UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 40-F

 

¨   REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     
x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 Commission File Number 333-105024

 

CASCADES INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Quebec, Canada

(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

2600

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

 

98-0140192

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.

Kingsey Falls, Quebec

Canada J0A 1B0

(819) 363-5100

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Cascades USA Inc.

1200 Forest Street

Eau Claire, WI 54703

(715) 834-3461

(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code)
of agent for service in the United States)

  

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

None.

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None.

 


For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
 
x      Annual information form x      Audited annual financial statements
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
 
94,186,474 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.*
 
Yes    ¨ No    x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes    ¨ No    ¨

 

* The registrant is currently not required to file reports, including this report, under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 but is voluntarily filing this report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 
 

 

Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

For the Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, including the Independent Auditor’s Report with respect thereto, of Cascades Inc. (the “Registrant” or “Cascades” or the “Corporation”), see the excerpt of Cascades’ 2014 Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

For management’s discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, see the excerpt of Cascades’ 2014 Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.3.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that the Registrant files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under Canadian securities laws and specified in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) rules and forms and that such information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Registrant conducted an evaluation (under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) as of December 31, 2014, pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act and under National Instrument 52-109 adopted by the Canadian Securities regulatory authorities, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2014.

 

It should be noted that while the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

  

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management’s Report to the shareholders of Cascades Inc. on internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2014 is included in Exhibit 13.2 to this Annual Report on Form 40-F.

 

Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, as at December 31, 2014 based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 COSO Framework). Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as at December 31, 2014.

 

It should be noted that while the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect that the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

 

1
 

 

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect its internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Corporation’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. For a discussion of the Corporation’s Code of Ethics, see page 12 of Cascades’ Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“AIF”) attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1. There were neither amendments to nor waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provision of the Code of Ethics during the year ended December 31, 2014 that applied to the Corporation’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics is available on the Corporation’s website at www.cascades.com .

 

Audit Committee

 

The Registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee (the “Audit and Finance Committee”) as defined in Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit and Finance Committee is composed entirely of directors who are “independent”, as such term is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. All members of the Audit and Finance Committee are financially literate and there are two “audit committee financial experts”. In considering criteria for the determination of financial literacy, the Board of Directors considers the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Registrant’s financial statements. In determining whether Audit and Finance Committee members are “audit committee financial experts”, the Board of Directors and the Audit and Finance Committee have considered the attributes set forth in Form 40-F. The “audit committee financial experts” are James B.C. Doak and Laurence G. Sellyn. The other member of the Audit and Finance Committee is Georges Kobrynsky.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by our Independent Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for the Corporation for the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years are shown in the table below:

 

Fees in Canadian dollars   Year ended
December 31, 2014
    Year ended
December 31, 2013
 
Audit Fees   $ 1,665,094     $ 1,830,467  
Audit-Related Fees   $ 557,936     $ 355,413  
Tax Fees   $ 191,241     $ 188,299  
All Other Fees     N/A        N/A  
Total   $ 2,414,271     $ 2,347,179  

 

The nature of each category of fees is described below:

 

Audit Fees: Includes services provided by the Independent Auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and audit of the annual financial statements of the Corporation.

 

Audit Related Fees: Includes services provided by the Independent Auditor in connection with consultations on accounting and regulatory matters.

 

Tax Fees: Includes services rendered by the Independent Auditor regarding compliance with income tax laws.

 

All Other Fees: None.

 

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Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy

 

The Corporation’s Audit and Finance Committee has adopted a Pre-approval Policy and Procedures, for services provided by the Corporation’s Independent Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which permissible services proposed to be performed by the Independent Auditor are pre-approved. Under the terms of the policy, services that involve annual fees of less than $25,000 up to an annual limit of $50,000 are pre-approved. The Audit and Finance Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee pre-approval authority for any services not previously approved by the Audit and Finance Committee that involve the payment of unbudgeted fees up to a maximum of $100,000 per mandate. Services that involve fees of more than $100,000 require pre-approval of all the members of the Audit and Finance Committee. All of the non-audit services set forth above were approved under this pre-approval policy.

 

Services Approved by the Audit and Finance Committee

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the services described above requiring pre-approval were approved by the Audit and Finance Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

There were no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2014.

 

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

For a tabular disclosure and discussion of contractual obligations, see the section entitled “Contractual Obligations and other commitments” on page 58 of Cascades’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis attached hereto as Exhibit 13.3.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 40-F or in documents incorporated by reference herein including statements regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined, under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) based on current expectations. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the effect of general economic conditions, decreases in demand for Cascades’ products, the prices and availability of raw materials and energy costs, Cascades’ exposure to significant competition, including competition with firms that may enjoy cost advantages or economies of scale, political, social and exchange rate risks due to its international operations, compliance costs associated with environmental laws and regulations, including unforeseen expenditures as a result of environmental liabilities, casualty of other losses that are not fully covered by insurance, labor disputes, work stoppages or increased labor costs, difficulty recouping its investments in joint ventures of other companies that Cascades does not control, difficulties associated with acquiring companies, or integrating acquired companies, as part of Cascades’ growth strategy, the impairment of Cascades’ goodwill or other intangible assets, changes in the control of Cascades‘ equity capital, changes in strategy or management brought about by its existing shareholders or similar changes relating to its control and management, Cascades’ inability to retain key personnel or attract and retain other talented employees, and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Reference is made to the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 12 of the AIF and to the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 61 in Cascades’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis” (which is incorporated by reference in the AIF) and attached hereto as Exhibit 13.1 and 13.3, respectively.

 

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results on developments anticipated by the Corporation will be realized. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

3
 

 

Website Information

 

Notwithstanding any reference to the Registrant’s website on the internet in the AIF or in the documents attached as Exhibits hereto, the information contained in the Registrant’s website or any other website on the internet referred to in the Registrant’s website is not a part of this Form 40-F and, therefore, is not filed with the SEC.

 

Undertaking

 

The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the securities in relation to which the obligation to file an Annual Report on Form 40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.

 

Consent to Service of Process

 

Any change to the name or address of the Registrant and/or to the name or address of the Registrant’s agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the Registrant.

 

4
 

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

CASCADES INC.

 

By: /s/     Allan Hogg  

Name: Allan Hogg  
Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
Date: March 27, 2015  

 

5
 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description of Exhibit (and document from
which incorporated by reference, if applicable)
  Note
         
3.1   Articles of Amalgamation of Cascades Inc. filed with the Inspector General of Financial Institutions of Quebec on January 10, 2004   (A)
         
3.2   Articles of Amendment of Cascades Inc. filed with the Registrar of Companies of Quebec on July 27, 2011   (D)
         
3.3   By-law No. 2011-1 of Cascades Inc., adopted by the Board of Directors of Cascades Inc. on March 14, 2011 and ratified by the Shareholders on May 12, 2011   (D)
         
4.1   Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (B)
         
4.2   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 2, 2011, to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (D)
         
4.3   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 18, 2011, to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (D)
         
4.4   Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2012, to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (F)
         
4.5   Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 8, 2013, to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantor named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (F)
         
4.6   Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2015, to the Indenture dated as of December 23, 2009, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as successor Trustee   (G)
         
4.7   Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014, among Cascades Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee   (G)
         
4.8   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2015, to the Indenture dated as of June 19, 2014, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee   (G)
         
4.9   Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014, among Cascades Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Trustee   (G)
         
4.10   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2015, to the Indenture dated as of June 19, 2014, among Cascades Inc., the New Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Trustee   (G)
         
10.1   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 10, 2011, among Cascades Inc., Cascades USA Inc. and Cascades Europe SAS, National Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as collateral agent and syndication agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, as lenders   (C)
         
10.2   Fourth Amendment, dated August 30, 2012, to the Credit Agreement, dated February 10, 2011, among Cascades Inc., Cascades USA Inc. and Cascades Europe SAS, National Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as collateral agent and syndication agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, as lenders   (E)
         
10.3   Fifth Amendment, dated March 1, 2013, to the Credit Agreement, dated February 10, 2011, among Cascades Inc., Cascades USA Inc. and Cascades Europe SAS, National Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as collateral agent and syndication agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, as lenders   (F)
         
11.1   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2012, among Greenpac   (F)

 

6
 

 

  Holding LLC, as borrower, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Cascades USA Inc., as lenders, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec , as agent to the lenders  
         
13.1   Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014   (G)
         
13.2   Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 together with Management’s Report and the Independent Auditor’s Report   (G)
         
13.3   Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2014   (G)
         
23.1   Consent of Independent Auditor   (G)
         
31.1   CEO Section 302 Certification   (G)
         
31.2   CFO Section 302 Certification   (G)
         
32.1   CEO and CFO Certification pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350).   (G)

 

 

(A) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, filed on March 24, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(B) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, filed on March 30, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(C) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, filed on March 30, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(D) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, filed on March 29, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(E) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Report on Form 6-K, filed on September 18, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(F) Previously filed as an exhibit to Cascades Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, filed on March 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(G) Filed herewith.

 

7

 

 

Exhibit 4.6

 

FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

dated as of March 16, 2015

 

to the

 

INDENTURE

 

dated as of December 23, 2009

 

among

 

CASCADES INC.,

 

as the Company,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named therein, and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as successor Trustee,

 

as amended

 

 
 

 

FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Fifth Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of March 16, 2015, among CASCADES INC. (the “ Company ”), 401 47th Street Holding LLC and 4626 Royal Avenue Holding LLC (together, the “ New Subsidiary Guarantors ”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as successor trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of December 23, 2009 (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 7⅞% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company has issued and outstanding $250,000,000 of Notes under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, Section 4.17 of the Indenture provides that the Company shall cause each person that becomes its Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Subsidiary Guarantee as soon as practicable after such time such person becomes a Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary;

 

WHEREAS, the New Subsidiary Guarantors are U.S. Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without the consent of any Holder of a Note to add additional Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes as provided or permitted under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 4.17, 9.01 and 9.06 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and the New Subsidiary Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Fifth Supplemental Indenture;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the New Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

1.              Definitions . (a) Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(b) For all purposes of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise herein expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the terms and expressions used herein shall have the same meanings as corresponding terms and expressions used in the Indenture; and (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture refer to this Fifth Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

 
 

 

2.             Agreement to Guarantee . The New Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, jointly and severally with the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, to guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture. From and after the date hereof, the New Subsidiary Guarantors shall be Subsidiary Guarantors for all purposes under the Indenture and the Notes.

 

3.             Ratification of Indenture; Fifth Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is, in all respects, ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

4.              Miscellaneous .

 

4.1            Governing Law . THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

4.2            Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein.

 

4.3            Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

4.4            Effect of Headings . The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

4.5            Conflict with TIA . If any provision of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the TIA, that is required under the TIA to be part of and govern any provision of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the provision of the TIA shall control. If any provision of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA that may be so modified or excluded, the provisions of the TIA shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, as the case may be.

 

4.6            Severability . In case any provision of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

4.7            No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture, or the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and thereto and their successors hereunder and thereunder, and the Holders of the

 

 
 

 

Notes, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture, this Fifth Supplemental Indenture or the Notes.

 

4.8            FATCA . This Fifth Supplemental Indenture has not resulted in a material modification of the issuance for purposes of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

[ remainder of page left intentionally blank ]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  Company:
       
  CASCADES INC.
       
  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Vice President, Legal Affairs and
      Corporate Secretary
       
  New Subsidiary Guarantors:
       
  401 47 TH STREET HOLDING LLC
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary
       
  4626 ROYAL AVENUE HOLDING LLC
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary

 

 

 
 

 

  Trustee:
       
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
       
  By: /s/ Yana Kislenko
    Name: Yana Kislenko
    Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.7

  

EXECUTION VERSION 

 

 

CASCADES INC.,

as Company

 

5.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

______________________________

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of June 19, 2014

______________________________

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 

 

 

 
 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
ARTICLE 1.
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
     
Section 1.01. Definitions 1
Section 1.02. Other Definitions 29
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act 30
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction 30
 
ARTICLE 2.
 
THE NOTES
 
Section 2.01. Form and Dating 31
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication 33
Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent 33
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 33
Section 2.05. Holder Lists 34
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange 34
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes 44
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes 44
Section 2.09. Treasury Notes 45
Section 2.10. Temporary Notes 45
Section 2.11. Cancellation 45
Section 2.12. Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest 45
Section 2.13. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers 46
Section 2.14. Issuance of Additional Notes 46
     
ARTICLE 3.
 
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
     
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee 46
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed 47
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption 47
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption 48
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price 48
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part 48
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption 48
Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption 50
Section 3.09. Offer To Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds 50
     
ARTICLE 4.
 
COVENANTS
     
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes 51

 

i
 

 

    Page
     
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency 52
Section 4.03. Reports 52
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate 53
Section 4.05. Taxes 53
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws 54
Section 4.07. Corporate Existence 54
Section 4.08. Payments for Consent 54
Section 4.09. Limitation on Debt 54
Section 4.10. Limitation on Restricted Payments 57
Section 4.11. Limitation on Liens 61
Section 4.12. Limitation on Asset Sales 61
Section 4.13. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries 63
Section 4.14. Limitations on Affiliate Transactions 65
Section 4.15. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries 66
Section 4.16. Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control 68
Section 4.17. Future Subsidiary Guarantors 69
Section 4.18. Covenant Termination 70
Section 4.19. Additional Amounts 70
     
ARTICLE 5.
 
SUCCESSORS
     
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets 73
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted 74
 
ARTICLE 6.
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
Section 6.01. Events of Default 75
Section 6.02. Acceleration 77
Section 6.03. Other Remedies 78
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults 78
Section 6.05. Control by Majority 78
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits 78
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment 79
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee 79
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 79
Section 6.10. Priorities 80
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs 80
 
ARTICLE 7.
 
TRUSTEE
 
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee 80
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee 81
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 82

 

ii
 

 

    Page
     
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer 83
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults 83
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders 83
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 83
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 84
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. 85
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 85
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company 85
 
ARTICLE 8.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance 86
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge 86
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance 86
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance 87
Section 8.05. Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions 88
Section 8.06. Repayment to Company 89
Section 8.07. Reinstatement 89
 
ARTICLE 9.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes 89
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes 90
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act 92
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents 92
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes 92
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. 92
 
ARTICLE 10.
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
Section 10.01. Subsidiary Guarantees 93
Section 10.02. Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability 94
Section 10.03. Evidence of Subsidiary Guarantee 95
Section 10.04. Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms 95
Section 10.05. Releases Following Sale or Other Disposition of Assets 96
 
ARTICLE 11.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge 96
Section 11.02. Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions 97

 

iii
 

 

    Page
     
Section 11.03. Repayment to Company 97
     
ARTICLE 12.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
     
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls 97
Section 12.02. Notices 98
Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes 99
Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 99
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 99
Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents 99
Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders 100
Section 12.08. Governing Law 100
Section 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements 100
Section 12.10. Successors 100
Section 12.11. Severability 100
Section 12.12. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process 100
Section 12.13. Conversion of Currency 101
Section 12.14. Currency Equivalent 102
Section 12.15. Counterpart Originals 102
Section 12.16. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. 102
Section 12.17. U.S.A.   Patriot Act 102

 

iv
 

 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Section Section
 Reference Indenture
 
310 7.03
310 (a)(1) 7.10
(a)(2) 7.10
(a)(3) N.A.
(a)(4) N.A.
(a)(5) 7.10
(b) 7.10
(c) N.A.
311 (a) 7.11
(b) 7.11
(c) N.A.
312 (a) 2.05
(b) 12.03
(c) 12.03
313 (a) 7.06
(b)(1) N.A.
(b)(2) 7.06
(c) 7.06, 12.02
(d) 7.06
314 (a) 4.03, 4.04, 12.05
(b) N.A.
(c)(1) 12.04
(c)(2) 12.04
(c)(3) N.A.
(d) N.A.
(e) 12.05
315 (a) 7.01
(b) 7.05
(c) 7.01
(d) 7.01
(e) 6.11
316 (a) (last sentence) 2.09
(a)(1)(A) 6.05
(a)(1)(B) 6.04
(a)(2) N.A.
(b) 6.07
317 (a)(1) 6.08
(a)(2) 6.09
(b) 2.04
318(a) 12.01
318(c) 12.01

 

N.A.   means Not Applicable.

 

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.

 

 
 

 

 

This INDENTURE dated as of June 19, 2014, is among CASCADES INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association , as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

All dollar amounts in this Indenture are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise.   The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the 5.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE 1.

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.          Definitions .

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

144A Global Note ” means the Global Note or Global Notes substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(a)          any Property (other than cash, Temporary Cash Investments, securities and Capital Stock) to be owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business (including any capital expenditures with respect to any Property already owned or to be owned);

 

(b)          Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary from any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(c)          Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (b) and (c), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means any Notes (other than Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02, Section 2.14 and Section 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes or as an additional series.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

 
 

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of

 

(a)          any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals under law), or

 

(b)          any other Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

 

(1)         any disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)         any disposition that constitutes a Permitted Investment or Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(3)         any disposition effected in compliance with Section 5.01 hereof or constituting a Change of Control;

 

(4)         any disposition or series of related dispositions with an aggregate Fair Market Value and for net proceeds (exclusive of indemnities) of less than the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(5)         sales, transfers or other distributions of Property, including Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, for consideration at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property sold or disposed of, but only if the consideration received consists of Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary engaged in, or Property (other than cash, except to the extent used as a bona fide means of equalizing the value of the Property involved in the asset swap transaction) of a nature or type that are used in, a business having Property of a nature or type, or engaged in a business similar or related to the nature or type of the Property, or businesses of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date of such sale or other disposition;

 

(6)         the creation of any Permitted Lien;

 

(7)         any disposition of surplus, discontinued, obsolete or worn-out equipment or other immaterial assets or other personal Property that is no longer used or useful in the ongoing business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(8)         any surrender, waiver or settlement of contract rights or release of contract or tort claims;

 

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(9)         any sale of cash or Temporary Cash Investments or the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

 

(10)        dispositions of receivables in connection with a sale or the compromise, settlement or collection thereof or in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding;

 

(11)        the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases, subleases or co-location agreements with respect to other property which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(12)        sales of interests in or assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(13)        any exchange or trade-in of equipment or other property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for other equipment or property of a nature or type that is used or to be used in, the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Fair Market Value of the equipment or property received is at least as great as the Fair Market Value of the equipment or other property being exchanged or traded-in;

 

(14)        any sale of Receivables pursuant to a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(15)        any disposition of Property by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transfer of the Company’s Larochette mill to Reno de Medici S.p.A.   or in connection with transactions relating to Boralex Inc., Reno de Medici S.p.A.   or Cascades Recovery Inc.; and

 

(16)        any disposition arising from foreclosure, condemnation or similar action with respect to any property or other assets, or exercise of termination rights under any lease, license, concession or other agreement or pursuant to buy/sell arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at any date of determination,

 

(a)          if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby according to the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” and

 

(b)          in all other instances the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in such transaction compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

Average Life ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(a)          the sum of the product of the numbers of years (rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of one year) from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by

 

(b)          the sum of all such payments.

 

- 3 -
 

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) or any other Canadian federal or provincial law or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partnership of such Person) or, in each case, any duly authorized committee.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means each day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close in New York City or Montreal.

 

Canadian Notes ” means the C$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.50% senior notes due 2021 issued on the date hereof pursuant to that certain indenture dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Computershare Trust Company of Canada.

 

Capital Lease Obligations ” means any obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP ; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.   For purposes of Section 4.11 hereof, a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased.

 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any shares or other equivalents (however designated) of any class of corporate stock, limited liability company interests or partnership interests or any other participations, rights, warrants, options or other interests in the nature of an equity interest in such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into such equity interest.

 

Capital Stock Sale Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent such sale is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Issue Date, net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)          any “ person or “ group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing) of persons, including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, other than the Permitted Holders,

 

- 4 -
 

 

becomes the “ beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or

 

(b)          the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the Property of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than a disposition of such Property as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to a Restricted Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders) shall have occurred, or the Company merges, consolidates, liquidates, dissolves, winds-up or amalgamates with or into any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) or any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) merges, consolidates, liquidates, dissolves, winds-up or amalgamates with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for cash, securities or other Property, other than any such transaction where:

 

(1)         the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for other Voting Stock of the Company or for Voting Stock of the Surviving Person, and

 

(2)         the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the Company or the Surviving Person immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as before the transaction; or

 

(c)          the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking S.A.   and any successor thereto.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission ” means the U.S.   Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Commodity Price Protection Agreement ” means, in respect of a Person, any commodity futures contract, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements) designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means the United States treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

 

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any redemption date:

 

(a)          the average of the bid and ask prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” (or any successor release) published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded United States treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” or

 

- 5 -
 

 

(b)          if such release (or any successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such business day, the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (based on the most recent quarterly or annual period for which the Company’s financial statements are publicly available) which may properly be classified as current liabilities (including taxes accrued as estimated), after eliminating:

 

(a)          all intercompany items between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, and

 

(b)          all current maturities of long-term Debt.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

 

(a)          the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to such determination date to

 

(b)          Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters;

 

provided , however , that:

 

(1)         if

 

(A)         since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Debt that remains outstanding or Repaid any Debt, or

 

(B)         the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence or Repayment of Debt,

 

Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Incurrence or Repayment as if such Debt was Incurred or Repaid on the first day of such period, (except that in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation will be deemed to be (i) the average daily balance of such Debt during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (ii) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Debt during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation); and

 

(2)         if

 

(A)         since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Sale or other disposition or an Investment (by merger or otherwise) in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of Property which constitutes all or substantially all of a company, division, operating unit, segment, business, group of related businesses or assets of a business,

 

- 6 -
 

 

(B)         the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is such an Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition, or

 

(C)         since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made such an Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition,

 

then EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition as if such Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period.

 

If any Debt bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Debt shall be calculated as if the base interest rate in effect for such floating rate of interest on the date of determination had been the applicable base interest rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Debt).   If any Debt bears interest, at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, at a rate of interest based on a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate or other fixed or floating rate, and such Debt is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense with respect to such Debt shall be calculated for the entire period by applying such optional rate as shall be in effect as of the date of determination.   Interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.   In addition, in the event the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold during the period, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of clause (1) above, to have Repaid during such period the Debt of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Debt after such sale.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the total interest expense, net of any interest income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and excluding interest expense relating to employee future benefits, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent Incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

(a)          interest expense attributable to leases constituting part of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction and to Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(b)          amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost excluding amortization of deferred and other financing fees; provided, however , that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(c)          capitalized interest;

 

(d)          non-cash interest expense (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP);

 

(e)          commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

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(f)          net payments associated with Interest Rate Agreements (including amortization of fees) provided , however , that if Interest Rate Agreements result in net receipts rather than net payments, such payments shall be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such net payments are otherwise reflected in Consolidated Net Income;

 

(g)          Disqualified Stock Dividends to the extent made to Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(h)          Preferred Stock Dividends to the extent made to Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(i)          interest Incurred in connection with Investments in discontinued operations;

 

(j)          interest accruing on any Debt of any other Person to the extent such Debt is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(k)          the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Debt Incurred by such plan or trust.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined in accordance with GAAP); provided, however , that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(a)          any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

(1)         subject to the exclusion contained in clause (c) below, the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (b) below); and

 

(2)         the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(b)          any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

 

(1)         subject to the exclusion contained in clause (c) below, the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and

 

- 8 -
 

 

(2)         the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(c)          any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Joint Venture (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business ( provided that sales or other dispositions of assets in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction shall be deemed to be in the ordinary course), and fees and expenses relating to any sale or other disposition or acquisition of Property, regardless of whether such transaction is consummated;

 

(d)          the effect of any non-cash items resulting from any amortization, write-up, write-down or write-off of assets (including intangible assets, goodwill and deferred financing costs but excluding inventory) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Joint Venture incurred subsequent to the Issue Date (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period except to the extent such item is subsequently reversed);

 

(e)          any extraordinary gain or loss (including fees and expenses relating to any event or transaction giving rise thereto);

 

(f)          any gain or loss arising from any refinancing, repurchase or extinguishment of Debt;

 

(g)          any unrealized gain or loss attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations, other derivative instruments and other items pursuant to GAAP;

 

(h)          the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;

 

(i)          any gain or loss arising from foreign currency fluctuations on foreign currency denominated Debt; and

 

(j)          any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Section 4.10 hereof only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of Property from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii)(D) hereof.   In addition, any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges or other items described above in this definition subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges were added back shall be deducted.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the amounts that would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (based upon the most recent quarterly or annual period for which the Company’s financial statements are publicly available) as the total assets (less accumulated depreciation and amortization, allowances for doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, after giving effect to purchase accounting and after deducting therefrom Consolidated Current Liabilities and, to the extent otherwise included, the amounts of (without duplication):

 

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(a)          the excess of cost over fair market value of assets or businesses acquired;

 

(b)          any revaluation or other write-up in book value of assets subsequent to the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company immediately preceding the Issue Date as a result of a change in the method of valuation in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)          unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges, good-will, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, organization or developmental expenses and other intangible items;

 

(d)          minority interests in consolidated Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(e)          treasury stock; and

 

(f)          cash or securities set aside and held in a sinking or other similar fund established for the purpose of redemption or other retirement of Capital Stock to the extent such obligation is not reflected in Consolidated Current Liabilities.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 150 East 42nd Street, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10017 or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

Credit Facility ” means the Debt represented by:

 

(a)          one or more debt facilities, commercial paper facilities or instruments, in each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or debt securities, including, without limitation, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2011, among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto, The National Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent, together with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including amendments, supplements or modifications relating to the addition or elimination of Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers, guarantors or other credit parties thereunder; and

 

(b)          any renewal, extension, refunding, restructuring, replacement or refinancing thereof (whether with the original Administrative and/or Collateral Agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or one or more other lenders and whether provided under the original Credit Facility or one or more other credit or other agreements or notes or other securities issued pursuant to indentures).

 

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Currency Exchange Protection Agreement ” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, currency option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

Custodian ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as Custodian with respect to the Notes, any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Debt ” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(a)          any indebtedness of any Person:

 

(1)         in respect of money borrowed, or

 

(2)         evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

 

(b)          all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;

 

(c)          all obligations of such Person representing the deferred purchase price of Property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), but only to the extent that such purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such Property in service for taking delivery and title therein;

 

(d)          all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (a) through (c) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(e)          the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the Repayment of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(f)          all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee;

 

(g)          all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of other Persons secured by any Lien on any Property of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such Property and the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

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(h)          to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person.

 

The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance, or the accreted value of such Debt in the case of Debt issued with original issue discount, at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above.   The amount of Debt represented by a Hedging Obligation shall be equal to:

 

(1)         zero if such Hedging Obligation has been Incurred pursuant to clause (v), (vi) or (vii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

 

(2)         the notional amount of such Hedging Obligation if not Incurred pursuant to such clauses.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt shall not include (a) any endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business, (b) any realization of a Permitted Lien, and (c) Debt that has been defeased or satisfied in accordance with the terms of the documents governing such Indebtedness.   With respect to any Debt denominated in a foreign currency, for purposes of determining compliance with any Canadian-dollar denominated restriction on the Incurrence of such Debt under Section 4.09 hereof, the amount of such Debt shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been made publicly available.

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Designated Noncash Consideration ” means the fair market value of any non-cash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, in either case at the option of the holder thereof) or otherwise:

 

(a)          matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,

 

(b)          is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or

 

(c)          is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Debt or Disqualified Stock,

 

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on or prior to, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale or disposition (each as defined in a similar manner to the corresponding definitions in this Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with Section 4.12; and such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.10.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Capital Stock issued to any employee benefit plan, or by any such plan to any employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased or otherwise acquired or retired in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

 

Disqualified Stock Dividends ” means all dividends with respect to Disqualified Stock of the Company held by Persons other than a Restricted Subsidiary.   The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the Company.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

 

EBITDA ” means, for any period, an amount equal to, for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

(a)          the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(1)         the provision for taxes based on income or profits or utilized in computing net loss; plus

 

(2)         Consolidated Interest Expense plus interest expense relating to employee future benefits; plus

 

(3)         depreciation; plus

 

(4)         amortization of intangibles; plus

 

(5)         the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include severance contracts, termination costs (including pension settlement amounts)), including future lease commitments, costs to close or consolidate facilities and costs to relocate employees; and

 

(b)          any non-cash items decreasing Consolidated Net Income (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period), minus

 

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(c)          all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it is expected to result in the receipt of cash payments in any future period), minus

 

(d)          any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges or other items described above in this definition subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges or other items were reflected in Consolidated Net Income

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash items of a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its shareholders.

 

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear systems, and any successor thereto.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any Property, the price that would reasonably be expected to be negotiated in an arm’s length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.   Fair Market Value shall be determined, except as otherwise provided,

 

(a)          if such Property has a Fair Market Value equal to or less than $50.0 million, by any Officer of the Company, or

 

(b)          if such Property has a Fair Market Value in excess of $50.0 million, by a Board Resolution of the Company.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary which is not organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, or the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, consistently applied, which are in effect from time to time, which as of the Issue Date are International Financial Reporting Standards.

 

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Notes ” means one or more global Notes registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and bearing the Global Note Legend and including the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

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Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

(a)          to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase securities or to maintain financial condition or otherwise), or

 

(b)          entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

provided , however , that the term “Guarantee” shall not include:

 

(1)         endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, or

 

(2)         a contractual commitment by one Person to invest in another Person for so long as such Investment is reasonably expected to constitute a Permitted Investment under clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Permitted Investment.”

 

The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor ” means any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

 

Hedging Obligation ” of any Person means any obligation of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Exchange Protection Agreement, Commodity Price Protection Agreement or any other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

Income Tax Act ” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

Incur ” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by merger, conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend, assume, Guarantee or become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and “Incurrence” and “Incurred” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided , however , that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time, and is not theretofore classified as Debt, becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt; provided further , however , that any Debt or other obligations of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary; and provided further , however , that solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, amortization of debt discount shall not be deemed to be the Incurrence of Debt, provided that in the case of Debt sold at a discount, the amount of such Debt Incurred shall at all times be the aggregate principal amount at its stated maturity.

 

Indenture ” means this instrument, as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended in accordance with Article 9 hereof.

 

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Independent Financial Advisor ” means an investment banking firm of national standing or any third party appraiser of national standing in Canada or the United States, provided that such firm or appraiser is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Independent Investment Banker means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.

 

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

Initial Notes ” means US$550,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

Interest Payment Dates ” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the Note.

 

Interest Rate Agreement ” means, for any Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Investment ” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan (other than accounts receivable, trade credit or other advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such Person), advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or Incurrence of a Guarantee of any obligation of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person.   For purposes of Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof and the definitions of “Restricted Payment” and “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the term “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary of an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)          the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, less

 

(b)          the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation.

 

In determining the amount of any Investment made by transfer of any Property other than cash, such Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such Investment.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

 

Investment Grade Status ” shall be deemed to have been reached on the date that the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from either of the Rating Agencies.

 

Issue Date ” means June 19, 2014.

 

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Legal Holiday ” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City, Montreal, the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.   If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any Property of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such Property (including any Capital Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or any Sale and Leaseback Transaction).

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.   or any successor to the rating agency business of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Net Available Cash ” from any Asset Sale means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Debt or other obligations relating to the Property that is the subject of such Asset Sale or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:

 

(a)          all legal, title, accounting and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Sale;

 

(b)          all payments made on or in respect of any Debt that is secured by any Property subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such Property, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale;

 

(c)          all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale;

 

(d)          the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the Property disposed in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale; and

 

(e)          payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Debt) relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Debt:

 

(a)          as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (i) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute

 

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Debt), (ii) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (iii) constitutes the lender and

 

(b)          no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any Debt (other than the Notes) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

Obligations ” means all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final offering memorandum, dated June 5, 2014, relating to and used in connection with the offering of the Initial Notes and the Canadian Notes.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company, or, in the event that the Company has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company.   Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel.   The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively, and, with respect to The Depository Trust Company, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream.

 

Permitted Asset Swap ” means, the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash, Temporary Cash Investments or Designated Noncash Consideration between the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided , that any cash or Temporary Cash Investments received shall, to the extent required, be applied in accordance with Section 4.12 hereof.

 

Permitted Holders ” means (i) each of Laurent Lemaire, Bernard Lemaire and Alain Lemaire; (ii) the spouse, parents, siblings, descendants (including children or grandchildren by adoption) of any Person referred to in clause (i) or of such spouse or siblings; (iii) in the event of the incompetence or death of any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) or (ii), such Person’s estate, executor, administrator, committee or other personal representative in each case who at any particular date shall beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock of the Company; (iv) any trusts or foundations created for the sole benefit of any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) or any trust or foundation for the benefit of such trust or foundation; or (v) any Person of which any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) ”beneficially owns” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) on a fully diluted basis all the Voting Stock of such Person or is the sole trustee or general partner, or otherwise has the sole power to manage the business and affairs of such Person.

 

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Permitted Investment ” means any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

(a)          any Investment existing on the Issue Date, including any Investment of any Subsidiary or joint venture at the time such Subsidiary or joint venture became a Subsidiary or joint venture and Investments to be made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(b)          the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)          any Person if as a result of or in connection with such Investment such Person (i) becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its Property to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(d)          cash and Temporary Cash Investments;

 

(e)          receivables or advances owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(f)          payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)          loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, provided that such loans and advances do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(h)          stock, obligations or other securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments, including as the result of any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a trade creditor or customer;

 

(i)          any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale consummated in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof or a transaction not constituting an Asset Sale by reason of the thresholds contained in clause (4) of the second paragraph in the definition of “Asset Sale”;

 

(j)          a lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)          any assets or Capital Stock of any Person made out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or the consideration for which consists solely of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided that the issuance of such Capital Stock shall be included in the calculation set forth in 4.10(a)(iii)(B) hereof at any one time outstanding;

 

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(l)          Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation and otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(m)          any assets acquired as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Permitted Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Permitted Investment in default;

 

(n)          purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or licenses or leases or intellectual property, in any case, in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(o)          Investments consisting of Guarantees permitted pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(p)          Investments in Permitted Joint Ventures; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments made pursuant to this clause (p) shall not exceed at any time outstanding the greater of $400.0 million or 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and

 

(q)          other Investments made for Fair Market Value that do not exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time.

 

Permitted Joint Venture ” means any Person which is, directly or indirectly, through its Subsidiaries or otherwise, engaged principally in a Related Business, and the Capital Stock of which is owned by (x) the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and (y) one or more Persons other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, provided that such Persons in the aggregate own at least 20% of such Capital Stock.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(a)          Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(b)          Liens to secure Debt permitted to be Incurred under clause (ii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

 

(c)          Liens to secure Debt permitted to be Incurred under clause (iii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that any such Lien may not extend to any Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Property subject to such transaction or acquired, constructed, improved or leased with the proceeds of such Debt and any improvements or accessions to such Property;

 

(d)          Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision that shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(e)          Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, vendors’ or Liens and other similar Liens, on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business and securing payment of obligations that are not more than 60 days past due or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

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(f)          Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising in the ordinary course of business and as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties;

 

(g)          Liens arising as a result of litigation or legal proceedings that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate and diligent action, including any Lien arising as a result of any judgment rendered against the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)          Liens granted in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(i)          Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and Incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice, in each case which are not Incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of Property and which do not in the aggregate impair in any material respect the use of Property in the operation of the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

(j)          Liens on Property (together with general intangibles and proceeds relating to such property) at the time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired such Property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided further , however , that such Liens shall not have been Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(k)          Liens on the Property or shares of Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a direct Subsidiary of such Person; provided further , however , that any such Lien was not Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(l)          pledges or deposits by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company, or deposits for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)          utility easements, building restrictions, rights-of-ways, irregularities of title and such other encumbrances or charges against real Property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character;

 

(n)          Liens to secure Hedging Obligations made in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of speculation to the extent otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(o)          Liens existing on the Issue Date not otherwise described in clauses (a) through (n) above;

 

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(p)          Liens granted to secure the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof;

 

(q)          leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(r)          Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to secure any Refinancing, in whole or in part, of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clause (c), (j), (k) or (o) above; provided , however , that any such Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same Property that secured the original Lien (together with improvements and accessions to such Property) and the aggregate principal amount of Debt that is secured by such Lien shall not be increased to an amount greater than the sum of:

 

(1)         the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, the committed amount, of the Debt secured by Liens described under clause (c), (j), (k) or (o) above, as the case may be, at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and

 

(2)         an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Refinancing; and

 

(s)          Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through (r) above encumbering Property having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of the greater of (i) $150.0 million or (ii) 7.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Permitted Refinancing Debt ” means any Debt that Refinances any other Debt, including any successive Refinancings, so long as:

 

(a)          such Debt is in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) not in excess of the sum of:

 

(1)         the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(2)         an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, related to such Refinancing,

 

(b)          the Average Life of such Debt is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being Refinanced,

 

(c)          the Stated Maturity of such Debt is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(d)          such Debt shall not be senior in right of payment to the Debt that is being Refinanced,

 

provided , however , that Permitted Refinancing Debt shall not include:

 

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(x)          Debt of a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that Refinances Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or

 

(y)          Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Predecessor Note ” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same Debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; provided that no such Predecessor Note shall be deemed to be outstanding at the same time as such particular Note.

 

Preferred Stock ” of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock issued by such Person.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends ” means all dividends with respect to Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.   The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of such Preferred Stock.

 

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

pro forma ” means, with respect to any calculation made or required to be made pursuant to the terms hereof, (1) a calculation performed in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, as interpreted in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, or (2) otherwise a calculation made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, as the case may be, which, in the event any acquisition or disposition of assets outside of the ordinary course of business is to be given pro forma effect, may reflect expense and cost reductions associated with any such acquisition or disposition that are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and quantifiable and based on actions already taken or expected to be taken within 12 months and for which the full run-rate effect of such actions is expected to be realized within 12 months of such action.

 

Property ” means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including Capital Stock in, and other securities of, any other Person.   For purposes of any calculation required pursuant to this Indenture, the value of any Property shall be its Fair Market Value.

 

Purchase Money Debt ” means Debt:

 

(a)          consisting of the deferred purchase price of Property, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations

 

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and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds, in each case where the maturity of such Debt does not exceed the anticipated useful life of the Property being financed, and

 

(b)          Incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement or lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Property, including additions and improvements thereto (whether through the direct purchase of assets or through the acquisition of at least a majority of the Voting Stock of any Person owning such assets);

 

provided , however , that such Debt is Incurred within 180 days after the acquisition, construction or lease of such Property by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Qualified Equity Issuance ” means a public or private issuance of common stock by the Company of at least $50.0 million to Persons who are not Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Qualified Receivables Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions, including factoring arrangements, that may be entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or reasonably related to a transaction or series of transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Special Purpose Vehicle or (2) any other Person, or may grant a security interest in, any equipment and related assets (including contract rights) or Receivables or interests therein which may be secured by goods or services financed thereby (whether such Receivables are then existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any assets relating thereto including, without limitation, all security or ownership interests in goods or services financed thereby, the proceeds of such Receivables, and other assets which are customarily sold or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with securitization transactions involving such assets, as any agreement governing any such transactions may be renewed, refinanced, amended, restated or modified from time to time.

