ million) HRC Price (US$/ton) Potential Long - term EBITDA Generation FY2018 - FY2020 Avg. HRC Price (avg. FY18 - FY20) 2 … with the Benefit Improving Algoma’s Performance Throughout the Steel Price Cycle 5.7x 1 .2x 3.7x 2.0x 1 .5x TEV / EBITDA (2) 7.0 x HRC forward price >$1,500/ton through July 2021 1.0x

 

 

16 Source: Company information. Note: All years refer to calendar year unless otherwise specified. Expected environmental benefi ts from the EAF are based on projected estimates for Algoma, using published data sources for similar technologies. (1) Based on current production versus forecasted production of 3.0mm tons of steel shipments produced under EAF configuration. EAF Transition Would Materially Improve Algoma’s Environmental Footprint Environmental Strategy • EAF production would unlock significant environmental benefits – EAF steelmaking generates substantially less CO2 and other air pollutants compared to Blast Furnace producers • 3.0mm metric tonnes anticipated reduction (~70%) of carbon GHG emissions (1) representing: x 11% of the Canadian Federal 2030 Paris Agreement target x 100% of the provincial 2030 target x 75% reduction in emissions per net ton x Algoma expected to become the cleanest producer of steel in Canada x Improves competitiveness for government spending programs where ESG is a criteria x Improves profile with select customers who are similarly ESG focused x Improves employee engagement Improving Algoma’s Environmental Profile Provides Long - Term Advantages Reduction (1) % Reduction GHG Emissions CO2 3.0mm tonnes 70% CO2/NT production 1.33 tonnes 75% SOx emissions 4,060 tonnes 82% NOx emissions 1,604 tonnes 52% Stack and Fugitive Emissions Complete elimination of Stack and Fugitive Emissions 100% 2

 

 

17 Strategically Located on the Great Lakes in Close Proximity to Customers and Suppliers Source: Company Information. 3 Located on Lake Superior with access to barge, rail and road transportation, including a n on - site deep - water port, Algoma has several options that allow for cost - effective transportation logistics Location Relative to Key Customers Freight Ranges ( US $/t): $30 - $35 $35 - $60 $65 - $80 $85 - $100 Over $100 Algoma Top 10 Customer Locations ▪ Located close to key steel consuming regions of the U.S. - Midwest and Northeast and Canada - Southern Ontario ▪ ~ 7 0 % of customers located within a 500 - mile radius of Algoma, including an established local service center customer base T il d e n Cliffs ( 100 %) Minorca Cleveland - Cliffs Rail Network Toronto Detroit Chicago U.S. Canada Sault Ste. Marie Huron Superior Hibbing Cleveland - Cliffs (85.3%) US Steel (14.7%) United Taconite Cleveland - Cliffs Mesabi Metallics Keetac US Steel Minntac US Steel Northshore Cleveland - Cliffs A lgoma Iron Ore Mines Ports – Iron Ore Large Industrial Cities (scrap sources) Geographic proximity to significant scrap trade flows including prime scrap ▪ On - site deep - water port facilitating access to low - cost transportation across Lake Superior ▪ Access to well - established rail links and multiple forms of transportation which allows it to negotiate competitive rates

 

 

18 Source: Company information. (1) Automotive comprised of direct automotive customer sales and estimated service center sales to the automotive industry. (2) Represents percentage of a trailing 7 - year average HRC CRU (USA Midwest Domestic HR Coil) Index, lagged one month. (3) Represents percentage of a 7 trailing 7 - year average AS Rolled CRU Index, lagged one month. High - Quality Products and Diversified Blue Chip Customer Base in Attractive End Markets P roduct A ttributes End M arkets W i d th R ange % NSR of CRU Index Hot Rolled Coil x High strength formable hot rolled grades x Broad width and strength capabilities ▪ Automotive ▪ Hollow structural product and welded pipe manufacturers ▪ Transportation ▪ Light manufacturing 1 06 " S trip Mill 30" – 96" DS PC 32" – 63" Sheet Products: 95 - 100% (2) Cold Rolled Coil x Commercial grades x High strength formable cold roll grades x Full hard grades (not annealed) ▪ Automotive ▪ Welded pipe manufacturers ▪ Transportation ▪ Light manufacturing 3 6" – 74" Plate x High strength, low - allo y grades x Abrasion resistant and heat treat grades x Only producer in Canada ▪ Fabrication industry - constructors or manufacturers of railcars, buildings, bridges off - highway equipment, etc. 72" – 152" Plate Products: 110 - 120% (3) • Product width and strength flexibility allows Algoma to serve a broad customer base across various end markets • Operational flexibility to adjust product mix to align with market pricing and customer demand, and maximize profitability • R&D investments support higher quality, lower cost products and drive value proposition for customers • Serves 200+ customers across multiple industries in North America with no single customer making up greater than 10% of sales Differentiated Product Offering With Flexibility To Meet Customer Needs FY2020 Product Shipment Mix Plate 14% Hot Rolled Sheet 80% Cold Rolled Sheet 6% FY2020 End Market Exposure FY2020 Geographic Sales Mix Service Centers 45% Automotive 35% Manufacturing / Construction 11% Tubular 9% United States 55% Canada 43% RoW 2% (1) 3

 

 

19 Source: Company information. 4 Highly Experienced Management Team with Extensive Industry Experience Name Title Joined Algoma Years of Experience Bio Michael McQuade Chief Executive Officer 2019 37 • Previously served as VP, Finance and CFO of Stelco from 2007 to 2016, retiring as President in 2017 • Led the restructuring and sale of Stelco / U.S. Steel Canada while Under CCAA Rajat Marwah Chief Financial Officer 2008 20 • Joined Algoma as Controller in 2008 • Previously served as Financial Controller of ArcelorMittal, Czech Republic and previously worked at KPMG John Naccarato Vice President, Strategy and General Counsel 2019 30 • Served as Director of Market and Product Development at Algoma from 2003 to 2007 • Prior experience with Dofasco Inc. and as EVP and General Counsel for Bracknell Corporation Robert Dionisi Chief Commercial Officer 1979 42 • Joined Algoma in 1979 and has held multiple progressive roles as General Manager or Plate and Shape Product Sales and General Manager of Service Centre and Fabrication Sales and Marketing Shawn Galey Vice President, Production 1980 41 • 41 years of experience at Algoma across progressive levels of responsibility spanning superintendent and general manager of cokemaking, ironmaking, direct strip complex and corporate transformation projects Mark Nogalo Vice President, Maintenance and Operating Services 1988 33 • 33 years of experience at Algoma service across a variety of positions spanning Operations, Engineering, Maintenance and Energy Management • Past Chair of the Algoma University Board Robert Wesley Vice President, Human Resources 2018 35 • Previously worked as a consultant to the City of Toronto and held various senior HR positions including Director of Labour Relations for Brewers Distributing Limited, Director of Human Resources for Bombardier Aerospace, and Chief Labour Negotiator for Russell Metals

 

 

20 Strong Steel Market Fundamentals… Source: SteelBenchmarker, CME Group, Fastmarket. Note: Market data as of May 21, 2021. All years refer to calendar year unless otherwise specified. No liquid forward market exists for hot rolled plate. EBITDA and $/ ton figures shown in US$, figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. 5 Robust CY 2021 Performance Expected Historical Hot Rolled Coil Prices (US$/ton) 2,101 $522 2,470 $971 Shipments (kt) Avg. Realized Price / Ton ($/nt) Current High Prices Benefit Future Contracted Volumes Spot 35% Contracted 65% CY2021P Price Mechanics • Contracts are volume commitments with CRU index prices on a one - and three - month lag basis • Given lag, higher prices today will benefit future contracted volumes • Spot volume is driven by lead time • Algoma pricing has a strong correlation to the Index on a lagging basis (typically 1 - 3 months) $0 $200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 $1,600 $1,800 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 $30 2.8% $901 37.6% EBITDA ($m) EBITDA Margin (%) Profitability Shipments and Pricing CY 2020 CY 2021P • Algoma has already locked in highly attractive sales prices through September 2021 and is expecting a very strong CY2021 Historical Hot Rolled Plate Prices (US$/ton) $0 $200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 $1,512 $1,209

 

 

Tariffs Have Reduced Overall U.S. Imports, while Canada has Become a Larger Supplier to the US Market 21 Note: Press Releases, IHS, Baker Hughes, EIA, US Census. … and Favorable Long - Term Outlook 5 Attractive Trends in Key End Markets Strong Tariff Protection for the North American Market Energy Automotive Construction • Significant proposed North American infrastructure spending, including: – ~$2 trillion infrastructure and jobs package in the U.S. – $70 to $100 billion of federal infrastructure stimulus expected in Canada • Automotive markets are recovering from impact of COVID - 19 • Automotive production in North America expected to increase by 24% in 2021 • ~35% of Algoma’s sales • Use of steel in renewable resource generation (wind) becoming a more important driver of demand • Global O&G rig counts and energy prices recovering • In March 2018, the U.S. established 25% tariffs on imports of steel, including steel imported from Canada • In October 2018, Canada put in place similar 25% tariffs to avoid dumping from imports displaced from the U.S. market • As part of the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (“USMCA”), the tariffs on Canadian steel were repealed in May 2019 in exchange for a monitoring mechanism – Algoma benefits from access to sell into the protected U.S. market and resulting higher steel prices – Additionally, the USMCA put in place “melt & pour” requirements on several products, mandating that steel is North American - sourced to qualify for duty - free treatment ▪ For example, motor vehicles must now contain +70% North American steel content, providing Algoma additional protection in North America for its single largest end market 33.0 32.9 38.0 33.7 27.5 22.0 15.9% 15.5% 14.9% 16.8% 18.4% 21.6% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 (% of US Imports from Canada) (Million tons)

 

 