 

Rating Agencies ” mean Moody’s and S&P.

 

Receivables ” means any right of payment from or on behalf of any obligor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, instrument, general intangible or otherwise, arising from the financing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of goods or services, and monies due thereunder, security or ownership interests in the goods and services financed thereby, records relating thereto, and the right to payment of any interest or finance charges and other obligations with respect thereto, proceeds from claims on insurance policies related thereto, any other proceeds related thereto, and other related rights.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means a primary U.S.   Government securities dealer in New York City.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.   on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

 

Refinance ” means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Debt, in exchange or replacement for, such Debt.   “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

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Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the date specified on the face of the Note.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Global Note ” means the Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

 

Related Business ” means any business that is related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.

 

Related Business Assets ” means assets (other than cash or Temporary Cash Investments) used or useful in a Related Business; provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Repay ” means, in respect of any Debt, to repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, legally defease or otherwise retire such Debt.   “Repayment” and “Repaid” shall have correlative meanings.   For purposes of Section 4.12 and the definition of “Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio,” Debt constituting revolving credit Debt shall be considered to have been Repaid only to the extent the related loan commitment, if any, shall have been permanently reduced in connection therewith.

 

Responsible Officer ,” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Definitive Note ” means one or more Definitive Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Global Notes ” means one or more 144A Global Note and Regulation S Global Notes and any other Global Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Payment ” means:

 

(a)          any dividend or distribution (whether made in cash, securities or other Property) declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), except for any dividend or distribution that is made solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or any dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and except for pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned subsidiary to minority stockholders;

 

(b)          the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any such Capital

 

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Stock, including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than for or into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);

 

(c)          the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value, prior to the date for any scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment payment, of any Subordinated Obligation (other than (x) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligation purchased in anticipation of satisfying a scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment obligation, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition or (y) Debt permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(iv); or

 

(d)          any Investment (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 903 ” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904 ” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to Property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such Property to another Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.

 

Special Purpose Vehicle ” means a bankruptcy remote entity or trust or other special purpose entity which is formed by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any other Person for the purpose of, and engages in no material business other than in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction or other similar transactions of Receivables, including factoring arrangements, or other similar or related assets.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Obligations ” means any Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in

 

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right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

Subsidiary ” means with respect to any Person, means any corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

(a)          such Person,

 

(b)          such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or

 

(c)          one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means the Guarantee of the Notes by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article 10 hereof and any additional Guarantee of the Notes to be delivered pursuant to a supplemental indenture by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Canadian and U.S.   Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the Issue Date and any other Person that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof or who otherwise executes and delivers a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto to the Trustee providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Surviving Person ” means the surviving Person formed by a merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation and, for purposes of Section 5.01 hereof, a Person to whom all or substantially all of the Property of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, transferred, assigned, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed.

 

Temporary Cash Investments ” means:

 

(a)          Investments in U.S.   and Canadian Government Obligations, in each case maturing within 365 days of the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)          Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America or Canada or any state or province, as the case may be, or the District of Columbia or any U.S.   or Canadian branch of a foreign bank having, at the date of acquisition thereof, combined capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of US$250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or “A-” or higher according to Moody’s or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act));

 

(c)          repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) entered into with:

 

(1)         a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above, or

 

(2)         any primary government securities dealer reporting to the Market Reports Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York;

 

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(d)          Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act)) or, with respect to commercial paper issued in Canada by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of Canada, having a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “R-1” (or higher) according to Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited;

 

(e)          direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of any state of the United States of America, any province of Canada or any foreign country recognized by the United States or any political subdivision of any such state, province or foreign country, as the case may be (including any agency or instrumentality thereof), for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such state is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option, provided that:

 

(1)         the long-term debt of such state, province or country is rated “A-3” or “A-” or higher according to Moody’s or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act)), and

 

(2)         such obligations mature within one year of the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(f)          Investments in money market funds which invest substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Total Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

 

(a)          the total Debt of the Company as of such date, to

 

(b)          the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to such determination date.

 

in each case, with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (including, for avoidance of doubt, adjustments contemplated within the definition of “pro forma”).

 

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, compounded semi-annually, assuming a price for such Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Trustee that shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Unrestricted Definitive Notes ” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Notes ” means one or more Global Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(a)          any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as permitted or required pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof and is not thereafter redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary as permitted pursuant thereto; and

 

(b)          any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

U.S.   Government Obligations ” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

 

Voting Stock ” of any Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

Section 1.02.          Other Definitions .

 

Term   Defined in
Section
     
“Acceleration Notice”   6.02
“Additional Amounts”   4.19
“Affiliate Transaction”   4.14
“Allocable Excess Proceeds”   4.12
“Asset Sale Offer”   3.09
“Authentication Order”   2.02
“Base Currency”   12.13
“Benefited Party”   10.01
“Change of Control Offer”   4.16
“Change of Control Payment Date”   4.16
“Change of Control Purchase Price”   4.16
“Covenant Defeasance”   8.03
“Company”   Preamble
“defeasance trust”   8.04
“DTC”   2.03
“Event of Default”   6.01
“Excess Proceeds”   4.12
“Excluded Holder”   4.19
“First Currency”   12.14
“judgment currency”   12.13
“Legal Defeasance”   8.02
“losses”   7.07
“Notes   Preamble

 

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Term   Defined in
Section
“Offer Amount”   3.09
“Offer Period”   3.09
“Other Currency”   12.14
“Paying Agent”   2.03
“Permitted Debt”   4.09
“Purchase Date”   3.09
“rate(s) of exchange”   12.13
“Registrar”   2.03
“retiring Trustee”   7.08
“Security Register”   4.16
“Tax Jurisdiction”   4.19
“Taxes”   4.19
“Trustee”   Preamble

 

Section 1.03.          Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

(a)          Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

(b)          The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes;

 

indenture security holder ” means a Holder of a Note;

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor ” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

 

(c)          All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

Section 1.04.          Rules of Construction .

 

(a)          Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)          a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(ii)        an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(iii)        “or” is not exclusive;

 

(iv)       words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

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(v)          all references in this instrument to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed or as amended pursuant to and in accordance with Article 9 hereof;

 

(vi)         the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

(vii)        “including” means “including without limitation”;

 

(viii)      provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(ix)         references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 2.

 

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01.          Form and Dating .

 

(a)           General .   The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture.   The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A .   Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.   The Notes shall be in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.   The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.   However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b)           Form of Notes .   Notes shall be issued initially in global form and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend provided in Section 2.06(f)(ii) hereof and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).   Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend provided in Section 2.06(f)(ii) hereof and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto).   Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions and transfers of interests therein.   Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c)           Book-Entry Provisions .   This Section 2.01(c) shall only apply to Global Notes deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary.   Participants and Indirect Participants shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as the custodian for the Depositary or under such Global Note, and the Depositary shall

 

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be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants or Indirect Participants, the Applicable Procedures or the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)           Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable .   The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

(e)           Certificated Securities .   If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary shall no longer be eligible under this Section 2.01, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary.   If a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Notes, will authenticate and deliver Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount and like terms and tenor equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that Global Notes shall no longer be represented by such Global Notes.   In such event, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Notes of the same terms and tenor, will authenticate and deliver Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.

 

If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 2.06 with respect to Global Notes, the Depositary may surrender Global Notes in exchange in whole or in part for Definitive Notes and of like terms and tenor on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary.   Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Notes, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge to the holders:

 

(i)          to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Definitive Note or Notes of the same tenor, in authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Note; and

 

(ii)         to such Depositary a new Global Note in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Note and the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Notes delivered to holders pursuant to clause (i) above.

 

Upon the exchange of a Global Note for Definitive Notes, such Global Note shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee.   Definitive Notes in exchange for a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee in writing.   The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Notes to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered or to the Depositary.

 

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Section 2.02.          Execution and Authentication .

 

(a)          One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or portable document format signature.

 

(b)          If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

(c)          A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.   The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

(d)          The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate Notes for original issue.

 

(e)          The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes.   Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.   Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.   An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

(f)          The Company may issue Additional Notes from time to time after the offering of the Initial Notes.   The issuance of Additional Notes will be subject to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof.   The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

Section 2.03.          Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

(a)          The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”).   The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.   The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.   The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.   The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.   The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.   If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.   The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(b)          The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(c)          The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and the Trustee hereby initially agrees so to act.

 

Section 2.04.          Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company or a Subsidiary to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the

 

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Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.   While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.   The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.   Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.   If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.   Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05.          Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).   If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Trustee may allow, as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

 

Section 2.06.          Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)           Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes .   A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.   All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or (3) an Event of Default entitling the Holders to accelerate shall have occurred and be continuing and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depositary to issue Definitive Notes.   Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in denominations of US$2,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof and in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee in writing.   Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof.   Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note.   A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (g) hereof.

 

(b)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes .   The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures.   Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act.   Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either clause (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following clauses, as applicable:

 

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(i)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note .   Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend.   Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note.   No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

(ii)          All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes .   In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (B)(1) above.   Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

(iii)         Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note to Another Restricted Global Note .   A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

 

(B)         if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

 

(iv)          Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note .   A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and:

 

(A)         such transfer is effected pursuant to a registration statement in accordance with the Securities Act; or

 

(B)         the Registrar receives the following:

 

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(1)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(2)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this clause (B), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this clause (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this clause (iv).

 

(v)           Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes for Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited .   Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)           Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .

 

(i)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes .   If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B)         if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)         if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S.   Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)         if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities

 

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Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)         if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(F)         if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.   Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.   The Trustee shall mail or deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.   Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(ii)          Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .   A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

 

(A)         such transfer is effected pursuant to a registration statement in accordance with the Securities Act; or

 

(B)         the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(2)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this clause (B), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)         Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .   If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such

 

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beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail or deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount.   Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.   The Trustee shall mail or deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered.   Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes .

 

(i)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes .   If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)         if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S.   Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(F)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

 

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(ii)          Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes .   A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

 

(A)         such transfer is effected pursuant to a registration statement in accordance with the Securities Act; or

 

(B)         the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1)         if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(2)         if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this clause (B), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the clauses in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(iii)         Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes .   A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time.   Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

(iv)          Transfer or Exchange of Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited .   An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(v)           Issuance of Unrestricted Global Notes .   If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

(e)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes .   Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes.   Prior to such registration

 

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of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing.   In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(i)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes .   Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)         if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C)         if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(ii)          Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .   Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

 

(A)         such transfer is effected pursuant to a registration statement in accordance with the Securities Act; or

 

(B)         the Registrar receives the following:

 

(1)         if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

(2)         if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this clause (B), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)         Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes .   A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of Unrestricted Definitive Notes.   Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f)           Legends .   The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(i)           Private Placement Legend .

 

(A)         Except as permitted by clause (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION.   NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

“THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S.   PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S (PROVIDED THAT SUCH NON-U.S.   PERSONS AGREE NOT TO RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE SECURITIES IN CANADA OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CANADIAN RESIDENT, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS), (E) TO AN ’ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(l), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, INCLUDING OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY PROVINCE OF CANADA, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY

 

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OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.   THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

“IN CANADA, UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITIES BEFORE OCTOBER 20, 2014.”

 

(B)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to clauses ‎(b)(iv), ‎(c)(ii), ‎(c)(iii), ‎(d)(ii), ‎(d)(iii), ‎(e)(ii) or ‎(e)(iii) of this ‎Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend; provided , however that any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to clauses (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall, if issued before the date that is four months and one day after the date of original issuance of the Note, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“CANADIAN RESALE LEGEND:

 

IN CANADA, UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITIES BEFORE OCTOBER 20, 2014.”

 

(ii)          Global Note Legend .   Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

 

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO.   OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.   OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

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(g)           Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes .   At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.   At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)           General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

 

(i)          To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Company’s order or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)         No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.12, 4.16 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(iii)        All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(iv)         Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Regular Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(v)          Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(vi)         The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

(vii)        All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or portable document format.

 

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(viii)      The Trustee is hereby authorized to enter into a letter of representation with the Depositary in the form provided by the Company and to act in accordance with such letter.

 

(ix)         The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

Section 2.07.          Replacement Notes .

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate, a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met.   If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.   The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Any replacement Note authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Section in lieu of a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same Debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Company, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

 

Section 2.08.          Outstanding Notes .

 

(a)          The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.   Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(c) hereof.

 

(b)          If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

(c)          If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

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(d)          If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09.          Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10.          Temporary Notes .

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate, temporary Notes.   Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.   Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11.          Cancellation .

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.   The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.   The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar, or the Paying Agent, upon direction by the Company, and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) or return them to the Company.   Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company from time to time upon written request.   The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12.          Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest .

 

Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.   The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment.   The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest.   At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may make payment in cash of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.

 

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Section 2.13.          CUSIP or ISIN Numbers .

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.   The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

 

Section 2.14.          Issuance of Additional Notes .

 

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the date hereof, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price.   The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

(a)          the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(b)          the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes; and

 

(c)          whether such Additional Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer.

 

ARTICLE 3.

 

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01.          Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof and paragraph 5 of the Notes, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.   Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed or delivered to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.

 

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Section 3.02.          Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with any applicable depositary and legal requirements and the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, at random or in accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate.   In the event of partial redemption at random, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.   Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of US$2,000 or whole multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of US$1,000, shall be redeemed.   Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

Section 3.03.          Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or deliver, or cause to be mailed or delivered, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(a)          the redemption date;

 

(b)          the redemption price or if the redemption is made pursuant to Section 3.07(b) a calculation of the redemption price;

 

(c)          if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(d)          the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(e)          that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(f)          that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(g)          the paragraph of the Notes or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(h)          in the case of a redemption being made by a Restricted Subsidiary, the name of such Restricted Subsidiary making the redemption; and

 

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(i)          that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

The Company shall, or, at the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days, or such shorter period allowed by the Trustee, prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in this Section 3.03.

 

Section 3.04.          Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed or delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.   A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

Section 3.05.          Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or before 11:00 a.m.   New York City time on any redemption date, the Company shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) to be redeemed on that date.   The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed.

 

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment.   If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date.   If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06.          Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07.          Optional Redemption .

 

(a)          The Company may choose to redeem the Notes at any time.   If it does so, it may redeem all or any portion of the Notes at once or over time, after giving the required notice hereunder.   To redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2017 the Company must pay a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)          100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and

 

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(ii)         the sum of the present values of (1) the redemption price of the Notes at July 15, 2017(as set forth below) and (2) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the redemption date to July 15, 2017 but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at the Treasury Rate (determined on the second business day immediately preceding the date of redemption) plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

Any notice to Holders of Notes of such a redemption will include the appropriate calculation of the redemption price, but need not include the redemption price itself.   The actual redemption price, calculated as described above, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two business days prior to the redemption date (unless clause (b) of the definition of “Comparable Treasury Price” is applicable, in which case such Officers’ Certificate shall be delivered on the redemption date).

 

(b)          Beginning on July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under this Indenture, at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).   The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Redemption Year   Price  
2017     104.125 %
2018     102.750 %
2019     101.375 %
2020 and thereafter     100.000 %

 

(c)          In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) with the proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Issuances, at a redemption price equal to 105.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that after giving effect to any such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding.   Any such redemption shall be made within 180 days of such Qualified Equity Issuance upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice.

 

(d)          The Company may at any time redeem, in whole but not in part, the outstanding Notes (upon giving notice in accordance with this Indenture, which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, the Company has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes, and the Company cannot avoid any such payment obligation by taking reasonable measures available to it, as a result of (i) any change in or amendment to the laws (or regulations promulgated thereunder) of a relevant Tax Jurisdiction, or (ii) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment is announced and is effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the applicable relevant Tax Jurisdiction became a Tax Jurisdiction on a date after the Issue Date, such later date).

 

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(e)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect to effect any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Section 3.08.          Mandatory Redemption .

 

Except as set forth in Sections 4.12 and 4.16 hereof, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 3.09.          Offer To Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds .

 

(a)          In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

 

(b)          The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”).   No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof (the “ Offer Amount ”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer.   Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

If the Purchase Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

Upon the commencement of the Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall deliver a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders.   The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.   The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders.   The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

 

(i)          that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.12 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

 

(ii)         the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

 

(iii)        that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

 

(iv)         that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

(v)          that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in amounts of US$2,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof;

 

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(vi)         that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

 

(vii)        that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

(viii)      that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of US$2,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased); and

 

(ix)         that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09.   The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof from the Company, shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.   Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.   The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 4.

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01.          Payment of Notes .

 

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.   Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m.   New York City Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

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The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest on any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest on any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

Section 4.02.          Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

(a)          The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.   The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.   If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(b)          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.   The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)          The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee, as one such office, drop facility or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Section 4.03.          Reports .

 

(a)          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the time such report is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, any extension permitted by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), a copy of each report the Company is required to file or otherwise files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any material for which the Company has sought and obtained confidential treatment by the Commission; provided further , each such report will be deemed to be so delivered to the Trustee if the Company files such report with the Commission through the Commission’s EDGAR database.   In the event the Company is at any time while any Notes are outstanding no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and no longer files reports thereunder, the Company shall continue to provide to the Trustee and, upon request, to each Holder, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date the Company would have been required to file the same with the Commission, the reports the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to the reporting requirements of such sections.   The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a).

 

(b)          For so long as any Notes remain outstanding and the Company does not have or shall cease to have a class of equity securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or is not or shall cease to be subject to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and no longer files reports thereunder, the Company shall furnish to the Holders, upon their request, the information required to be

 

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delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act; provided that each such report requested will be deemed delivered if the Company files such report with the Commission through the Commission’s EDGAR database.

 

(c)          Delivery of these reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).   The Trustee shall not have any responsibility to determine whether such posting of reports with the Commission has occurred.

 

Section 4.04.          Compliance Certificate .

 

(a)          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate (which shall be signed by the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company) stating that in the course of performing their duties as Officers of the Company a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company and its Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company and its Subsidiaries are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)          The Company shall comply with TIA § 314(a)(2).

 

(c)          The Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee, after becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time (or both) would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; provided , however , that no notice need be delivered under this Section 4.04(c) if the event that with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default has been cured prior to the time delivery of notice would have otherwise been required.

 

Section 4.05.          Taxes .

 

The Company shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies; provided that neither the Company nor any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders, unless despite such contestation, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is nonetheless required to pay such taxes, assessments, or governmental levies under applicable law.

 

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Section 4.06.          Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.07.          Corporate Existence .

 

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes or such action is otherwise permitted by this Indenture.

 

Section 4.08.          Payments for Consent .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Section 4.09.          Limitation on Debt .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Debt unless, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, no Default or Event of Default would occur as a consequence of such Incurrence or be continuing following such Incurrence and either:

 

(i)          such Debt is Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.00 to 1.00; provided that Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors may incur Debt to the extent Debt incurred and outstanding under this clause (i) does not exceed $100.0 million, or

 

(ii)         such Debt is Permitted Debt.

 

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(b)          The term “ Permitted Debt ” means:

 

(i)          (1) Debt of the Company evidenced by the Initial Notes and the Canadian Notes and (2) Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees relating to the Initial Notes and subsidiary guarantees relating to the Canadian Notes;

 

(ii)         Debt of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary under a Credit Facility; provided that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii) and then outstanding shall not exceed the greatest of (i) $1,000.0 million, which amount shall be permanently reduced by the amount of Net Available Cash used to Repay Debt under the Credit Facility, and not subsequently reinvested in Additional Assets or used to purchase Notes or Repay other Debt, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, (ii) an aggregate amount equal to (x) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to the date of such incurrence multiplied by (y) 3.50 and (iii) the sum of (A) 60% of the book value of the inventory of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) 80% of the book value of the accounts receivable of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (C) $250.0 million, in each case determined on a consolidated basis as of the most recently ended annual or quarterly period of the Company for which financial statements of the Company are publicly available;

 

(iii)        Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, Purchase Money Debt or Sale and Leaseback Transactions, provided that:

 

(A)         the aggregate principal amount of such Debt does not exceed the Fair Market Value (on the date of the Incurrence thereof) of the Property acquired, constructed, leased or sold, and

 

(B)         the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Incurred and then outstanding pursuant to this clause (iii) (together with all Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred and then outstanding in respect of Debt previously Incurred pursuant to this clause (iii)) does not exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 7.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(iv)         Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary and Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on any such Debt Incurred after the Issue Date, then such Debt is expressly subordinated by its terms to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be; provided further , however , that any subsequent issue or transfer of Capital Stock or other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Debt (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Debt by the issuer thereof;

 

(v)          Debt under Interest Rate Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk in the ordinary course of the financial management of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes, provided that the obligations under such agreements are directly related to payment obligations on Debt otherwise permitted by this Section 4.09;

 

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(vi)         Debt under Currency Exchange Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting currency exchange rate risks directly related to transactions entered into by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(vii)        Debt under Commodity Price Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of the financial management of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;

 

(viii)      Debt in connection with one or more standby letters of credit or performance bonds issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance obligations and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit;

 

(ix)         Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date not otherwise described in clauses (b)(i) through (viii) above;

 

(x)          Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Debt Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Company or was otherwise acquired by the Company); provided that at the time such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the application of proceeds therefrom, (i) the Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09 or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(xi)         Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or other similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Company otherwise permitted by and in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(xii)        Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary evidenced by promissory notes issued to employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in lieu of any cash payment permitted to be made under Section 4.10(b)(vi) hereof;

 

(xiii)      Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary making such Guarantee is otherwise permitted under this Indenture and Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of a Permitted Joint Venture constituting a Permitted Investment pursuant to clause (p) of such definition;

 

(xiv)        Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds, provided such Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of the Company or Restricted Subsidiary receiving notice;

 

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(xv)         Debt consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xvi)        Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(xvii)      Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred in respect of Debt Incurred pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09 and clauses (b)(i), (ix) and (x) above; provided , however , that in the case of any Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary and Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(ix) hereof, the obligee of such Permitted Refinancing Debt shall be either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or if the original obligee of the Debt being Refinanced was the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor then the obligee of such Permitted Refinancing Debt shall be either the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(xviii)     Debt in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.09, accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Debt will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section 4.09.

 

(d)          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (b)(i) through (xviii) of this Section 4.09 or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify in whole or in part (or later reclassify in whole or in part) such item of Debt in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09.

 

(e)          For purposes of determining compliance with any Canadian dollar denominated restriction or amount, the Canadian dollar equivalent principal amount thereof denominated in a foreign currency will be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date the Debt or other transaction was incurred or entered into, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt, provided that if any Permitted Refinancing Debt is incurred to refinance Debt denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable Canadian dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Canadian dollar denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such Debt being refinanced.   Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no restriction or amount will be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

Section 4.10.          Limitation on Restricted Payments .

 

(a)          The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment if at the time of, and after giving effect to, such proposed Restricted Payment,

 

(i)          a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

 

(ii)         the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, and

 

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(iii)        the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made since the Issue Date (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if made other than in cash, to be based upon Fair Market Value at the time of such Restricted Payment) would exceed an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(A)         50% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from July 1, 2014 to the end of the most recent annual or quarterly period for which financial statements have been made publicly available (or if the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(B)         100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds, plus

 

(C)         the sum of:

 

(1)         the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the issuance or sale after the Issue Date of convertible or exchangeable Debt that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and

 

(2)         the aggregate amount by which Debt (other than Subordinated Obligations) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet on or after the Issue Date upon the conversion or exchange of any Debt issued or sold on or prior to the Issue Date that is convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,

 

excluding, in the case of clause (1) or (2):

 

(x)          any such Debt issued or sold to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees, and

 

(y)          the aggregate amount of any cash or other Property distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon any such conversion or exchange, plus

 

(D)         an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(1)         the net reduction in Investments in any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary resulting from dividends, repayments, forgiveness or cancellation of loans or advances or other transfers of Property, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person,

 

(2)         the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, and

 

(3)         to the extent that any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) that was made after the Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated

 

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or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to such Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus

 

(E)         $50.0 million.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company and Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, may:

 

(i)          pay dividends or distributions on its Capital Stock within 60 days of the declaration thereof if, on the declaration date, such dividends or distributions could have been paid in compliance with this Indenture; provided , however , that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no other Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such dividend or distribution shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(ii)         purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease, acquire or retire for value any (i) Capital Stock of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Joint Venture, or (ii) Subordinated Obligations, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees); provided , however , that

 

(A)         such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above and

 

(B)         the Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from such exchange or sale shall be excluded from the calculation pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii)(B) above;

 

(iii)        purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Permitted Refinancing Debt; provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(iv)         make an Investment, if at the time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary first Incurred a commitment for such Restricted Payment, such Restricted Payment could have been made; provided , however , that the Investment is made within 90 days from the date in which the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary Incurs the commitment; and provided further , however , that all commitments Incurred and outstanding and not terminated shall be treated as if such commitments were Restricted Payments expended by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary at the time the commitments were Incurred;

 

(v)          the repurchase of equity interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options upon surrender of equity interests to pay the exercise price of such options; provided however , that such repurchase shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

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(vi)         repurchase, redeem or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from current or former employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such current or former employees), pursuant to the terms of agreements (including employment agreements, employee stock options or restricted stock agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors of the Company under which such individuals purchase or sell, or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided , however , that:

 

(A)         the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $10.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts carried over to the next calendar year subject to a maximum of $15.0 million in any calendar year; and

 

(B)         at the time of such repurchase, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);

 

provided further , however , that such repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(vii)        pay dividends or distributions in the ordinary course of business on the Company’s outstanding Capital Stock or Preferred Stock or make open market purchases of shares of the Company’s outstanding Capital Stock pursuant to stock buyback programs approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, in an amount which, when combined with all such dividends, distributions and purchases, does not exceed $50.0 million in the aggregate in any calendar year, with unused amounts carried over to the succeeding calendar year, subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year; such $25.0 million increase allowed only if the pro forma Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.00 to 1.00; provided , however , that at the time of such dividend, distribution or purchase,

 

(A)         the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, after giving pro forma effect to such dividend or distribution; and

 

(B)         no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);

 

provided further , however , that such dividends or distributions shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(viii)      purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted by Section 4.12 hereof, provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, legal defeasance, acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(ix)         purchase or redeem any Subordinated Obligations, to the extent required by the terms of such Debt following a Change of Control; provided , however , that the Company has made a Change of Control Offer and has purchased all Notes tendered in connection with that Change of Control Offer; provided further , however , that such purchase or redemption shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

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(x)          other Restricted Payments in an aggregated amount not to exceed $150.0 million since the Issue Date; provided , however, that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no other Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above; and

 

(xi)         any additional Restricted Payment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00; provided , however , that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above.

 

Section 4.11.          Limitation on Liens .

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or suffer to exist, any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its Property (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless it has made or will make effective provision whereby the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with (or, if such other Debt constitutes Subordinated Obligations, prior to) all other Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by such Lien for so long as such other Debt is secured by such Lien; provided , however , that if the Debt so secured is expressly subordinated to the Notes, then the Lien securing such Debt shall be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

Section 4.12.          Limitation on Asset Sales .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

(i)          the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration, including the relief of liabilities, at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject to such Asset Sale; and

 

(ii)         except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration paid to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments.

 

Solely for the purposes of clause (a)(ii) of this Section 4.12, the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(A)         the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities or liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee) as a result of which the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer obligated with respect to such liabilities;

 

(B)         any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such Purchaser to the extent they are promptly converted or monetized by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) or by their terms mature or are otherwise to be converted into cash within 180 days; and

 

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(C)         any Designated Noncash Consideration the Fair Market Value of which, when taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) (and not subsequently converted into cash or Temporary Cash Investments that are treated as Net Available Cash), does not exceed the greater of (1) $150.0 million and (2) 5.0% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

(b)          The Net Available Cash (or any portion thereof) from Asset Sales may be applied by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Debt) to any of the following uses:

 

(i)          to Repay

 

(A)         Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is secured by the Property subject to such Asset Sale (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) and/or

 

(B)         Debt under the Credit Facility; or

 

(ii)         to invest or reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary); or

 

(iii)        to make capital expenditures to improve existing assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any investment in Additional Assets within 180 days prior to an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to satisfy clause (b)(ii) above with respect to any such Asset Sale and (ii) any capital expenditure made to improve existing assets within 180 days of an Asset Sale shall be deemed to satisfy clause (b)(iii) above with respect to any Asset Sale.

 

(c)          Any Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale not applied in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 4.12 within 450 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Available Cash, or such shorter period which the Company determines or that is not segregated from the general funds of the Company for investment in identified Additional Assets in respect of a project that shall have been commenced, and for which binding contractual commitments have been entered into, prior to the end of such 450-day period and that shall not have been completed or abandoned shall constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided , however , that the amount of any Net Available Cash that ceases to be so segregated as contemplated above and any Net Available Cash that is segregated in respect of a project that is abandoned or completed shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds” at the time any such Net Available Cash ceases to be so segregated or at the time the relevant project is so abandoned or completed, as applicable; provided further , however , that the amount of any Net Available Cash that continues to be segregated for investment and that is not actually reinvested within 450 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Available Cash shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

 

(d)          When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150.0 million (not taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds, if any), the Company will be required to make an Asset Sale Offer, which offer shall be in the amount of the Allocable Excess Proceeds (as defined below), on a pro rata basis, according to principal amount, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment

 

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date), in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in this Indenture.   To the extent that any portion of the amount of Net Available Cash remains after compliance with the preceding sentence and provided that all Holders of Notes have been given the opportunity to tender their Notes for purchase in accordance with this Indenture, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may use such remaining amount for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

 

(e)          The term “ Allocable Excess Proceeds ” shall mean the product of:

 

(i)          the Excess Proceeds and

 

(ii)         a fraction,

 

(A)         the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer, and

 

(B)         the denominator of which is the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer and the aggregate principal amount of other Debt of the Company outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes and subject to terms and conditions in respect of Asset Sales substantially similar to this Section 4.12 and requiring the Company to make an offer to purchase such Debt at substantially the same time as the Asset Sale Offer.

 

(f)          Within five business days after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer as described in clause (d) of this Section 4.12, the Company shall deliver a written notice to the Holders of Notes, accompanied by such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision with respect to such Asset Sale Offer.   Such notice shall state, among other things, the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a business day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered.

 

(g)          The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12.   To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.12, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.12 by virtue thereof.

 

Section 4.13.          Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any consensual restriction on the right of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(i)          pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, or pay any Debt or other obligation owed, to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,

 

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(ii)         make any loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or

 

(iii)        transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)          The foregoing limitations will not apply:

 

(i)          with respect to clauses (a)(i), (ii) and (iii), to restrictions:

 

(A)         in effect on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, restrictions pursuant to the Notes, this Indenture, the indenture dated as of the date hereof governing the Canadian Notes, the indentures governing the Company’s notes outstanding on the Issue Date and the Credit Facility or pursuant to a credit agreement or credit agreements which may be entered into after the Issue Date under which one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries can Incur Debt so long as such Debt is Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(ii) hereof and, as determined in good faith by the Company, that are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the Credit Facility on the Issue Date,

 

(B)         relating to Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary and existing at the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary if such restriction was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company,

 

(C)         that result from the Refinancing of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (i)(A) or (B) above or in clause (ii)(A) or (B) below, provided such restrictions taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company, are no less favorable to the Holders than those under the agreement evidencing the Debt so Refinanced,

 

(D)         arising in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction (including limitations set forth in the governing documents of a Special Purpose Vehicle), or

 

(E)         existing under or by reason of applicable law, and

 

(ii)         with respect to clause (a)(iii) only, to restrictions:

 

(A)         relating to Debt that is permitted to be Incurred and secured without also securing the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.11 hereof, that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the Property securing such Debt,

 

(B)         encumbering Property at the time such Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restriction relates solely to the Property so acquired and was not created in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition,

 

(C)         resulting from customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of leases or customary provisions in other agreements that restrict assignment of such agreements or rights thereunder,

 

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(D)         that constitute customary restrictions contained in sale agreements limiting the transfer of Capital Stock or Property pending the closing of such sale,

 

(E)         that constitute customary restrictions contained in joint venture agreements entered into in good faith and not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture, or

 

(F)         existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture.

 

Section 4.14.          Limitations on Affiliate Transactions .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of any Property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company involving aggregate payments or value in excess of $25.0 million (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless:

 

(i)          the terms of such Affiliate Transaction, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction at the time of the transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company,

 

(ii)         if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $50.0 million, the Board of Directors of the Company, (including at least a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company) approves such Affiliate Transaction and, in its good faith judgment, believes that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.14 as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, and

 

(iii)        if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $75.0 million, the Company obtains a written opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor to the effect that the consideration to be paid or received in connection with such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding (and without the need to comply with) the foregoing limitation, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into or suffer to exist the following:

 

(i)          any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that if one of the parties to such transaction or series of transactions is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, no more than 5% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of such Restricted Subsidiary is owned by a stockholder of the Company that is an Affiliate;

 

(ii)         any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, or any Permitted Investment;

 

(iii)        any disposition of Property of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Company’s Larochette mill to Reno de Medici S.p.A.;

 

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(iv)        the payment of compensation (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans) for the personal services of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, whether in cash, securities or otherwise, so long as the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof and deemed the services theretofore or thereafter to be performed for such compensation to be fair consideration therefor;

 

(v)         loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; provided that such loans and advances do not exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(vi)        the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company;

 

(vii)       transactions with customers, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case which are in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practice (including, without limitation, pursuant to agreements in existence on the date of this Indenture) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and, taken as a whole, are on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction at the time of the transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

(viii)      payments or other transactions pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and entered into in good faith between the Company and any other Person with which the Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the Company is a part of a consolidated group for tax purposes;

 

(ix)         payments from Affiliates to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for operational, management and financial services pursuant to agreements that are on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

(x)          any sale, conveyance or other transfer of Receivables and other related assets customarily transferred in a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

 

(xi)         director and officer indemnification agreements entered into in good faith and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Section 4.15.          Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

(a)         The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation is permitted under Section 4.10 and the Subsidiary to be so designated:

 

(i)          has no Debt other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(ii)         is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (1) to subscribe for additional Capital Stock or

 

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(2) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(iii)        has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.   

 

(b)         Unless so designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company will be classified as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Subsidiary shall not be designated a Restricted Subsidiary and shall be automatically classified as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if (1) either of the requirements set forth in Sections 4.15(d) (x) and (y) shall not be satisfied after giving pro forma effect to such classification, (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or (3) unless the Company elects otherwise, such Subsidiary is formed and exists solely for the purpose of effecting a transaction or series of transactions otherwise permitted by this Indenture and such Subsidiary will be merged, consolidated, liquidated, dissolved, wound-up or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as part of such transaction or series of transactions.

 

(c)         Except as provided in the first sentence of clause (b) of this Section 4.15, no Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly or indirectly liable for any Debt that provides that the holder thereof may (with the passage of time or notice or both) declare a default thereon or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity upon the occurrence of a default with respect to any Debt, Lien or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any right to take enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary).   Upon designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Section 4.15, such Restricted Subsidiary shall, by execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture, be released from any Subsidiary Guarantee previously made by such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(d)         The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such designation,

 

(x)          the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, and

 

(y)         no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

(e)         Any such designation or redesignation by the Board of Directors of the Company will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation or redesignation and an Officers’ Certificate that:

 

(1)         certifies that such designation or redesignation complies with the preceding provisions, and

 

(2)         gives the effective date of such designation or redesignation,

 

such filing with the Trustee to occur within 45 days after the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which such designation or redesignation is made (or, in the case of a designation or redesignation made during the last fiscal quarter of the Company’s fiscal year, within 90 days after the end of such fiscal year).

 

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(f)            As of the Issue Date, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Cascades Recovery Inc., Greenpac Holding LLC (and its direct parent holding company), Reno de Medici S.p.A. and Norcan Flexible Packing Inc. (and their respective Subsidiaries) as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.16.          Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control .

 

(a)           Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof) of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a purchase price, in cash (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”), equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date (as defined below)).   Each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to such offer.

 

Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has mailed or delivered a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes in accordance with Section 3.07, the Company shall:

 

(i)            cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent at least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the United States and

 

(ii)           deliver, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes, at such Holder’s address appearing in the securities register maintained in respect of the Notes by the Registrar (the “ Security Register ”), a notice stating:

 

(A)         that a Change of Control has occurred and a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.16 and that all Notes timely tendered will be accepted for repurchase;

 

(B)          the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a Business Day no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”);

 

(C)          the circumstances and relevant facts regarding the Change of Control; and

 

(D)         the procedures that Holders must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment, and the procedures that Holders must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender Notes (or portions thereof) for payment.

 

The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer.   To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.16 or other provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.16 by virtue of such compliance.

 

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(b)         On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

 

(i)          accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(ii)         deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(iii)        deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent, on its behalf, the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being tendered and purchased by the Company.

 

The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

 

(c)         If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered, at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

(d)         The provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.   This Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction that does not involve a Change of Control.

 

(e)         The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes a Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

 

Section 4.17.          Future Subsidiary Guarantors .

 

The Company shall cause each Person that becomes a Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary, excluding any Special Purpose Vehicle, following the Issue Date to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto providing a Subsidiary Guarantee within 30 days after such time such Person becomes a Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that if any such Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary has assets or annual revenues, in each case, of less than $5.0 million individually (and $15.0 million in the aggregate in respect of all Restricted Subsidiaries), and in each case, does not Guarantee or Incur Debt under any Credit Facility or any capital markets debt, issued after the Issue Date, such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be required to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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Section 4.18.          Covenant Termination .

 

(a)         All of the covenants set forth in Article 4 hereof shall be applicable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries unless the Company reaches Investment Grade Status.   After the Company has reached Investment Grade Status, and notwithstanding that the Company may later cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from either or both of the Rating Agencies, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be released from their obligations to comply with Sections 4.09, 4.10, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.16 but shall remain obligated to comply with the following:

 

(i)          Sections 4.01 through 4.08;

 

(ii)         Section 4.11;

 

(iii)        Section 4.15 (other than clause (x) of Section 4.15(d) (and such clause (x) as referred to in Section 4.15(b)(1)));

 

(iv)        Section 4.17; and

 

(v)         Section 4.19.

 

(b)         The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall also, upon reaching Investment Grade Status, remain obligated to comply with Section 5.01 (other than clauses (a)(v) and (b)(v) thereunder).

 

(c)         The Company shall notify the Trustee upon reaching Investment Grade Status.

 

Section 4.19.          Additional Amounts .