Algoma 73% Imports - Total 27% Target Plate Strategy: Algoma is Well Positioned to Displace Plate Imports into Canada • Market opportunity unlocked by plate mill modernization program: x Adds incremental 350k tons of plate capacity x Enhances grades and qualities – expanding end market opportunity Sheet Strategy: Targeted Approach to Expand Sheet Sales • Focused approach to expand sales to key tubular customers and direct Automotive sales • Strong growth in key end markets and large market size (US/Canada HRC market of 31.6 million tons in 2019 (6) , of which Algoma is only ~6%) 22 Source: Fitch Solutions, BMI, EIA, Fastmarkets, Company Information, (1) Based on forecasted Canadian light vehicle production from 2020 to 2029. North American light vehicle production over th e s ame period forecasted to grow at 2.7% CAGR. (2) Canadian construction value - add from 2020 to 2030. North American construction value - add over the same period forecasted to grow at 4.5% CAGR. (3) North American petroleum and other liquids consumption from 20 20 to 2022. (4) Remaining 45% of shipments are sold to service centers, which may be resold to manufacturing or tubular end mar ket s. (5) Based on Canadian market for 2019. (6) US / Canadian apparent consumption of HRC. …Combined With Robust Go - To - Market Strategy to Enhance Shipment Potential x Displacement of imports in the plate and sheet markets x Drive sales into tubular and automotive end markets via robust commercial relationships x Enhance value proposition for customers x Expanded plate mill capacity and capabilities as part of the modernization program x Cut - to - length (CTL) line under review to broaden plate product offerings 6.1% 4.6% 4.0% Tubular Manufacturing Automotive Algoma Strategy / Advantages Underpinned by Strong Growth in Key End Markets 60 - 120 60 180 ~ 100 - 120 400 - 480 Customer A Customer B Customer C Direct Auto Sales Identified Sales Opportunities 35% 11% 9% % of FY2020 Shipments (4) Canadian Steel Plate Demand by Source (~782k ton, annually) (5) (1) (2) (3) Expected Incremental Demand by Customer (k tons, annually) Algoma 28% Imports - U.S. 32% Imports - RoW 40% Historical Average 350k tons of incremental Algoma production Tubular (300 - 360k tons) Customer based in Sault Ste. Marie Based on new Auto programs ramping in 2022 5

 

 

Financial Overview

 

 

24 Note: All figures are in USD converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. FY Q4 2021E performance is preliminary and subject to change. (1) Historical prices based on period average. Projections based on contract book and CRU projections / Future curve for HRC. (2) $16 million of Cost Savings already achieved in FY 2021. Strong Steel Market and Strategic and Cost - Cutting Initiatives Expected to Strengthen Algoma’s Performance FY2021 to CY2021 EBITDA Bridge (US$ millions) $150 +/ - $28 ~$25 $97 $684 ($83) $901 FY2021E EBITDA (ending 3/31/21) Incremental Cost Savings (achieved CY2021) LMF2 Benefits Volume Increase Pricing / Raw Material Spread Increased Profit Sharing CY2021P EBITDA (ending 12/31/21) $62 EBITDA / ton Further improvement to be achieved upon realization of Plate Mill Modernization (~$35 million) and EAF development (~$150 million) (2) K tons Shipped +/ - 2,110 $365 2,470 $679 HRC Price (1) $1,224

 

 

25 Note: FYE March 31. FY Q4 2021E performance is preliminary and subject to change. (1) Represents calendar year ending December 31, 2021. Historical and Projected Steel Shipments by Product Benchmark Prices Shipments (kt) Algoma Capacity Additions • EAF investment would provide +900kt of incremental liquid steel production, or 700kt of finished products • Plate Mill Optimization – completed by October 2022 – provides 700kt of plate capacity (350kt incremental capacity) • LMF2 completed in February 2021 unlocks ~100kt of DSPC capacity Commentary • FY2022P reflects recovery to pre - COVID demand levels • Algoma expected to gain market share in plate from US producers – Algoma is sole producer in Canada and Canada is net importer of 400 – 600kt of plate annually • Ability to capture incremental sheet sales based on: ▪ Strong infrastructure spending ▪ Normalization of trade relations within USMCA ▪ DSPC’s attractive cost position relative to other NA producers 2,001 2,077 1,988 1,766 2,124 2,151 2,041 2,238 2,339 2,339 304 358 317 344 346 351 526 595 612 694 2,305 2,435 2,305 2,110 +/ - 2,470 2,502 2,567 2,833 2,951 3,033 FY'18A FY'19A FY'20A FY'21E CY'21P FY'22P FY'23P FY'24P FY'25P FY'26P+ Sheet Plate (1)

 

 

26 Note: Figures are illustrative and shown in US$, converted from CAD to USD at a 1.2 6 FX rate . ( 1 ) Illustrative metal margin is calculated as Net Sales Realization minus raw material costs. ( 2 ) Fixed Costs include Labor, Consumables & Repairs, SG&A. ( 3 ) Includes outside processing, property taxes , variable consumables , profit sharing and other expenses . ( 4 ) Based on pro forma enterprise value of $1,707mm including contingent consideration shares. Refer to page 5 for additional details. (5) Sustaining C ap E x of $ 33 mm reflects long - term expectation of sustaining CapEx for the EAF and downstream finishing lines. (6) Based on current future pricing for Ju ne and July as of May 21, 2021. Strong Medium - Term Earnings Potential (based on CY2022E for Illustrative Purposes) FY2 01 8 - FY2 020 Avg. Price Current Price Environment (6) Assumed HRC Price (US $ /t on ) $600 $685 $700 $900 $1,100 +$1,500 CY2022E Sales Volume (mm ton ) 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Metal Margin ($/ ton ) ( 1 ) $296 $378 $393 $588 $781 $1,166 Illustrative Spread over Raw Materials ($ mm) $753 $963 $1,002 $1,497 $1,989 $2,971 ( - ) Fixed Costs ($ mm) ( 2 ) ($339) ($339) ($339) ($339) ($339) ($339) ( - ) Energy Costs ($ mm) ($111) ($111) ($111) ($111) ($111) ($111) ( - ) Other ($ mm ) ( 3 ) ($141) ($153) ($155) ($183) ($212) ($268) CY2022E EBITDA ($ mm) $162 $359 $396 $863 $1,326 $2,252 Implied Multiple (TEV / CY’22E EBITDA) (4) 10.5x 4.7x 4.3x 2.0x 1.3x 0.8x Broker expectations for 2022 HRC range from $650/ton to $900/ton, with average of ~$728/ton CY2022 Avg. Steel Futures Price: +$1,025/ton

 

 

27 Note: FYE March 31. Historical figures converted at average exchange rate over the period. Projections converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. Projected Capital Expenditure Summary Projected Capital Expenditure Breakdown to Support Proposed EAF Transformation ( US$ mi l l i on s , except per ton figures ) Commentary • Major one - time capital expenditures of ~$500 million from FY2022P – FY2024P related to EAF investment ▪ Largest one - time capital outlay in FY2023P in order to start dual - alternating EAFs in FY2024P ▪ Final $26 million in one - time CapEx to complete full transformation to EAF (initially targeted for FY2029P, but timing to be det ermined) • $67 million for Plate Mill modernization from FY2022P – FY2024P • Maintenance CapEx is comprised of downstream sustaining, sustaining primary and EAF sustaining • EAF investment expected to lower average annual maintenance CapEx after implementation in FY2025P $ Cap E x / ton $ 23 $ 37 $ 24 $ 94 $ 39 $20 $ 146 $ 13 $ 13 $ 15 $ 19 $ 11 30 22 23 28 21 21 28 19 19 $21 $23 $10 $15 $5 $4 $3 $11 $11 $11 $11 $11 $11 $11 $32 $31 $5 $4 $4 $4 $3 $3 $3 $3 $3 $3 $148 $296 $49 $26 $57 $85 $50 $234 $375 $102 $57 $40 $39 $45 $59 $33 FY2019A FY2020A FY2021E FY2022P FY2023P FY2024P FY2025P FY2026P FY2027P FY2028P FY2029P FY2030P Downstream Sustaining BF/BOF Sustaining EAF Sustaining Plate Modernization and Other Growth Environmental EAF Development

 

 

28 Note: FY Q4 2021E performance is preliminary and subject to change. (1) Figures converted at a 1.26 FX rate. (2) Libor Floor of 1.5% for Secured Term Loan. Secured Term Loan includes option to PIK at L + 950. (3) Inclusive of $236 million Legato cash as of January 25, 2021 and $100 million PIPE investment, net of $30 million in fees and ex penses, assuming no redemptions. Capital Structure Overview Pro Forma Capital Structure (1) ( US$ mi l l i on s ) SPAC Proceeds to Substantially Fund the Proposed EAF $573 $17 $306 + $250 ( $500 ) + $73 Existing Cash (Mar-31-21) Net Cash from SPAC & PIPE Additional Funding Required Total EAF Funds Less: EAF Capex PF Cash (3) Current (3/31/21E) xCY2021P EBITDA Transaction Adjustment (+ / - ) Pro Forma xCY2021P EBITDA Effective Rate Maturity ABL Revolver ($250.0) $71 0.1x -- $71 0.1x 2.29% Nov. 30, 2023 Secured Term Loan (2) 304 0.4x -- 304 0.4x 10.00% Nov. 30, 2025 Algoma Docks Term Loan Facility 61 0.5x -- 61 0.5x 5.26% May. 31, 2025 Government Loans 66 0.6x -- 66 0.6x 0.00% - 2.50% 2028 - 2031 Total Debt $502 0.6x $502 0.6x Less: Cash (3) (17) (306) (323) Net Debt $485 0.5x $179 0.2x CY2021P EBITDA $901

 

 

Supplemental Materials

 

 