 

(a)         Payments made by the Company under or with respect to the Notes or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, assessment or other governmental charge (“ Taxes ”) unless the withholding or deduction of Taxes is then required by law.   If any deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of (1) any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is at any relevant time organized, engaged in business for tax purposes or resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision thereof or therein or (2) any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including the jurisdiction of any paying agent) or any political subdivision thereof or therein (each, a “ Tax Jurisdiction ”) will at any time be required to be made from any payments made by the Company under or with respect to the Notes or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will pay to each Holder of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment, such additional amounts (“ Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by the applicable beneficial owner (including the Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction (including any such withholding or deduction in respect of Additional Amounts) will equal the amount such beneficial owner would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted; provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment to a Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes (an “ Excluded Holder ”):

 

(i)          in respect of Canadian Taxes imposed because the Company does not deal at arm’s-length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) with such Holder at the time of making such payment,

 

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(ii)         which is subject to such Taxes by reason of its being connected with a relevant Tax Jurisdiction or any province or territory thereof otherwise than by the mere holding of the Notes or the receipt of payments in respect of, or enforcement of, such Note or a Subsidiary Guarantee,

 

(iii)        which failed to comply with a timely request of the Company to comply with any certification, identification, documentation or other reporting requirements if compliance is required by law, regulation, administrative practice or an applicable treaty as a precondition to exemption from, or a reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by a relevant Tax Jurisdiction to which such Holder or beneficial owner is entitled,

 

(iv)        with respect to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or similar Taxes,

 

(v)         where the payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the beneficiary of the payment had presented such Notes for payment within 30 days after the date on which such payment on such Notes became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later (except to the extent that the Holder or beneficial owner would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had such Notes been presented on the last day of such 30-day period),

 

(vi)        in respect of Canadian Taxes imposed because such payment is deemed (under subsection 214(16) of the Income Tax Act ) to be a dividend paid by the Company to a Holder that is a “specified shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act ), or

 

(vii)       any combination of the above clauses in this proviso.   

 

(b)         If it is the applicable withholding agent, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor shall also:

 

(i)          make such withholding or deduction, and

 

(ii)         remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law.   

 

(c)         The Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor will furnish, within 30 days after the date the payment of any Taxes are due pursuant to applicable law, to the trustee on behalf of the applicable Holders of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment, copies of tax receipts, if any (or other documentation), evidencing the payments of Taxes made by the Company, or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be on behalf of the Holders. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such Holder for the amount of:

 

(i)          any Taxes so levied or imposed by a relevant Tax Jurisdiction and paid by such Holder (or the applicable beneficial owner) as a result of payments made under or with respect to the Notes,

 

(ii)         any liability (including penalties, interest and expense) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, and

 

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(iii)        any Taxes (other than Taxes described in Sections 4.19(a)(i)-(vii) above for which Additional Amounts are not required to be paid) imposed with respect to any reimbursement under clause (c)(i) or (ii) above.   

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay and indemnify each Holder for any present or future stamp, issue, registration, transfer, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, interest and any other liabilities related thereto) which are levied by any relevant Tax Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, issuance, or registration of any of the Notes, this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee or any other document referred to therein, or the receipt of any payments with respect thereto, or enforcement of, any of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

(d)         At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises shortly before or after the 30 th day prior to such date, in which case it shall be promptly thereafter), if the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts shall be payable, and the amounts so payable and shall set forth such other information as is necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to the Holders of the Notes on the payment date.   Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context:

 

(i)          the payment of principal (and premium, if any),

 

(ii)         purchase prices in connection with a repurchase of Notes,

 

(iii)        interest, or

 

(iv)        any other amount payable on or with respect to any of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee,

 

such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.19 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

(e)         The obligations in this Section 4.19 will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture, any transfer by a Holder or beneficial owner of its Notes, and will apply, mutatis mutandis , to any jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is organized, engaged in business for tax purposes or resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which such Person makes any payment on the Notes (or any Subsidiary Guarantee) or any political subdivision thereof or therein.

 

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ARTICLE 5.

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01.          Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets .

 

(a)         The Company shall not merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve, wind-up or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:

 

(i)          the Company shall be the Surviving Person in such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation, or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the federal laws of Canada or the laws of any province thereof or the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(ii)         the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;

 

(iii)        in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of the Company, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person;

 

(iv)        immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iv) and clause (v) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(v)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, either (i) the Company or the Surviving Person, as the case may be, would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt under clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Surviving Person, as the case may be, would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

(vi)        the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, with respect thereto comply with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(b)         The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve, wind-up or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:

 

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(i)          the Surviving Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) formed by such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall organized and existing under the federal laws of Canada or the laws of any province thereof or the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(ii)         the Surviving Person (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual performance and observance of all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(iii)        in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of such Subsidiary Guarantor, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person;

 

(iv)        immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iv) and clause (v) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(v)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, either (i) the Company would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt under clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of the Company would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

(vi)        the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such Subsidiary Guarantee, if any, with respect thereto comply with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(c)          This Section 5.01 shall not prohibit any Subsidiary Guarantor from consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its assets to the Company or any other Canadian or U.S. Subsidiary Guarantor.   In addition, the foregoing provisions (other than clause (iv) in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01) shall not apply to (i) any transactions which constitute an Asset Sale if the Company has complied with Section 4.12 hereof, effective upon consummation of such Asset Sale, with the Company thereafter required to apply any Net Available Cash as so required thereunder and (ii) any transactions which result in the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor as described in Section 10.05 hereof.   

 

Section 5.02.          Successor Corporation Substituted .

 

The Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture (or of the Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be), but the predecessor Company in the case of:

 

(a)         a sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition (unless such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is of all the assets of the Company as an entirety or virtually as an entirety), or

 

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(b)         a lease,

 

shall not be released from any of the obligations or covenants under this Indenture, including with respect to the payment of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 6.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01.          Events of Default .

 

(a)         Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(i)          failure to make the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts) on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(ii)         failure to make the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any of the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise;

 

(iii)        failure to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(iv)        failure to make a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16 hereof;

 

(v)         failure to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, and such failure continues for 30 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(vi)        failure to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof and such failure continues for a period of 120 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(vii)       failure to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the Notes or in this Indenture (other than a failure that is the subject of the foregoing clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi)) and such failure continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(viii)      a default under any Debt for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any such Debt at maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within ten Business Days after the date of such acceleration;

 

(ix)         any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) that shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that shall not be waived, satisfied (net of any amounts that are reduced by insurance or bonded) or discharged for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect;

 

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(x)            the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries:

 

(A)         commences a voluntary case or gives notice of intention to make a proposal under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(B)         consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or consents to its dissolution or winding-up;

 

(C)         consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(D)         makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(E)          admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due or otherwise admits its insolvency; or

 

(F)          seeks a stay of proceedings against it or proposes or gives notice of intention to propose a compromise, arrangement or reorganization of any of its debts or obligations under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(xi)         a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)         is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case; or

 

(B)          appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, trustee or custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;

 

(C)          orders the liquidation dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or

 

(D)          orders the presentation of any plan or arrangement, compromise or reorganization of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of subsidiaries that when taken together would constitute Significant Subsidiaries;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and

 

(xii)          any Subsidiary Guarantee of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

A Default under clause (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) is not an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

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Section 6.02.          Acceleration .

 

If any Event of Default (other than those of the type described in Section 6.01(x) or (xi)) shall have occurred and is continuing, the Trustee may, and the Trustee upon the request of Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes may, declare the principal of all the Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, premium, if any, to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a notice of acceleration (the “ Acceleration Notice ”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in Section (x) or (xi) of Section 6.01 hereof, such amount with respect to all the Notes will become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes.   Holders may not enforce this Indenture or the Notes except as provided in this Indenture.   

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (by notice to the Trustee) may rescind and cancel that declaration and its consequences if:

 

(a)         the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;

 

(b)         all existing Defaults and Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Notes that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration;

 

(c)         to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest (at the same rate specified in the Notes) on overdue installments of interest and overdue payments of principal which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration has been paid;

 

(d)         the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and

 

(e)         in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 6.01(x) or (xi), the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

 

In the case of an Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by the Company or on the Company’s behalf with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have been required to pay if the Company had then elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, an equivalent premium will also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.   If an Event of Default occurs prior to July 15, 2017, by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by the Company or on the Company’s behalf with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to July 15, 2017, then the premium specified in Section 3.07 will also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon acceleration of the Notes.

 

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Section 6.03.          Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.   A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.   All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04.          Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may waive by consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) any then existing or potential Default and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Notes.   In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (a)(vii) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences of that Event of Default, including without limitation any acceleration or resulting payment default, will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, if within 60 days after the Event of Default arose:

 

(a)         the Debt that is the basis for the Event of Default has been discharged;

 

(b)         the holders of that Debt have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action, as the case may be, giving rise to the Event of Default; or

 

(c)         if the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

 

When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.05.          Control by Majority .

 

Subject to Section 7.01, Section 7.02(f) (including the Trustee’s receipt of the security or indemnification described therein) and Section 7.07, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 6.06.          Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy thereunder, unless:

 

(a)         such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default,

 

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(b)         Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding have made a written request and offered indemnity to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and

 

(c)         the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

 

Section 6.07.          Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.06), the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08.          Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest) and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09.          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.   To the extent that any such compensation, expenses and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, moneys, securities and any other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.   Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.10.          Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First : to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second : to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third : to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11.          Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.   This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7.

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01.          Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)         If an Event of Default which the Trustee has, or is deemed to have, notice hereunder has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

 

(b)         Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)         the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee undertakes to perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)         in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided , however , that in the case of any such certificates or opinions which are specifically required to be

 

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furnished to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein or otherwise verify the contents thereof).

 

(c)         The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)         this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(2)         the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(3)         the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof; and

 

(4)         no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.   

 

(d)         Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

(e)         Except for information provided by the Trustee concerning the Trustee, the Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any prospectus or other disclosure material distributed with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 7.02.          Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)         The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.   The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.   Any facsimile or portable document format signature of any Person on a document required or permitted in this Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee shall constitute a valid and binding execution thereof by such Person.

 

(b)         Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.   The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)         The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

(d)         The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided , however that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

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(e)         Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f)         The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(g)         The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default from the Company or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture and, in the absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no such Default or Event of Default exists.

 

(h)         Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.   The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

 

(i)          The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.

 

(j)          The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants herein.

 

(k)         The Trustee’s immunities and protections from liability and its right to indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee’s officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees.   Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustee’s right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee’s resignation or removal, the defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and final payment of the Notes.

 

(l)          The right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

 

(m)        The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(n)         In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(o)         The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

Section 7.03.          Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it

 

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would have if it were not Trustee.   However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must comply with TIA § 310.   Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.   The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.04.          Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05.          Notice of Defaults .

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs unless such Default or Event of Default has since been cured.   Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.   

 

Section 7.06.          Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

Within 60 days after each July 15 beginning with the July 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted).   The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2).   The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d).   The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and any delisting thereof.

 

Section 7.07.          Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing.   The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.   The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services.   Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee) or any predecessor Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee) against any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, fines, liabilities or expenses, including reasonable incidental and out-of-pocket expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees (“ losses ”) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties

 

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under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.   The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.   Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder.   The Company shall defend the claim, and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense.   The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, if the Trustee has been reasonably advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Company and in the reasonable judgment of such counsel it is advisable for the Trustee to engage separate counsel.   The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.   Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee and caused by the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith.

 

The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the resignation or removal of the Trustee and payment in full of the Notes.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes.   Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(x) or (a)(xi) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 7.08.          Replacement of Trustee .

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time upon 30 days prior notice to the Company and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company.   The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing.   The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(a)         the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

(b)         the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c)         a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)         the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the “ retiring Trustee ”), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.   Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the

 

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Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.   Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.   The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders.   Subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof, the retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee.   Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09.          Successor Trustee by Merger, etc .

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10.          Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or a wholly-owned subsidiary of a bank or trust company, or of a bank holding company, the principal subsidiary of which is a bank or trust company having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000) as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).   The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

 

Section 7.11.          Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b).   A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01.          Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02.          Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee.   For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and the payment terms of the Notes, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article 8.   If the Company exercises under Section 8.01 hereof the option applicable to this Section 8.02, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto.   Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03.          Covenant Defeasance .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.09 through 4.17 hereof, and the operation of Sections 5.01(a)(iv) and (a)(v) and Sections 5.01(b) hereof, with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee with respect to such covenants in connection with such outstanding Notes and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).   For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in

 

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any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby.   If the Company exercises under Section 8.01 hereof the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v), (a)(vi), (a)(vii) (with respect to the covenants contained in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.09 through 4.17 hereof), (a)(viii), (a)(ix), (a)(x), (a)(xi) or (a)(xii) (but in the case of (a)(x) and (a)(xi) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) or because of the Company’s failure to comply with clauses (a)(iv), (a)(v), (b) of Section 5.01.

 

Section 8.04.          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes.

 

Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may be exercised only if:

 

(a)         the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee, in trust (the “ defeasance trust ”), for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to such redemption date;

 

(b)         the Company, if required by the Trustee, delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a firm of independent public accountants of recognized international standing expressing their opinion that the payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and accrued and unpaid interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(c)         no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of such deposit of funds with the Trustee and after giving effect thereto;

 

(d)         in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(e)         in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(f)          in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax or Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax or Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(g)         such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(h)         the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

(i)          the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and

 

(j)          notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (d) above with respect to Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable, (B) will become due and payable on the maturity date within one year or (C) as to which a redemption notice has been or will be given calling the Notes for redemption within one year, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

Section 8.05.          Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all cash and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any cash or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized international standing expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the certification delivered under

 

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Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06.          Repayment to Company .

 

Any cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07.          Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01.          Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder to:

 

(a)         cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b)         provide for the assumption by a Surviving Person of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture;

 

(c)         provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes ( provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);

 

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(d)         add additional Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to release Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guarantees as provided or permitted under this Indenture;

 

(e)         make any change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;

 

(f)          provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(g)         make any change to comply with any requirement of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or other applicable trust indenture legislation; and

 

(h)         to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision therein is intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Section 9.02.          With Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes (except for certain covenants and provisions of this Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder) may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes).

 

Without the consent of each Holder affected (whether in the aggregate holding a majority in principal amount of Notes or not), an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(a)         reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)         reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Notes;

 

(c)         reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Notes or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or repurchase (which excludes minimum notice requirements), or reduce the redemption or repurchase price for those Notes (except, in the case of repurchases, as would otherwise be permitted under clauses (g) and (j) hereof);

 

(d)         make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note and this Indenture;

 

(e)         impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium and interest on that Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates for those payments, or to bring suit to enforce that payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

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(f)         reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed (which excludes modifying minimum notice requirements), as described in Sections 3.07 and 4.19 hereof;

 

(g)         after the Company’s obligation to purchase the Notes arises under Section 4.16 hereof, amend, modify or change the obligation of the Company to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer or waive any default in the performance of that Change of Control Offer or modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect to any such offer;

 

(h)         subordinate the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee to any other obligation of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor (for the avoidance of doubt, the granting of a security interest in any Property shall not constitute a subordinated interest);

 

(i)          make any change to this Indenture or the Notes that would result in the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor being required to make any withholding or deduction from payments made under or with respect to the Notes (including payments made with pursuant to any Subsidiary Guarantee);

 

(j)          make any change in the provisions of this Article 9 which require the consent of each Holder;

 

(k)         make any change in the provisions of Section 4.19 hereof that adversely affects the rights of any Holder or amend the terms of the Notes or this Indenture in a way that would result in a loss to any Holder of an exemption from any of the Taxes described thereunder;

 

(l)          at any time after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, change the time at which such offer to purchase must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant thereto; or

 

(m)        make any change in any Subsidiary Guarantee that would adversely affect the rights of Holders to receive payments under the Subsidiary Guarantee, other than any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any waiver or supplemental indenture.   If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such waiver or supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 120 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or deliver to the Holder of each Note affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.   Any failure of the Company to mail or deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.   Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in

 

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aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Section 9.03.          Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

Section 9.04.          Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note.   However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective (notwithstanding that it may become operative at a later date, whether upon the satisfaction of certain conditions or otherwise).   An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective (notwithstanding that it may become operative at a later date, whether upon the satisfaction of certain conditions or otherwise) in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05.          Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated.   The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06.          Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc .

 

In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, (ii) such amended or supplemental indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and (iii) such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03); provided , however , that such Opinion of Counsel need not address the matters set forth in clause (ii) above in connection with any supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee the sole purpose of which is to add an additional Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof.   The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, sign any amended or supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 10.

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01.        Subsidiary Guarantees .

 

Subject to this Article 10, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, and interest on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 hereof, redemption or otherwise.   Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately.   Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations with regard to this Subsidiary Guarantee shall be joint and several, unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of the Notes or the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other obligor with respect to this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor.   Each Subsidiary Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives and relinquishes all claims, rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such claims, rights or remedies, including but not limited to: (a) any right to require any of the Trustee, the Holders or the Company (each a “ Benefited Party ”), as a condition of payment or performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor, to (1) proceed against the Company, any other guarantor (including any other Subsidiary Guarantor) of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any other Person, (2) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (3) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Benefited Party in favor of the Company or any other Person, or (4) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Benefited Party whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Company including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Company from any cause other than payment in full of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Benefited Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (e)(1) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees and any legal or equitable discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (2) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (3) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims and (4) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Benefited Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any

 

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property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentations, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance of the Subsidiary Guarantees, notices of default under the Notes or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement related thereto, and notices of any extension of credit to the Company and any right to consent to any thereof; (g) to the extent permitted under applicable law, the benefits of any “One Action” rule; and (h) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees.   Except to the extent expressly provided herein, including Sections 8.02, 8.03 and 10.05 hereof, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture.

 

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.   Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.02 hereof for the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purpose of this Subsidiary Guarantee.   The Subsidiary Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Subsidiary Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 10.02.        Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability .

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law or Canadian federal or provincial law to the extent applicable to any Subsidiary Guarantee.   To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10 shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, including, if applicable, its guarantee of all obligations under the Credit Facility, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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Section 10.03.        Evidence of Subsidiary Guarantee .

 

To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor by an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Each Person that is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.17 of this Indenture shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto which subjects such Person to the provisions of this Indenture as a guarantor of the Notes.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Subsidiary Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Subsidiary Guarantee is endorsed, the Subsidiary Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Section 10.04.        Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with such Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

 

(a)         subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture under this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee; or

 

(b)         the Subsidiary Guarantor complies with the requirements of Article 5 hereof.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Subsidiary Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Subsidiary Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Subsidiary Guarantor.   All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Subsidiary Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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Section 10.05.       Releases Following Sale or Other Disposition of Assets .

 

In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) a Subsidiary of the Company, then (1) such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and (2) the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall not be required to deliver a Subsidiary Guarantee.   Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.12 hereof to the extent applicable, if applicable ( provided that such opinion shall not, to the extent Section 4.12 is applicable, address the required application of Net Available Cash, if any), the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

ARTICLE 11.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01.        Satisfaction and Discharge .

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect, except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

(a)         either:

 

(i)            all Notes that have been previously authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has previously been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and is thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from the trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)           all Notes that have not been previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of a notice of redemption by the Trustee, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Debt on the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit, in the case of Notes that have become due

 

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and payable, or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be (for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a discharge that occurs in connection with a redemption that is to occur on a redemption date, and the amount required to pay and discharge the entire Debt on the Notes with certainty, the amount to be deposited shall be the amount that, as of the date of such deposit, is deemed sufficient to make such payment and discharge on the redemption date, in the good faith determination of the Company as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate);

 

(b)         the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(c)         the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied.

 

Section 11.02.        Deposited Cash and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all cash and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 11.02, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 11.03.        Repayment to Company .

 

Any cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

ARTICLE 12.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01.        Trust Indenture Act Controls .

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, including the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the provision required by the TIA, including the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), shall control.

 

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Section 12.02.        Notices .

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:

 

If to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

Cascades Inc.
404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.
P.O. Box 30
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Canada J0A 1B0
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No.: (819) 363-5155

 

With a copy to:

Jones Day
222 East 41st Street
New York, New York 10017
Attention: J. Eric Maki, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 755-7306

 

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
150 East 42nd Street, 40th Floor
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Corporate Trust Services — Administrator for Cascades Inc.
Facsimile No.: (917) 260-1593

 

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; upon being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if via facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery.   All notices and communications to the Trustee shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be delivered to the facilities of DTC or mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address shown on the Security Register.   Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.   Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

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If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03.        Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.   The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

Section 12.04.        Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)         an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)         an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

Section 12.05.        Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:

 

(a)         a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)         a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)         a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)         a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

Section 12.06.        Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.   The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

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Section 12.07.        No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.   Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.   The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.   

 

Section 12.08.        Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

Section 12.09.        No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person.   Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.10.        Successors .

 

All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.   All covenants and agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 12.11.        Severability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.12.        Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process .

 

(a)         The Company irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the courts of the United States of America located in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York over any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby.   The Company waives any objection that it may have to the venue of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby in the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States of America, in each case, located in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, or that such suit, action or proceeding brought in the

 

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courts of the State of New York or the United States of America, in each case, located in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same.

 

(b)         The Company irrevocably appoints Cascades USA Inc., as its authorized agent in the State of New York upon which process may be served in any such suit or proceedings, and agrees that service of process upon such agent, and written notice of said service to Cascades USA Inc., by the person serving the same to the address provided in Section 12.02 hereof, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.   The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of 10 years from the date of this Indenture.

 

Section 12.13.        Conversion of Currency .

 

The Company covenants and agrees that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Notes and this Indenture:

 

(a)         (i)  If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the “ judgment currency ”) an amount due in any other currency (the “ Base Currency ”), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).

 

(b)         (ii)    If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Company will pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the judgment currency when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.

 

(c)         In the event of the winding-up of the Company at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Notes and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustee harmless against any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (1) the date as of which the equivalent of the amount in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as the case may be, due or contingently due under the Notes and this Indenture (other than under this Subsection (b)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (2) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up.   For the purpose of this Subsection (b), the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Company shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Company may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.

 

(d)         The obligations contained in Subsections (a)(ii) and (b) of this Section 12.13 shall constitute obligations of the Company separate and independent from its other respective obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Company, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustee or any of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding-up of the

 

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Company for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under Subsection (b) above) or under any such judgment or order.   Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustee, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Company or the liquidator or otherwise any of them.   In the case of Subsection (b) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.

 

(e)         The term “rate(s) of exchange” shall mean the noon buying rate for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes by the Bank of Canada between the Base Currency and judgment currency other than the Base Currency referred to in Subsections (a) and (b) above and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable.

 

(f)         The Trustee shall have no duty or liability with respect to monitoring or enforcing this Section 12.13.

 

Section 12.14.        Currency Equivalent .

 

Except as provided in Section 12.13 hereof, for purposes of the construction of the terms of this Indenture or of the Notes, in the event that any amount is stated herein in the currency of one nation (the “ First Currency ”), as of any date such amount shall also be deemed to represent the amount in the currency of any other relevant nation (the “ Other Currency ”) which is required to purchase such amount in the First Currency at the noon buying rate for cable transfers confirmed for customs purposes by the Bank of Canada between the First Currency and Other Currency on the date of determination.

 

Section 12.15.        Counterpart Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.   Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

Section 12.16.        Table of Contents, Headings, etc .

 

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.17.        U.S.A. Patriot Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee.   The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as is required to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Dated as of June 19, 2014

 

  COMPANY:
   
  CASCADES INC.
     
  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Vice President, Legal Affairs and
      Corporate Secretary
       
  GUARANTORS:
   
  7251637 CANADA INC.
  7678169 CANADA INC.
  CASCADES FINE PAPERS GROUP INC.
  CASCADES TRANSPORT INC.
  CASCADES TRANSPORT CABANO INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jerome Nadeau
    Name: Jerome Nadeau
    Title: Secretary
       
  CASCADES CANADA ULC
  CASCADES GIE INC.
  CASCADES PAPERBOARD INTERNATIONAL INC.
  CASCADES TENDERCO INC.
  KINGSEY FALLS INVESTMENTS INC.
     
  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Secretary
  .    
  CASCADES MARITIME INC. (fka Cascades South
  America Inc.)
     
  By: /s/ Lucie-Claude Lalonde
    Name: Lucie-Claude Lalonde
    Title: Secretary

 

 
 

 

  CASCADES ENERGY ACTION INC.
  CASCADES ENVIROPAC HPM LLC
  CASCADES HOLDING US INC.
  CASCADES MOULDED PULP, INC.
  CASCADES PLASTICS INC.
  CASCADES SPG SALES INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – ARIZONA INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – IFC DISPOSABLES
  INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE LLC
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – NEW YORK INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – SALES INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – TENNESSEE INC.
  CASCADES USA INC.
  NORAMPAC EXPORT SALES CORP.
  NORAMPAC FINANCE US INC.
  NORAMPAC INDUSTRIES INC.
  NORAMPAC NEW ENGLAND INC.
  NORAMPAC NEW YORK CITY INC.
  NORAMPAC SCHENECTADY INC.
     
  By: /s/ Sal Sciarrino
    Name: Sal Sciarrino
    Title: Vice President

 

 
 

 

  TRUSTEE:
   
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
     
  By: /s/ Martin Reed
    Name: Martin Reed
    Title: Vice President

 

 
 

   

EXHIBIT A

 

(Face of Note)

 

5.50% Senior Notes due 2022

 

CUSIP 144A: 146900 AM7

ISIN 144A: US146900AM71

CUSIP REG S: C2174EAG7

ISIN REG S: USC2174EAG73

 

No. ___ $ _____________

 

CASCADES INC.

 

promises to pay to ___________________ or registered assigns, the principal sum of _________________ United States Dollars ($______________) on July 15, 2022

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2015.

 

Record Dates: January 1 and July 1

 

Dated :    

 

A- 1
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually, by facsimile or by portable document format by its duly authorized officer.

 

  CASCADES INC.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

This is one of the [Global] Notes referred
to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   as Trustee

By:     
  Authorized Signatory  

 

Dated :    

 

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(Back of Note)

 

5.50% Senior Notes due 2022

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Canadian Resale Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.           Interest .   Cascades Inc., a company organized under the laws of Québec, Canada (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.50% per annum until maturity.   The Company shall pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”).   Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided , however , that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided , further , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be the first of January 15 or July 15 to occur after the date of issuance, unless such January 15 or July 15 occurs within one calendar month of such date of issuance, in which case the first Interest Payment Date shall be the second of January 15 or July 15 to occur after the date of issuance.   The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the interest rate then in effect under the Indenture and this Note; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time at the same rate to the extent lawful.   Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year of twelve 30 day months.   For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada), the yearly rate of interest which is equivalent to the rate payable hereunder is the rate payable multiplied by the actual number of days in the year and divided by 360.

 

2.           Method of Payment .   The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.   The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Security Register; provided , however , that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent.   Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.           Paying Agent and Registrar .   Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.   The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.   The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

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4.           Indenture .   The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (“ Indenture ”) among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and the Trustee.   The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb)(the “TIA”).   The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms.   To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the provisions of the Indenture, as it may be amended or supplemented, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.           Optional Redemption .

 

(a)         The Company may choose to redeem the Notes at any time.   If it does so, it may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under the Indenture.   To redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2017, the Company must pay a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)          100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and

 

(ii)         the sum of the present values of (1) the redemption price of the Notes at July 15, 2017 (as set forth below) and (2) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the redemption date to July 15, 2017 but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at the Treasury Rate (determined on the second business day immediately preceding the date of redemption) plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).   

 

Any notice to Holders of Notes of such a redemption will include the appropriate calculation of the redemption price, but need not include the redemption price itself.   The actual redemption price, calculated as described above, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two business days prior to the redemption date (unless clause (b) of the definition of “Comparable Treasury Price” is applicable, in which case such Officers’ Certificate shall be delivered on the redemption date).

 

(b)         Beginning on July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under this Indenture, at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).   The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Redemption Year   Price  
       
2017     104.125 %
2018     102.750 %
2019     101.375 %
2020 and thereafter     100.000 %

 

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(c)         In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) with the proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Issuances, at a redemption price equal to 105.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that after giving effect to any such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding.   Any such redemption shall be made within 180 days of such Qualified Equity Issuance upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice.

 

(d)         The Company may at any time redeem, in whole but not in part, the outstanding Notes (upon giving notice in accordance with the Indenture, which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, the Company has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes, and the Company cannot avoid any such payment obligation by taking reasonable measures available to it, as a result of (i) any change in or amendment to the laws (or regulations promulgated thereunder) of a relevant Tax Jurisdiction, or (ii) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment is announced and is effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the applicable relevant Tax Jurisdiction became a Tax Jurisdiction on a date after the Issue Date, such later date).

 

(e)         Any prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.07 of the Indenture.

 

(f)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect to effect any optional redemption directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

6.           Mandatory Redemption .   Except as set forth in Sections 4.12 and 4.16 of the Indenture, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.           Repurchase at Option of Holder .

 

(a)        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof) of the Notes (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date).   Each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to US$2,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to such offer.

 

(b)        Any Net Available Cash from Asset Sales that is not applied as provided in Section 4.12(b) of the Indenture will constitute Excess Proceeds (“ Excess Proceeds ”).   When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150.0 million (not taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds, if any), the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders by applying the Allocable Excess Proceeds (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) that may be purchased out of the Net Available Cash at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus

 

A- 5
 

 

accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for the closing of such offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.   To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including Additional Notes) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Net Available Cash, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not prohibited by the Indenture.   If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Net Available Cash, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis.   Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

 

8.           Notice of Redemption .   Notice of redemption shall be mailed or delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.   Notes in denominations larger than US$2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.   On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

9.           Denominations, Transfer, Exchange .   The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of US$2,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.   This Note shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed hereon and the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.   The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.   The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.   The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.   Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

10.         Persons Deemed Owners .   The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.         Amendment, Supplement and Waiver .   Subject to certain exceptions, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 of the Indenture, any existing Default or Event of Default (except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on the Notes) or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes (except for certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of each affected Holder (whether in the aggregate holding a majority principal amount of Notes or not) may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes).   Without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Surviving Person of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to add additional Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes or release Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does

 

A- 6
 

 

not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to make any change to comply with any requirement of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA or other applicable trust indenture legislation, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes or to conform the text of the Indenture or this Note to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision is intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision in the Indenture or this Note.

 

12.         Defaults and Remedies .   Each of the following is an Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) failure to make the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts) on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days; (ii) failure to make the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any of the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise; (iii) failure to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 of the Indenture and such failure continues for a period of 30 days; (iv) failure to make a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16 of the Indenture; (v) failure to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Indenture and such failure continues for 30 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (vi) failure to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 of the Indenture and such failure continues for a period of 120 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (vii) failure to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the Notes or in the Indenture (other than a failure that is the subject of the foregoing clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii)) and such failure continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (viii) a default under any Debt for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any such Debt at maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within ten Business Days after the date of such acceleration; (ix) any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) that shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that shall not be waived, satisfied (net of any amounts that are reduced by insurance or bonded) or discharged for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect; (x) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries described in Section 6.01(a)(x) and 6.01(a)(xi) of the Indenture; and (xi) any Subsidiary Guarantee of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of all the Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, premium, if any, to be due and payable.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice.   Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.   Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.   The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.   The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or the principal of, the Notes.   The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a

 

A- 7
 

 

statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and subject to the proviso contained in Section 4.04(c) of the Indenture the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

13.          Trustee Dealings with Company .   Subject to certain limitations, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

14.          No Recourse Against Others .   No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.   Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.   

 

15.          Authentication .   This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

16.          Abbreviations .   Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

17.          CUSIP Numbers .   Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.   No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.   Requests may be made to:

 

Cascades Inc.
404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.
P.O. Box 30
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Canada J0A 1B0
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

18.          Governing Law .   The internal law of the State of New York shall govern and be used to construe this Note without giving effect to applicable principals of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

 

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Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or 4.16 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

¨           Section 4.12

 

¨           Section 4.16

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or Section 4.16 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:  $__________________.

 

Date:       Your Signature:    
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

 

    Tax Identification No.:    
       
    SIGNATURE GUARANTEE:
     
     
     
    Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A- 9
 

 

Assignment Form

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or other tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                             
as agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company.   The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Date:       Your Signature:    
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

 

      Signature Guarantee:    

 

A- 10
 

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange   Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
    Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
of this Global Note
    Principal Amount
of this Global Note 
following such 
decrease (or
increase)
    Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or Note
Custodian
 
                                 
                                 
                                 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Cascades Inc.
404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.
P.O. Box 30
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Canada J0A 1B0
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association – DAPS Reorg
6th & Marquette Avenue – 12th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55479

MAC N9303-121

Telephone: 1-800-344-5128
Facsimile: 1-866-969-1290

Email: DAPSReorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:           5.50% Senior Notes due 2022

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among Cascades Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.   Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

___________________ (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to ___________________________ (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto.   In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

1.           ¨       Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A.   The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and applicable securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction.   Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B- 1
 

 

2.           ¨       Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S.   The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(a) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an initial purchaser).   Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3.           ¨       Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S.   The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)          ¨       such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(b)          ¨       such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

 

or

 

(c)          ¨       such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

 

4.            ¨       Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

(a)          ¨        Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 .   (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.   Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B- 2
 

 

(b)          ¨        Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S .   (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.   Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(c)          ¨        Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption .   (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.   Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

   
  [Insert Name of Transferor]
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Dated:      

 

B- 3
 

 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.          The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)           ¨             a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)           ¨      144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(ii)          ¨      Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b)           ¨            a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.          After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b) OR (c)]

 

(a)           ¨            a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)           ¨      144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(ii)          ¨      Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(iii)         ¨      Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b)           ¨             a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)           ¨             an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B- 4
 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Cascades Inc.
404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.
P.O. Box 30
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Canada J0A 1B0
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association – DAPS Reorg
6th & Marquette Avenue – 12th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55479

MAC N9303-121

Telephone: 1-800-344-5128
Facsimile: 1-866-969-1290

Email: DAPSReorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:      5.50% Senior Notes due 2022

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among Cascades Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.   Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

__________________________ (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”).   In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

1.          Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

 

(a)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note .   In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(b)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note .   In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted

 

 
 

 

Global Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(c)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note .   In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(d)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note .   In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

2.          Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

 

(a)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note .   In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer.   Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b)           ¨        Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note .   In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CIRCLE ONE] 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Definitive Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.   Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C- 2
 

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

   
  [Insert Name of Transferor]
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Dated:      

 

C- 3
 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Supplemental Indenture FOR ADDITIONAL Subsidiary Guarantors

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of [__________], 20[ ], among [  ˜  ] (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”), Cascades Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.   

 

W   I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Subsidiary Guarantors, all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1.    Defined Terms .   As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined.   The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND; GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 2.1.    Agreement to be Bound .   The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.2.    Subsidiary Guarantee .   The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably Guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and the Trustee the Obligations pursuant to

 

D- 1
 

 

Article 10 of the Indenture on a senior basis and this Supplemental Indenture shall constitute evidence of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 3.1.    Notices .   All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.2.    Parties .   Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

SECTION 3.3.    Governing Law .   This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 3.4.    Severability .   In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 3.5.    Benefits Acknowledged .   The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.   The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

SECTION 3.6.    Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture .   Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.   This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

SECTION 3.7.    The Trustee .   The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the other parties hereto.

 

SECTION 3.8.    Counterparts .   The parties hereto may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture.   Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.   The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes.   Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 3.9.    Execution and Delivery .   The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of any such Guarantee.

 

D- 2
 

 

SECTION 3.10.    Headings .   The headings of the Articles and the Sections in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank .]

 

D- 3
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  CASCADES INC.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY],
  as the Guaranteeing Subsidiary
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  WELLS FARGO BANK, national association,
  as Trustee
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

D- 4

 

 

Exhibit 4.8

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

dated as of March 16, 2015

 

to the

 

INDENTURE

 

dated as of June 19, 2014

 

among

 

CASCADES INC.,

 

as the Company,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named therein, and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

1
 

 

First SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “F irst Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of March 16, 2015, among 401 47th Street Holding LLC and 4626 Royal Avenue Holding LLC (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiaries ”), Cascades Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H:

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Subsidiary Guarantors, all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1      Defined Terms . As used in this First Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this First Supplemental Indenture refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND; GUARANTEE

 

Section 2.1      Agreement to be Bound . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries hereby become parties to the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantors and as such will have all of the rights

 

2
 

 

and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

Section 2.2      Subsidiary Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries agree to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably Guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and the Trustee the Obligations pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture on a senior basis and this First Supplemental Indenture shall constitute evidence of each Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE III

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1      Notices . All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

Section 3.2      Parties . Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

Section 3.3      Governing Law . This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

Section 3.4      Severability . In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

Section 3.5      Benefits Acknowledged . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries acknowledge that they will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by them pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

Section 3.6      Ratification of Indenture; First Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This First Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

Section 3.7      The Trustee . The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the other parties hereto.

 

Section 3.8      Counterparts . The parties hereto may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture and

 

3
 

 

of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original First Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 3.9      Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries agree that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of any such Guarantee.

 

Section 3.10    Headings . The headings of the Articles and the Sections in this First Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

Section 3.11    FATCA . This First Supplemental Indenture has not resulted in a material modification of the issuance for purposes of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. ]

 

4
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  CASCADES INC.
       
  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Vice President, Legal Affairs
      and Corporate Secretary
       
  401 47 TH STREET HOLDING LLC,
  as a Guaranteeing Subsidiary
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary
       
  4626 ROYAL AVENUE HOLDING LLC,
  as a Guaranteeing Subsidiary
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary

 

5
 

 

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
  as Trustee
       
  By: /s/ Yana Kislenko
    Name:   Yana Kislenko
    Title: Vice President

 

6

 

Exhibit 4.9

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

CASCADES INC.,

as Company

 

5.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021

 

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of June 19, 2014

 

 

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA

as Trustee

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page
         
ARTICLE 1.
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
         
Section 1.01.   Definitions   1
Section 1.02.   Other Definitions   29
Section 1.03.   Rules of Construction   30
         
ARTICLE 2.
 
THE NOTES
         
Section 2.01.   Form and Dating   30
Section 2.02.   Execution and Certification   32
Section 2.03.   Registrar and Paying Agent   33
Section 2.04.   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust   33
Section 2.05.   Holder Lists   33
Section 2.06.   Transfer and Exchange   33
Section 2.07.   Replacement Notes   43
Section 2.08.   Outstanding Notes   43
Section 2.09.   Treasury Notes   43
Section 2.10.   Temporary Notes   44
Section 2.11.   Cancellation   44
Section 2.12.   Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest   44
Section 2.13.   CUSIP or ISIN Numbers   44
Section 2.14.   Issuance of Additional Notes   45
         
ARTICLE 3.
 
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
         
Section 3.01.   Notices to Trustee   45
Section 3.02.   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed   45
Section 3.03.   Notice of Redemption   46
Section 3.04.   Effect of Notice of Redemption   47
Section 3.05.   Deposit of Redemption Price   47
Section 3.06.   Notes Redeemed in Part   47
Section 3.07.   Optional Redemption   47
Section 3.08.   Mandatory Redemption   48
Section 3.09.   Offer To Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds   49
         
ARTICLE 4.
 
COVENANTS
         
Section 4.01.   Payment of Notes   50
Section 4.02.   Maintenance of Office or Agency   51

 

- i -
 

 

        Page
         
Section 4.03.   Reports   51
Section 4.04.   Compliance Certificate   52
Section 4.05.   Taxes   52
Section 4.06.   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws   52
Section 4.07.   Corporate Existence   53
Section 4.08.   Payments for Consent   53
Section 4.09.   Limitation on Debt   53
Section 4.10.   Limitation on Restricted Payments   56
Section 4.11.   Limitation on Liens   60
Section 4.12.   Limitation on Asset Sales   60
Section 4.13.   Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries   62
Section 4.14.   Limitation on Affiliate Transactions   63
Section 4.15.   Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries   65
Section 4.16.   Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control   66
Section 4.17.   Future Subsidiary Guarantors   68
Section 4.18.   Covenant Termination   68
Section 4.19.   Additional Amounts   69
         
ARTICLE 5.
 