Source: Company information. Algoma’s Manufacturing Capabilities Technical specifications Age Competitive advantage Highlights Coke Making Facilities • Comprises 3 batteries: – #7 battery (60 ovens) – #8 battery (60 ovens) – #9 battery (57 ovens) • #7 battery: ~62 years • #8 battery: ~52 years • #9 battery: ~41 years • On - site coke production caters to ~90% of total coke requirement • Annualized production capability of • ~0.8mm tons Iron Making Facilities • Two blast furnaces: BF #7; BF #6 (currently idle) • BF #7 Hot metal capacity of ~2.8mm ton • BF #6 relining and stove rebuild completed in 2008 • BF #7: ~44 years • BF #6: ~65 years • BF #6 can be re - started within a short period with low - start up costs • Continuous investments in BF #7 has improved productivity by ~1,000 tn/day • Operational flexibility enhanced by two blast furnaces Steelmaking Facilities • Comprises two 260k ton Basic Oxygen Furnaces • Current liquid steel capacity of ~3.7mm tons annually (including 0.9mm from idle capacity of BF #6) • Two twin station Ladle Metallurgy Furnaces • Basic oxygen furnaces: • ~46 years • Ladle metallurgy furnace: ~19 years • Ladle Metallurgy Furnace #2 – new • Implementation of LMF#2 will provide improved buffering between casters and Blast Furnace and will avoid DSPC downtime caused by requirements of LMF Slab Caster heats • Debottlenecking the secondary metallurgy area through the LMF#2 Direct Strip Production Complex (DSPC) • Automated facility • Size range: gauges between 0.060" and 0.625" and widths between 32" and 63“ • Current capacity of ~2.3mm tons annually • DSPC: ~22 years • One of the lowest - cost North American mills in terms of HRC conversion cost per tn • ~C$30 - 40/nt structural conversion cost advantage over peers due to reduced manpower, lower heating costs and improved yields • Only DSPC attached to a blast furnace in North America • Consists of a state - of - the - art thin slab continuous caster which converts liquid blast furnace steel directly into coil Slab Caster • Comprises two twin strands of 8” thick slabs with a width range of 42” to 86” • Current capacity of ~2.0mm ton annually • Slab caster: ~40 years • Wider steel chemistry processing capabilities • Ability to cast crack sensitive boron - alloyed and peritectic steel • Efficient grade change practice allowing changes to steel chemistry without interrupting the cast Plate and Strip Mills • 106” Strip Mill: produces strips up to 96” wide • 166” Plate Mill: produces plate up to 152” wide • Cold Mill Complex comprises: – 0.8mm ton pickling line – 0.35mm ton reduction mill – 0.25mm ton anneal furnace – 0.8mm ton temper mill • 106” Strip Mill: ~46 years • 166” Plate Mill: ~54 years • Only Combination Mill of its kind in North America • Both mills are widest of their kind in North America • Only heat treatment line in Canada • 166” Plate Mill features a heat treat facility – Rated annual capacity of 240,000 tons 30

 

 

31 Source: Company information. Note: Current Algoma Steel process flow configuration. (1) Represents percentage of a trailing 7 - year average HRC CRU (USA Midwest Domestic HR Coil) Index, lagged one month. (2) Represents percentage of a 7 trailing 7 - year average AS Rolled CRU Index, lagged one month. Algoma’s Flexible, Low - Cost Operations Facilitates Optimization Across High Value Products 1. Addition of Ladle Metallurgy Furnace #2 (LMF #2): eliminated the bottleneck between steelmaking and casting facilities, enhan ces grades – Completed (Feb - 2021) 2. DSPC upgrade: volume capacity has been increased to 2,300k tons from 2,100k tons with new grades capabilities – Completed 3. Plate Mill modernization: volume capacity will be raised to 700k tons from ~350k tons with new grades capabilities – Stage 1 / 2 expected to be completed in October 2021 (Quality) / October 2022 (Volume) 1 Recent and Ongoing Initiatives 2 3 x Algoma produces a wide variety of products to serve diverse end - markets x Algoma is the only plate producer in Canada with current capacity of 350 - 400kt and potential capacity of 700kt per year once deb ottlenecking initiatives are completed x Algoma is the only integrated steel producer to operating a DSPC line, which provides a $30 - $40/t competitive advantage x DSPC positions the mill to seamlessly execute installation of EAF mills • Hot Rolled Coil (Quench Heat Treat: 200kt) (Tempering Heat Treat: 120kt) 166” Plate Mill (700kt) 3 (2,000kt) Slab Caster (460kt) 106” Strip Mill (2,300kt) LMF#1 (Liquid Steel) (2,100kt) Basic Oxygen Furnace (Liquid Steel) (3,700kt) LMF#2 (Liquid Steel) (2,100kt) #7 Basic Furnace (2,800kt) Iron Ore Coke Ovens (900kt) Coal #6 Basic Furnace (Idle) (900kt) Plate Finishing Finishing (temper, recoiling trimming, cut - to length) Cold Mill (3,700kt) 2 1 Entire System can be Replaced by proposed EAFs Direct Strip Production Complex (upgraded) BF6 provides Algoma flexibility to manage any future re - lines for BF7 Potential restart of BF6 could be achieved in ~6 months for ~$60mm Algoma’s current capacity is 350 - 400kt and should reach +700kt once plate mill investment is completed • Cold Rolled Close Anneal • Hot Rolled Pickled & Oiled • Hot Rolled Processed • Hot Rolled Processed & Hot Rolled Cut - to - Length • Hot Rolled Coil • Abrasion Resistant Plate • As Quenched Plate • Quench & Tempered Plate • Normalized Plate Plate (2) 110 - 120% Sheet (1) 95 - 100% 2 EAFs (Liquid Steel) % NSR of CRU Index

 

 

32 Source: Company information. Note: All years refer to calendar years. All figures shown in US$, projected figures converted f rom CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. Preliminary EAF Timeline and Capital Requirements Overview • The rollout of the EAF strategy would be rolled out based on availability of electricity in two phases: – Phase 1 (Interim): from the start of production to grid upgrade completion, the EAF would operate one furnace at a time using on - site cogeneration facility, LSP and local 230kV transmission upgrade – Phase 2 (Long - Term): after the completion of a power grid upgrade, the EAF would then operate both furnaces simultaneously • Anticipate a 30 - month construction timeline between permitting and commissioning Coke Plant #7 Blast Furnace EAF #1 and #2 Scrap HBI / Pig Iron • #7 Coke Battery shut down • BF#7 continues to operate at optimized, reduced levels to provide hot metal to supplement scrap Rolling & Finishing Phase 1 Interim Process (Starting 2024) – 3.3mm tons liquid steel capacity Phase 2 Long - Term Process – ~3.7mm liquid steel tons capacity • #8 and #9 Coke Batteries shut down • BF#7 shutdown • Purchase HBI or other high quality metallics to supplement scrap • ~$11 million EAF sustaining CapEx per year Build Phase: From now through CY2023: 2.8mm liquid steel tons capacity (1) • ~$500 million CapEx for EAF build • ~$20 million BF/BOF sustaining CapEx x Algoma intends to contract with technology suppliers and engineering management consultants who have been active in constructing new EAFs in the United States x Algoma currently has internal capabilities in constructing and operating EAF furnaces x The Company’s current operations will not be disrupted during the construction period, as the area of installation does not overlap our existing steelmaking footprint x Decommissioning existing operations is not necessary to complete the construction/installation of the EAF furnaces. Decommissioning would be opportunistic Algoma is Well - Prepared to Integrate the Proposed EAFs

 

 

33 Source: Company information. Note: All figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.27 FX rate as of December 31, 2020. (1) $382.2 million expire in 2038, $92.5 million expire in 2039 and $75.0 million expire in 2040. Significant Tax Attributes Available Tax Attributes as of December 31, 2020 (US$ millions) • As of December 31, 2020, Algoma has non - capital tax losses available of $536.4 million, which can potentially be used to reduce cash taxes paid • Long - dated tax assets with no expirations before 2038 (1) Owing to strong steel markets and strong EBITDA generation, Algoma expected to utilize a portion of its tax assets in CY2021 The proposed EAF investment would further reduce Algoma’s tax burden through accelerated depreciation $536 $134 Non-Capital Losses Available Tax Savings Potential 25% Canada Tax Rate

 

 

Algoma Then (circa 2015) Algoma Steel (Present) Operational Improvements ▪ Volume constraints at LMF, DSPC and Plate Mill with limited grade capability and average quality x Upgraded DSPC Segment in June 2020 and the LMF#2 in February 2021 x In the process of modernizing the Plate Mill x $44 million in cost savings initiatives Capi tal Structure ▪ Unsustainable leverage with ~$1.3 billion of total debt ▪ ~$172 million in annual interest expense x ~$485 million of net debt (<1.0x CY2021P EBITDA) x ~$35 million in annual cash interest expense (1) x Generating significant cash flow to add liquidity and delever Supply of Raw Materials ▪ Dispute with key iron ore supplier ▪ Ownership of port transferred via high - cost sale - leaseback arrangement x 100% of iron ore requirements secured via long - term contracts with favorable market - linked pricing (3.9mm tons per year through 2024) x Own the Port of Algoma (no sale - leaseback) x Transition to EAF would add flexibility to raw material supply Pension & OPEB Liabilities ▪ Substantial cash contributions of ~$6 5 m illion for pension liabilities x Contribution of ~$6 million (C$8 million) per year following reaching 85% funded on pension plans (achieved on March - 1 - 2021 (2) ) E n v i r onmental Liabilities ▪ Legacy environmental contaminatio n issues x R elease on legacy environmental liabilities 34 Source: Company information. Note: All figures shown in US$, unless noted. Projected figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1 .26 FX rate and historical figures converted at average exchange rate over the period. (1) Based on current capital structure. Excludes non - cash interest expense: unwinding of debt issuance costs, accretion on governmen t loans and discounts on environmental liabilities. (2) Based on internal Algoma estimates and is subject to plan audit and confirmation. Algoma is a Dramatically Improved Operation over the Last 5 Years 1 2 3 4 5 • $500 million proposed investment in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) would provide $150 million EBITDA uplift, make Algoma the cleanest steel producer in Canada by lowering CO2 emissions by ~70%, and enhance stability of Algoma’s profitability (reduces fixed costs and labor) • Long - term through - the - cycle EBITDA of $460 million (including potential $150mm improvement from the EAF) Future of Algoma Steel