SUCCESSORS
         
Section 5.01.   Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets   71
Section 5.02.   Successor Corporation Substituted   73
         
ARTICLE 6.
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
         
Section 6.01.   Events of Default   73
Section 6.02.   Acceleration   75
Section 6.03.   Other Remedies   76
Section 6.04.   Waiver of Past Defaults   76
Section 6.05.   Control by Majority   76
Section 6.06.   Limitation on Suits   77
Section 6.07.   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment   77
Section 6.08.   Collection Suit by Trustee   77
Section 6.09.   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim   77
Section 6.10.   Priorities   78
Section 6.11.   Undertaking for Costs   78
         
ARTICLE 7.
 
TRUSTEE
         
Section 7.01.   Duties of Trustee   78
Section 7.02.   Rights of Trustee   79
Section 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee   81
Section 7.04.   Trustee’s Disclaimer   81
Section 7.05.   Notice of Defaults   81

 

- ii -
 

 

        Page
         
Section 7.06.   Compensation and Indemnity   81
Section 7.07.   Replacement of Trustee   82
Section 7.08.   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.   83
Section 7.09.   Eligibility; Disqualification   83
         
ARTICLE 8.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
         
Section 8.01.   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance   83
Section 8.02.   Legal Defeasance and Discharge   83
Section 8.03.   Covenant Defeasance   84
Section 8.04.   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance   84
Section 8.05.   Deposited Cash and Canadian Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions   86
Section 8.06.   Repayment to Company   86
Section 8.07.   Reinstatement   87
         
ARTICLE 9.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
         
Section 9.01.   Without Consent of Holders of Notes   87
Section 9.02.   With Consent of Holders of Notes   88
Section 9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Legislation   89
Section 9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents   89
Section 9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Notes   90
Section 9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.   90
         
ARTICLE 10.
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
         
Section 10.01.   Subsidiary Guarantees   90
Section 10.02.   Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability   92
Section 10.03.   Evidence of Subsidiary Guarantee   92
Section 10.04.   Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms   93
Section 10.05.   Releases Following Sale or Other Disposition of Assets   93
         
ARTICLE 11.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
         
Section 11.01.   Satisfaction and Discharge   94
Section 11.02.   Deposited Cash and Canadian Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions   94
Section 11.03.   Repayment to Company   95

 

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        Page
         
ARTICLE 12.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
         
Section 12.01.   Trust Indenture Legislation   95
Section 12.02.   Notices   95
Section 12.03.   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent   97
Section 12.04.   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion   97
Section 12.05.   Rules by Trustee and Agents   97
Section 12.06.   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders   97
Section 12.07.   Governing Law   98
Section 12.08.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements   98
Section 12.09.   Successors   98
Section 12.10.   Severability   98
Section 12.11.   Attorn to Jurisdiction   98
Section 12.12.   Conversion of Currency   98
Section 12.13.   Currency Equivalent   99
Section 12.14.   Counterpart Originals   99
Section 12.15.   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.   100
Section 12.16.   Anti-Money Laundering   100
Section 12.17.   Language   100

 

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This INDENTURE dated as of June 19, 2014, is among CASCADES INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto, and COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA, a trust company existing under the laws of Canada, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

All dollar amounts in this Indenture are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise. The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the 5.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE 1.

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01.            Definitions .

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

144A Global Note ” means the Global Note or Global Notes substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 

(a)          any Property (other than cash, Temporary Cash Investments, securities and Capital Stock) to be owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business (including any capital expenditures with respect to any Property already owned or to be owned);

 

(b)          Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary from any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(c)          Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (b) and (c), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means any Notes (other than Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02, Section 2.14 and Section 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes or as an additional series.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.

 

For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

 
 

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

 

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.

 

Asset Sale ” means any sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of

 

(a)          any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals under law), or

 

(b)          any other Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

 

(1)          any disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)          any disposition that constitutes a Permitted Investment or Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(3)          any disposition effected in compliance with Section 5.01 hereof or constituting a Change of Control;

 

(4)          any disposition or series of related dispositions with an aggregate Fair Market Value and for net proceeds (exclusive of indemnities) of less than the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(5)          sales, transfers or other distributions of Property, including Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, for consideration at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property sold or disposed of, but only if the consideration received consists of Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary engaged in, or Property (other than cash, except to the extent used as a bona fide means of equalizing the value of the Property involved in the asset swap transaction) of a nature or type that are used in, a business having Property of a nature or type, or engaged in a business similar or related to the nature or type of the Property, or businesses of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date of such sale or other disposition;

 

(6) the creation of any Permitted Lien;

 

(7)          any disposition of surplus, discontinued, obsolete or worn-out equipment or other immaterial assets or other personal Property that is no longer used or useful in the ongoing business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(8)          any surrender, waiver or settlement of contract rights or release of contract or tort claims;

 

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(9)          any sale of cash or Temporary Cash Investments or the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

 

(10)        dispositions of receivables in connection with a sale or the compromise, settlement or collection thereof or in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding;

 

(11)        the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles and licenses, leases, subleases or co-location agreements with respect to other property which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(12) sales of interests in or assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(13)        any exchange or trade-in of equipment or other property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for other equipment or property of a nature or type that is used or to be used in, the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Fair Market Value of the equipment or property received is at least as great as the Fair Market Value of the equipment or other property being exchanged or traded-in;

 

(14) any sale of Receivables pursuant to a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(15)        any disposition of Property by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transfer of the Company’s Larochette mill to Reno de Medici S.p.A. or in connection with transactions relating to Boralex Inc., Reno de Medici S.p.A. or Cascades Recovery Inc.; and

 

(16)        any disposition arising from foreclosure, condemnation or similar action with respect to any property or other assets, or exercise of termination rights under any lease, license, concession or other agreement or pursuant to buy/sell arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at any date of determination,

 

(a)          if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby according to the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” and

 

(b)          in all other instances the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in such transaction compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

Average Life ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(a)          the sum of the product of the numbers of years (rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of one year) from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by

 

(b) the sum of all such payments.

 

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Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) or any other Canadian federal or provincial law or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.

 

Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partnership of such Person) or, in each case, any duly authorized committee.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means each day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close in New York City or Montreal.

 

Canadian Government Obligations ” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of Canada (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of Canada is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

 

Canadian Resale Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(i)(B) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Capital Lease Obligations ” means any obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP ; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. For purposes of Section 4.11 hereof, a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased.

 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any shares or other equivalents (however designated) of any class of corporate stock, limited liability company interests or partnership interests or any other participations, rights, warrants, options or other interests in the nature of an equity interest in such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into such equity interest.

 

Capital Stock Sale Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent such sale is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Issue Date, net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

- 4 -
 

 

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)          any “ person ” or “ group ” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing) of persons, including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, other than the Permitted Holders, becomes the “ beneficial owner ” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or

 

(b)          the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the Property of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than a disposition of such Property as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to a Restricted Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders) shall have occurred, or the Company merges, consolidates, liquidates, dissolves, winds-up or amalgamates with or into any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) or any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) merges, consolidates, liquidates, dissolves, winds-up or amalgamates with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for cash, securities or other Property, other than any such transaction where:

 

(1)          the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for other Voting Stock of the Company or for Voting Stock of the Surviving Person, and

 

(2)          the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the Company or the Surviving Person immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as before the transaction; or

 

(c)          the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking S.A. and any successor thereto.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Commodity Price Protection Agreement ” means, in respect of a Person, any commodity futures contract, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements) designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Consolidated Current Liabilities ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (based on the most recent quarterly or annual period for which the Company’s financial statements are publicly available) which may properly be classified as current liabilities (including taxes accrued as estimated), after eliminating:

 

(a)          all intercompany items between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, and

 

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(b) all current maturities of long-term Debt.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

 

(a)          the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to such determination date to

 

(b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters;

 

provided , however , that:

 

(1) if

 

(A)         since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Debt that remains outstanding or Repaid any Debt, or

 

(B)         the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence or Repayment of Debt,

 

Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Incurrence or Repayment as if such Debt was Incurred or Repaid on the first day of such period, (except that in making such computation, the amount of Debt under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation will be deemed to be (i) the average daily balance of such Debt during such four fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (ii) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Debt during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation); and

 

(2) if

 

(A)         since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Sale or other disposition or an Investment (by merger or otherwise) in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of Property which constitutes all or substantially all of a company, division, operating unit, segment, business, group of related businesses or assets of a business,

 

(B)          the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is such an Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition, or

 

(C)          since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made such an Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition,

 

then EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition as if such Asset Sale or other disposition, Investment or acquisition had occurred on the first day of such period.

 

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If any Debt bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Debt shall be calculated as if the base interest rate in effect for such floating rate of interest on the date of determination had been the applicable base interest rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Debt). If any Debt bears interest, at the option of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, at a rate of interest based on a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate or other fixed or floating rate, and such Debt is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense with respect to such Debt shall be calculated for the entire period by applying such optional rate as shall be in effect as of the date of determination. Interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. In addition, in the event the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold during the period, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of clause (1) above, to have Repaid during such period the Debt of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Debt after such sale.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, the total interest expense, net of any interest income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and excluding interest expense relating to employee future benefits, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent Incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

(a)          interest expense attributable to leases constituting part of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction and to Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(b)          amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost excluding amortization of deferred and other financing fees; provided, however , that any amortization of bond premium will be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such amortization of bond premium has otherwise reduced Consolidated Interest Expense;

 

(c) capitalized interest;

 

(d)          non-cash interest expense (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP);

 

(e)          commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

(f)           net payments associated with Interest Rate Agreements (including amortization of fees) provided , however , that if Interest Rate Agreements result in net receipts rather than net payments, such payments shall be credited to reduce Consolidated Interest Expense unless, pursuant to GAAP, such net payments are otherwise reflected in Consolidated Net Income;

 

(g)          Disqualified Stock Dividends to the extent made to Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(h)          Preferred Stock Dividends to the extent made to Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(i) interest Incurred in connection with Investments in discontinued operations;

 

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(j)           interest accruing on any Debt of any other Person to the extent such Debt is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(k)          the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Debt Incurred by such plan or trust.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined in accordance with GAAP); provided, however , that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

 

(a)          any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

(1)          subject to the exclusion contained in clause (c) below, the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (b) below); and

 

(2)          the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(b)          any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

 

(1)          subject to the exclusion contained in clause (c) below, the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and

 

(2)          the equity of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,

 

(c)          any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Joint Venture (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business ( provided that sales or other dispositions of assets in connection with any Qualified Receivables Transaction shall be deemed to be in the ordinary course), and fees and expenses relating to any sale or other disposition or acquisition of Property, regardless of whether such transaction is consummated;

 

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(d)          the effect of any non-cash items resulting from any amortization, write-up, write-down or write-off of assets (including intangible assets, goodwill and deferred financing costs but excluding inventory) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Joint Venture incurred subsequent to the Issue Date (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period except to the extent such item is subsequently reversed);

 

(e)          any extraordinary gain or loss (including fees and expenses relating to any event or transaction giving rise thereto);

 

(f)           any gain or loss arising from any refinancing, repurchase or extinguishment of Debt;

 

(g)          any unrealized gain or loss attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations, other derivative instruments and other items pursuant to GAAP;

 

(h) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;

 

(i)           any gain or loss arising from foreign currency fluctuations on foreign currency denominated Debt; and

 

(j)           any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock options or other rights to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Section 4.10 hereof only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of Property from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii)(D) hereof. In addition, any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges or other items described above in this definition subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges were added back shall be deducted.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the amounts that would appear on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (based upon the most recent quarterly or annual period for which the Company’s financial statements are publicly available) as the total assets (less accumulated depreciation and amortization, allowances for doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, after giving effect to purchase accounting and after deducting therefrom Consolidated Current Liabilities and, to the extent otherwise included, the amounts of (without duplication):

 

(a)          the excess of cost over fair market value of assets or businesses acquired;

 

(b)          any revaluation or other write-up in book value of assets subsequent to the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company immediately preceding the Issue Date as a result of a change in the method of valuation in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(c)          unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges, good-will, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, organization or developmental expenses and other intangible items;

 

(d)          minority interests in consolidated Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(e) treasury stock; and

 

(f)           cash or securities set aside and held in a sinking or other similar fund established for the purpose of redemption or other retirement of Capital Stock to the extent such obligation is not reflected in Consolidated Current Liabilities.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” means the principal office of the Trustee in the city of Montreal, which office at the date hereof is located at 1500, University St., Suite 700, Montréal, Québec H3A 3S8 or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

Credit Facility ” means the Debt represented by:

 

(a)          one or more debt facilities, commercial paper facilities or instruments, in each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or debt securities, including, without limitation, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2011, among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto, The National Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Collateral Agent, together with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including amendments, supplements or modifications relating to the addition or elimination of Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers, guarantors or other credit parties thereunder; and

 

(b)          any renewal, extension, refunding, restructuring, replacement or refinancing thereof (whether with the original Administrative and/or Collateral Agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or one or more other lenders and whether provided under the original Credit Facility or one or more other credit or other agreements or notes or other securities issued pursuant to indentures).

 

Currency Exchange Protection Agreement ” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, currency option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

Custodian ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as Custodian with respect to the Notes, any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Debt ” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

(a) any indebtedness of any Person:

 

(1) in respect of money borrowed, or

 

(2)          evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

 

(b)          all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;

 

(c)          all obligations of such Person representing the deferred purchase price of Property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), but only to the extent that such purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such Property in service for taking delivery and title therein;

 

(d)          all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (a) through (c) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(e)          the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the Repayment of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

 

(f)           all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee;

 

(g)          all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of other Persons secured by any Lien on any Property of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such Property and the amount of the obligation so secured; and

 

(h)          to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person.

 

The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance, or the accreted value of such Debt in the case of Debt issued with original issue discount, at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above. The amount of Debt represented by a Hedging Obligation shall be equal to:

 

(1)          zero if such Hedging Obligation has been Incurred pursuant to clause (v), (vi) or (vii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

 

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(2)          the notional amount of such Hedging Obligation if not Incurred pursuant to such clauses.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Debt shall not include (a) any endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business, (b) any realization of a Permitted Lien, and (c) Debt that has been defeased or satisfied in accordance with the terms of the documents governing such Indebtedness. With respect to any Debt denominated in a foreign currency, for purposes of determining compliance with any Canadian-dollar denominated restriction on the Incurrence of such Debt under Section 4.09 hereof, the amount of such Debt shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate in effect at the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been made publicly available.

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Designated Noncash Consideration ” means the fair market value of any non-cash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in connection with an Asset Sale that is designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, in either case at the option of the holder thereof) or otherwise:

 

(a)          matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,

 

(b)          is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or

 

(c)          is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Debt or Disqualified Stock,

 

on or prior to, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), 91 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale or disposition (each as defined in a similar manner to the corresponding definitions in this Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Company with Section 4.12; and such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.10.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Capital Stock issued to any employee benefit plan, or by any such plan to any employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased or otherwise acquired or retired in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

 

Disqualified Stock Dividends ” means all dividends with respect to Disqualified Stock of the Company held by Persons other than a Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the Company.

 

Distribution Compliance Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

 

EBITDA ” means, for any period, an amount equal to, for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

(a)          the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(1)          the provision for taxes based on income or profits or utilized in computing net loss; plus

 

(2)          Consolidated Interest Expense plus interest expense relating to employee future benefits; plus

 

(3) depreciation; plus

 

(4) amortization of intangibles; plus

 

(5)          the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves (which for the avoidance of doubt shall include severance contracts, termination costs (including pension settlement amounts)), including future lease commitments, costs to close or consolidate facilities and costs to relocate employees; and

 

(b)          any non-cash items decreasing Consolidated Net Income (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenditures in any future period), minus

 

(c)          all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it is expected to result in the receipt of cash payments in any future period), minus

 

(d)          any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges or other items described above in this definition subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges or other items were reflected in Consolidated Net Income

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash items of a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be

 

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permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its shareholders.

 

Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear systems, and any successor thereto.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any Property, the price that would reasonably be expected to be negotiated in an arm’s length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair Market Value shall be determined, except as otherwise provided,

 

(a)          if such Property has a Fair Market Value equal to or less than $50.0 million, by any Officer of the Company, or

 

(b)          if such Property has a Fair Market Value in excess of $50.0 million, by a Board Resolution of the Company.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary which is not organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof, or the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, consistently applied, which are in effect from time to time, which as of the Issue Date are International Financial Reporting Standards.

 

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(ii), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Notes ” means one or more global Notes registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and bearing the Global Note Legend and including the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

“Government of Canada Rate” means the arithmetic average of the interest rates quoted to the Company by two major Canadian investment dealers designated by the Company being the annual yield to maturity, compounded semi-annually and calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice, which a non-callable actively traded Government of Canada bond would carry if issued, in Canadian dollars in Canada, at 100% of its principal amount on the date fixed for redemption having a maturity equal to the remaining term to maturity of the Notes.

 

Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

(a)          to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by

 

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agreements to keep-well, to purchase securities or to maintain financial condition or otherwise), or

 

(b)          entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

 

provided , however , that the term “Guarantee” shall not include:

 

(1) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, or

 

(2)          a contractual commitment by one Person to invest in another Person for so long as such Investment is reasonably expected to constitute a Permitted Investment under clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Permitted Investment.”

 

The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor ” means any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

 

Hedging Obligation ” of any Person means any obligation of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Exchange Protection Agreement, Commodity Price Protection Agreement or any other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

Income Tax Act ” means the Income Tax Act (Canada).

 

Incur ” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by merger, conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend, assume, Guarantee or become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and “Incurrence” and “Incurred” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided , however , that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time, and is not theretofore classified as Debt, becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt; provided further , however , that any Debt or other obligations of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary; and provided further , however , that solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, amortization of debt discount shall not be deemed to be the Incurrence of Debt, provided that in the case of Debt sold at a discount, the amount of such Debt Incurred shall at all times be the aggregate principal amount at its stated maturity.

 

Indenture ” means this instrument, as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended in accordance with Article 9 hereof.

 

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an investment banking firm of national standing or any third party appraiser of national standing in Canada or the United States, provided that such firm or appraiser is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Independent Investment Banker ” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.

 

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Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

Initial Notes ” means $250,000,000.00 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

Interest Payment Dates ” shall have the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the Note.

 

Interest Rate Agreement ” means, for any Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Investment ” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan (other than accounts receivable, trade credit or other advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such Person), advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or Incurrence of a Guarantee of any obligation of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person. For purposes of Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof and the definitions of “Restricted Payment” and “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the term “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary of an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)          the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, less

 

(b)          the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation.

 

In determining the amount of any Investment made by transfer of any Property other than cash, such Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such Investment.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

 

Investment Grade Status ” shall be deemed to have been reached on the date that the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from either of the Rating Agencies.

 

Issue Date ” means June 19, 2014.

 

Legal Holiday ” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City, Montreal, the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

 

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Lien ” means, with respect to any Property of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such Property (including any Capital Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or any Sale and Leaseback Transaction).

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

Net Available Cash ” from any Asset Sale means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Debt or other obligations relating to the Property that is the subject of such Asset Sale or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:

 

(a)          all legal, title, accounting and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Sale;

 

(b)          all payments made on or in respect of any Debt that is secured by any Property subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such Property, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale;

 

(c)          all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale;

 

(d)          the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the Property disposed in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale; and

 

(e)          payments of unassumed liabilities (not constituting Debt) relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Debt:

 

(a)          as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (i) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Debt), (ii) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (iii) constitutes the lender and

 

(b)          no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any Debt (other than the Notes) of the Company or any

 

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Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

Obligations ” means all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final offering memorandum, together with the Canadian wrapper thereon, dated June 5, 2014, relating to and used in connection with the offering of the Initial Notes and the U.S. Notes.

 

Officer ” means the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of the Company, or, in the event that the Company has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company. Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively, and, with respect to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., shall include The Depository Trust Company, Euroclear and Clearstream.

 

Permitted Asset Swap ” means, the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash, Temporary Cash Investments or Designated Noncash Consideration between the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided , that any cash or Temporary Cash Investments received shall, to the extent required, be applied in accordance with Section 4.12 hereof.

 

Permitted Holders ” means (i) each of Laurent Lemaire, Bernard Lemaire and Alain Lemaire; (ii) the spouse, parents, siblings, descendants (including children or grandchildren by adoption) of any Person referred to in clause (i) or of such spouse or siblings; (iii) in the event of the incompetence or death of any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) or (ii), such Person’s estate, executor, administrator, committee or other personal representative in each case who at any particular date shall beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock of the Company; (iv) any trusts or foundations created for the sole benefit of any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) or any trust or foundation for the benefit of such trust or foundation; or (v) any Person of which any of the Persons referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) “beneficially owns” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) on a fully diluted basis all the Voting Stock of such Person or is the sole trustee or general partner, or otherwise has the sole power to manage the business and affairs of such Person.

 

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Permitted Investment ” means any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

(a)          any Investment existing on the Issue Date, including any Investment of any Subsidiary or joint venture at the time such Subsidiary or joint venture became a Subsidiary or joint venture and Investments to be made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(b)          the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)          any Person if as a result of or in connection with such Investment such Person (i) becomes a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its Property to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(d) cash and Temporary Cash Investments;

 

(e)          receivables or advances owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(f)           payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)          loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, provided that such loans and advances do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(h)          stock, obligations or other securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments, including as the result of any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a trade creditor or customer;

 

(i)           any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale consummated in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof or a transaction not constituting an Asset Sale by reason of the thresholds contained in clause (4) of the second paragraph in the definition of “Asset Sale”;

 

(j) a lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)          any assets or Capital Stock of any Person made out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or the consideration for which consists solely of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; provided that the issuance of such Capital Stock shall be included in the calculation set forth in Section 4.10(a)(iii)(B) hereof at any one time outstanding;

 

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(l)           Hedging Obligations entered into for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation and otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(m)         any assets acquired as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Permitted Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Permitted Investment in default;

 

(n)          purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment or licenses or leases or intellectual property, in any case, in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(o) Investments consisting of Guarantees permitted pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(p)          Investments in Permitted Joint Ventures; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments made pursuant to this clause (p) shall not exceed at any time outstanding the greater of $400.0 million or 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and

 

(q)          other Investments made for Fair Market Value that do not exceed $100.0 million in the aggregate outstanding at any one time.

 

Permitted Joint Venture ” means any Person which is, directly or indirectly, through its Subsidiaries or otherwise, engaged principally in a Related Business, and the Capital Stock of which is owned by (x) the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and (y) one or more Persons other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, provided that such Persons in the aggregate own at least 20% of such Capital Stock.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(a)          Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(b)          Liens to secure Debt permitted to be Incurred under clause (ii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

 

(c)          Liens to secure Debt permitted to be Incurred under clause (iii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that any such Lien may not extend to any Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than the Property subject to such transaction or acquired, constructed, improved or leased with the proceeds of such Debt and any improvements or accessions to such Property;

 

(d)          Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision that shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(e)          Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, vendors’ or Liens and other similar Liens, on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business and securing payment of obligations that are not more than 60 days past due or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

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(f)           Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising in the ordinary course of business and as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties;

 

(g)          Liens arising as a result of litigation or legal proceedings that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate and diligent action, including any Lien arising as a result of any judgment rendered against the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)          Liens granted in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(i)           Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and Incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice, in each case which are not Incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of Property and which do not in the aggregate impair in any material respect the use of Property in the operation of the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

(j)           Liens on Property (together with general intangibles and proceeds relating to such property) at the time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired such Property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided further , however , that such Liens shall not have been Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(k)          Liens on the Property or shares of Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a direct Subsidiary of such Person; provided further , however , that any such Lien was not Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(l)          pledges or deposits by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company, or deposits for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)         utility easements, building restrictions, rights-of-ways, irregularities of title and such other encumbrances or charges against real Property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character;

 

(n)          Liens to secure Hedging Obligations made in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of speculation to the extent otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(o)          Liens existing on the Issue Date not otherwise described in clauses (a) through (n) above;

 

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(p) Liens granted to secure the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 hereof;

 

(q)          leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(r)           Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to secure any Refinancing, in whole or in part, of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clause (c), (j), (k) or (o) above; provided , however , that any such Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same Property that secured the original Lien (together with improvements and accessions to such Property) and the aggregate principal amount of Debt that is secured by such Lien shall not be increased to an amount greater than the sum of:

 

(1)          the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, the committed amount, of the Debt secured by Liens described under clause (c), (j), (k) or (o) above, as the case may be, at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and

 

(2)          an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Refinancing; and

 

(s)          Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through (r) above encumbering Property having an aggregate Fair Market Value not in excess of the greater of (i) $150.0 million or (ii) 7.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Permitted Refinancing Debt ” means any Debt that Refinances any other Debt, including any successive Refinancings, so long as:

 

(a)          such Debt is in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) not in excess of the sum of:

 

(1)          the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(2)          an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, related to such Refinancing,

 

(b)          the Average Life of such Debt is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being Refinanced,

 

(c)          the Stated Maturity of such Debt is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(d)          such Debt shall not be senior in right of payment to the Debt that is being Refinanced,

 

provided , however , that Permitted Refinancing Debt shall not include:

 

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(x)           Debt of a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that Refinances Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or

 

(y)          Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

Predecessor Note ” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same Debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; provided that no such Predecessor Note shall be deemed to be outstanding at the same time as such particular Note.

 

Preferred Stock ” of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock issued by such Person.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends ” means all dividends with respect to Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of such Preferred Stock.

 

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

pro forma ” means, with respect to any calculation made or required to be made pursuant to the terms hereof, (1) a calculation performed in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, as interpreted in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, or (2) otherwise a calculation made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, as the case may be, which, in the event any acquisition or disposition of assets outside of the ordinary course of business is to be given pro forma effect, may reflect expense and cost reductions associated with any such acquisition or disposition that are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable and quantifiable and based on actions already taken or expected to be taken within 12 months and for which the full run-rate effect of such actions is expected to be realized within 12 months of such action.

 

Property ” means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including Capital Stock in, and other securities of, any other Person. For purposes of any calculation required pursuant to this Indenture, the value of any Property shall be its Fair Market Value.

 

Purchase Money Debt ” means Debt:

 

(a)          consisting of the deferred purchase price of Property, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations

 

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and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds, in each case where the maturity of such Debt does not exceed the anticipated useful life of the Property being financed, and

 

(b)          Incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement or lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Property, including additions and improvements thereto (whether through the direct purchase of assets or through the acquisition of at least a majority of the Voting Stock of any Person owning such assets);

 

provided , however , that such Debt is Incurred within 180 days after the acquisition, construction or lease of such Property by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Qualified Equity Issuance ” means a public or private issuance of common stock by the Company of at least $50.0 million to Persons who are not Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Qualified Receivables Transaction ” means any transaction or series of transactions, including factoring arrangements, that may be entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or reasonably related to a transaction or series of transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (1) a Special Purpose Vehicle or (2) any other Person, or may grant a security interest in, any equipment and related assets (including contract rights) or Receivables or interests therein which may be secured by goods or services financed thereby (whether such Receivables are then existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any assets relating thereto including, without limitation, all security or ownership interests in goods or services financed thereby, the proceeds of such Receivables, and other assets which are customarily sold or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with securitization transactions involving such assets, as any agreement governing any such transactions may be renewed, refinanced, amended, restated or modified from time to time.

 

Rating Agencies ” mean Moody’s and S&P.

 

Receivables ” means any right of payment from or on behalf of any obligor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, instrument, general intangible or otherwise, arising from the financing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of goods or services, and monies due thereunder, security or ownership interests in the goods and services financed thereby, records relating thereto, and the right to payment of any interest or finance charges and other obligations with respect thereto, proceeds from claims on insurance policies related thereto, any other proceeds related thereto, and other related rights.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City.

 

Refinance ” means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Debt, in exchange or replacement for, such Debt. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the date specified on the face of the Note.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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Regulation S Global Note ” means the Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Canadian Resale Legend and deposited with and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

 

Related Business ” means any business that is related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.

 

Related Business Assets ” means assets (other than cash or Temporary Cash Investments) used or useful in a Related Business; provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Repay ” means, in respect of any Debt, to repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, legally defease or otherwise retire such Debt. “Repayment” and “Repaid” shall have correlative meanings. For purposes of Section 4.12 and the definition of “Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio”, Debt constituting revolving credit Debt shall be considered to have been Repaid only to the extent the related loan commitment, if any, shall have been permanently reduced in connection therewith.

 

Responsible Officer ,” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Definitive Note ” means one or more Definitive Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Global Notes ” means one or more 144A Global Notes and Regulation S Global Notes and any other Global Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Payment ” means:

 

(a)          any dividend or distribution (whether made in cash, securities or other Property) declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), except for any dividend or distribution that is made solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or any dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and except for pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned subsidiary to minority stockholders;

 

(b)          the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any such Capital Stock, including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than for or into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);

 

(c)          the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value, prior to the date for any scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment payment, of any Subordinated Obligation (other than (x) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of any

 

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Subordinated Obligation purchased in anticipation of satisfying a scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment obligation, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition or (y) Debt permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(iv); or

 

(d) any Investment (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 903 ” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904 ” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to Property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such Property to another Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.

 

Special Purpose Vehicle ” means a bankruptcy remote entity or trust or other special purpose entity which is formed by the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any other Person for the purpose of, and engages in no material business other than in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction or other similar transactions of Receivables, including factoring arrangements, or other similar or related assets.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

 

Subordinated Obligations ” means any Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

Subsidiary ” means with respect to any Person, means any corporation, company (including any limited liability company), association, partnership, joint venture or other business entity

 

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of which a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

(a) such Person,

 

(b) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or

 

(c) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means the Guarantee of the Notes by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article 10 hereof and any additional Guarantee of the Notes to be delivered pursuant to a supplemental indenture by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Canadian and U.S. Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the Issue Date and any other Person that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof or who otherwise executes and delivers a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto to the Trustee providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Surviving Person ” means the surviving Person formed by a merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation and, for purposes of Section 5.01 hereof, a Person to whom all or substantially all of the Property of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, transferred, assigned, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed.

 

Temporary Cash Investments ” means:

 

(a)          Investments in U.S. and Canadian Government Obligations, in each case maturing within 365 days of the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b)          Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America or Canada or any state or province, as the case may be, or the District of Columbia or any U.S. or Canadian branch of a foreign bank having, at the date of acquisition thereof, combined capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of US$250.0 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or “A-” or higher according to Moody’s or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act));

 

(c)          repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) entered into with:

 

(1) a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above, or

 

(2)          any primary government securities dealer reporting to the Market Reports Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York;

 

(d)          Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized

 

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statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act)) or, with respect to commercial paper issued in Canada by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of Canada, having a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “R-1” (or higher) according to Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited;

 

(e)          direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of any state of the United States of America, any province of Canada or any foreign country recognized by the United States or any political subdivision of any such state, province or foreign country, as the case may be (including any agency or instrumentality thereof), for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such state is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option, provided that:

 

(1)         the long-term debt of such state, province or country is rated “A-3” or “A-” or higher according to Moody’s or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act)), and

 

(2)         such obligations mature within one year of the date of acquisition thereof; and

 

(f)           Investments in money market funds which invest substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) above.

 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

 

(a)          the total Debt of the Company as of such date, to

 

(b)          the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to such determination date.

 

in each case, with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (including, for avoidance of doubt, adjustments contemplated within the definition of “pro forma”).

 

Trustee ” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Trustee that shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Notes ” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Notes ” means one or more Global Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:

 

(a)          any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as permitted or required pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof and is not thereafter redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary as permitted pursuant thereto; and

 

(b)          any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

U.S. Notes ” means the C$550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.50% senior notes due 2022 issued on the date hereof pursuant to that certain indenture dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

Voting Stock ” of any Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

Section 1.02.         Other Definitions .

 

    Defined in  
Term   Section  
     
“Acceleration Notice”   6.02
“Additional Amounts”   4.19
“Affiliate Transaction”   4.14
“Allocable Excess Proceeds”   4.12
“Asset Sale Offer”   3.09
“Base Currency”   12.12
“Benefited Party”   10.01
“CDS”   2.03
“Change of Control Offer”   4.16
“Change of Control Payment Date”   4.16
“Change of Control Purchase Price”   4.16
“Covenant Defeasance”   8.03
“Company”   Preamble
“defeasance trust”   8.04
“Event of Default”   6.01
“Excess Proceeds”   4.12
“Excluded Holder”   4.19
“First Currency”   12.13
“judgment currency”   12.12
“Legal Defeasance”   8.02
“losses”   7.06
“Notes   Preamble
“Offer Amount”   3.09
“Offer Period”   3.09
“Other Currency”   12.13
“Paying Agent”   2.03
“Permitted Debt”   4.09
“Purchase Date”   3.09
“rate(s) of exchange”   12.12
“Registrar”   2.03
“retiring Trustee”   7.08

 

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    Defined in  
Term   Section  
     
“Security Register”   4.16
“Tax Jurisdiction”   4.19
“Taxes”   4.19
“Trustee”   Preamble
“Written Order”   2.02

 

Section 1.03.         Rules of Construction .

 

(a)          Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)          a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(ii)          an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(iii)          “or” is not exclusive;

 

(iv)          words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(v)         all references in this instrument to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed or as amended pursuant to and in accordance with Article 9 hereof;

 

(vi)          the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

(vii)          “including” means “including without limitation”;

 

(viii)          provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(ix)          references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 2.

 

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01.         Form and Dating .

 

(a)           General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certification thereof shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A . Each Note shall be dated the date of its certification. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the

 

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extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b)           Form of Notes . Notes shall be issued initially in global form and shall be sub stantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend provided in Section 2.06(b)(f)(ii) hereof and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend provided in Section 2.06(f)(ii) hereof and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions and transfers of interests therein. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c)           Book-Entry Provisions . This Section 2.01(c) shall only apply to Global Notes deposited with the Depositary. Participants and Indirect Participants shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or under such Global Note, and the Depositary shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants or Indirect Participants, the Applicable Procedures or the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)           Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

(e)           Certificated Securities . If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary shall no longer be eligible under this Section 2.01, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary. If a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company order for the certification and delivery of Definitive Notes, will certify and deliver Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount and like terms and tenor equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.

 

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that Global Notes shall no longer be represented by such Global Notes. In such event, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company order for the certification and delivery of Definitive Notes of the same terms and tenor, will certify and deliver Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.

 

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If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 2.06 with respect to Global Notes, the Depositary may surrender Global Notes in exchange in whole or in part for Definitive Notes and of like terms and tenor on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company order for the certification and delivery of Definitive Notes, shall certify and deliver, without service charge to the holders:

 

(i)          to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Definitive Note or Notes of the same tenor, in authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Note; and

 

(ii)          to such Depositary a new Global Note in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Note and the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Notes delivered to holders pursuant to clause (i) above.

 

Upon the exchange of a Global Note for Definitive Notes, such Global Note shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. Definitive Notes in exchange for a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee in writing. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Notes to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered or to the Depositary.

 

Section 2.02.          Execution and Certification .

 

(a)          One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or portable document format signature.

 

(b)          If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is certified, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

(c)          A Note shall not be valid until certified by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been certified under this Indenture.

 

(d)          The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (a “ Written Order ”), certify Notes for original issue.

 

(e)          The Trustee may appoint a certification agent acceptable to the Company to certify Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, a certification agent may certify Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to certification by the Trustee includes certification by such agent. A certification agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

(f)           The Company may issue Additional Notes from time to time after the offering of the Initial Notes. The issuance of Additional Notes will be subject to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

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Section 2.03.         Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

(a)          The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Registrar may appoint one or more co-registrars and the Company may appoint one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(b)          The Company initially appoints CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (“ CDS ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

(c)          The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and the Trustee hereby initially agrees so to act.

 

Section 2.04.         Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company or a Subsidiary to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05.         Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Trustee may allow, as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

 

Section 2.06.         Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)           Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be trans ferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes only if (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary and, in either case, a succes-

 

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sor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary or (2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or (3) an Event of Default entitling the Holders to accelerate shall have occurred and be continuing and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depositary to issue Definitive Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee in writing. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note certified and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be certified and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (g) hereof.

 

(b)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act and applicable Canadian law. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either clause (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following clauses, as applicable:

 

(i)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

 

(ii)           All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act and applicable Canadian securities law, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

(iii)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

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(A)         if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

 

(B)          if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

 

(iv)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(B)          if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof,

 

and, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

If any such transfer is effected at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Written Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall certify one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred.

 

(v)          Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes for Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited . Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)           Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .

 

(i)            Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

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(A)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

(F)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall certify and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail or deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(ii)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(B)          if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)          Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall certify and mail or deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail or deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes .

 

(i)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes . If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)         if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)         if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

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(F)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

 

(ii)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(B)          if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the clauses in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(iii)          Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

(iv)          Transfer or Exchange of Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes Prohibited . An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(v)           Issuance of Unrestricted Global Notes . If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Written Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall certify one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(i)            Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)          if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C)          if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(ii)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted De finitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)         if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

(B)          if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(iii)          Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f)            Legends . The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(i)           Private Placement Legend .

 

(A)         Except as permitted by clause (B) below, each Global Note (other than the Regu lation S Global Note) and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

“THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LAST DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES, ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S (PROVIDED THAT SUCH NON-U.S. PERSONS AGREE NOT TO RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE SECURITIES IN CANADA OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A CANADIAN RESIDENT, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE CANADIAN SECURITIES LAWS), (E) TO AN ‘ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(l), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF US$250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION, INCLUDING OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY PROVINCE OF CANADA, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY

 

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OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

“IN CANADA, UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITIES BEFORE OCTOBER 20, 2014.”

 

(B)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to clauses (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend; provided , however that any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to clauses (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 shall, if issued before the date that is four months and one day after the date of original issuance of the Note, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“CANADIAN RESALE LEGEND:

 

IN CANADA, UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES SHALL NOT TRADE THE SECURITIES BEFORE OCTOBER 20, 2014.”

 

(ii)           Global Note Legend . Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS CLEARING AND DEPOSITORY SERVICES INC. (“CDS”) TO CASCADES INC. (THE “ISSUER”) OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN RESPECT THEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CDS & CO., OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CDS & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF CDS), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF, CDS & CO., HAS A PROPERTY INTEREST IN THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HEREIN AND IT IS A VIOLATION OF ITS RIGHTS FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO HOLD, TRANSFER OR DEAL WITH THIS CERTIFICATE.”

 

(g)           Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in

 

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the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)           General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

 

(i)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of a Written Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall certify Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Company’s order or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)          No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.12, 4.16 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(iii)         All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(iv)         Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Regular Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(v)          Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(vi)         The Trustee shall certify Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

(vii)        All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or portable document format.

 

(viii)       The Trustee is hereby authorized to enter into a letter of representation with the Depositary in the form provided by the Company and to act in accordance with such letter.

 

(ix)          The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

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Section 2.07.         Replacement Notes .

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Written Order, shall certify, a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any certification agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Any replacement Note certified and delivered pursuant to this Section in lieu of a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same Debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Company, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

 

Section 2.08.         Outstanding Notes .

 

(a)          The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes certified by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(c) hereof.

 

(b)          If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

(c)          If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

(d)          If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09.         Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction,

 

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amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10.         Temporary Notes .

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Written Order, shall certify, temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall certify Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11.         Cancellation .

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, or at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar, or the Paying Agent, upon direction by the Company, and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) or return them to the Company. Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company from time to time upon written request. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12.         Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest .

 

Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or deliver or cause to be mailed or delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may make payment in cash of any defaulted interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange.

 

Section 2.13.         CUSIP or ISIN Numbers .

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as

 

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a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

 

Section 2.14.         Issuance of Additional Notes .

 

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the date hereof, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

(a)          the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be certified and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(b)          the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes; and

 

(c)          whether such Additional Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer.

 

ARTICLE 3.

 

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01.         Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof and paragraph 5 of the Notes, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed or delivered to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.

 

Section 3.02.         Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with any applicable depositary and legal requirements and the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, at random or in accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption at random, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

Section 3.03.         Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail or deliver, or cause to be mailed or delivered, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(a)          the redemption date;

 

(b)          the redemption price or if the redemption is made pursuant to Section 3.07(b) a calculation of the redemption price;

 

(c)          if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(d)          the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(e)          that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(f)           that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(g)          the paragraph of the Notes or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(h)          in the case of a redemption being made by a Restricted Subsidiary, the name of such Restricted Subsidiary making the redemption; and

 

(i)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

The Company shall, or, at the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days, or a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee, prior to the redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in this Section 3.03.

 

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Section 3.04.         Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed or delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

Section 3.05.         Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or before 11:00 a.m. New York City time on any redemption date, the Company shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed.

 

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06.         Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Written Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall certify for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07.         Optional Redemption .

 

(a)          The Company may choose to redeem the Notes at any time. If it does so, it may redeem all or any portion of the Notes at once or over time, after giving the required notice hereunder. To redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2017 the Company must pay a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)          100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and

 

(ii)          the sum of the present values of (1) the redemption price of the Notes at July 15, 2017 (as set forth below) and (2) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the redemption date to July 15, 2017 but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 365-day year using the actual number of days in the period), at the Government of Canada Rate (determined on the second business day immediately preceding the date of redemption) plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

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Any notice to Holders of Notes of such a redemption will include the appropriate calculation of the redemption price, but need not include the redemption price itself. The actual redemption price, calculated as described above, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two business days prior to the redemption date.

 

(b)          Beginning on July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under this Indenture, at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Redemption Year   Price  
       
2017     104.125 %
2018     102.750 %
2019     101.375 %
2020 and thereafter     100.000 %

 

(c)          In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) with the proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Issuances, at a redemption price equal to 105.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that after giving effect to any such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding. Any such redemption shall be made within 180 days of such Qualified Equity Issuance upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice.

 

(d)          The Company may at any time redeem, in whole but not in part, the outstanding Notes (upon giving notice in accordance with this Indenture, which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, the Company has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes, and the Company cannot avoid any such payment obligation by taking reasonable measures available to it, as a result of (i) any change in or amendment to the laws (or regulations promulgated thereunder) of a relevant Tax Jurisdiction, or (ii) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment is announced and is effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the applicable relevant Tax Jurisdiction became a Tax Jurisdiction on a date after the Issue Date, such later date).

 

(e)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect to effect any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Section 3.08.         Mandatory Redemption .

 

Except as set forth in Sections 4.12 and 4.16 hereof, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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Section 3.09.         Offer To Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds .

 

(a)          In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

 

(b)          The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof (the “ Offer Amount ”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

If the Purchase Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

Upon the commencement of the Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall deliver a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

 

 (i)          that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.12 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

 

(ii)          the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

 

(iii)         that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

 

(iv)          that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

(v)         that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

(vi)          that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

 

(vii)          that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

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(viii)          that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased); and

 

(ix)           that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Written Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof from the Company, shall certify and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

 

ARTICLE 4.

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01.         Payment of Notes .

 

The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest on any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 365-day year and will be payable in equal semi-annual payments.

 

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Section 4.02.         Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

(a)          The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office or drop facility of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

(b)          The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)          The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, as one such office, drop facility or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Section 4.03.         Reports .

 

(a)          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the time such report is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, any extension permitted by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), a copy of each report the Company is required to file or otherwise files with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any material for which the Company has sought and obtained confidential treatment by the Commission; provided further , each such report will be deemed to be so delivered to the Trustee if the Company files such report with the Commission through the Commission’s EDGAR database. In the event the Company is at any time while any Notes are outstanding no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and no longer files reports thereunder, the Company shall continue to provide to the Trustee and, upon request, to each Holder, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the date the Company would have been required to file the same with the Commission, the reports the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to the reporting requirements of such sections.

 

(b)          For so long as any Notes remain outstanding and the Company does not have or shall cease to have a class of equity securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or is not or shall cease to be subject to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and no longer files reports thereunder, the Company shall furnish to the Holders, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act; provided that each such report requested will be deemed delivered if the Company files such report with the Commission through the Commission’s EDGAR database.

 

(c)          Delivery of these reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for infor mational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee shall not have any responsibility to determine whether such

 

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posting of reports with the Commission has occurred. In addition, the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the Company’s status as a reporting company under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Section 4.04.         Compliance Certificate .

 

(a)          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate (which shall be signed by the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company) stating that in the course of performing their duties as Officers of the Company a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company and its Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company and its Subsidiaries are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)          The Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee, after becoming aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time (or both) would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; provided , however , that no notice need be delivered under this Section 4.04(c) if the event that with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default has been cured prior to the time delivery of notice would have otherwise been required.

 

Section 4.05.         Taxes .

 

The Company shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies; provided that neither the Company nor any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders, unless despite such contestation, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is nonetheless required to pay such taxes, assessments, or governmental levies under applicable law.

 

Section 4.06.         Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.07.         Corporate Existence .

 

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes or such action is otherwise permitted by this Indenture.

 

Section 4.08.         Payments for Consent .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

Section 4.09.         Limitation on Debt .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Debt unless, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, no Default or Event of Default would occur as a consequence of such Incurrence or be continuing following such Incurrence and either:

 

(i)          such Debt is Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.00 to 1.00; provided that Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors may incur Debt to the extent Debt incurred and outstanding under this clause (i) does not exceed $100.0 million, or

 

(ii)          such Debt is Permitted Debt.

 

(b)          The term “ Permitted Debt ” means:

 

(i)          (1) Debt of the Company evidenced by the “Initial Notes and the U.S. Notes and (2) Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees relating to the Initial Notes and subsidiary guarantees relating to the U.S. Notes;

 

(ii)          Debt of the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor, a Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary under a Credit Facility; provided that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii) and then outstanding shall not exceed the greatest of (i) $1,000.0 million, which amount shall be permanently reduced by the amount of Net Available Cash used to Repay Debt under the Credit Facility, and not subsequently reinvested in Additional Assets or used to purchase Notes or Repay other Debt, pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, (ii) an aggregate amount equal to (x) the aggregate amount

 

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of EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available prior to the date of such incurrence multiplied by (y) 3.50 and (iii) the sum of (A) 60% of the book value of the inventory of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) 80% of the book value of the accounts receivable of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (C) $250.0 million, in each case determined on a consolidated basis as of the most recently ended annual or quarterly period of the Company for which financial statements of the Company are publicly available;

 

(iii)         Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, Purchase Money Debt or Sale and Leaseback Transactions, provided that:

 

(A)         the aggregate principal amount of such Debt does not exceed the Fair Market Value (on the date of the Incurrence thereof) of the Property acquired, constructed, leased or sold, and

 

(B)          the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Incurred and then outstanding pursuant to this clause (iii) (together with all Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred and then outstanding in respect of Debt previously Incurred pursuant to this clause (iii)) does not exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 7.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(iv)         Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary and Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on any such Debt Incurred after the Issue Date, then such Debt is expressly subordinated by its terms to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be; provided further , however , that any subsequent issue or transfer of Capital Stock or other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Debt (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Debt by the issuer thereof;

 

(v)          Debt under Interest Rate Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk in the ordinary course of the financial management of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes, provided that the obligations under such agreements are directly related to payment obligations on Debt otherwise permitted by this Section 4.09;

 

(vi)         Debt under Currency Exchange Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting currency exchange rate risks directly related to transactions entered into by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(vii)        Debt under Commodity Price Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of the financial management of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;

 

(viii)       Debt in connection with one or more standby letters of credit or performance bonds issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance obligations and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit;

 

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(ix)          Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date not otherwise described in clauses (b)(i) through (viii) above;

 

(x)           Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Debt Incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Company or was otherwise acquired by the Company); provided that at the time such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the application of proceeds therefrom, (i) the Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09 or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(xi)          Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out or other similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Company otherwise permitted by and in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(xii)         Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary evidenced by promissory notes issued to employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in lieu of any cash payment permitted to be made under Section 4.10(b)(vi) hereof;

 

(xiii)        Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary making such Guarantee is otherwise permitted under this Indenture and Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of a Permitted Joint Venture constituting a Permitted Investment pursuant to clause (p) of such definition;

 

(xiv)       Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds, provided such Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of the Company or Restricted Subsidiary receiving notice;

 

(xv)        Debt consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xvi)       Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

 

(xvii)      Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred in respect of Debt Incurred pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09 and clauses (b)(i), (ix) and (x) above; provided , however , that in the case of any Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary and Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(ix) hereof, the obligee of such Permitted Refinancing Debt shall be either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or if the original obligee of the Debt being Refinanced was the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor then the obligee of such Permitted Refinancing Debt shall be either the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

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(xviii)           Debt in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.09, accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Debt will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section 4.09.

 

(d)          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (b)(i) through (xviii) of this Section 4.09 or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.09, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify in whole or in part (or later reclassify in whole or in part) such item of Debt in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09.

 

(e)          For purposes of determining compliance with any Canadian dollar denominated restriction or amount, the Canadian dollar equivalent principal amount thereof denominated in a foreign currency will be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date the Debt or other transaction was incurred or entered into, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt, provided that if any Permitted Refinancing Debt is incurred to refinance Debt denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable Canadian dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Canadian dollar denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such Debt being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no restriction or amount will be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.

 

Section 4.10.         Limitation on Restricted Payments .

 

(a)          The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment if at the time of, and after giving effect to, such proposed Restricted Payment,

 

(i)          a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

 

(ii)          the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, and

 

(iii)          the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made since the Issue Date (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if made other than in cash, to be based upon Fair Market Value at the time of such Restricted Payment) would exceed an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(A)         50% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from July 1, 2014 to the end of the most recent annual or quarterly period for which financial statements have been made publicly available (or if the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus

 

(B)         100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds, plus

 

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(C)         the sum of:

 

(1)         the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the issuance or sale after the Issue Date of convertible or exchangeable Debt that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and

 

(2)         the aggregate amount by which Debt (other than Subordinated Obligations) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet on or after the Issue Date upon the conversion or exchange of any Debt issued or sold on or prior to the Issue Date that is convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,

 

excluding, in the case of clause (1) or (2):

 

(x)          any such Debt issued or sold to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees, and

 

(y)         the aggregate amount of any cash or other Property distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon any such conversion or exchange, plus

 

(D)         an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(1)         the net reduction in Investments in any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary resulting from dividends, repayments, forgiveness or cancellation of loans or advances or other transfers of Property, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person,

 

(2)         the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, and

 

(3)         to the extent that any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) that was made after the Issue Date is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to such Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus

 

(E)          $50.0 million.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company and Restricted Subsidiar ies, as applicable, may:

 

(i)          pay dividends or distributions on its Capital Stock within 60 days of the declaration thereof if, on the declaration date, such dividends or distributions could have been paid in compliance with this Indenture; provided , however , that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no other Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such dividend or distribution shall be

 

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included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(ii)          purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease, acquire or retire for value any (i) Capital Stock of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Permitted Joint Venture, or (ii) Subordinated Obligations, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees); provided , however , that

 

(A)         such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above and

 

(B)          the Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from such exchange or sale shall be excluded from the calculation pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii)(B) above;

 

(iii)         purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Permitted Refinancing Debt; provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(iv)         make an Investment, if at the time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary first Incurred a commitment for such Restricted Payment, such Restricted Payment could have been made; provided , however , that the Investment is made within 90 days from the date in which the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary Incurs the commitment; and provided further , however , that all commitments Incurred and outstanding and not terminated shall be treated as if such commitments were Restricted Payments expended by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary at the time the commitments were Incurred;

 

(v)          the repurchase of equity interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options upon surrender of equity interests to pay the exercise price of such options; provided however , that such repurchase shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(vi)         repurchase, redeem or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from current or former employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such current or former employees), pursuant to the terms of agreements (including employment agreements, employee stock options or restricted stock agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors of the Company under which such individuals purchase or sell, or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided , however , that:

 

(A)         the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $10.0 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts carried over to the next calendar year subject to a maximum of $15.0 million in any calendar year; and

 

(B)          at the time of such repurchase, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);

 

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provided further , however , that such repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(vii)        pay dividends or distributions in the ordinary course of business on the Company’s outstanding Capital Stock or Preferred Stock or make open market purchases of shares of the Company’s outstanding Capital Stock pursuant to stock buyback programs approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, in an amount which, when combined with all such dividends, distributions and purchases, does not exceed $50.0 million in the aggregate in any calendar year, with unused amounts carried over to the succeeding calendar year, subject to a maximum of $75.0 million in any calendar year; such $25.0 million increase allowed only if the pro forma Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is at least 2.00 to 1.00; provided , however , that at the time of such dividend, distribution or purchase,

 

(A)         the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, after giving pro forma effect to such dividend or distribution; and

 

(B)          no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom);

 

provided further , however , that such dividends or distributions shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(viii)       purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted by Section 4.12 hereof, provided , however , that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, legal defeasance, acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(ix)          purchase or redeem any Subordinated Obligations, to the extent required by the terms of such Debt following a Change of Control; provided , however , that the Company has made a Change of Control Offer and has purchased all Notes tendered in connection with that Change of Control Offer; provided further , however , that such purchase or redemption shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above;

 

(x)           other Restricted Payments in an aggregated amount not to exceed $150.0 million since the Issue Date; provided , however, that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no other Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above; and

 

(xi)          any additional Restricted Payment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00; provided , however , that at the time of such payment of such dividend or distribution, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further , however , that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(iii) above.

 

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Section 4.11.          Limitation on Liens .

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or suffer to exist, any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its Property (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless it has made or will make effective provision whereby the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with (or, if such other Debt constitutes Subordinated Obligations, prior to) all other Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by such Lien for so long as such other Debt is secured by such Lien; provided , however , that if the Debt so secured is expressly subordinated to the Notes, then the Lien securing such Debt shall be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees.

 

Section 4.12.          Limitation on Asset Sales .

 

(a)         The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

(i)           the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration, including the relief of liabilities, at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject to such Asset Sale; and

 

(ii)         except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration paid to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments.

 

Solely for the purposes of clause (a)(ii) of this Section 4.12, the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(A)         the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities or liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee) as a result of which the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer obligated with respect to such liabilities;

 

(B)         any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such Purchaser to the extent they are promptly converted or monetized by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) or by their terms mature or are otherwise to be converted into cash within 180 days; and

 

(C)         any Designated Noncash Consideration the Fair Market Value of which, when taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) (and not subsequently converted into cash or Temporary Cash Investments that are treated as Net Available Cash), does not exceed the greater of (1) $150.0 million and (2) 5.0% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Noncash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

(b)         The Net Available Cash (or any portion thereof) from Asset Sales may be applied by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Debt) to any of the following uses:

 

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(i)         to Repay

 

(A)         Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is secured by the Property subject to such Asset Sale (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) and/or

 

(B)         Debt under the Credit Facility; or

 

(ii)         to invest or reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary); or

 

(iii)          to make capital expenditures to improve existing assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any investment in Additional Assets within 180 days prior to an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to satisfy clause (b)(ii) above with respect to any such Asset Sale and (ii) any capital expenditure made to improve existing assets within 180 days of an Asset Sale shall be deemed to satisfy clause (b)(iii) above with respect to any Asset Sale.

 

(c)          Any Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale not applied in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 4.12 within 450 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Available Cash, or such shorter period which the Company determines or that is not segregated from the general funds of the Company for investment in identified Additional Assets in respect of a project that shall have been commenced, and for which binding contractual commitments have been entered into, prior to the end of such 450-day period and that shall not have been completed or abandoned shall constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided , however , that the amount of any Net Available Cash that ceases to be so segregated as contemplated above and any Net Available Cash that is segregated in respect of a project that is abandoned or completed shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds” at the time any such Net Available Cash ceases to be so segregated or at the time the relevant project is so abandoned or completed, as applicable; provided further , however , that the amount of any Net Available Cash that continues to be segregated for investment and that is not actually reinvested within 450 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Available Cash shall also constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

 

(d)          When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150.0 million (not taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds, if any), the Company will be required to make an Asset Sale Offer, which offer shall be in the amount of the Allocable Excess Proceeds (as defined below), on a pro rata basis, according to principal amount, at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in this Indenture. To the extent that any portion of the amount of Net Available Cash remains after compliance with the preceding sentence and provided that all Holders of Notes have been given the opportunity to tender their Notes for purchase in accordance with this Indenture, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may use such remaining amount for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

 

(e)          The term “ Allocable Excess Proceeds ” shall mean the product of:

 

(i)           the Excess Proceeds and

 

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(ii)         a fraction,

 

(A)         the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer, and

 

(B)         the denominator of which is the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer and the aggregate principal amount of other Debt of the Company outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes and subject to terms and conditions in respect of Asset Sales substantially similar to this Section 4.12 and requiring the Company to make an offer to purchase such Debt at substantially the same time as the Asset Sale Offer.

 

(f)          Within five business days after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer as described in clause (d) of this Section 4.12, the Company shall deliver a written notice to the Holders of Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, accompanied by such information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders to make an informed decision with respect to such Asset Sale Offer. Such notice shall state, among other things, the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a business day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered.

 

(g)          The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.12, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.12 by virtue thereof.

 

Section 4.13.          Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any consensual restriction on the right of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(i)          pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, or pay any Debt or other obligation owed, to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,

 

(ii)         make any loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or

 

(iii)        transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)          The foregoing limitations will not apply:

 

(i)          with respect to clauses (a)(i), (ii) and (iii), to restrictions:

 

(A)        in effect on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, restrictions pursuant to the Notes, this Indenture, the indenture dated as of the date hereof governing the U.S. Notes, the indentures governing the Company’s notes outstanding on the Issue Date and the Credit Facility or pursuant to a credit agreement or credit agreements which may be entered into after the Issue

 

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Date under which one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries can Incur Debt so long as such Debt is Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(ii) hereof and, as determined in good faith by the Company, that are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the Credit Facility on the Issue Date,

 

(B)         relating to Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary and existing at the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary if such restriction was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company,

 

(C)         that result from the Refinancing of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (i)(A) or (B) above or in clause (ii)(A) or (B) below, provided such restrictions taken as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company, are no less favorable to the Holders than those under the agreement evidencing the Debt so Refinanced,

 

(D)         arising in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction (including limitations set forth in the governing documents of a Special Purpose Vehicle), or

 

(E)         existing under or by reason of applicable law, and

 

(ii)         with respect to clause (a)(iii) only, to restrictions:

 

(A)         relating to Debt that is permitted to be Incurred and secured without also securing the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.11 hereof, that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the Property securing such Debt,

 

(B)         encumbering Property at the time such Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such restriction relates solely to the Property so acquired and was not created in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition,

 

(C)         resulting from customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of leases or customary provisions in other agreements that restrict assignment of such agreements or rights thereunder,

 

(D)         that constitute customary restrictions contained in sale agreements limiting the transfer of Capital Stock or Property pending the closing of such sale,

 

(E)         that constitute customary restrictions contained in joint venture agreements entered into in good faith and not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture, or

 

(F)         existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture.

 

Section 4.14.          Limitation on Affiliate Transactions .

 

(a)          The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of any Property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company involving aggregate payments or value in excess of $25.0 million (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless:

 

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(i)          the terms of such Affiliate Transaction, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction at the time of the transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company,

 

(ii)         if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $50.0 million, the Board of Directors of the Company, (including at least a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company) approves such Affiliate Transaction and, in its good faith judgment, believes that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a)(i) of this Section 4.14 as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, and

 

(iii)         if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $75.0 million, the Company obtains a written opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor to the effect that the consideration to be paid or received in connection with such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding (and without the need to comply with) the foregoing limitation, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into or suffer to exist the following:

 

(i)          any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that if one of the parties to such transaction or series of transactions is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, no more than 5% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of such Restricted Subsidiary is owned by a stockholder of the Company that is an Affiliate;

 

(ii)         any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, or any Permitted Investment;

 

(iii)         any disposition of Property of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Company’s Larochette mill to Reno de Medici S.p.A.;

 

(iv)        the payment of compensation (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans) for the personal services of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, whether in cash, securities or otherwise, so long as the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof and deemed the services theretofore or thereafter to be performed for such compensation to be fair consideration therefor;

 

(v)         loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; provided that such loans and advances do not exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(vi)        the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company;

 

(vii)        transactions with customers, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case which are in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practice (including, without limitation, pursuant to agreements in existence on the date of this Indenture) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture

 

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and, taken as a whole, are on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would reasonably be expected to be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction at the time of the transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

(viii)        payments or other transactions pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and entered into in good faith between the Company and any other Person with which the Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the Company is a part of a consolidated group for tax purposes;

 

(ix)         payments from Affiliates to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for operational, management and financial services pursuant to agreements that are on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

(x)          any sale, conveyance or other transfer of Receivables and other related assets customarily transferred in a Qualified Receivables Transaction; and

 

(xi)         director and officer indemnification agreements entered into in good faith and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Section 4.15.          Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

(a)          The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation is permitted under Section 4.10 and the Subsidiary to be so designated:

 

(i)          has no Debt other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(ii)         is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (1) to subscribe for additional Capital Stock or (2) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(iii)        has not Guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          Unless so designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company will be classified as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Subsidiary shall not be designated a Restricted Subsidiary and shall be automatically classified as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if (1) either of the requirements set forth in Sections 4.15(d) (x) and (y) shall not be satisfied after giving pro forma effect to such classification, (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or (3) unless the Company elects otherwise, such Subsidiary is formed and exists solely for the purpose of effecting a transaction or series of transactions otherwise permitted by this Indenture and such Subsidiary will be merged, consolidated, liquidated, dissolved, wound-up or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as part of such transaction or series of transactions.

 

(c)          Except as provided in the first sentence of clause (b) of this Section 4.15, no Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly or indirectly liable for any Debt that provides that the

 

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holder thereof may (with the passage of time or notice or both) declare a default thereon or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity upon the occurrence of a default with respect to any Debt, Lien or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any right to take enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary). Upon designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Section 4.15, such Restricted Subsidiary shall, by execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture, be released from any Subsidiary Guarantee previously made by such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(d)          The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such designation,

 

(x)          the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof, and

 

(y)          no default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

(e)          Any such designation or redesignation by the Board of Directors of the Company will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation or redesignation and an Officers’ Certificate that:

 

(1)         certifies that such designation or redesignation complies with the preceding provisions, and

 

(2)         gives the effective date of such designation or redesignation,

 

such filing with the Trustee to occur within 45 days after the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which such designation or redesignation is made (or, in the case of a designation or redesignation made during the last fiscal quarter of the Company’s fiscal year, within 90 days after the end of such fiscal year).

 

(f)          As of the Issue Date, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Cascades Recovery Inc., Greenpac Holding LLC (and its direct parent holding company), Reno de Medici S.p.A. and Norcan Flexible Packing Inc. (and their respective Subsidiaries) as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.16.          Repurchase at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control .

 

(a)          Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a purchase price, in cash (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”), equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date (as defined below)). Each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to such offer.

 

Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has mailed or delivered a redemption notice with respect to all of the outstanding Notes in accordance with Section 3.07, the Company shall:

 

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(i)          cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent at least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the United States and

 

(ii)         deliver, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes, at such Holder’s address appearing in the securities register maintained in respect of the Notes by the Registrar (the “ Security Register ”), a notice stating:

 

(A)         that a Change of Control has occurred and a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.16 and that all Notes timely tendered will be accepted for repurchase;

 

(B)         the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a Business Day no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”);

 

(C)         the circumstances and relevant facts regarding the Change of Control; and

 

(D)         the procedures that Holders must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment, and the procedures that Holders must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender Notes (or portions thereof) for payment.

 

The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.16 or other provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.16 by virtue of such compliance.

 

(b)          On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

 

(i)          accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(ii)         deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(iii)        deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent, on its behalf, the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being tendered and purchased by the Company.

 

The Paying Agent shall promptly mail or deliver to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly certify and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

(c)          If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person

 

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in whose name a Note is registered, at the close of business on such Regular Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

(d)          The provisions described above that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable. This Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction that does not involve a Change of Control.

 

(e)          The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes a Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.

 

Section 4.17.          Future Subsidiary Guarantors .

 

The Company shall cause each Person that becomes a Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary, excluding any Special Purpose Vehicle, following the Issue Date to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto providing a Subsidiary Guarantee within 30 days after such time such Person becomes a Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that if any such Canadian or U.S. Restricted Subsidiary has assets or annual revenues, in each case, of less than $5.0 million individually (and $15.0 million in the aggregate in respect of all Restricted Subsidiaries), and in each case, does not Guarantee or Incur Debt under any Credit Facility or any capital markets debt, issued after the Issue Date, such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be required to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 4.18.          Covenant Termination .

 

(a)          All of the covenants set forth in Article 4 hereof shall be applicable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries unless the Company reaches Investment Grade Status. After the Company has reached Investment Grade Status, and notwithstanding that the Company may later cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from either or both of the Rating Agencies, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be released from their obligations to comply with Sections 4.09, 4.10, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 4.16 but shall remain obligated to comply with the following:

 

(i)           Sections 4.01 through 4.08;

 

(ii)          Section 4.11;

 

(iii)         Section 4.15 (other than clause (x) of Section 4.15(d) (and such clause (x) as referred to in Section 4.15(b)(1)));

 

(iv)         Section 4.17; and

 

(v)          Section 4.19.

 

(b)          The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall also, upon reaching Investment Grade Status, remain obligated to comply with Section 5.01 (other than clauses (a)(v) and (b)(v) thereunder).

 

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(c)          The Company shall notify the Trustee upon reaching Investment Grade Status.

 

Section 4.19.          Additional Amounts .

 

(a)          Payments made by the Company under or with respect to the Notes or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, assessment or other governmental charge (“ Taxes ”) unless the withholding or deduction of Taxes is then required by law. If any deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of (1) any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is at any relevant time organized, engaged in business for tax purposes or resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision thereof or therein or (2) any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including the jurisdiction of any paying agent) or any political subdivision thereof or therein (each, a “ Tax Jurisdiction ”) will at any time be required to be made from any payments made by the Company under or with respect to the Notes or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will pay to each Holder of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment, such additional amounts (“ Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by the applicable beneficial owner (including the Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction (including any such withholding or deduction in respect of Additional Amounts) will equal the amount such beneficial owner would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted; provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment to a Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes (an “ Excluded Holder ”):

 

(i)          in respect of Canadian Taxes imposed because the Company does not deal at arm’s-length (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act ) with such Holder at the time of making such payment,

 

(ii)         which is subject to such Taxes by reason of its being connected with a relevant Tax Jurisdiction or any province or territory thereof otherwise than by the mere holding of the Notes or the receipt of payments in respect of, or enforcement of, such Note or a Subsidiary Guarantee,

 

(iii)        which failed to comply with a timely request of the Company to comply with any certification, identification, documentation or other reporting requirements if compliance is required by law, regulation, administrative practice or an applicable treaty as a precondition to exemption from, or a reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by a relevant Tax Jurisdiction to which such Holder or beneficial owner is entitled,

 

(iv)        with respect to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer or similar Taxes,

 

(v)         where the payment could have been made without such deduction or withholding if the beneficiary of the payment had presented such Notes for payment within 30 days after the date on which such payment on such Notes became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later (except to the extent that the Holder or beneficial owner would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had such Notes been presented on the last day of such 30-day period),

 

(vi)        in respect of Canadian Taxes imposed because such payment is deemed (under subsection 214(16) of the Income Tax Act ) to be a dividend paid by the Company to a Holder that is a “specified shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the Income Tax Act ), or

 

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(vii)       any combination of the above clauses in this proviso.

 

(b)          If it is the applicable withholding agent, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor shall also:

 

(i)          make such withholding or deduction, and

 

(ii)         remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)          The Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor will furnish, within 30 days after the date the payment of any Taxes are due pursuant to applicable law, to the trustee on behalf of the applicable Holders of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment, copies of tax receipts, if any (or other documentation), evidencing the payments of Taxes made by the Company, or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be on behalf of the Holders. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such Holder for the amount of:

 

(i)          any Taxes so levied or imposed by a relevant Tax Jurisdiction and paid by such Holder (or the applicable beneficial owner) as a result of payments made under or with respect to the Notes,

 

(ii)         any liability (including penalties, interest and expense) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, and

 

(iii)        any Taxes (other than Taxes described in Sections 4.19(a)(i)-(vii) above for which Additional Amounts are not required to be paid) imposed with respect to any reimbursement under clause (c)(i) or (ii) above.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay and indemnify each Holder for any present or future stamp, issue, registration, transfer, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, interest and any other liabilities related thereto) which are levied by any relevant Tax Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, issuance, or registration of any of the Notes, this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee or any other document referred to therein, or the receipt of any payments with respect thereto, or enforcement of, any of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

(d)         At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes is due and payable (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises shortly before or after the 30 th day prior to such date, in which case it shall be promptly thereafter), if the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts shall be payable, and the amounts so payable and shall set forth such other information as is necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to the Holders of the Notes on the payment date. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context:

 

(i)          the payment of principal (and premium, if any),

 

(ii)         purchase prices in connection with a repurchase of Notes,

 

 

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(iii)         interest, or

 

(iv)        any other amount payable on or with respect to any of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee,

 

such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.19 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

(e)         The obligations in this Section 4.19 will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture, any transfer by a Holder or beneficial owner of its Notes, and will apply, mutatis mutandis , to any jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is organized, engaged in business for tax purposes or resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which such Person makes any payment on the Notes (or any Subsidiary Guarantee) or any political subdivision thereof or therein.

 

ARTICLE 5.

 

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01.          Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets .

 

(a)          The Company shall not merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve, wind-up or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:

 

(i)          the Company shall be the Surviving Person in such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation, or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the federal laws of Canada or the laws of any province thereof or the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(ii)         the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Notes, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;

 

(iii)         in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of the Company, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person;

 

(iv)        immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iv) and clause (v) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

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(v)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, either (i) the Company or the Surviving Person, as the case may be, would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt under clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Surviving Person, as the case may be, would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

(vi)        the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, with respect thereto comply with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(b)          The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve, wind-up or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:

 

(i)          the Surviving Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) formed by such merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or amalgamation or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall organized and existing under the federal laws of Canada or the laws of any province thereof or the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(ii)         the Surviving Person (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual performance and observance of all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(iii)        in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of such Subsidiary Guarantor, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person;

 

(iv)        immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iv) and clause (v) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(v)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, either (i) the Company would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt under clause (a)(i) of Section 4.09 hereof or (ii) the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of the Company would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction; and

 

(vi)        the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such Subsidiary Guarantee, if any, with respect thereto comply with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

 

(c)          This Section 5.01 shall not prohibit any Subsidiary Guarantor from consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or part of its assets to the Company or any other Canadian or U.S.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor. In addition, the foregoing provisions (other than clause (iv) in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01) shall not apply to (i) any transactions which constitute an Asset Sale if the Company has complied with Section 4.12 hereof, effective upon consummation of such Asset Sale, with the Company thereafter required to apply any Net Available Cash as so required thereunder and (ii) any transactions which result in the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor as described in Section 10.05 hereof.

 

Section 5.02.          Successor Corporation Substituted .

 

The Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture (or of the Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be), but the predecessor Company in the case of:

 

(a)          a sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition (unless such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is of all the assets of the Company as an entirety or virtually as an entirety), or

 

(b)          a lease,

 

shall not be released from any of the obligations or covenants under this Indenture, including with respect to the payment of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 6.

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01.          Events of Default .

 

(a)          Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(i)            failure to make the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts) on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(ii)           failure to make the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any of the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise;

 

(iii)          failure to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof and such failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(iv)         failure to make a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16 hereof;

 

(v)          failure to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, and such failure continues for 30 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(vi)         failure to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof and such failure continues for a period of 120 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(vii)        failure to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the Notes or in this Indenture (other than a failure that is the subject of the foregoing clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or

 

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(vi)) and such failure continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below;

 

(viii)          a default under any Debt for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any such Debt at maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within ten Business Days after the date of such acceleration;

 

(ix)          any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) that shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that shall not be waived, satisfied (net of any amounts that are reduced by insurance or bonded) or discharged for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect;

 

(x)          the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries:

 

(A)        commences a voluntary case or gives notice of intention to make a proposal under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(B)          consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or consents to its dissolution or winding-up;

 

(C)          consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(D)          makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(E)          admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due or otherwise admits its insolvency; or

 

(F)          seeks a stay of proceedings against it or proposes or gives notice of intention to propose a compromise, arrangement or reorganization of any of its debts or obligations under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(xi)          a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)          is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case; or

 

(B)          appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, trustee or custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;

 

(C)          orders the liquidation dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or

 

(D)          orders the presentation of any plan or arrangement, compromise or reorganization of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of subsidiaries that when taken together would constitute Significant Subsidiaries;

 

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and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

(xii)        Certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary ( “the bankruptcy provisions” ); and

 

(xiii)       any Subsidiary Guarantee of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

A Default under clause (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) is not an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

Section 6.02.          Acceleration .

 

If any Event of Default (other than those of the type described in Section 6.01(x) or (xi)) shall have occurred and is continuing, the Trustee may, and the Trustee upon the request of Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes may, declare the principal of all the Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, premium, if any, to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a notice of acceleration (the “ Acceleration Notice ”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in Section (x) or (xi) of Section 6.01 hereof, such amount with respect to all the Notes will become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes. Holders may not enforce this Indenture or the Notes except as provided in this Indenture.

 

At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (by notice to the Trustee) may rescind and cancel that declaration and its consequences if:

 

(a)          the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;

 

(b)          all existing Defaults and Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Notes that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration;

 

(c)          to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest (at the same rate specified in the Notes) on overdue installments of interest and overdue payments of principal which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration has been paid;

 

(d)          the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances; and

 

 

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(e)          in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 6.01(x) or (xi), the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

 

In the case of an Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by the Company or on the Company’s behalf with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have been required to pay if the Company had then elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, an equivalent premium will also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes. If an Event of Default occurs prior to July 15, 2017, by reason of any willful action or inaction taken or not taken by the Company or on the Company’s behalf with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to July 15, 2017, then the premium specified in Section 3.07 will also become immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon acceleration of the Notes.

 

Section 6.03.          Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04.          Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may waive by consent (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) any then existing or potential Default and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Notes. In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (a)(vii) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences of that Event of Default, including without limitation any acceleration or resulting payment default, will be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, if within 60 days after the Event of Default arose:

 

(a)          the Debt that is the basis for the Event of Default has been discharged;

 

(b)          the holders of that Debt have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action, as the case may be, giving rise to the Event of Default; or

 

(c)          if the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

 

When a Default or Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any consequent right.

 

Section 6.05.          Control by Majority .

 

Subject to Section 7.01, Section 7.02(f) (including the Trustee’s receipt of the security or indemnification described therein) and Section 7.06, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be

 

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continuing, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 6.06.          Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy thereunder, unless:

 

(a)          such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default,

 

(b)          Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding have made a written request and offered indemnity to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and

 

(c)          the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

 

Section 6.07.          Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.06), the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08.          Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest) and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09.          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event

 

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that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. To the extent that any such compensation, expenses and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, moneys, securities and any other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10.          Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First : to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.06 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

Second : to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third : to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11.          Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7.

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01.          Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)          If an Event of Default which the Trustee has, or is deemed to have, notice hereunder has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it

 

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by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

 

(b)          Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)         the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee undertakes to perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)         in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided , however , that in the case of any such certificates or opinions which are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein or otherwise verify the contents thereof).

 

(c)          The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)         this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

 

(2)         the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

 

(3)         the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof; and

 

(4)         no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

 

(d)          Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

(e)          Except for information provided by the Trustee concerning the Trustee, the Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any prospectus or other disclosure material distributed with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 7.02.          Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)          The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document. Any facsimile or portable document format signature of any Person on a document required or permitted in this Indenture to be delivered to the Trustee shall constitute a valid and binding execution thereof by such Person.

 

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(b)          Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)          The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

(d)          The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided , however that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

 

(e)          Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f)          The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(g)          The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default from the Company or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture and, in the absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no such Default or Event of Default exists.

 

(h)          Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

 

(i)          The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.

 

(j)          The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants herein.

 

(k)          The Trustee’s immunities and protections from liability and its right to indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee’s officers, directors, agents, attorneys and employees. Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustee’s right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee’s resignation or removal, the defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and final payment of the Notes.

 

(l)          The right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

 

(m)          The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified

 

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actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(n)          In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(o)          The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

 

Section 7.03.          Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must comply with applicable legislation. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.9 hereof.

 

Section 7.04.          Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate.

 

Section 7.05.          Notice of Defaults .

 

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs unless such Default or Event of Default has since been cured. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

Section 7.06.          Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee) or any predecessor Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee) against any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, fines, liabilities or expenses, including reasonable incidental and out-of-pocket expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees

 

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(“ losses ”) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.06) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim, and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, if the Trustee has been reasonably advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Company and in the reasonable judgment of such counsel it is advisable for the Trustee to engage separate counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee and caused by the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith.

 

The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the resignation or removal of the Trustee and payment in full of the Notes.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(x) or (a)(xi) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

Section 7.07.          Replacement of Trustee .

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time upon 30 days prior notice to the Company and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(a)          the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.9 hereof;

 

(b)          the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c)          a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(d)          the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the “ retiring Trustee ”), the Company shall

 

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promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.9 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Company, for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. Subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06 hereof, the retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.07, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.06 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.08.          Successor Trustee by Merger, etc .

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.09.          Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

Any Trustee and any new Trustee appointed under any provision of this Article 7 will be a company to which the Trust and Loan Companies Act (Canada), or any statute hereafter enacted in substitution therefor, including as such Act or substituted statute may be amended from time to time, applies or an incorporated body authorized to carry on business as a trustee in the Province of Quebec.

 

ARTICLE 8.

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01.          Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02.          Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in

 

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Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee. For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and the payment terms of the Notes, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article 8. If the Company exercises under Section 8.01 hereof the option applicable to this Section 8.02, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03.          Covenant Defeasance .