 

 

Structured Pension Plan Is Contractually Funded as of March 1, 2021 35 Source: Company information. Estimated Solvency Funded Position by Plan (US$ millions) March 31, 2020 March 1, 2021 Hourly Salaried Hourly Salaried Assets $627 $243 $973 $381 Liabilities $880 $351 $1,102 $446 Net Funded Position ($254) ($108) ($129) ($65) Funded % 71% 69% 88% 85% ▪ As part of the agreement to emerge from Bankruptcy, Algoma agreed to assume the following pension plans: (i) Hourly DB plan; (ii) Salaried DB plan; and (iii) WRAP plan ▪ The agreement calls for the following payments with respect to its pension plans: • $24 million (C$31 million) annual special payments to the Hourly and Salaried DB plans until the plans are 85% funded , following which Algoma will make Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund premium payments of $1.5 million (C$2 million) per annum (decreases over time as the underfunded amount and the number of members decreases) • Payments to the WRAP plan which constitute the lesser of $4 million (C$5 million) in annual special payments and the annual required pay out amount to WRAP pensioners Note: on a going - concern basis, the Pension plans are estimated to be fully funded in the near - term With the Pension Contractually Funded, Algoma is positioned to begin an EAF Transformation with a balance sheet clean of significant legacy liability payments As of March 1st, 2021, Algoma’s funded status on its hourly and salaried plans is now expected to be greater than 85%, which would reduce Algoma’s pension funding obligations to near zero (required preparation of formal valuation to be delivered to regulators)

 

 

36 Source: Company information. Algoma Remains Committed to Sustainable Corporate Citizenship Environment Community Involvement • Algoma has a demonstrated commitment to environmental protection • Published a Health, Safety and Environment Policy with a focus on continuous improvement • As the largest employer in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Steel is an active responsible stakeholder and is actively involved in advancing and preserving the quality of life in the community • Long history of charitable giving and corporate partnerships – 50 - year partnership with United Way as a founder and leading corporate sponsor – Member of Sault Ste Marie Chamber of Commerce • In addition, Algoma sponsors several scholarships, which are primarily intended for children of Algoma’s past and present employees – Northern Ontario School of Medicine – Sault College: Algoma Award of Excellence – Algoma University: Algoma Student Assistance Award 5 Key Areas of Commitment to the Environment Air • Algoma has achieved a 65% reduction in particulate emissions since 2002 • Currently focus on cokemaking emissions Energy • Demonstrated partner in Canada’s commitment to the global reduction of CO2 emissions with an overall reduction of 54% in energy intensity per ton of steel since 1993 Waste • Steel is the most recycled material in the world and doesn’t lose quality through the recycling process • Every steelmaking heat at Algoma contains scrap steel which is recycled through manufacturing for new end - use applications • Algoma recycles or reuses 80%+ of waste materials from operations Water • Treated process water meets or exceeds requirements set out by the Ontario Ministry of Environment • 45% of water is recycled Noise • Algoma has developed a plan to reduce noise emissions from 11 sources throughout the steelworks

 

 

37 Source: Company information. Note: Lost Time Injury Frequency is calculated as ((Number of lost time injuries in the reportin g p eriod x 200,000) / Total hours worked in the reporting period). (1) F2021 YTD is as of February 2021. Continued focus and improvement in Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) Strong Employee Relations and Company - wide Dedication to Health and Safety Safety is Algoma Steel’s top priority 1.30 0.90 1.00 0.30 0.10 0.30 0.20 0.30 0.10 0.19 0.23 0.19 F2010 F2011 F2012 F2013 F2014 F2015 F2016 F2017 F2018 F2019 F2020 F2021 YTD Health & Safety Performance • Ongoing commitment to superior Health & Safety performance has led to sustained improvement of safety metrics over time • Health & safety remains our highest priority and to further the Company’s efforts to improve, we are implementing an ISO 45001 Safety Management System • Algoma employs a cooperative Joint Health and Safety System to provide a healthy and safe workplace • Proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Safe Communities Partnership and Northern Ontario Safety Group, with over 100 member organizations that exchange best practices and provide access to ongoing training (1) Significantly Outperforming Global Average LTIFR of 0.83 in CY2019

 

 