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.09 through 4.17 hereof, and the operation of Sections 5.01(a)(iv) and (a)(v) and Sections 5.01(b) hereof, with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”) and each Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its Guarantee with respect to such covenants in connection with such outstanding Notes and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. If the Company exercises under Section 8.01 hereof the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v), (a)(vi), (a)(vii) (with respect to the covenants contained in Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.09 through 4.17 hereof), (a)(viii), (a)(ix), (a)(x), (a)(xi) or (a)(xii) (but in the case of (a)(x) and (a)(xi) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only) or because of the Company’s failure to comply with clauses (a)(iv), (a)(v), (b) of Section 5.01.

 

Section 8.04.          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes.

 

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Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may be exercised only if:

 

(a)          the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee, in trust (the “ defeasance trust ”), for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in Canadian dollars, Canadian Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in Canadian dollars and Canadian Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to such redemption date;

 

(b)          the Company, if required by the Trustee, delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a firm of independent public accountants of recognized international standing expressing their opinion that the payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited Canadian Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and accrued and unpaid interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(c)          no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date of such deposit of funds with the Trustee and after giving effect thereto;

 

(d)          in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (a) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(e)          in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(f)          in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax or Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax or Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax (including withholding tax) on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(g)          such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;

 

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(h)          the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

 

(i)          the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and

 

(j)          notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (d) above with respect to Legal Defeasance need not be delivered if all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable, (B) will become due and payable on the maturity date within one year or (C) as to which a redemption notice has been or will be given calling the Notes for redemption within one year, under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

Section 8.05.          Deposited Cash and Canadian Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all cash and Canadian Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Canadian Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any cash or Canadian Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized international standing expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the certification delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06.          Repayment to Company .

 

Any cash or Canadian Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such

 

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repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The Globe and Mail (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

 

Section 8.07.          Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or Canadian Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9.

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01.          Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder to:

 

(a)          cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b)          provide for the assumption by a Surviving Person of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture;

 

(c)          provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes ( provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code);

 

(d)          add additional Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to release Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guarantees as provided or permitted under this Indenture;

 

(e)          make any change that would provide additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;

 

(f)          provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(g)          make any change to comply with any requirement of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or other applicable trust indenture legislation; and

 

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(h)          to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision therein is intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision in this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Section 9.02.          With Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes (except for certain covenants and provisions of this Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder) may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes).

 

Without the consent of each Holder affected (whether in the aggregate holding a majority in principal amount of Notes or not), an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(a)          reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)          reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Notes;

 

(c)          reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any Notes or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or repurchase (which excludes minimum notice requirements), or reduce the redemption or repurchase price for those Notes (except, in the case of repurchases, as would otherwise be permitted under clauses (g) and (j) hereof);

 

(d)          make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note and this Indenture;

 

(e)          impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium and interest on that Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates for those payments, or to bring suit to enforce that payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(f)          reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed (which excludes modifying minimum notice requirements), as described in Sections 3.07 and 4.19 hereof;

 

(g)         after the Company’s obligation to purchase the Notes arises under Section 4.16 hereof, amend, modify or change the obligation of the Company to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer or waive any default in the performance of that Change of Control Offer or modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect to any such offer;

 

(h)         subordinate the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee to any other obligation of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor (for the avoidance of doubt, the granting of a security interest in any Property shall not constitute a subordinated interest);

 

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(i)          make any change to this Indenture or the Notes that would result in the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor being required to make any withholding or deduction from payments made under or with respect to the Notes (including payments made with pursuant to any Subsidiary Guarantee);

 

(j)          make any change in the provisions of this Article 9 which require the consent of each Holder;

 

(k)          make any change in the provisions of Section 4.19 hereof that adversely affects the rights of any Holder or amend the terms of the Notes or this Indenture in a way that would result in a loss to any Holder of an exemption from any of the Taxes described thereunder;

 

(l)          at any time after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof, change the time at which such offer to purchase must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant thereto; or

 

(m)         make any change in any Subsidiary Guarantee that would adversely affect the rights of Holders to receive payments under the Subsidiary Guarantee, other than any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to consent to any waiver or supplemental indenture. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such waiver or record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such supplemental indenture, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that unless such consent shall have become effective by virtue of the requisite percentage having been obtained prior to the date which is 120 days after such record date, any such consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be cancelled and of no further effect.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail or deliver to the Holder of each Note affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail or deliver such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Section 9.03.          Compliance with Trust Indenture Legislation .

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the legislation then in effect.

 

Section 9.04.          Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion thereof

 

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that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective (notwithstanding that it may become operative at a later date, whether upon the satisfaction of certain conditions or otherwise). An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective (notwithstanding that it may become operative at a later date, whether upon the satisfaction of certain conditions or otherwise) in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05.          Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter certified. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Written Order, certify new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06.          Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc .

 

In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, (ii) such amended or supplemental indenture is the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and (iii) such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03); provided , however , that such Opinion of Counsel need not address the matters set forth in clause (ii) above in connection with any supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee the sole purpose of which is to add an additional Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, sign any amended or supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE 10.

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01.         Subsidiary Guarantees .

 

Subject to this Article 10, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note certified and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, and interest on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 hereof, redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same

 

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immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations with regard to this Subsidiary Guarantee shall be joint and several, unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of the Notes or the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other obligor with respect to this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives and relinquishes all claims, rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such claims, rights or remedies, including but not limited to: (a) any right to require any of the Trustee, the Holders or the Company (each a “ Benefited Party ”), as a condition of payment or performance by such Subsidiary Guarantor, to (1) proceed against the Company, any other guarantor (including any other Subsidiary Guarantor) of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any other Person, (2) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (3) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Benefited Party in favor of the Company or any other Person, or (4) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Benefited Party whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Company including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Company from any cause other than payment in full of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Benefited Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (e)(1) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees and any legal or equitable discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (2) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (3) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims and (4) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Benefited Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentations, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance of the Subsidiary Guarantees, notices of default under the Notes or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Obligations under the Subsidiary Guarantees or any agreement related thereto, and notices of any extension of credit to the Company and any right to consent to any thereof; (g) to the extent permitted under applicable law, the benefits of any “One Action” rule; (h) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of the Subsidiary Guarantees and, (i) the benefit of division and discussion. Except to the extent expressly provided herein, including Sections 8.02, 8.03 and 10.05 hereof, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in its Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture.

 

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

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Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.02 hereof for the purposes of this Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purpose of this Subsidiary Guarantee. The Subsidiary Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Subsidiary Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Section 10.02.        Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantor Liability .

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law or Canadian federal or provincial law to the extent applicable to any Subsidiary Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10 shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, including, if applicable, its guarantee of all obligations under the Credit Facility, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 10.03.        Evidence of Subsidiary Guarantee .

 

To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor by an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Each Person that is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.17 of this Indenture shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto which subjects such Person to the provisions of this Indenture as a guarantor of the Notes.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Subsidiary Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee certifies the Note on which a Subsidiary Guarantee is endorsed, the Subsidiary Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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Section 10.04.    Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with such Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

 

(a)          subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Company) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture under this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee; or

 

(b)          the Subsidiary Guarantor complies with the requirements of Article 5 hereof.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Subsidiary Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Subsidiary Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Subsidiary Guarantor. All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Subsidiary Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Section 10.05.    Releases Following Sale or Other Disposition of Assets .

 

In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) a Subsidiary of the Company, then (1) such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and (2) the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall not be required to deliver a Subsidiary Guarantee. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.12 hereof to the extent applicable, if applicable ( provided that such opinion shall not, to the extent Section 4.12 is applicable, address the required application of Net Available Cash, if any), the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Any Subsidiary Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

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ARTICLE 11.

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01.    Satisfaction and Discharge .

 

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect, except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes, as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

(a)           either:

 

(i)          all Notes that have been previously certified (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has previously been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and is thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from the trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(ii)          all Notes that have not been previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and payable at their maturity within one year or (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of a notice of redemption by the Trustee, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in Canadian dollars, Canadian Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Debt on the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of deposit, in the case of Notes that have become due and payable, or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be (for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a discharge that occurs in connection with a redemption that is to occur on a redemption date, and the amount required to pay and discharge the entire Debt on the Notes with certainty, the amount to be deposited shall be the amount that, as of the date of such deposit, is deemed sufficient to make such payment and discharge on the redemption date, in the good faith determination of the Company as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate);

 

(b)           the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

 

(c)           the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied.

 

Section 11.02.    Deposited Cash and Canadian Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 11.03 hereof, all cash and Canadian Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 11.02, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the

 

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Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 11.03.    Repayment to Company .

 

Any cash or Canadian Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The Globe and Mail (national edition), notice that such cash and securities remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such cash and securities then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

ARTICLE 12.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01.    Trust Indenture Legislation .

 

In this Article 12, the term “Applicable Legislation” means the provisions, if any, of any statute of Canada or a province thereof, and of regulations under any such statute, relating to trust indentures and to the rights, duties and obligations of trustees under trust indentures and of bodies corporate, issuing debt obligations under trust indentures, to the extent that such provisions are at the time in force and applicable to this Indenture.

 

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a mandatory requirement of Applicable Legislation, such mandatory requirement will prevail.

 

The Company, the Trustee and each Holder agree that each will at all times in relation to this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder, observe and comply with and be entitled to the benefits of Applicable Legislation, as applicable.

 

Section 12.02.    Notices .

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:

 

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If to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

Cascades Inc.

404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.

P.O. Box 30

Kingsey Falls, Québec

Canada J0A 1B0

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Facsimile No.: (819) 363-5155

 

With a copy to:

 

Jones Day

222 East 41st Street

New York, New York 10017

Attention: J. Eric Maki, Esq.

Facsimile No.: (212) 755-7306

 

-and-

 

Dentons Canada LLP

1 Place Ville-Marie

39 th Floor

Montreal, Québec H3B 4M7

Attention: Charles R. Spector

Facsimile No.: (514) 866-2241

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

1500 University Street, Suite 700

Montreal, Quebec H3A 3S8

Attention: General Manager, Corporate Trust Department

Facsimile No.: (514) 982 7677

 

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; upon being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if via facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications to the Trustee shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be delivered to the facilities of CDS or mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery to its address shown on the Security Register. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

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If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03.    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(a)          an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(b)          an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

Section 12.04.    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall comply with the provisions of Applicable Legislation and shall include:

 

(a)          a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)          a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)          a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)          a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

With respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

Section 12.05.    Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 12.06.    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of

 

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Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 12.07.    Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

This Indenture and the Notes will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and will be treated in all respects as Quebec contracts.

 

Section 12.08.    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.09.    Successors .

 

All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 12.10.    Severability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.11.    Attorn to Jurisdiction .

 

The Company irrevocably attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Québec. The Company waives any objection that it may have to the venue of any suit, action or proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby in the courts of the Province of Québec, or that such suit, action or proceeding brought in the courts of the Province of Québec was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same.

 

Section 12.12.    Conversion of Currency .

 

The Company covenants and agrees that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Notes and this Indenture:

 

(a)          If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the “ judgment currency ”) an amount due in any other currency (the “ Base Currency ”), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).

 

(b)          If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Company will pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the judgment currency when converted at the rate of

 

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exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.

 

(c)          In the event of the winding-up of the Company at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Notes and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustee harmless against any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (1) the date as of which the equivalent of the amount in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars, as the case may be, due or contingently due under the Notes and this Indenture (other than under this Subsection (b)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (2) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up. For the purpose of this Subsection (b), the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Company shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Company may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.

 

(d)          The obligations contained in Subsections (a)(ii) and (b) of this Section 12.12 shall constitute obligations of the Company separate and independent from its other respective obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Company, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustee or any of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding-up of the Company for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under Subsection (b) above) or under any such judgment or order. Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustee, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Company or the liquidator or otherwise any of them. In the case of Subsection (b) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.

 

(e)          The term “rate(s) of exchange” shall mean the noon buying rate for cable transfers as certified for customs purposes by the Bank of Canada between the Base Currency and judgment currency other than the Base Currency referred to in Subsections (a) and (b) above and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable.

 

(f)          The Trustee shall have no duty or liability with respect to monitoring or enforcing this Section 12.12.

 

Section 12.13.    Currency Equivalent .

 

Except as provided in Section 12.12 hereof, for purposes of the construction of the terms of this Indenture or of the Notes, in the event that any amount is stated herein in the currency of one nation (the “ First Currency ”), as of any date such amount shall also be deemed to represent the amount in the currency of any other relevant nation (the “ Other Currency ”) which is required to purchase such amount in the First Currency at the noon buying rate for cable transfers confirmed for customs purposes by the Bank of Canada between the First Currency and Other Currency on the date of determination.

 

Section 12.14.    Counterpart Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

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Section 12.15.    Table of Contents, Headings, etc .

 

The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table and Headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.16.    Anti-Money Laundering

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as is required to satisfy the requirements of applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist and economic sanctions legislation, regulation or guideline.

 

Section 12.17.    Language .

 

The parties hereto have required that this Indenture and all documents and notices related hereto and/or resulting herefrom be drawn up in English only.

 

Les parties aux présentes ont exigé que la présente convention ainsi que tous les documents et avis qui s'y rattachent et/ou qui en découleront soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

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Dated as of June 19, 2014

 

  COMPANY:
   
  CASCADES INC.

 

  By:   /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Vice President, Legal Affairs and
      Corporate Secretary

 

  GUARANTORS:
   
  7251637 CANADA INC.
  7678169 CANADA INC.
  CASCADES FINE PAPERS GROUP INC.
  CASCADES TRANSPORT INC.
  CASCADES TRANSPORT CABANO INC..

 

  By: /s/ Jerome Nadeau
    Name: Jerome Nadeau
    Title: Secretary

 

  CASCADES CANADA ULC
  CASCADES GIE INC.
  CASCADES PAPERBOARD INTERNATIONAL INC.
  CASCADES TENDERCO INC.
  KINGSEY FALLS INVESTMENTS INC.

 

  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall  
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Secretary

 

  CASCADES MARITIME INC. (fka Cascades
  South America Inc.).

 

  By: /s/ Lucie-Claude Lalonde
    Name: Lucie-Claude Lalonde
    Title: Secretary

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

  CASCADES ENERGY ACTION INC.
  CASCADES ENVIROPAC HPM LLC
  CASCADES HOLDING US INC.
  CASCADES MOULDED PULP, INC.
  CASCADES PLASTICS INC.
  CASCADES SPG SALES INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – ARIZONA INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – IFC
  DISPOSABLES INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE LLC
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – NEW YORK INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – SALES INC.
  CASCADES TISSUE GROUP – TENNESSEE INC.
  CASCADES USA INC.
  NORAMPAC EXPORT SALES CORP.
  NORAMPAC FINANCE US INC.
  NORAMPAC INDUSTRIES INC.
  NORAMPAC NEW ENGLAND INC.
  NORAMPAC NEW YORK CITY INC.
  NORAMPAC SCHENECTADY INC.

 

  By: /s/ Sal Sciarrino
    Name: Sal Sciarrino
    Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 
 

  

 

  TRUSTEE:
   
  COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF
  CANADA, as Trustee and not in its personal capacity

 

  By: /s/ Sophie Brault
    Name: SOPHIE BRAULT
    Title: Corporate Trust Officer

 

  By: /s/ Benjamin van de Werve
    Name: Benjamin van de Werve
    Title: Gestionnaire fiduciaire
      Corporate Trust Officer

 

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

(Face of Note)

 

5.50% Senior Notes due 2021

 

CUSIP 144A: 146900AN5

ISIN 144A: CA146900AN56

CUSIP REG S: 146900AP0

ISIN REG S: CA146900AP05

 

No. ___ $ _____________

 

CASCADES INC.

 

promises to pay to ___________________ or registered assigns, the principal sum of _________________ Canadian Dollars (C$______________) on July 15, 2021

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2015.

 

Record Dates: January 1 and July 1

 

Dated: ________________

 

A- 1
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually, by facsimile or by portable document format by its duly authorized officer.

 

  CASCADES INC.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

This is one of the [Global] Notes referred

to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA,

as Trustee and not in its personal capacity

 

By:    
  Authorized Signatory  
     
By:    
  Authorized Signatory  

 

Dated : __________________

 

A- 2
 

 

(Back of Note)

 

5.50% Senior Notes due 2021

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Canadian Resale Legend, if applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture]

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.           Interest . Cascades Inc., a company organized under the Laws of the Province of Québec, Canada (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.50% per annum until maturity. The Company shall pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided , however , that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is certified between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided , further , that the first Interest Payment Date shall be the first of January 15 or July 15 to occur after the date of issuance, unless such January 15 or July 15 occurs within one calendar month of such date of issuance, in which case the first Interest Payment Date shall be the second of January 15 or July 15 to occur after the date of issuance; such that if the date of issuance is June 19, 2014, the first interest payment will be on January 15, 2015 and will be a long coupon in an amount equal to $31.5684932 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the Notes and thereafter, semi-annual interest payments will be in an amount equal to $27.50 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the interest rate then in effect under the Indenture and this Note; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of 365 day year payable in equal semi-annual payments.

 

2.           Method of Payment . The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Security Register; provided , however , that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of Canada as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.           Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

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4.           Indenture . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (“ Indenture ”) among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the provisions of the Indenture, as it may be amended or supplemented, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.           Optional Redemption .

 

(a)          The Company may choose to redeem the Notes at any time. If it does so, it may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under the Indenture. To redeem the Notes prior to July 15, 2017, the Company must pay a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

(i)        100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and

 

(ii)         the sum of the present values of (1) the redemption price of the Notes at July 15, 2017 (as set forth below) and (2) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the redemption date to July 15, 2017 but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 365-day year using the actual number of days in the period), at the Government of Canada Rate (determined on the second business day immediately preceding the date of redemption) plus 50 basis points,

 

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

Any notice to Holders of Notes of such a redemption will include the appropriate calculation of the redemption price, but need not include the redemption price itself. The actual redemption price, calculated as described above, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two business days prior to the redemption date.

 

(b)          Beginning on July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, after giving the required notice under this Indenture, at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date). The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Redemption Year   Price  
       
2017     104.125 %
2018     102.750 %
2019     101.375 %
2020 and thereafter     100.000 %

 

(c)          In addition, at any time and from time to time, prior to July 15, 2017, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) with the proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Issuances, at a redemption price equal to 105.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided , however , that after giving effect to

 

A- 4
 

 

any such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding. Any such redemption shall be made within 180 days of such Qualified Equity Issuance upon not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ prior notice.

 

(d)          The Company may at any time redeem, in whole but not in part, the outstanding Notes (upon giving notice in accordance with the Indenture, which notice shall be irrevocable) at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, and all Additional Amounts (if any) then due and which will become due on the date of redemption as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if on the next date on which any amount would be payable in respect of the Notes, the Company has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes, and the Company cannot avoid any such payment obligation by taking reasonable measures available to it, as a result of (i) any change in or amendment to the laws (or regulations promulgated thereunder) of a relevant Tax Jurisdiction, or (ii) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment is announced and is effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the applicable relevant Tax Jurisdiction became a Tax Jurisdiction on a date after the Issue Date, such later date).

 

(e)          Any prepayment pursuant to this paragraph shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.07 of the Indenture.

 

(f)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect to effect any optional redemption directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

6.           Mandatory Redemption . Except as set forth in Sections 4.12 and 4.16 of the Indenture, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

7.           Repurchase at Option of Holder .

 

(a)        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of the Notes (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date). Each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to such offer.

 

(b)          Any Net Available Cash from Asset Sales that is not applied as provided in Section 4.12(b) of the Indenture will constitute Excess Proceeds (“ Excess Proceeds ”). When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $150.0 million (not taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds, if any), the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders by applying the Allocable Excess Proceeds (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) that may be purchased out of the Net Available Cash at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for the closing of such offer in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including Additional Notes) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Net Available Cash, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Net Available Cash, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Holders of

 

A- 5
 

 

Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.

 

8.           Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption shall be mailed or delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

9.           Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. This Note shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed hereon and the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented hereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

10.          Persons Deemed Owners . The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

11.          Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . Subject to certain exceptions, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 of the Indenture, any existing Default or Event of Default (except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on the Notes) or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes (except for certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of each affected Holder (whether in the aggregate holding a majority principal amount of Notes or not) may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including Additional Notes, if any, then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Without the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption by a Surviving Person of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to add additional Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes or release Subsidiary Guarantors from Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the Indenture, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to make any change to comply with any requirement of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA or other applicable trust indenture legislation, to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes or to conform the text of the Indenture or this Note to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision is intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a provision in the Indenture or this Note.

 

A- 6
 

 

12.          Defaults and Remedies . Each of the following is an Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) failure to make the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts) on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for a period of 30 days; (ii) failure to make the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any of the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise; (iii) failure to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 of the Indenture and such failure continues for a period of 30 days; (iv) failure to make a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 4.16 of the Indenture; (v) failure to make an Asset Sale Offer pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Indenture and such failure continues for 30 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (vi) failure to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 of the Indenture and such failure continues for a period of 120 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (vii) failure to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the Notes or in the Indenture (other than a failure that is the subject of the foregoing clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii)) and such failure continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the Company as provided below; (viii) a default under any Debt for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any such Debt at maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $75.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within ten Business Days after the date of such acceleration; (ix) any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) that shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that shall not be waived, satisfied (net of any amounts that are reduced by insurance or bonded) or discharged for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect; (x) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries described in Section 6.01(a)(x) and 6.01(a)(xi) of the Indenture; and (xi) any Subsidiary Guarantee of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors, which by themselves or taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of all the Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, premium, if any, to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and subject to the proviso contained in Section 4.04(c) of the Indenture the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

13.          Trustee Dealings with Company . Subject to certain limitations, the Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal

 

A- 7
 

  

with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

14.          No Recourse Against Others . No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.

 

15.          Certification . This Note shall not be valid until certified by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

16.          Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

17.          CUSIP Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

Cascades Inc.

404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.

P.O. Box 30

Kingsey Falls, Québec

Canada J0A 1B0

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

18.          Governing Law . Note will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and will be treated in all respects as a Quebec contract.

 

19.          Language . The parties hereto have required that this Note and all documents and notices related hereto and/or resulting herefrom be drawn up in English only.

 

Les parties aux présentes ont exigé que la présente convention ainsi que tous les documents et avis qui s'y rattachent et/ou qui en découleront soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement.

 

A- 8
 

  

Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or 4.16 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

¨ Section 4.12

 

¨ Section 4.16

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.12 or Section 4.16 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $__________________.

 

Date: _____________________ Your Signature:  
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)

 

  Tax Identification No.:  
   
  SIGNATURE GUARANTEE:
   
   
   
  Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A- 9
 

 

Assignment Form

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
 
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to
 
(Insert assignee’s social insurance or other tax I.D. no.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint __________________________________________________________as agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Date: _____________________

 

  Your Signature:  
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)
     
  Signature Guarantee:  

 

A- 10
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

            Principal Amount   Signature of
    Amount of   Amount of   of this Global Note   authorized
    decrease in   increase in   following such   signatory of
    Principal Amount   Principal Amount   decrease (or   Trustee or Note
Date of Exchange   of this Global Note   of this Global Note   increase)   Custodian

 

A- 11
 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Cascades Inc.

404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.

P.O. Box 30

Kingsey Falls, Québec

Canada J0A 1B0

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

1500 University Street, Suite 700

Montreal, Quebec H3A 3S8

Attention: General Manager, Corporate Trust Department

Facsimile No.: (514) 982 7635

 

Re:     5.50% Senior Notes due 2021

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among Cascades Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

___________________, (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to ___________________________ (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

1.           ¨          Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and applicable securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest in the Global Note or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

2.           ¨          Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the

 

B- 1
 

 

Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(a) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an initial purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3.           ¨          Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)           ¨          such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

or

 

(b)           ¨          such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

 

or

 

(c)           ¨          such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

4.           ¨          Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

(a)           ¨           Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(b)           ¨           Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in

 

B- 2
 

 

compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(c)           ¨           Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and the securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

   
    [Insert Name of Transferor]
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Dated: ______________________

 

B- 3
 

 

 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.          The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)         ¨           a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)         ¨           144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(ii)        ¨           Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b)        ¨            a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.          After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b) OR (c)]

 

(a)         ¨           a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)         ¨           144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(ii)        ¨           Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

(iii)       ¨           Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

(b)        ¨           a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)         ¨          an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B- 4
 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Cascades Inc.

404 Marie-Victorin Blvd.

P.O. Box 30

Kingsey Falls, Québec

Canada J0A 1B0

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

1500 University Street, Suite 700

Montreal, Quebec H3A 3S8

Attention: General Manager, Corporate Trust Department

Facsimile No.: (514) 982 7635

 

Re:     5.50% Senior Notes due 2021

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 19, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among Cascades Inc., as issuer (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors party thereto and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

__________________________, (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

1.          Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

 

(a)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global   Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(b)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain

 

 
 

 

 

compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(c)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(d)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

2.          Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

 

(a)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b)           ¨      Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CIRCLE ONE] 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Definitive Note and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C- 2
 

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

   
    [Insert Name of Transferor]
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

Dated: ______________________

 

C- 3
 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE FOR ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”) dated as of [__________], 20[ ], among [ l ] (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”), Cascades Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S ET H :

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Subsidiary Guarantors, all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1. Defined Terms . As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND; GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 2.1. Agreement to be Bound . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.2. Subsidiary Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably Guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and the Trustee the Obligations pursuant to

 

D- 1
 

 

 

Article 10 of the Indenture on a senior basis and this Supplemental Indenture shall constitute evidence of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE III

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 3.1. Notices . All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.2. Parties . Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

SECTION 3.3. Governing Law . This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Quebec.

 

SECTION 3.4. Severability . In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

SECTION 3.5. Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

SECTION 3.6. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter certified and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

SECTION 3.7. The Trustee . The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the other parties hereto.

 

SECTION 3.8. Counterparts . The parties hereto may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 3.9. Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of any such Guarantee.

 

D- 2
 

 

 

SECTION 3.10. Headings . The headings of the Articles and the Sections in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 3.11. Language . The parties hereto have required that this Indenture and all documents and notices related hereto and/or resulting herefrom be drawn up in English only. Les parties aux présentes ont exigé que la présente convention ainsi que tous les documents et avis qui s'y rattachent et/ou qui en découleront soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement.

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank .]

 

D- 3
 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  CASCADES INC.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY],
  as the Guaranteeing Subsidiary
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF
  CANADA, as Trustee and not in its personal capacity
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

D- 4

 

 

Exhibit 4.10

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

dated as of March 16, 2015

 

to the

 

INDENTURE

 

dated as of June 19, 2014

 

among

 

CASCADES INC.,

 

as the Company,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named therein, and

 

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA,

 

as Trustee

1
 

 

first SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “F irst Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of March 16, 2015, among 401 47th Street Holding LLC and 4626 Royal Avenue Holding LLC (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiaries ”), Cascades Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Quebec, Canada (the “ Company ”), and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H:

 

WHEREAS, each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee have heretofore executed and delivered an indenture dated as of June 19, 2014 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”); 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with the other Subsidiary Guarantors, all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee are authorized to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture to amend or supplement the Indenture, without the consent of any Holder;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Defined Terms . As used in this First Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this First Supplemental Indenture refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

ARTICLE II

AGREEMENT TO BE BOUND; GUARANTEE

 

Section 2.1 Agreement to be Bound . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries hereby become parties to the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantors and as such will have all of the rights

 

2
 

 

and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

Section 2.2 Subsidiary Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries agree to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably Guarantee to each Holder of the Notes and the Trustee the Obligations pursuant to Article 10 of the Indenture on a senior basis and this First Supplemental Indenture shall constitute evidence of each Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1 Notices . All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiaries, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

Section 3.2 Parties . Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this First Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

Section 3.3 Governing Law . This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Province of Quebec.

 

Section 3.4 Severability . In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

Section 3.5 Benefits Acknowledged . Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries acknowledge that they will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by them pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

Section 3.6 Ratification of Indenture; First Supplemental Indenture Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This First Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter certified and delivered shall be bound hereby.

 

Section 3.7 The Trustee . The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the other parties hereto.

 

Section 3.8 Counterparts . The parties hereto may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture and

 

3
 

 

 

of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original First Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 3.9 Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiaries agree that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of any such Guarantee.

 

Section 3.10 Headings . The headings of the Articles and the Sections in this First Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

Section 3.11 Language . The parties hereto have required that this Indenture and all documents and notices related hereto and/or resulting herefrom be drawn up in English only. Les parties aux présentes ont exigé que la présente convention ainsi que tous les documents et avis qui s’y rattachent et/ou qui en découleront soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement.

 

[ The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank. ]

 

4
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

  CASCADES INC.
       
  By: /s/ Robert F. Hall
    Name: Robert F. Hall
    Title: Vice President, Legal Affairs
      and Corporate Secretary
       
  401 47 TH STREET HOLDING LLC,
  as a Guaranteeing Subsidiary
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary
       
  4626 ROYAL AVENUE HOLDING LLC,
  as a Guaranteeing Subsidiary
       
  By: /s/ Louise Paul
    Name: Louise Paul
    Title: Assistant Secretary

 

5
 

 

 

  COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA,
  as Trustee and not in its personal capacity
       
  By: /s/ Fabienne Pinatel
    Name: Fabienne Pinatel
    Title: Corporate Trust Officer
       
  By: /s/ Ekaterini Galouzis
    Name: Ekaterini Galouzis
    Title: Associate Trust Officer

 

6

EXHIBIT 13.1










ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM

For the year ended December 31, 2014






















March 27 , 2015





TABLE OF CONTENTS

Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2014     Page
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Documents incorporated by reference
Forward Looking Statements

Item 1 - Date of the Annual Information Form    1
Item 2 - Corporate Structure    1
2.1 Name, Address and Incorporation    1
2.2 Intercorporate Relationships    1
Item 3 - General Development of the Business    1
3.1 Three Year History    1
3.2 Significant Acquisitions    3
3.3 Trends    3
Item 4 - Description of the Business    4
4.1 General    4
4.2 Industry Sector Information    4
4.2.1 Packaging Products Sector    4
4.2.1.1 Boxboard Europe Group    4
4.2.1.2 Containerboard Group    4
4.2.1.3 Specialty Products Group    6
4.2.2 Tissue Papers Sector    8
4.3 Research, Development and Innovation    10
4.4 Competitive Conditions    11
4.4.1 Our Markets    11
4.4.2 Our Competitive Strengths    11
4.5 Cyclical Considerations    11
4.6 Environmental Protection    12
4.6.1 Regulations    12
4.6.2 Environmental Mission    12
4.7 Reorganizations    12
4.8 Social Policies    12
4.9 Risk Factors     12
Item 5 - Dividends and Distributions    12
Item 6 - Capital Structure    13
6.1 General Description of Capital Structure    13
6.2 Ratings    13
Item 7 - Market for Securities    14
7.1 Trading Price and Volume    14
Item 8 - Directors and Officers    14
8.1 Name, Occupation and Security Holding    14
8.2 Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions    21
8.3 Information concerning Executive Officers    22
Item 9 - Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Actions    22
Item 10 - Transfer Agents and Registrars    22
Item 11 - Material Contracts    22
Item 12 - Interests of Experts    23
Item 13 - Audit and Finance Committee    23
13.1 Composition and Mandate    23
13.2 Relevant Education and Experience of the Members    23
13.3 Independent Auditor Services Fees    24
13.4 Policies and Procedures for the Engagement of Audit and Non-Audit Services    24
Item 14 - Additional Information    24
Schedule A - Charter of the Audit and Finance Committee     26




In this Annual Information Form, the terms “We”, “Us”, “Our”, “Corporation” and “Cascades” refer to Cascades Inc., its subsidiaries, divisions and its interests in joint ventures and associates. Except as otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. The information in this Annual Information Form is stated as at December 31, 2014 , except as otherwise indicated, and except for information in documents incorporated by reference that have a different date.



DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The documents in the table below contain information that is incorporated by reference into this Annual Information Form.

Documents
Where they are incorporated in this Annual Information Form
Cascades Inc.’s 2014 Annual Report - Management’s Discussion and Analysis, NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK, page 57 , RISK FACTORS, page 61
Items 3.3, 4.6.1 and 4.9



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Certain statements in this Annual Information Form or in documents incorporated by reference, including statements regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe Harbour” provision of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations. The accuracy of these statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the effect of general economic conditions, decreases in demand for the Corporation’s products, the prices and availability of raw materials, changes in the relative values of certain currencies, fluctuations in selling prices and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions (See heading Risk Factors).



 
Annual Information Form

ITEM 1 - DATE OF THE ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM

This Annual Information Form (“AIF”) is dated as at March 27 , 2015 . Except as otherwise indicated, the information contained in this AIF is stated as at December 31, 2014 .


ITEM 2 - CORPORATE STRUCTURE

2.1      Name, Address and Incorporation

Cascades Inc. was incorporated under the name Papier Cascades Inc./Cascades Paper Inc. under the laws of the Province of Québec by letters patent issued on March 26, 1964. Supplementary letters patent were issued on March 11, 1968, July 4, 1979 and October 19, 1979 to amend the authorized capital stock and the restrictions and privileges attached to certain classes of shares of the Corporation.

Cascades was continued under the name Cascades Inc. under Part 1A of the Companies Act (Québec) by Certificate of Continuance dated October 26, 1982. Certificates of Amendment were issued on July 5, 1984, September 16, 1985 and May 13, 1986 to permit the subdivision of the Corporation's Common Shares, as well as on July 15, 1992, July 24, 1992, December 17, 1992 and July 20, 1993 in order to modify the authorized share-capital and the restrictions and privileges of certain classes of shares of the Corporation.

On December 30, 2003, in accordance with Article 123.129 of the Companies Act (Québec), Cascades, by simplified amalgamation, merged with 9135-2591 Québec Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation. The articles of amalgamation and schedules as well as the composition of the Board of Directors of the new company following the amalgamation are exactly the same as those of Cascades Inc. prior to the amalgamation.

Since February 14, 2011, all Québec corporations incorporated under Part IA of the Companies Act (Québec) are governed by the Business Corporations Act (Québec).

On July 27, 2011, the Corporation amended its Articles which essentially provide that (i) the board of directors may, at its discretion, appoint one or more directors, who shall hold office for a term expiring no later that the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders following their appointment, but the total number of directors so appointed may not exceed one-third of the number of directors elected at the annual meeting of shareholders preceding their appointment; and (ii) the board of directors may, at its discretion and from time to time, determine the place, whether within or outside of the Province of Québec, where a meeting of shareholders may be held outside of the Province of Québec.

The head office and corporate offices of Cascades are located at 404 Marie Victorin Blvd, Kingsey Falls (Québec) J0A 1B0. Cascades also has executive offices located at 772 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 100, Montréal (Québec) H3A 1G1. Cascades’ website can be found at www.cascades.com .

2.2      Intercorporate Relationships

The following list sets out the principal wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Corporation and their respective jurisdiction as at December 31, 2014 :

Corporate Name
Jurisdiction

Cascades Canada ULC
Cascades USA Inc
Cascades Europe SAS

Alberta, Canada
Delaware, USA
France


ITEM 3 - GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

3.1      Three Year History

Financing activities

Bank Financing
On February 10, 2011, the Corporation entered into an agreement to amend and extend until February 10, 2015, its existing $750 million revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the amendment, the existing financial covenants, namely the maximum funded debt-to-capitalization ratio of 65% and the minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.25x, remain unchanged. As a result of the amendment, the margin applicable to outstanding borrowings was reduced from 2.750% to 2.125%.

In August 2012, the Corporation amended its revolving credit facility. The changes resulted in future lower financing costs and on extended maturity to February 2016. Financial covenants remain unchanged.




 
1
 

 
Annual Information Form

Debt Refinancing
On March 1, 2012, the Corporation repurchased US$3 million of its 6.75% unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$3 million ($3 million). Also, on November 20, 2012, the Corporation repurchased US$5 million of its 7.25% unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$5 million ($5 million). No gain or loss resulted from these transactions. Approximately US$4 million ($4 million) aggregate principal amount of 7.25% notes and US$6 million ($6 million) aggregate principal amount of 6.75% notes expiring in 2013 remained outstanding as at December 31, 2012.

In 2013, the Corporation repurchased US$4 million of its 7.25% unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$4 million ($4 million) and US$6 million of its 6.75% unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$6 million ($6 million). No gain or loss resulted from these transactions.

In 2013, the Corporation also paid US$4 million ($4 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 7.25% unsecured senior notes and US$10 million ($10 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 6.75% unsecured senior notes.

In 2014, the Corporation refinanced its 7.75% unsecured senior notes of US$500 million and $200 million, due in 2017 and in 2016, respectively. The Corporation issued 5.50% unsecured senior notes of US$550 million, due in 2022, and 5.50% unsecured senior notes of $250 million, due in 2021. The Corporation allocated the proceeds of these new notes to repurchase the US$500 million notes due in 2017 and the $200 million notes due in 2016. The remaining amounts (US$50 million and $50 million) were used to pay a premium totaling $31 million and refinancing costs of $13 million and to reduce its credit facility utilization. The refinancing of these notes will reduce our future interest expense by approximately US$8 million and $6 million annually.

Corporate Activities

On May 9th, 2013, the Corporation announced the appointment of Mr. Mario Plourde as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. On August 12, 2014, the Corporation announced the appointment of Ms. Suzanne Blanchet to the position of Senior Vice-President, Corporate Development.

Packaging Products Sector

Boxboard Europe Group
Further to a Combination Agreement entered into with Reno de Medici S.p.A. ("RdM") in 2007, the Corporation entered into a put and call agreement with Industria E Innovazione (“Industria”) in 2010, whereby Cascades had the option to buy all of the shares held by Industria in the capital stock of RdM (which represented 9.07% of the outstanding shares of RdM) (100% of the shares held by Industria) for € 0.43 per share between March 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012. Industria also had the option of requiring the Corporation to purchase the shares for € 0.41 per share between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. As the put option held by Industria became effective on January 1, 2013 and the Corporation expected it would be exercised after the first quarter of 2013, an obligation in the amount of € 14 million ($18 million) was recorded by the Corporation as at March 31, 2013. Consequently, the non-controlling interest has been adjusted by 9.07% effective January 1, 2013, to 42.39%. Industria did raise the put option in the second quarter of 2013, resulting in a cash payment for the Corporation of €14 million ($19 million). The Corporation's share in the equity of RdM as at December 31, 2013, stood at 57.61% and remains the same as at December 31, 2014.

On April 9, 2014, following a consultation process with the unions, the Corporation announced the closure of its subsidiary, Cascades Djupafors, located in Ronneby, Sweden, which definitely ceased its operations on June 15, 2014.

Containerboard Group
In 2012, the Corporation granted a US$15 million ($15 million) bridge loan to Greenpac Holding LLC (Greenpac project). The loan will mature no later than 2021 and bears interest ranging from 7.5% to 9.5% depending on the mill debt/OIBD ratio. Including accrued interest, the bridge loan stands at $22 million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $20 million). The Corporation expects the loan to be repaid over the next four (4) years through secured tax credits to be received by members of the Greenpac project and operational cash flows.

On April 1, 2012, Cascades purchased all of the outstanding shares of Bird Packaging Limited (“Bird”) located in Ontario, for a cash consideration of $14 million. The assets included containerboard converting equipment as well as warehouses located in Guelph, Kitchener and Windsor (Ontario). Founded in 1975, Bird specializes in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes of all sizes and grades, floor displays and products with high standards of printing. This acquisition allowed the Containerboard Group to broaden its market reach in Ontario by integrating plants that benefit from an excellent reputation amongst its customers and to add a team of skilled resources.

On April 25, 2012, Cascades announced the consolidation of the Containerboard Group corrugated product plants in Ontario, translating into an investment of $30 million in the Vaughan, St-Mary’s, Etobicoke and Belleville plants to modernize manufacturing equipment and increase production capacity, profitability and productivity. The consolidation resulted in the permanent closure of its Norampac North York and Peterborough (Ontario) units on June 30 as well as the OCD plant in Mississauga (Ontario), at the end of October. The production from these plants was redirected to other Norampac converting plants in Ontario. Many of the 200 employees from the three plants transferred to other Norampac plants in Ontario.

On September 5, 2012, Cascades announced major investments in some of its folding carton and microlithography plants of its Containerboard Group. With a total investment of $22 million, the Montréal (Québec), Mississauga (Ontario), Winnipeg (Manitoba) and Cobourg (Ontario) plants benefited from the installation of new modern equipment optimizing their production and efficiency. Concurrently with this investment program, the Lachute (Québec) folding carton plant was closed at the beginning of the second quarter of 2013, and its production volume was gradually transferred to other facilities. Nearly 155 employees were affected by the closure of the Lachute plant, while approximately 40% of them were relocated to other Norampac and Cascades units in Québec.


 
2
 

 
Annual Information Form

In 2013, the Containerboard Group increased its production capacity through its 59.7 % participation in Greenpac Mill LLC ("Greenpac"). The new mill manufactures light weight linerboard made with 100% recycled fiber and has an annual production capacity of 540,000 short tons. The Greenpac mill is located on a property adjacent to an existing Noramapc facility in Niagara Falls (New York, USA).

On January 31, 2014, the Corporation concluded the creation of Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership (MPPLP), a new joint venture for converting corrugated board activities in the Atlantic provinces with Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL), announced on November 27, 2013. The creation of this joint venture will position our Containerboard Group to achieve future growth in the Atlantic provinces and to remain at the forefront in this market, by offering an improved and more comprehensive range of products to its customers. Furthermore, the creation of MPPLP aims to provide customers with better service through the combined strengths of the Containerboard Group and MPPL. The containerboard operations located in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Moncton, New Brunswick, were integrated with those of MPPL on February 1, 2014, and the Corporation received a 40% ownership in the joint venture.

On November 28, 2014, the Corporation announced the acquisition and installation of two new printing presses for its Countainerboard activities in the Vaudreuil and Drummondville (Québec) plants, which specialize in manufacturing corrugated packaging products. This invesmtent ($13 million) will allow the Corporation to respond more efficiently to customer needs and offer packaging products of greater quality as well as increased productivity.

On February 4, 2015, Cascades confirmed completion of the transaction announced on December 11, 2014 relating to the sale of its North American boxboard manufacturing and converting assets to Graphic Packaging Holding Company. Included in the $44.9 million transaction are the Cascades boxboard units in East Angus and Jonquière (Québec), Winnipeg (Manitoba), Mississauga and Cobourg (Ontario). This move, which reflects Cascades’ intention to refocus its activities on the strategic sectors in which it excels, does not affect the Corporation's European-based boxboard operations. The North American boxboard activities are now presented as discontinued operations in the Group’s financial statements.

Specialty Products Group
On February 22, 2012, Cascades announced the permanent closure of its Cascades Enviropac plant located in Toronto (Ontario), specialized in the manufacturing of honeycomb packaging. The production was progressively redirected towards the Cascades Enviropac Berthierville (Québec) and the Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA) plants. Approximately 36 employees were affected by this closure.

On July 1, 2014, Cascades announced that it had reached an agreement with Rolland Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital for the sale of its fine papers activities for $39 million. The units covered by this transaction were the Rolland Division, an uncoated fine papers and security papers plant located in Saint-Jérôme (Québec), the Converting Centre, a fine papers processing and distribution plant, also located in Saint-Jérôme (Québec) and Fibres Breakey, a de-inked bleached kraft pulp manufacturing plant located in Sainte-Hélène-de Breakeyville (Québec).

On July 9, 2014, Cascades announced the definitive closure of its kraft paper manufacturing activities at the East Angus (Québec) mill due to unfavorable market conditions and the failure of discussions concerning the mill's transfer and turnaround. 175 employees were affected by the closure which came into effect in October 2014. This announcement is not related to the boxboard manufacturing plant also located in East Angus (Québec).

Tissue Papers Sector

On August 13, 2012, Cascades announced the permanent closure of one of its Scarborough converting plants located on McNicoll Street, in Toronto (Ontario). The Corporation acquired these assets from Atlas Paper Bag Company Ltd on March 10, 2010, for a counterpart of $3 million. The production of this unit specialized in paper napkin production for the Away-from-Home market, mainly for quick service restaurants, was redirected to the Laval (Québec) and Waterford (New York, USA) plants, also specialized in that market. Approximately 30 employees were affected by this closure.

During the third quarter of 2013, the Corporation announced plans to increase tissue paper production capacity at its St.-Helens (Oregon, USA) mill. The project consists in converting and starting up a second paper machine at the Oregon mill. The retrofitting of an existing machine will contribute additional capacity of 55,000 short tons to this market at a lower capital cost and on a faster timeline than if a new machine was to be built. The project started its ramp-up period on October 25, 2014. Total cost of this project after the ramp-up period stood at $45 million as at December 31, 2014 ($11 million spent in 2013).

On August 12, 2014, the Corporation announced the appointment of Mr. Jean Jobin as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Tissue Group.

On August 18, 2014, Cascades announced the strategic optimization and expansion of its tissue papers activities in the Southeastern United States with the installation of a new tissue converting facility in Wagram (North Carolina, USA). This investment is intended to reorganize and expand the converting activities in this area, which is a targeted region of growth for the Corporation. The total estimated cost of the project is US$55 million of which US$18 million has already been spent in 2014. New equipment is being installed progressively and some production started in December 2014 and will continue throughout the first half of 2015.

3.2      Significant Acquisitions

No significant acquisition was completed by the Corporation during the financial year ended December 31, 2014 for which disclosure would have been required under Part 8 of National Instrument 51-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, namely the filing of a Business Acquisition Report.





 
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Annual Information Form

3.3      Trends

Reference is made to Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the 2014 Annual Report, specifically on page 57 under the heading “NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK”, which is incorporated by reference.


ITEM 4 - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

4.1    General

Established in 1964, Cascades is the parent company of a North American and European group of companies involved in the production, conversion and marketing of packaging products and tissue papers principally composed of recycled fiber. In 2014 , including its equity investment in Reno De Medici S.p.A. ("Reno") and excluding discontinued operations, Cascades consumed approximately 3.295  million short tons of fiber. Recycled fiber, wood fiber (chips and logs) and pulp respectively accounted for 80 %, 13 % and 7 % of the total fiber consumption. Cascades sources most of its supply of recycled fiber through its own recovery network as well as through mid- to long-term agreements with independent suppliers. Cascades sources its supply of wood fiber and pulp through contractual agreements with independent sawmills, timberland owners and pulp producers.

Cascades conducts its business principally through two operating sectors, namely:

1)    The Packaging Products sector which includes:
i)
The Boxboard Europe Group , a manufacturer of premium coated boxboard in Europe;
ii)
The Containerboard Group , a manufacturer of containerboard and leading converter of corrugated products in North America; and
iii)
The Specialty Products Group , which manufactures industrial packaging, consumer packaging products, and is also involved in recovery and recycling.

2)    The Tissue Papers sector operates units that manufacture and convert tissue paper for the Away-from-Home and consumer products markets.

These two sectors include over 90 operating units located in Canada, the United States and Europe. As at December 31, 2014 , the Corporation employed approximately 11,000 employees, of which 9,000 were employees of its Canadian and United States operations. Approximately 33 % of the Corporation's manpower is unionized under 26 separate collective bargaining agreements. In addition, in Europe, some of the Corporation's operations are subject to national industry collective bargaining agreements that are renewed on an annual basis. Of the 26 collective bargaining agreements in North America, 11 will expire in 2015 and 4 in 2016.

Cascades sets the overall strategic guidelines and ensures that corporate policies concerning acquisition and financing strategies, legal affairs, human resources management and environmental protection are applied by its subsidiaries, divisions and affiliated companies.

4.2      Industry Sector Information

4.2.1      Packaging Products sector

The Packaging Products sector is divided into three groups of activities: the Boxboard Europe Group, the Containerboard Group and the Specialty Products Group.

4.2.1.1      The Boxboard Europe Group

In Europe, Cascades operates one mill in France that produces coated boxboard made of virgin fiber. With a total annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tonnes, this plant employs close to 340 employees.

As at December 31, 2014 , the Corporation also held a 57.61 % investment in Reno de Medici S.p.A. (“RdM”), the second largest European producer of recycled coated boxboard. RdM is a public company listed on the Milan stock exchange. RdM operates six (6) mills and two (2) sheeting centers. Its annual production capacity is 900,000 metric tonnes and it employs over 1,270 employees. Information concerning RdM’s production facilities can be found at www.renodemedici.it .

Excluding discontinued operations, sales for the Boxboard Europe Group stood at $ 841  million in 2014 compared to $ 786  million in 2013 , including the sales of RdM which are fully consolidated.

4.2.1.2      Containerboard Group

Excluding discontinued operations, as of December 31, 2014, the Containerboard Group, doing business under the name Norampac, employed more than 3,400 employees in its five (5) mills and eighteen ( 18 ) converting plants located in Canada and in the United States. This network produces a broad range of products for sale to both regional and national customers in a variety of industries, including the food, beverage and consumer products industries. The Containerboard Group operates five ( 5 ) linerboard and corrugated medium mills having a combined annual production capacity of 987,000 short tons. Except for one corrugated medium mill in the United States, all of the Group’s mills are located in Canada. The products manufactured by the five (5) manufacturing mills consist of 29 % linerboard and 71 % corrugated medium. In 2014 , approximately 52 % of their output was converted by Norampac’s eighteen ( 18 ) corrugated

 
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products converting plants, all strategically located across Canada and the Northeastern United States. The Containerboard Group purchases all of its needs in virgin fiber in Québec and Ontario, and purchases 59 % of its recycled fiber in Canada and the rest in the United States. Recycled fiber accounts for approximately 78 % of their total pulp and fiber consumption. Products are delivered mainly by truck or rail.

In 2014, consolidated sales of this Group amounted to $1,181 million, compared to $1,095 million in 2013, mainly allocated as follows: external sales related to manufacturing activities amounted to $252 million, compared to $216 million in 2013, while the converting activities sales amounted to $929 million, compared to $879 million in 2013. 71 % of the consolidated sales were made in Canada and 29 % in the United States. In 2014, sales in the amount of $27.7 million were made to Niagara Sheets, LLC, held by the Corporation at 24.5 %,$12.7 million of sales were made to MPPL, held by Norampac at 40 %, $9.6 million of sales were made to New England Sheets LLC, held by Norampac at 18 %, and lastly, sales in the amount of $1.3 million were made to Abzac Inc., held by Cascades at 40 %. Its own sales force carries out the sales of this Group together with sales agents for export purposes.
The following table lists the mills and converting plants of the Containerboard Group and the approximate annual production capacity or shipments of each facility as well as the products manufactured or, where applicable, their activities in 2014 :

Facilities
Products / Services
Annual capacity or
Shipments

Containerboard
 
Annual Capacity
in short tons

Norampac Industries Inc., Niagara Falls Division, New York
100% recycled corrugating medium
275,000

Kingsey Falls, Québec
100% recycled linerboard
103,000

Cabano, Québec
Corrugating medium in various basis weights
242,000

Trenton, Ontario
Corrugating medium in various basis weights
194,000

Mississauga, Ontario
100% recycled linerboard
173,000

Converting
 
Shipments
in square feet (000)

Newfoundland, St. John’s
Corrugated packaging
4,000 (1)

Moncton, New Brunswick
Corrugated packaging
19,000 (1)

Drummondville, Québec
Corrugated packaging
1,062,000

Victoriaville, Québec
Corrugated packaging
303,000

Vaudreuil, Québec
Corrugated packaging
954,000

Viau, Montréal, Québec
Corrugated packaging
699,000

Belleville, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
238,000

Etobicoke, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
475,000

Jellco, Barrie, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
184,000

St. Marys, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
1,084,000

Vaughan, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
2,351,000

Lithotech, Scarborough, Ontario
Single face laminate
235,000

Bird, Guelph, Kitchener, Windsor, Ontario
Corrugated packaging
229,000

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Corrugated packaging
687,000

Calgary, Alberta
Corrugated packaging
560,000

Richmond, British Columbia
Corrugated packaging
508,000

Norampac New York City Inc.,New York
Corrugated packaging
720,000

Norampac Schenectady Inc.,New York
Corrugated packaging
600,000

Norampac Industries, Inc., Lancaster Division, New York
Corrugated packaging
394,000

Norampac New England,Thompson, Connecticut
Corrugated packaging
268,000

Montréal, Québec
Processing and printing of boxboard for folding cartons
395,000

Services
 
 
Art & Die, Etobicoke, Ontario
Graphic art and printing plates
N/A


(1) These two (2) units were integrated with those of Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL) on February 1, 2014.


 
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4.2.1.3      Specialty Products Group

The Specialty Products Group operates in three main sub-segments, namely: industrial packaging, consumer products packaging, and recovery and recycling. This Group operates thirty-eight ( 38 ) facilities located in North America and Europe, including eighteen ( 18 ) recovery centers in Canada and the United States. It employs more than 2,200 employees. In 2014 , sales of this Group amounted to $ 568 million compared to $ 548 million in 2013 .

a)      Industrial Packaging
The Industrial Packaging sub-segment is active in four (4) markets : protective packaging, specialty containers, structural components and paperboard and fiber composites. Products include Technicomb ® and Flexicomb ® honeycomb paperboard, Multiboard™ laminated paperboard and uncoated recycled paperboard (URB).

Cascades Conversion Inc., Converdis Inc. and Cascades Sonoco Inc., joint venture companies, convert uncoated paperboard, obtained in part within the Cascades network, into industrial packaging materials. The core product line is used by the pulp and paper industry, such as roll headers and paperboard packaging for rolls of newspaper. Cascades Conversion Inc. also manufactures roll edges that are sealed with heat plate equipment. The sales for these mills are driven by their own sales force. In 2014 , one customer accounted for 13 % of sales and the principal geographic markets are the United States with 74 %, and Canada with 26 % of sales.

Cascades Rollpack S.A.S operates two (2) plants in France at Saulcy-sur-Meurthe and Châtenois, which manufacture roll headers made of linerboard and uncoated paperboard supplied by the European paper mills. The sales of these mills are made through their own sales forces. In 2014 , the principal geographic market was Europe, with 100 % of sales.

Cascades Multi-Pro, located in Drummondville (Québec) manufactures laminated paperboard used in many industrial sectors such as furniture backing and specialty containers. Cascades Enviropac in Berthierville (Québec) and Cascades Enviropac in Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA) manufacture honeycomb paperboard used as industrial packaging in general. Cascades Enviropac in St-Césaire (Québec) and Aurora (Illinois, USA) manufacture uncoated paperboard partitions for beer, wine and glass container producers. The sales of these converting plants are handled by their own sales representatives and by sales agents. In 2014, the principal geographic market is the United States at 66 % and Canada with 34 %. The supply of uncoated paperboard is principally obtained within the Cascades network.

Cascades Papier Kingsey Falls (Québec) produces uncoated recycled paperboard (URB) using 100% recycled fiber. This board is mainly used by packaging converters and industrial users of headers and wrappers for the paper industry, as well as partitions used as protective packaging. 60 % of total sales are made to customers located in Canada, followed by the United States with sales at 35%. Raw material is sourced principally in Québec ( 75 %).

The following table lists the main plants (including joint ventures) of the industrial packaging business sector and the approximate annual production capacity of each facility as well as the products manufactured or, where applicable, their activities in 2014 :

Facilities
Products
Annual capacity in metric tonnes

Cascades Conversion Inc.
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Roll headers and wrappers
65,000

Converdis inc.
Berthierville, Québec
Roll headers and wrappers
50,000

Cascades Sonoco Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama
Roll headers and wrappers
50,000

Cascades Sonoco Inc.
Tacoma, Washington
Roll headers and wrappers
30,000

Cascades Rollpack S.A.S.
Saulcy-sur-Meurthe, France
Roll headers and packaging reams
56,000

Cascades Rollpack S.A.S.
Châtenois, France
Packaging reams
25,000

Cascades Multi-Pro
Drummondville, Québec
Laminated paperboard and specialty containers
15,000

Cascades Enviropac
Berthierville, Québec
Honeycomb packaging products
8,000

Cascades Enviropac
St-Césaire, Québec
Uncoated paperboard partitions
6,500

Cascades Enviropac
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Honeycomb packaging products and other packaging products
10,000

Cascades Enviropac Aurora, Illinois
Uncoated paperboard partitions
10,900

Cascades Papier Kingsey Falls Kingsey Falls, Québec
Uncoated paperboard
92,000





 
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b)      Consumer Products Packaging

The Consumer Products Packaging sub-segment designs and manufactures packaging for fresh foods, catering to the food processing and retailing industries. It is comprised of two moulded pulp plants, two plants manufacturing polystyrene foam trays, one plant manufacturing rigid plastic trays and containers and a flexible film converting plant.
The two (2) plants manufacturing moulded pulp products are Cascades Forma-Pak in Kingsey Falls (Québec), and Cascades Molded Pulp in Rockingham (North Carolina, USA). They manufacture two types of products, namely, egg filler flats branded as UltraCell™, destined to poultry farms and egg processors and four-cup carriers, branded as UltraFit™, for the quick-service restaurant industry in Canada and the United States. These plants where awarded the HAVI Global solutions Sustainability Award in 2014. Sales representatives and a network of sales agents serve customers. Raw material for these moulded pulp products is composed of 100% recycled material.
The two (2) plants manufacturing polystyrene foam trays are Plastiques Cascades, located in Kingsey Falls (Québec), and Cascades Plastics , located in Warrenton (Missouri, USA), catering to the food industry such as processors and retailers. These food trays package fresh meats, poultry and seafood. The Kingsey Falls plant also produces a complete line of plates and bowls made of foamed polystyrene, marketed under the Gusto™ EVOK ® brands, destined to the food service industry.The principal raw material used is foamed polystyrene. The Warrenton plant uses standard polystyrene foam and the Kingsey Falls plant uses EVOK ® , a polystyrene foam made with 25% recycled material, UL validated. In 2014, the Canadian Plastic Industry Association (CPIA) awarded Cascades Plastiques the 2014 Sustainability Award for EVOK ® . Sales representatives and a network of sales agents serve customers in Canada and the United States.
Cascades Inopak, located in Drummondville (Québec), manufactures rigid plastic packaging. The plant converts plastic sheets by thermoforming them into a variety of packaging and containers. It also manufactures containers by an injection moulding process. The other product lines are destined to cater to the packaging needs of the food industry processors and retailers. These packaging and container lines are sold under the brand names: Benpac™, Deli-Tray™, Eko-sens™, Versatile™, Versatub™, Integral TM and Vented TM . The Vu-Pak TM line is mostly used for the packaging of none food items. Frig-O-Seal ® is a reusable food container line sold through retailers to consumers. It also markets a complete product line of coin wrappers to the Numismatic industry, known as Plastichange ® . Products are sold through distributors and agents. Mainly, the raw materials which are used are a blend of virgin polyethylene terephtalate (PETE) and 60% Recycled PETE, marketed as Re1™. It also converts barrier PETE, polypropylene (PP) and PVC into packaging and containers.
NorCan Flexible Packaging Inc., owned by Cascades at 62.1%, is located in Mississauga (Ontario) and is specialized in the manufacturing of flexible film for packaging. This company offers a wide variety of resin and additives to meet customers’ needs mainly in the frozen foods, bakery and ice industries.
In 2014, the principal geographic markets of all these units were the United States with 55% and Canada with 45% of sales. The Consumer Products Packaging sub-segment has launched and marketed four new product lines and has expanded its EVOK ® tray offering. These new lines are Integral TM (a barrier tray line for fresh proteins), Ultratill TM (a novel mushroom till line), Poultray TM (an innovative full bird container) and Ultracell TM Expo-30 (a totally new egg filler flat line).
The following table lists the plants and mills in the consumer packaging sub-segment and the approximate annual production capacity of each facility as well as the products manufactured or, where applicable, their activities in 2014 :

Facilities
Products
Annual capacity
in kilograms

Plastiques Cascades
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Polystyrene foam food packaging, plate and bowls
9,500,000

Cascades Plastics
Warrenton, Missouri
Polystyrene foam food packaging
8,500,000

Cascades Inopak
Drummondville, Québec
Plastic coin wrappers, food packaging
5,000,000

NorCan Flexible Packaging Inc.
Mississasuga, Ontario
Film packaging
7,941,000

Cascades Forma-Pak
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Egg filler flats and beverage carry trays
15,500,000

Cascades Moulded Pulp
Rockingham, North Carolina
Egg filler flats and beverage trays
8,700,000


c)      Recovery and Recycling

In 2014 , Cascades Récupération, through its recovery center located in Lachine (Québec), and its brokerage activities handled more than 49,000 metric tonnes of recyclable materials. 100 % of its sales were in Canada. Most of its business is done through the distribution channels of Cascades Recovery Inc. Recovered paper supply is mainly obtained from industrial, commercial and institutional users.

Cascades Recovery Inc., owned by Cascades at 73 %, provides services to recover and process discarded materials for municipal, graphic, industrial, commercial, consumer products and institutional sectors. Services are offered across Canada and the Northeastern United States with 18 recovery facilities. Marketing and

 
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brokerage offices are located in Boston (Massachusetts, USA), Charlotte (North Carolina, USA), Chicago (Illinois, USA), Montréal (Québec), Toronto (Ontario), and Vancouver (British Columbia). In 2014 , the Group shipped over 1.34 million metric tonnes through its recovery facilities and brokerage business with 55 % of sales in Canada and 38 % in the United States.

d)      Other sectors of activity

Cascades Lupel, located in Trois-Rivières (Québec),manufactures backing for vinyl flooring sold under the trademarks Endorex™, Absorbak™ and Inorex . Sales are made primarily in the United States ( 72 %) and Canada ( 13 %). The raw materials are easily available and the mill sources 68 % of its needs from Canada, the remainder is sourced in the United States. Two customers accounted for respectively 55 % and 26 % of sales.

Cascades Auburn Fiber (Maine, USA) manufactures from recovered material a de-inked pulp used for the production of tissue and fine paper. 54 % of sales are made in the United States and 46 % are made in Canada. In 2014 , excluding discontinued operations, 43 % of the output of this facility was used by the operating units within the Cascades Group, of which 34 % was used by the Tissue Papers Group. Of the remaining 57 % of sales, one customer accounted for 27 %.

The following table lists the plants associated with other sectors of activity and the approximate annual production capacity of each facility as well as the products manufactured or, where applicable, their activities in 2014 :

Facilities
Products / Services

Annual capacity


MT : metric tonnes
ST : short tonnes
Cascades Lupel
Trois-Rivières, Québec
Manufacture of backing for vinyl flooring
55,000

MT
Cascades Auburn Fiber, Maine
Manufacture of de-inking kraft pulp
75,000

ST


4.2.2      Tissue Papers Sector

The Tissue Papers Group is a manufacturer, converter and marketer of a wide variety of paper products intended for the Away-from-Home and consumer products markets. Its lines of bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, paper hand towels, paper napkins and other related products are sold under the labels Decor®, North River®, Cascades®, Cascades Elite® and Wiping Solutions® in the Away-from-Home Canadian and American markets. In the consumer products market, products are principally marketed under private labels and under the label Cascades® in Canada and Nature’s Choice® and under some secondary marks in the United States. In 2014 , one client accounted for 26 % of sales in the consumer products market. In addition, the Tissue Papers Group also sells parent rolls of bathroom tissue, paper towels, paper hand towels and specialty papers to a large number of converters. One client accounted for 80 % of parent roll sales. In 2014 , one client accounted for 12 % of overall sales in the consumer products, Away-from-Home markets, and parent rolls. Products are sold principally through a direct sales force, and are delivered by truck.

In 2012, the Tissue Papers Group redefined hand hygiene by bringing a first-ever antibacterial paper towel to the Away-from-Home United States market. Cascades antibacterial paper towels provide a simple and effective way to further reduce bacterial contamination and transmission.

The Tissue Papers Group’s sales for 2014 amounted to $ 1,054  million compared to $ 1,033 million in 2013 . In 2014 , production was sold as follows: 72 % in the United States, 27 % in Canada and 1% for others countries. The Canadian mills generated 53 % of total revenues in Canada and 47 % in the United States. The American mills generated 96 % of total revenues in the United States. 20 manufacturing and converting plants employ more than 2,100 employees.

The Candiac mill in Québec manufactures tissue paper and converts it into bathroom tissue and paper towels. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market in Canada and in the United States. The production not converted at the Candiac mill is transferred to the Laval, Lachute and Granby (Québec), and Waterford (New York, USA) plants or is sold in parent rolls to other converters.

The Lachute mill in Québec specializes in the manufacturing and converting of industrial use paper hand towels and converting of industrial use bathroom tissue. These products are mainly destined to the Canadian and American Away-from-Home markets. This facility received a gold LEED-CI certification in 2012 from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

The Laval plant in Québec specializes in the converting of tissue paper into paper napkins for the Canadian and American food service industry.

The Kingsey Falls mill in Québec manufactures tissue paper made from recycled fiber and converts it into bathroom tissue and facial tissue. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market as well as the Away-from-Home markets, both in Canada and the United States. The production not converted is transferred to the Laval, Lachute and Granby (Québec),and Waterford (New York, USA) facilities or is sold in parent rolls to other converters.

The Toronto plant in Ontario converts tissue paper made of recycled fiber into bathroom tissue, paper towels and paper napkins. These products are mainly sold in the Canadian and American consumer products market.


 
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The two Toronto PM mills in Ontario produce parent rolls made of recycled fiber and virgin fiber. The production is transferred to the Toronto (Ontario), Granby (Québec) and Waterford (New York', USA) plants or sold to other converters.

The Papersource mill in Granby (Québec) converts tissue paper into bathroom tissue, paper hand towels and facial tissue. These products are mainly sold in the Canadian and American Away-from-Home markets.

Cascades Tissue Group - Rockingham (North Carolina, USA) mill, manufactures tissue paper made from recycled fiber. These products are mainly sold in the American Away-from-Home markets. The production not converted is transferred to the Waterford (New York, USA) and Kinston (North Carolina, USA) plants or sold to other converters.

Cascades Tissue Group - IFC Disposables plant located in Brownsville (Tennessee, USA) specializes in the converting of non-woven fiber into industrial wipes sold in the Away-from-Home markets in the United States and Canada.

Cascades Tissue Group - Wisconsin mill, in Eau Claire (Wisconsin, USA), manufactures tissue paper made from recycled fiber and converts it into bathroom tissue, paper towels, facial tissue and paper napkins. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market in the United States. The non-converted production is sold in parent rolls to other converters.

Cascades Tissue Group - Pennsylvania, with facilities in Ransom and Pittston (Pennsylvania, USA), manufactures tissue paper made from recycled fiber and converts it into bathroom tissue, paper towels, facial tissue and paper napkins. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market in the United States. The non-converted production is transferred to the Waterford (New York, USA), Kingsey Falls (Québec), and Brownsville (Tennessee, USA) plants or is sold in parent rolls to other converters.

Cascades Tissue Group - Oregon, in St. Helens (Oregon, USA), produces parent rolls made of 100% virgin fiber. The production is transferred to the Kingman (Arizona, USA) plant or is sold to other converters. In 2014, the Tissue Papers Group acquired the specialty paper machine previously operated by Boise which is located adjacent to its existing tissue machine in St. Helens. This machine was reconfigured to produce 55,000 short tons of tissue paper annually, bringing the total tissue paper capacity of the St. Helens site to 127,000 short tons annually. Total cost of the project is estimated to be $45 million and start-up occurred on October 24, 2014.

The Waterford Division of Cascades Tissue Group - New York Inc. (New York, USA) specializes in the conversion of towel and tissue paper into bathroom tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and industrial paper hand towels. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market as well as the Away-from-Home markets in the United States. The Mechanicville (New York, USA) Division produces parent rolls made from recycled fiber. The production is transferred to the Waterford Division (New York, USA) and Granby (Québec) or is sold to other converters.

Cascades Tissue Group - Arizona operates a plant in Kingman, and specializes in the conversion of tissue paper into bathroom tissue, paper towels, paper hand towels and paper napkins. These products are mainly sold in the consumer products market in the United States.

The Memphis mill of Cascades Tissue Group - Tennessee (Tennessee, USA) produces parent rolls of tissue paper made from recycled fiber. The production is transferred to the Kingman (Arizona) plant or sold to other converters.

Cascades Tissue Group - Wagram (North Carolina, USA) is a new converting plant where some current operational converting lines will be transferred and be fully operational in 2015. The plant is specialized in the conversion of tissue paper into bathroom tissue, paper towels, paper hand towels and paper napkins. These products are in both markets: consumer products and Away-from-Home products in the United States.

Best Diamond Packaging, LLC, a joint venture, operates a plant in Kinston (North Carolina, USA) and specializes in the conversion of tissue paper into paper napkins for the American food and quick-service restaurant markets.


















 
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The following table lists the plants and mills of the Tissue Papers Group and the approximate annual production capacity of each facility as well as the products manufactured or, where applicable, their activities in 2014 :

Facilities
Products / Services

Annual capacity in
short tons

Manufacturing / Converting
 
 
Candiac, Québec
Paper towels, bathroom tissue
66,000

Lachute, Québec
Paper hand towels, bathroom tissue
35,000

Kingsey Falls, Québec
Facial tissue, bathroom tissue
100,000

Cascades Tissue Group - Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper napkins
60,000

Cascades Tissue Group - Pennsylvania,
Ransom and Pittston
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper napkins
57,000

Manufacturing
 


Toronto PM , Ontario
Parent rolls
55,000

Cascades Tissue Group - Oregon,
St-Helens
Parent rolls
127,000

Cascades Tissue Group - Tennessee,
Memphis
Parent rolls
40,000

Cascades Tissue Group, Rockingham, North Carolina
Parent rolls
63,000

Cascades Tissue Group - New York Inc., Mechanicville
Parent rolls
40,000

Converting
 
 
Toronto, Ontario
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, paper napkins
   N/A

Laval, Québec
Paper napkins
   N/A

Papersource, Granby, Québec
Bathroom tissue, facial tissue and paper hand towels
   N/A

Cascades Tissue Group - Arizona, Kingman
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, paper hand towels, paper napkins
   N/A

Cascades Tissue Group - New York Inc., Waterford
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, paper hand towels, paper napkins
   N/A

Cascades Tissue Group - Wagram, North Carolina
Paper towels, bathroom tissue, paper hand towels, paper napkins
   N/A

Best Diamond Packaging, LLC
Kinston, North Carolina
Paper napkins
   N/A

Cascades Tissue Group - IFC Disposables,
Brownsville, Tennessee
Industrial wipes
   N/A


4.3      Research, Development and Innovation

Cascades has its own research and development centre («the Centre») located in Kingsey Falls (Québec), composed of a staff of more than 40 employees. The Centre provides Cascades’ business units with technical support in solving production problems and improving quality as well as the development of new products and processes. Moreover, the Centre is strongly involved in innovation and sustainable development through its scientific support to the Corporation’s marketing teams.

Following the implementation of its Innovation Management System, which was expanded to all Cascades’ activities, namely finance, production, human resources, services, logistics, and sales and marketing to enhance efficiency and performance at all levels, as well as to develop a culture of innovation. The Cascades innovation management committee (CIMC) is now implementing this strategy. To support the culture of innovation, several articles on innovation are integrated into the Corporation’s quarterly newsletter to employees. The CIMC meets on a monthly basis to implement the strategy into the different groups and units.

In 2012, Cascades consolidated its Information Technology (IT) Service under one single entity, providing a complete IT portfolio of services to all Cascades’ business units. The IT staff is composed approximately of 230 employees. Regarding the implementation of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the Corporation identified the risks associated with said project and adopted a step-by-step plan to address any risks related to the implementation

 
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process. The Corporation dedicated a project team, required corporate oversight with the appropriate skills and knowledge and retained the services of consultants to provide expertise and training. Supported by senior management and key personnel, the Corporation undertook a detailed analysis of its requirements during 2010, and in November of 2010 successfully completed a pilot project in one of its plants. The project team has finalized a detailed blueprint for its manufacturing and some of its converting operations and started implementing the solution in its business units in 2012. In 2012 and 2013, Cascades invested $29 million and $14 million respectively, for the modernization of its financial information system to an ERP information technology system. The implementation is still ongoing as the Corporation is reviewing its internal processes to maximize the realization of benefits and reduce risks.

4.4      Competitive Conditions

4.4.1      Our Markets

Cascades operates in large, highly competitive markets. Our products and services compete with similar products manufactured and distributed by others both domestically and globally. The success in our markets is influenced by many factors, including customer service, price, geographic location, quality, breadth and performance characteristics of our products. Given our products, integration level, markets and geographic diversification, we believe that we are well-positioned to compete in our packaging and tissue sectors.

According to RISI and CCCA, the total containerboard production in North America was approximately 37.2 million tons in 2014 while total containerboard production capacity totaled approximately 38.8  million tons. The five largest manufacturers, International Paper Company, Rock-Tenn Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Packaging Corporation of America and KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation accounted for approximately 77 % of total production capacity. Total U.S. containerboard production increased by 1.8 % in 2014 . With respect to demand, while the containerboard market is cyclical and impacted by economic conditions, it tends to be more resilient given that approximately 75 % of the end demand for corrugated boxes comes from the non durable goods industries according to the Fiber Box Association.

Demand in the U.S. tissue paper market reached approximately 8.7  million tons in 2014 . Total tissue production capacity in North America totaled approximately 9.7 million tons during the same period. We estimate the five largest manufacturers, Georgia-Pacific LLC, The Procter & Gamble Company, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Cascades Inc. and Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA) to account for approximately 73 % of total production capacity. The tissue paper market consists of both the consumer products and Away-from-Home markets. Shipments of consumer products and Away-from-Home tissue products represented approximately 69 % and 31 %, respectively, of total U.S. tissue paper shipments in 2014 . The tissue market is considered to be the most stable paper sector with demand in North America growing at a 1.1 % compound annual growth rate since 2005.

4.4.2      Our Competitive Strengths

Leading Market Positions with Environmentally Sustainable Product Focus . We are one of the two leaders in Canada and hold one of the leading market positions in the packaging industry in North America. We also are a leading producer of recycled coated boxboard in Europe through our ownership of Reno de Medici, S.p.A. We believe our leading market positions and our environmental focus gives us an advantage over many of our competitors. We believe the demand for green products is growing and we are well-positioned to take advantage of the growing environmental trend due to our strengths and diversity of product offerings.

Fully Integrated Recycling Solutions Provider . We are an integrated manufacturer with both downstream recycled paper collection and processing capabilities and upstream manufacturing and converting operations. We have created the closed-loop system TM that enables us to manufacture our products efficiently for our customers. In North America, 30% of the recycled fibers that we use in our products come from our own recovery, converting and other collection facilities. We continually look for opportunities to increase our integration to further ensure the supply of raw materials to our mills and grow the development of our environmentally sustainable products.

Diversified Portfolio of Products, Markets and Geographic Locations . We manufacture and sell a diversified portfolio of packaging, tissue and specialty paper products for commercial, industrial and consumer products end markets in Canada, the United States, Europe and other regions. Our customers include Fortune 500, medium and small-sized companies across a broad range of industries. We believe that our product, geographic and customer diversification help us maintain our operating performance through economic downturns and changing market conditions. The size and diversity of our operations also allow us to cost-effectively serve customers on a regional and multinational basis, reducing delivery times and enhancing customer service.

Strong Presence in Consumer-Oriented End Markets . Our packaging, tissue and other products are sold primarily to consumer-oriented end markets, which tend to be less sensitive to economic cycles. As a result, products sold to these markets tend to exhibit a greater degree of stability and predictability in demand and product prices than products sold to commercial or industrial-oriented end markets. Our participation in consumer-oriented end markets has increased with our focus on selling tissue products.

4.5      Cyclical Considerations

Cascades is a diversified producer of packaging products and tissue paper with operations in Canada, the United States and Europe. The Corporation has leading market positions for many of its products in North America and is one of the foremost producers of recycled coated boxboard in Europe through its ownership of Reno de Medici, S.p.A.

Although the Corporation believes that its products, integration level, market, and geographical diversification help to mitigate the adverse effects of industry conditions, the markets, for some of its products, notably containerboard and boxboard, remain cyclical. These markets are influenced by changes in the North

 
11
 

 
Annual Information Form

American and global economies, industry capacity and inventory levels maintained by customers, all of which affect selling prices and profitability. The Corporation is also affected by the variation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and the Euro, and the effect of the volatility of the costs of the raw materials, particularly recycled fibers.

4.6    Environmental Protection

4.6.1      Regulations

The Corporation’s activities are subject to environmental laws and regulations imposed by various governmental and regulatory authorities in all the countries where it operates. The Corporation is in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental legislation and regulations. However, ongoing capital and operating expenses are expected to be incurred to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable environmental requirements. For more information, reference is made to the heading “RISK FACTORS”, on page 61 of Management’s discussion and analysis in the 2014 Annual Report, which item is incorporated by reference.

In 2014 , environmental protection requirements and the application of Cascades’ environmental mission required capital expenditures and led to operating costs as follows :

Country
Capital Expenses
Operating Costs
Canada
$1,218,129
$34,071,464
United States
$92,414
$21,413,897
Europe
$1,681,316
$3,439,539
Total
$2,991,859
$58,924,900

4.6.2      Environmental Mission

Since one of the deeply ingrained values of the Corporation is protecting the environment, Cascades has adopted an Environmental Mission, which is available on the Corporation’s website at www.cascades.com .

4.7      Reorganizations

In 2014 , no major legal reorganizations were undertaken by Cascades. In the normal course of business, some reorganizations of the subsidiaries of the Corporation could occasionally occur in order to improve the organizational structure, none of them having a material impact on the activities, operations or financial results of the Corporation.

4.8      Social Policies

The Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”), which is meant to provide directors, officers, and employees with general guidelines for acceptable behaviour in all relationships with each other, customers, suppliers, partners, and the communities where the Corporation operates. A copy of the Code is available on the Corporation' website at www.cascades.com .

4.9      Risk Factors

We refer the reader to Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the 2014 Annual Report, specifically on page 61 under the heading “RISK FACTORS”, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 5 - DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

In 2012 , 2013 and 2014 , Cascades paid dividends on its Common Shares at the current rate of $0.04 per Common Share per quarter. Other than pursuant to the Indentures, which govern its Senior Notes, and the Credit Facilities, there are no material contractual restrictions on Cascades’ ability to declare and pay dividends on its Common Shares.