38 Historical EBITDA Reconciliation Source: Company information. Note: US$mm figures c onverted from CAD to USD at the average historical FX rate of each respective financial period (FY2018: 1.28; FY2019: 1.31; F Y20 20: 1.33; 9Mos ending 12/31/19: 1.32; 9Mos ending 12/31/20: 1.34). 12 - month period ending March 31 of the respective year 9 - month period ending Through - the Cycle Average (FY2018 - FY2020) C$ millions, unless noted FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 12/31/2019 12/31/2020 Net Income / (Loss) ($24.2) $112.1 ($175.9) ($195.3) ($176.2) Amortization of PP&E & Intangibles $50.2 $73.7 $128.1 $106.1 $65.5 Finance Costs $187.8 $140.0 $63.8 $47.0 $52.6 Interest on Pensions and OPEB $16.5 $19.0 $17.3 $12.9 $12.9 Income Taxes ($4.9) $2.4 ($4.3) ($3.8) -- Reorganization Costs $29.3 $46.2 -- -- -- Foreign Exchange Gain $19.9 ($15.3) ($35.3) $14.9 $66.6 Finance Income $1.9 ($0.7) ($2.6) ($1.9) ($1.1) Inventory Write - downs $0.1 $1.9 ($1.6) $0.7 $0.3 Carbon Tax $0.0 $0.0 $6.9 $4.0 $11.6 Exceptional Items $0.0 $16.4 $1.4 $1.4 -- EBITDA $276.6 $395.7 ($2.2) ($14.0) $32.2 $223.4 Tariff Expenses $0.0 $225.5 $27.8 $27.8 -- Capacity Utilization Adjustment -- -- $32.7 $32.7 -- Adjusted EBITDA $276.6 $621.2 $58.3 $46.5 $32.2 $318.7 Adjusted EBITDA (US$mm) $216.1 $473.4 $43.8 $35.1 $24.0 $244.7

 

 

39 Projected EBITDA Reconciliation Source: Company information. Note: EBITDA reconciliation provided from Revenue to EBITDA. US$mm figures converted from CAD to USD at a 1.26 FX rate. (1) Excludes freight revenue and expense, and non - steel revenue and non - steel cost of sales (generally related to the sale of by - pro ducts). Freight is reflected equally in revenue and costs of goods sold. Non - steel revenue typically approximates non - steel cost of sales. (C$ millions, unless noted) CY 2021P Steel Revenue (1) $3,011 Steel CoGS (1) $1,903 Gross Profit $1,108 SG&A $63 Operating Income $1,045 Plus: D&A $78 Plus: Carbon Tax $8 Adjusted EBITDA $1,131 Adjusted EBITDA (US$ millions) $901

 

 

40 Term Definition Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Vessel used to convert liquid hot metal from a blast furnace into steel Blast Furnace (BF) Metallurgical furnace combining fuel, ores and flux to smelt iron ore to produce pig iron, which is fed downstream into a BOF Cogeneration Also known as combined heat and power (CHP), a cogeneration plant uses gas generated from the steelmaking process to create electricity Coke Fuel for a Blast Furnace that is made by heating coal in the absence of air Cold Rolled Sheet Hot rolled steel that has been further processed to increase its strength and strength - to - weight ratio, providing better overall surface finish Continuous casting Process whereby molten metal is solidified into a "semi - finished" billet, bloom, or slab for subsequent rolling in the finishing mills Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Method for producing steel with primary inputs of scrap steel and electricity. EAFs form new steel by heat charging material with an electric arc Hard coking coal (HCC) A category of metallurgical coal that is converted to coke and used as fuel for the blast furnace in an integrated steel mill Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) Compacted form of direct reduced iron (DRI) that serves as a supplement for pig iron and scrap in electric arc furnace steel mills Hot Metal Blast furnace iron ore that is charged to the BOF in hot liquid form Hot Rolled Sheet Carbon steel product commonly used for applications in which dimensional tolerances and surface finish quality is not critical (e.g. automotive accessories, stampings) Glossary Term Definition Iron Ore Pellets Pellets are small balls of iron ore used in the production of steel that are agglomerated from fines Limestone Also referred to as flux, limestone is an essential input in a blast furnace Ladle Metallurgy Furnace (LMF) Holding furnace for hot metal coming out of the BOF or EAF, increases capacity of melt shop and allows for improvements to steel grade Metallics Iron ore or similar products that are used to produce raw steel NOx Nitrous oxide (NOx) is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere NSR Net Sales Realization: the average selling price of steel excluding costs of freight Pig Iron Intermediate solid input made by smelting iron ore with a high - carbon fuel and reductant, such as coke, with flux for use as a feedstock in the BOF Plate Includes steel sheet metal that is 5mm or thicker used for construction or structural purposes due to its low maintenance versatility (e.g. shipping containers, roofing, heavy equipment) Prime Scrap High quality, clean scrap metal that tends to trade at a premium to lower quality shredded scrap Slab Thick semi - finished (intermediate) steel that is further converted into hot rolled sheet or plate Service center Wholesalers that may further process steel purchased from manufacturer (e.g. cutting or forming) SOx Sulfur oxide (SOx) is an air pollutant that has negative health consequences

 

 

57