The dividend amount is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and is determined taking into account Cascades’ financial situation, its results from operations, its capital requirements and any other factor deemed pertinent by the Board of Directors.

ITEM 6 - CAPITAL STRUCTURE

6.1      General description of capital structure

The share capital of the Corporation is composed of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value, an unlimited number of Class “A” Preferred Shares without par value which may be issued in series and an unlimited number of Class “B” Preferred Shares without par value which may be issued in series.


 
12
 

 
Annual Information Form

The holders of common shares are entitled to the right to vote on the basis of one vote per share at any meetings of shareholders and the right to receive dividends and to share in the remaining assets in the event of a liquidation of the Corporation. As at March 16 , 2015 , there were 94,219,380 Common Shares issued and outstanding.

The Class “A” and “B” Preferred Shares are issuable in series and rank equally within their respective classes as to dividends and capital. Registered holders of any series of Class “A” or Class “B” are entitled to receive, in each fiscal year of the Corporation or on any other basis, cumulative or non-cumulative preferred dividends payable at the time, at the rates and for such amounts and at the place or places determined by the directors with respect to each series prior to the issuance of any Class “A” or Class “B” Preferred Shares. In the event of the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation or any other distribution of its assets to its shareholders, the holders of Class “A” and “B” Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Corporation , the amount paid in consideration of each share held by them. The holders of Class “A” and “B” Preferred Shares are not entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend or to vote at any meetings of shareholders. None of the Class “A” or “B” Preferred Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation are, as of the date hereof, issued and outstanding.

6.2      Ratings

Credit ratings are intended to provide investors with an independent measure of credit quality of an issuer or a security. Rating for issuers or for debt instruments are presented in ranges by each of the rating agencies. The highest qualities of securities are rated AAA in the case of Standard & Poor’s ("S&P") and Dominion Bond Rating Services (“DBRS”), or Aaa in the case of Moody’s Investors Service ("Moody’s”). The lowest quality of securities are rated D in the case of S&P and DBRS, or C in the case of Moody’s.

According to the S&P rating system (http://www.standardandpoors.com/ratings/definitions-and-faqs/en/us), notes rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having from low to significant speculative characteristics. A BB rating indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such notes will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. Notes rated BBB are less vulnerable for non-payment than other speculative economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. The ratings from AAA to B may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

According to the Moody’s rating system (https://www.moodys.com/Pages/amr002002.aspx), notes, which are rated Ba, are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate, and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class. Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

According to the DBRS rating system (http://dbrs.com/ratingPolicies/list/name/rating+scales), long-term debt rated BB is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the BB range typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification, and competitive strength are additional negative considerations. The absence of either a high or low designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category.

Credit Risk
Moody's
S & P
DBRS
Highest quality
Aaa
AAA
AAA
High quality (very strong)
Aa
AA
AA
Upper medium grade (strong)
A
A
A
Medium grade
Baa
BBB
BBB
Lower medium grade (somewhat speculative)
Ba
BB
BB
Low grade (speculative)
B
B
B
Poor quality (may default)
Caa
CCC
CCC
Most speculative
Ca
CC
CC
No interest being paid or bankruptcy petition filed
C
C
C
In default
C
D
D
Source:  Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and “Dominion Bond Rating Services”  

Cascades is rated by S&P, Moody’s and DBRS. The Corporation’s issuer rating by these three agencies are listed below :
Rating agency
Issuer Rating
Qualitative
Most recent update
S&P
B+
Stable outlook
January 2015
Moody’s
Ba2
Stable outlook
January 2014
DBRS
BB
Stable outlook
July 2014


 
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Annual Information Form

It is to be noted that the credit ratings given by the rating agencies are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell Cascades' notes or securities as such, given these ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. There is no assurance that any rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be revised or withdrawn by a rating agency in the future if in its judgment circumstances so warrant. The Corporation is not responsible for credit ratings given by the rating agencies.

ITEM 7 - MARKET FOR SECURITIES

7.1      Trading Price and Volume

Cascades’ Common Shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and alternative trading systems under the ticker symbol “CAS”. The following table sets forth the market price range, in Canadian dollars, and trading volumes of the Corporation’s Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for each month of the most recently completed financial year:

Toronto Stock Exchange - Market price range - Year 2014
Month
High
Low
Closing Market Price
Trading Volume
January
6.95
6.12
6.86
3,008,656

February
7.25
6.76
7.25
4,374,701

March
7.58
6.91
7.55
5,230,948

April
7.60
6.21
6.42
7,972,767

May
6.57
5.85
5.95
3,638,238

June
6.74
5.95
6.61
3,108,947

July
7.09
6.40
6.66
5,864,533

August
6.69
5.95
6.31
4,879,035

September
6.37
5.81
6.15
15,915,997

October
6.45
5.64
6.27
8,313,696

November
6.74
5.71
6.53
6,241,672

December
7.15
6.42
7.02
4,453,400



In 2013 , in the normal course of business, the Corporation renewed its redemption program. Purchases began on March 15 , 2013 and continued until March 14 , 2014 . The notice enabled Cascades to acquire up to 2,816,753 Common Shares, representing approximately 3 % of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of March 1, 2013. As of March 13, 2014, the Corporation had redeemed 77,400 Common Shares at an average weighted cost of $ 4.91 .

In 2014, in the normal course of business, the Corporation renewed its redemption program. Purchases began on March 17, 2014 and continued until March 16, 2015. The notice enabled Cascades to acquire up to 1,502,206 Common Shares, representing approximately 1.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of March 1, 2014. As of March 13, 2015, the Corporation had redeemed 49,000 Common Shares at an average weighted cost of $5.93.

On March 13 , 2015 , Cascades announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange had accepted its notice of intention to begin a normal course issuer bid in respect of its Common Shares. Purchases pursuant to the normal course issuer bid commenced on March 17 , 2015 and will cease on March 16 , 2016 . The Common Shares purchased shall be cancelled. The notice will enable Cascades to acquire up to 942,194 Common Shares, which represents approximately 1 % of the 94,219,380 issued and outstanding Common Shares as at Febuary 27 , 2015 .


ITEM 8 - DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The Directors of the Corporation are elected annually to hold office until the next annual general meeting or until a successor is elected or appointed.

8.1      Name, Occupation and Security Holding

The following table sets out the name, age and place of residence of each director, its principal occupation, the year in which he or she first became a director of the Corporation, the number of common shares of the Corporation beneficially owned directly or indirectly by him or her, their independence status, the number of deferred share units he or she holds, if the Director sits on boards of directors and committees of other public companies, membership on the committees of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, their value of at-risk holdings as at December 31, 2014 and the percentage of votes voted in favour of their election at last year's meeting.



 
14
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Director
 
Committee(s) :
N.A.
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 97.85
 
 
Bernard Lemaire (7)
Age 78
Austin (Québec)
Canada
Non-Independent

Director since 1964
One of the founders of Cascades, Mr. Lemaire was President of the Corporation from its creation until 1992 and Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1992 to May 2008. Mr. Lemaire holds an Honorary Doctorate from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales - Montréal  and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sherbrooke. In 2004, he was conferred a Doctorat Honoris Causa by the Université du Québec   in Trois-Rivières  (Québec) in recognition of his acclaimed reputation in the business world and his unwavering commitment to social responsibility. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and an Officer of the Ordre national of Québec as well as a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic.    

INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES (2)
DSUs
SHARES (2)
DSUs
12,974,159
13,214,159
(240,000)
91,078,596


 
Principal occupation :
Director
 
Committee(s) :
N.A.
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 87.45
 
 
Laurent Lemaire
Age 76
Warwick (Québec)
Canada
Non-Independent
Director since 1964
One of the founders of Cascades, Mr. Lemaire held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors from May 2008 to May 2011 and was Vice-Chair of the Board from November 2011 to May 2014. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from 1992 to 2004. He holds a Masters degree in Commerce and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sherbrooke. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Reno de Medici S.p.A., an Italian-based public company, manufacturer of coated and recycled boxboard. Mr. Lemaire is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(7)
SHARES (3)
DSUs
SHARES (3)
DSUs
12,616,651
12,442,504
174,147
88,568,890




 
15
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Executive Chair of the Board
 
Committee(s) :
N.A.
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 97.31
 
 
Alain Lemaire
Age 67
Kingsey Falls (Québec)
Canada
Non-Independent
Director since 1967
One of the founders of Cascades, Mr. Lemaire is Executive Chair of the Board of the Corporation. He held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to May 2013. He was Executive Vice-President of the Corporation from 1992 to 2004 and was President and Chief Executive Officer of Norampac Inc., from 1998 to 2004. A former student of the Institut des pâtes et papiers of Trois-Rivières  (Québec), he holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sherbrooke. In 2013, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from Bishop's University in Lennoxville (Québec). Mr. Lemaire is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES (4)
DSUs
SHARES (4)
DSUs
4,969,405
4,964,377
5,028
34,885,223


 
Principal occupation :
President, Louis Garneau Sports Inc.
 
Committee(s) :
Human Resources (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 98.84
 
 
Louis Garneau
Age 56
St-Augustin-de-Desmaures (Québec) Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 1996
Mr. Garneau is President of Louis Garneau Sports Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of sports clothing and accessories throughout the world. He is a member of the Human Resources Committee. A former international cycle racer, Mr. Garneau participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He is a Chevalier de l’Ordre national of Québec and an Officer of the Order of Canada. In June 2007, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Faculty of Administration of the University of Ottawa. In 2008, he received the “Gloire de l’Escolle” medal as a former graduate having honored Université Laval due to the extent of his professional activities and his contribution to society. In November 2014, he was awarded the Medal of Honour of the National Assembly of Québec. This medal is awarded to public figures who are deserving of recognition by the Members of the Assembly.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
5,018
42,534
5,018
38,035
4,499
333,815





 
16
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Director
 
Committee(s) :
Environment, Health and Safety (Chair)
Corporate Governance and Nominating (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 90.98
 
 
Sylvie Lemaire
Âge 52
Otterburn Park (Québec)
Canada
Non-Independent
Director since 1999
Ms. Lemaire is a director of companies. She has held production, research and development and general management positions. She was co-owner of Dismed Inc., a distributor of medical products and Fempro Inc., a manufacturer of absorbant products, where she held the position of President until 2007. She is Chair of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Since June of 2014, Ms. Lemaire is a certified Director of companies having sucessfully completed the governance program offered by the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés of  Université Laval (Québec). Ms. Lemaire holds the degree of Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from the Montréal École polytechnique .
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014($)
(6)
SHARES  (5)
DSUs
SHARES (5)
DSUs
275,287
42,534
331,287
38,035
(94,035)
1,932,515


 
Principal occupation :
Partner, McCarthy Tétrault
 
Committee(s) :
Human Resources (Chair)
Corporate Governance and Nominating (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 98.21
 
 
David McAusland
Age 61
Beaconsfield (Québec)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2003
Mr. McAusland is a partner in the law firm of McCarthy Tétrault. From 1999 to February 2008, he held among others, the position of Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer of Alcan Inc., a large multinational industrial company. He is Chair of the Human Resources Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. McAusland sits on the Boards of Directors of Cogeco Inc., and Cogeco Cable Inc., two companies involved in the communications sector where he is a member of the Corporate Governance Committee and Chair of the Strategic Opportunities Committee of both these issuers. He sits on the Board of Directors of Khan Resources Inc., a uranium exploration and development company, where he is a member of the Compensation Committee. He is also a voting member of the Accounting Standards Oversight Council. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ATS Automation Tooling Systems, a leader in automation manufacturing solutions. Furthermore, he is a director of certain not-for-profit organizations, such as the Montreal General Hospital Foundation and Chairman of the Board of the Fondation de l’École nationale du cirque .
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
4,000
50,738
4,000
41,695
9,043
384,261





 
17
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Co-Founder of Sui Generis Investment Partners
 
Committee(s) :
Corporate Governance and Nominating (Chair)
Audit and Finance (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 97.47
 
 
James B.C. Doak
Age 59
Toronto (Ontario)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2003
An economist and chartered financial analyst, Mr. Doak is Co-Founder of Sui Generis Investment Partners, a Toronto-based investment company since 2014. Prior thereto, he was President and Managing Director of Megantic Asset Management Inc., a Toronto-based investment company, from 2002 to 2014. From 1997 to 2002, he held the position of President of Enterprise Capital Management Inc. He is a member of the Audit and Finance Committee and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Doak is Chairman of the Board and a member of the Audit and Finance Committee of Khan Resources Inc. a uranium exploration and development company. He holds a  Diplôme d’études collégiales  from McGill University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto. Mr. Doak is a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour of the Republic of France.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
 (6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
42,534
38,035
4,499
298,589


 
Principal occupation :
Director of companies
 
Committee(s) :
Audit and Finance (Chair)
Environment, Health and Safety (Member)
Lead Director
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 97.61
 
 
Georges Kobrynsky
Age 68
Outremont (Québec)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2010
Mr. Kobrynsky is a director of companies. He is Chair of the Audit and Finance Commitee and a member of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee. He held the position of Senior Vice-President, Investments, Forest Products of the Société   générale de financement du Québec  from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Kobrynsky has held for more than 30 years, various senior positions at Domtar Inc., including Senior Vice-President, Pulp and Paper Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations Group from 2001 to 2005 and Senior Vice-President, Communication Papers Division from 1995 to 2001. He sat on the Board of Directors of Norampac Inc., from 1998 to 2006. He holds a Master of Business Administration from McGill University, a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Engineering from  Université Laval  and a Bachelor of Arts from the Université de Montréal.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of Supremex Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of stock and custom envelopes and Chair of the Pension Investment Committee and a member of the Audit and Human Resources Committees.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
19,123
15,183
3,940
134,243





 
18
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Director
 
Committee(s) :
Human Resources (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 86.55
 
 
Élise Pelletier
Age 54
Chambly (Québec)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2011
Retired since 2003, Ms. Pelletier accumulated over twenty years of experience within the Corporation, having held the position of Vice-President, Human Resources of the Corporation during the period between 1995 and 1998, and thereafter, the position of Vice-President with Norampac Inc., during the period between 1998 to 2003. She has extensive knowledge of the pulp and paper sector and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation from 1993 to 2001. She is a member of the Human Resources Committee. She holds a Certificate in governance of companies from the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés , Université Laval  (Québec). She holds the degree of Bachelor in Industrial Relations from the  Université de Montréal.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
1,000
11,777
1,000
8,014
3,763
89,695


 
Principal occupation :
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Montreal Port Authority
 
Committee(s) :
Environment, Health and Safety (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 98.82
 
 
Sylvie Vachon
Age 55
Longueuil (Québec)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2013
Ms. Vachon is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Montreal Port Authority (MPA), an autonomous federal agency since 2009. From 1997 to 2009, she was Vice-President, Administration and Human Resources for that federal agency. She is a member of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. Ms. Vachon is Chair of the Board of Directors of Cargo Montreal, the logistic and transportation metropolitain cluster. She is a governor member of the Conseil patronal de l’environnement du Québec  whose mission is to mobilize Québec companies in order to promote their commitment towards environmental protection and the implementation of sustainable development. Ms. Vachon is also a member of the Board of Directors of SODES whose mission is to protect and promote the economic interests of the St. Lawrence maritime community from a sustainable development perspective. She also sits on the Board of Directors of the Cercle des présidents (Québec) . In 2014, she received the St. Lawrence Award, which is awarded to individuals whose actions have been noteworthy in the marine industry. She holds the degree of Bachelor in Administration, majoring in Human Resources Management from the University of Sherbrooke.

INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
6,114
2,486
3,628
42,920





 
19
 

 
Annual Information Form

 
Principal occupation :
Executive Vice-President Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Gildan Activewear Inc.
 
Committee(s) :
Audit and Finance (Member)
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : 98.84
 
 
Laurence G. Sellyn
Age 65
Beaconsfield (Québec)
Canada
Independent (1)
Director since 2013
Mr. Sellyn joined Gildan Activewear in April 1999, where he holds the position of Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. Prior thereto, he held several senior management positions with well recognized Canadian public companies. From 1992 to 1999, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President of Finance and Corporate Development of Wajax Inc. Mr. Sellyn held successive positions of increasing responsibility at Domtar Inc., including acting as Corporate Controller from 1987 to 1991. He is a U.K. Chartered Accountant. He holds a Masters degree in Modern Languages and Literature from Oxford University. Mr. Sellyn sits on the Boards of Directors of Beyond the Rack Enterprises Inc. and Noble Iron Inc.

INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
20,000
12,221
20,000
4,970
7,251
226,191




 
Principal occupation :
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Committee(s) :
N.A.
 
2014 Annual Meeting Votes in favour (%) : N.A.
 
 
Mario Plourde
Age 53
Kingsey Falls (Québec)
Canada
Non-Independent
Director since November 2014
Mr. Plourde is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since May 2013. He has been in the employ of the Corporation since 1985 and has held several senior management positions such as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades' Specialty Products Group. He was named President of this Group in 2000. In 2011, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. He joined the Board of Directors of Cascades on November 6, 2014. Monsieur Plourde also sits on the Board of Directors of Transcontinental Inc., and is a member of the Governance Committee. Actively involved in social and community affairs, he was awarded in 2012, the Prix bâtisseur - Tour CIBC Charles Bruneau, (a foundation for pediatric cancer research) . Monsieur Plourde holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance from the Université du Québec in Montréal.
INFORMATION ON EQUITY HOLDINGS
DECEMBER 31, 2014
DECEMBER 31, 2013
TOTAL NET CHANGE (#)
TOTAL VALUE AT RISK
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 ($)
(6)
SHARES
DSUs
SHARES
DSUs
103,910
90,236
13,674
729,448

(1)
"Independent" refers to the standards of independence established under Section 1.2 of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 58-101 (Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices).
(2)
Held directly or indirectly by Gestion Bernard Lemaire Inc., of which Bernard Lemaire is the sole voting shareholder. This amount does not include the 500,000 shares transferred to La Fondation de la Famille Lemaire, reserving his voting rights related thereto.
(3)
Held directly or indirectly by Gestion Laurent Lemaire Inc., of which Laurent Lemaire is the sole voting shareholder. This amount does not include the 500,000 shares transferred to La Fondation de la Famille Lemaire, reserving his voting rights related thereto.
(4)
Held directly or indirectly by Gestion Alain Lemaire Inc., of which Alain Lemaire is the sole voting shareholder.
(5)
186,277 shares are held directly or indirectly by Tremer II Inc., a company in which Ms. Lemaire holds a 50% shareholding.
(6)
The total value at risk is based on the closing share price of the Common Shares of the Corporation on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on December 31, 2014 ($7.02).
(7)
Bernard Lemaire is not seeking a new mandate at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.


 
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Annual Information Form

8.2      Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions

To the Corporation’s knowledge, no director or executive officer of the Corporation and no shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Corporation to affect materially the control of the Corporation:

a)
is or has been in the past ten years before the date of this Annual Information Form a director or executive officer of any other company that, while that person was acting in that capacity,
i)
was the subject of a cease trade or similar order, or an order that denied the other issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation for a period or more than 30 consecutive days;
ii)
was subject to an event that resulted, after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the Corporation being the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the other issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
iii)
within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangements or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets;

b)
was subject to court-imposed penalties or sanctions relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority, or entered into a settlement agreement with such authority; or

c)
was subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision.

To the Corporation’s knowledge, no director or officer of the Corporation and no shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Corporation to affect materially the control of the Corporation, or a personal holding company of any such persons, has within the 10 years before the date of this Annual Information Form, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or been subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold his or its assets.

Furthermore, to the knowledge of the Corporation, no proposed director of the Corporation has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority, or has been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable shareholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

































 
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Annual Information Form

8.3      Information concerning Executive Officers
Executive Officers
Occupation in the Corporation
Alain Lemaire
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Executive Chair of the Board of Directors
Mario Plourde
Kingsey Falls, Québec
President and Chief Executive Officer
Allan Hogg
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Maryse Fernet
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Vice-President, Human Resources
Dominic Doré   
Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Québec
Vice-President, Information Technology
Hugo D'Amours
Saint-Bruno de Montarville, Québec
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
Léon Marineau
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Vice-President, Environment
Robert F. Hall
Canton de Hatley, Québec
Vice-President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary
Suzanne Blanchet
La Prairie, Québec
Senior Vice-President, Corporate Development
Pascal Aguettaz
Kingsey Falls, Québec
Vice-President, Corporate Services
Jean Jobin
Sainte-Catherine, Québec
President and Chief Operating Officer, Tissue Papers Group
Marc-André Dépin
Boucherville, Québec
President and Chief Executive Officer, Containerboard Group (Norampac)
Luc Langevin
Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, Québec
President and Chief Operating Officer, Specialty Products Group
 

During the past five years, each of the Executive Officers of the Corporation have been engaged in their present principal occupations or in other executive capacities for the Corporation or with related or affiliated companies indicated opposite their name, except for Mr. Hugo D'Amours, who was appointed Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs, on January 21, 2013. Prior thereto, Mr. D'Amours was Press Secretary and Director of Media Relations for the Premier of Québec.

As at December 31, 2014 , the Directors and Executive Officers of the Corporation listed herein beneficially owned as a group, or exercised control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 31,419,853 Common Shares representing 33.36 % of the Common Shares issued and outstanding.

ITEM 9 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of operations, the Corporation is party to various legal actions and contingencies, mostly related to contract disputes, environmental, product claims, and labour issues. While the final outcome with respect to legal actions outstanding or pending as at December 31, 2014 cannot be predicted with certainty, it is management’s opinion that the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial position, results of its operations or its cash flows.


ITEM 10 - TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS

Cascades’ transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”), having its place of business in Montréal, Québec, Canada at 1500 Robert-Bourassa Blvd., 7 th Floor, H3A 3S8. The register of transfers of the Common Shares of the Corporation maintained by Computershare is located in the same office in Montreal.


ITEM 11 - MATERIAL CONTRACTS

The only material contracts entered into during the year ended December 31, 2014 or in prior years that are still in effect and filed on SEDAR and EDGAR, as required by applicable legislations, are :

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 10, 2011, amongst Cascades Inc., Cascades USA Inc., Cascades Europe SAS, The Bank of Nova Scotia as collateral agent and syndication agent, National Bank of Canada as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein, as lenders, as amended on August 30, 2012 and March 1, 2013 (the “Credit Agreement”). Upon the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement, the revolving and

 
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term credit facilities were consolidated into a new $750 million revolving credit facility maturing in February 2015, this maturity date having been extended to February 10, 2016.

Indenture dated December 23, 2009, amongst Cascades, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York, as trustee, pursuant to which Cascades issued 7⅞% Senior Notes due 2020, as amended by Supplemental Indentures dated September 2, 2011, November 18, 2011, April 13,2012, March 8, 2013 and March 16, 2015.

Indenture dated June 19, 2014, amongst Cascades, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, pursuant to which Cascades issued 5.50% senior notes due in 2022, as amended by Supplemental Indentures dated March 16, 2015.

Indenture dated June 19, 2014, amongst Cascades, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee, pursuant to which Cascades issued 5.50% Senior Notes due 2021, as amended by Supplemental Indentures dated March 16, 2015.

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Greenpac Holding LLC, as borrower, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec et Cascades USA Inc., as Lenders, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, as Agent to the Lenders, dated as of May 14, 2012.

Joint Venture Formation Agreement between Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL) and Cascades Canada ULC in respect of Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership relating to the integration of the Containerboard Group's Newfoundland and Moncton (New Brunswick) plants dated as of November 27, 2013. Filed on SEDAR only.

ITEM 12 - INTERESTS OF EXPERTS

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Partnership of chartered professional accountants (“PwC”), is the Independent Auditor of the Corporation who have prepared the Independent Auditor’s report dated March 12 , 2015 in respect of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes as at and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 . PwC has advised that they are independent with respect to the Corporation within the meaning of the Code of Ethics of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec.


ITEM 13 - AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

13.1      Composition and mandate

The Audit and Finance Committee (the “Committee”) is composed of Messrs Georges Kobrynsky, (Chair), James B.C. Doak and Laurence G. Sellyn. The Committee is governed by a charter which is attached to this AIF as Schedule A. The Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all directors, officers and employees. The Code is posted on Cascades’ website at www.cascades.com . All the members of the Committee are independent in accordance with the definition provided in section 1.4 of Multilateral Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities Administrators and are financially literate.




13.2      Relevant Education and Experience of the Members

The following describes the relevant education and experience of each member of the Committee that provides him with (a) an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Corporation to prepare its financial statements, (b) the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles, (c) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to those that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation’s financial statements or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities and (d) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.

 
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Annual Information Form

Name of Committee Member
Relevant Education and Experience
Georges Kobrynsky
Mr. Kobrynsky is a Director of companies and held the position of Senior Vice-President, Investments, Forest Products of the Société générale de financement du Québec from 2005 to 2010. He also held for more than 30 years, various senior positions at Domtar Inc. Mr. Kobrynsky is both financially and operationally literate and understands the breadth and complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised in the course of reviewing the Corporation’s financial statements. Mr. Kobrynsky is member of the Board of Directors of Supremex Inc.
James B.C. Doak
An economist, Mr. Doak has more than 20 years of experience as a chartered financial analyst and is a past President and Director of the Toronto CFA Society. He has been a Board member of several public companies, namely, PetroKazahstan Inc., Superior Propane Inc., and Spar Aerospace Inc. He has held senior positions with ScotiaMcLeod Inc., First Marathon Securities Ltd. and McLeod Young Weir Ltd., and was the founder of Enterprise Capital Management Inc., where he served as President from 1997 to 2002. He was President and Managing Director of Megantic Asset Management Inc., an investment company and is co-founder of Sui Generis Investments Partners, a Toronto-based investment company.
Laurence G. Sellyn
Mr. Sellyn is Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Gildan Activewear Inc. He served as Chief Financial Officer and other senior level corporate officer positions with long established Canadian public companies in a variety of industries. Mr. Sellyn is a U.K. chartered accountant and is both financially and operationally literate and understands the breadth and complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised in the course of reviewing the Corporation’s financial statements.

13.3      Independent Auditor Services Fees

The following table sets out the fees incurred and paid to the Independent Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Partnership of chartered professional accountants in Canadian dollars in the past two fiscal years for various services provided to the Corporation and its subsidiaries :

SERVICES
 
FEES

 
December 31, 2013

December 31, 2014

Audit Fees (1)
$
1,803,467


$1,665,094

Audit-Related Fees (2)
$
355,413


$557,936

Tax Fees (3)
$
188,299


$191,241

Other Fees (4)
N/A

N/A

Total
$
2,347,179


$2,414,271


(1)
Professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and audit of the annual financial
statements of the Corporation.
(2)    Professional services related to auditing as well as consultations on accounting and regulatory matters.
(3)    Professional services regarding compliance with income tax laws.
(4)    Various other services.


13.4      Policies and Procedures for the Engagement of Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Corporation’s Audit and Finance Committee has adopted a Pre-approval Policy and Procedures, as amended, for services provided by the Independent Auditor (the “Policy”) which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which permissible services proposed to be performed by the Independent Auditor are pre-approved. Under the terms of the Policy, services that involve annual fees of less than $25,000 up to an annual limit of $50,000 are pre-approved. The Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Committee pre-approval authority for any services not previously approved by the Committee that involve the payment of unbudgeted fees up to a maximum of $100,000 per mandate. Services that involve fees of more than $100,000 require pre-approval of all the members of the Committee.



 
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Annual Information Form

ITEM 14 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information, including Directors' and Senior Officers' remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the securities of Cascades and options to purchase securities, and interests of insiders in material transactions, if any, is contained in the Management Proxy Circular dated March 16 , 2015 for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.

Also, additional financial information pertaining to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 including Management’s Discussion and Analysis is presented in the Corporation’s 2014 Annual Report.

In addition, the following documents may be obtained, upon written request, from the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary:

(a)
When Cascades is in the course of a distribution of its securities pursuant to a short form prospectus or has filed a preliminary short form prospectus in respect of a proposed distribution of its securities:

i) one copy of the latest Annual Information Form of the Corporation, together with one copy of any document, or the pertinent pages of any document, incorporated by reference in the Annual Information Form;

ii) one copy of the latest Annual Report of the Corporation, a copy of the comparative financial statements of the Corporation for its most recently completed financial year for which financial statements have been filed together with the accompanying Independent Auditor’s report, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis and one copy of any interim financial statements of the Corporation that have been filed, if any, for any period after the end of its most recently completed financial year;

iii) one copy of the Corporation’s Management Proxy Circular in respect of its most recent Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that involved the election of Directors ; and

iv) one copy of any other documents which are incorporated by reference into the preliminary short form prospectus or the short form prospectus; or

(b)
at any other time, a copy of the documents referred to in a) i) to iii) above, may be obtained from the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, at the address indicated below, provided that the Corporation may require the payment of a reasonable fee if the request is made by a person or company who is not a security holder of Cascades.

Most of the above-mentioned information relating to the Corporation may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Corporation’s website at www.cascades.com .

Cascades Inc.
Corporate Secretariat
404 Marie-Victorin Blvd., P.O. Box 30
Kingsey Falls, Québec J0A 1B0
Telephone: (819) 363-5100
Telecopier: (819) 363-5127


 
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Annual Information Form

SCHEDULE A
CHARTER

OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CASCADES INC. (the « Corporation »)



1.    Purpose

The purpose of this charter is to describe the role of the Audit and Finance Committee (the « Committee ») as well as its duties and responsibilities delegated by the Board of Directors (« the Board »). The main duty of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the following issues:

the quality and integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements;

the enterprise risk management process;

accounting and financial reporting process;

systems of internal accounting and financial controls;

independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance;

internal audit function and process;

the Corporation’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relating to the Corporation’s financial statements;

fulfill any other responsibilities assigned to it from time to time by the Board.

2.    Division of responsibilities

In carrying out the duties of the Committee described in this charter, the members of the Committee recognize that its function is to oversee the Corporation’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board as well as to report its activities regularly to the Board. Management of the Corporation is responsible for the preparation, the presentation and the integrity of the Corporation’s financial statements and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

Management is responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies as well as internal controls and procedures that provide for compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent auditor is responsible for planning and carrying out audits of the Corporation’s annual and interim financial statements and annually auditing management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and other auditing procedures.

In performing their duties, the members of the Committee must have open and free discussions with the Board, the independent auditor, the internal auditor and management of the Corporation.


3.    Composition and organization

The Committee shall be composed of a minimum of three independent directors, as appointed by the Board at its first meeting following the annual shareholders meeting. Each member of the Committee shall satisfy the applicable independence and experience requirements of the laws governing the Corporation, the applicable stock exchanges on which the Corporation’s securities are listed and applicable securities regulatory authorities.

Each Committee member must be financially literate in accordance with applicable laws and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise, as determined by the Board.

The Committee will appoint one of its members as Chairman and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or the person designated as Secretary will be secretary for all meetings of the Committee and will keep minutes of the Committee’s deliberations.







 
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Annual Information Form

4.    Meetings and resources

The Committee shall meet at least four times a year, or more frequently if circumstances so dictate. By virtue of its mandate to foster open relations, the Committee shall also meet separately and in camera for discussions with the internal auditor, management and with the independent auditor, as required.

The Committee shall establish its own rules and procedures (subject to any specific guidelines from the Board) and shall meet at the place and in accordance with the terms prescribed by its rules. A quorum shall not be less than a majority of the members of the Committee.

The Chairman of the Committee determines the agenda for each meeting in consultation with the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary and the internal auditor. The agenda and supporting documentation are distributed to the members of the Committee within a reasonable timeframe prior to the meetings.

The Chairman of the Committee shall report quarterly and when required to the Board on the Committee’s activities and will make recommendations concerning all matters it deems necessary or appropriate.

The Committee shall at all times have free and open access to management, to the internal auditor and to the independent auditor in order to seek explanations or information on specific questions.

The Committee shall have the resources and the authority appropriate to carry out its duties, including the authority to retain, as it deems necessary, counsel and other external consultants and to set and pay their remuneration, without further Board approval.

In carrying out its duties and to meet its responsibilities, the Committee shall examine the books and relevant accounts of the Corporation, its divisions and its subsidiaries.

5.    Duties and responsibilities

In addition to, the above-mentioned responsibilities, the Committee shall address the following questions:

5.1     Financial reporting

Reviews the quality and integrity of the Corporation’s accounting and financial reporting system through discussions with management, the independent auditor and the internal auditor;

reviews with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements of the Corporation, including the information contained in management’s discussion and analysis, related press releases and the independent auditor’s report on the annual audited financial statements prior to public disclosure and filing with the Securities Regulatory Authorities;

reviews the unaudited interim financial statements, including management’s discussion and analysis for each interim period of the fiscal year and related press releases prior to public disclosure and filing with the Securities Regulatory Authorities;

reviews the financial information contained in prospectuses, offering memoranda, the annual information form and other reports that include audited or unaudited financial information submitted for approval by the Board;

reviews with the independent auditor and management, the quality, appropriateness and disclosure of the Corporation’s accounting principles and policies, the underlying assumptions and reporting practices, and any proposed changes thereto;

reviews financial analysis and other written communications prepared by management, the internal auditor or the independent auditor, setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the effects of alternative methods in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards («IFRS») on the financial statements;

verifies the compliance of management certification of financial reports with applicable legislation;

reviews important litigation and any regulatory or accounting initiatives that could have a material effect on the Corporation's s financial situation or operating results and the appropriateness of the disclosure thereof in the documents reviewed by the Committee;

reviews the results of the external audit, and any significant problems encountered in the performance of the audit, and management's response or action plan related to any Management Letter issued by the independent auditor.






 
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Annual Information Form

5.2
Risk management and internal control

periodically receives management’s report assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures and systems of internal control;

reviews insurance coverage for the Corporation annually and as may otherwise be appropriate;

monitors the capital structure of the Corporation and ensures that it has the capacity and the flexibility required to implement its strategic plan to meet the demands of debt repayment;

evaluates the effectiveness of the Corporation’s overall system of internal controls as well as the process of identifying and managing key risks;

examines the relevance of any form of financing where the total value of the indebtedness exceeds 5% of the net book value of the Corporation;

reviews significant capital costs and other major expenditures, related party transactions and any other transactions which could alter the Corporation’s financial or organizational structure, including off-balance sheet items;

periodically enquires as to the funding of the retirement plans as well as the investment management, the structure and performance of the retirement plans;

assists the Board in carrying out its responsibility for ensuring that the Corporation is compliant with applicable legal and regulatory requirements relating to the financial statements;

while ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, establishes procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including employee concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters.

periodically reviews with the Board, the internal auditors and the independent auditor of the Corporation and senior management, the Corporation’s antifraud program and practices.


5.3
Internal Audit Function

reviews with management, the internal audit staff qualifications and experience and, if required, recommends the appointment or replacement of the internal auditor;

regularly assesses the internal audit function’s performance, its responsibilities, its staffing, budget and the compensation of its members;

annually reviews the internal audit plan;

undertakes private discussions with the internal auditor to establish internal audit independence, the level of co-operation received from management, the degree of interaction with the independent auditor, and any unresolved differences of opinion or disputes.


5.4     Independent Auditor

recommends to the Board, the appointment of the independent auditor and, if appropriate, their removal (in both cases, subject to shareholder approval), evaluates and compensates them and assesses their qualifications, performance and independence;

ensures that as representatives of the shareholders, the independent auditor reports to the Committee and to the Board;

approves all audit services provided by the independent auditor and determines and approves in advance, non audit services provided, in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements;

discusses with the independent auditor the quality and not just the acceptability of the Corporation’s accounting principles, including: i) all critical accounting policies and practices used ; ii) any alternative treatments of financial information that have been discussed with management, the ramification of their use as well as iii) any other material written communications between the Corporation and the independent auditor, including any disagreement or unresolved differences of opinion between management and the independent auditor that could have an impact on the financial statements;

reviews at least once a year the independent auditor’s report stating all relationships the independent auditor has with the Corporation and confirming their independence, and holding discussions with the independent auditor as to any relationship or services that may impact the quality of the audit services, or their objectivity and independence;

reviews and approves policies for the Corporation’s hiring of partners and employees or former partners and employees of the independent auditor.

 
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Annual Information Form

5.5     Performance Evaluation of the Committee

prepares and reviews with the Board, an annual performance evaluation of the Committee and its members and assesses once a year, the adequacy of its mandate and, if required, makes recommendations to the Board.

Approved by the Board of Directors on March 12, 2014.


 
29
 

EXHIBIT 13.2
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CASCADES INC                             
March 12, 2015
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the management of Cascades Inc., and have been reviewed by the Audit and Finance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) and include certain estimates that reflect management’s best judgment.
The Management of the Corporation is also responsible for all other information included in this Annual Report and for ensuring that this information is consistent with the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and business activities.
The Management of the Corporation is responsible for the design, establishment and maintenance of appropriate internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, to ensure that financial statements for external purposes are fairly presented in conformity with IFRS. Such internal control systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance on the reliability of the financial information and the safeguarding of assets.
External and internal auditors have free and independent access to the Audit and Finance Committee, which comprises outside independent directors. The Audit Committee, which meets regularly throughout the year with members of management and the external and internal auditors, reviews the consolidated financial statements and recommends their approval to the Board of Directors.
The consolidated financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report is provided below.
Management of the Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Vice - President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.
Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting, as at December 31, 2014 based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the 1992 Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as at December 31, 2014.

 
/s/ Mario Plourde
MARIO PLOURDE
  
/s/ Allan Hogg
ALLAN HOGG
 
 
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
KINGSEY FALLS, CANADA
  
VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
KINGSEY FALLS, CANADA













 
1

 


INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CASCADES INC.

March 12, 2015

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Cascades Inc. and its subsidiaries, which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive income (loss), equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes, which comprise a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as Management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by Management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cascades Inc. and its subsidiaries as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and their financial performance and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1  
1  
FCPA auditor, FCA, public accountancy permit No. A108517


 
2

 


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
DECEMBER 31, 2014

DECEMBER 31, 2013

Assets



Current assets



Cash and cash equivalents

29

23

Accounts receivable
6 and 14
453

512

Current income tax assets

13

34

Inventories
7 and 14
462

543

Financial assets
26
1

2

Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale
5
72


 

1,030

1,114

Long-term assets



Investments in associates and joint ventures
8
259

261

Property, plant and equipment
9 and 14
1,573

1,684

Intangible assets with finite useful life
10
183

196

Financial assets
26
25

17

Other assets
11
83

108

Deferred income tax assets
17
185

118

Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful life
10
335

333

 

3,673

3,831

Liabilities and Equity



Current liabilities



Bank loans and advances

46

56

Trade and other payables
12
557

590

Current income tax liabilities

5

2

Current portion of long-term debt
14
40

39

Current portion of provisions for contingencies and charges
13
11

2

Current portion of financial liabilities and other liabilities
15 and 26
16

11

Liabilities of disposal group classified as held for sale
5
32


 

707

700

Long-term liabilities



Long-term debt
14
1,556

1,540

Provisions for contingencies and charges
13
33

37

Financial liabilities
26
45

39

Other liabilities
15
191

212

Deferred income tax liabilities
17
138

109

 

2,670

2,637

Equity attributable to Shareholders



Capital stock
18
483

482

Contributed surplus
19
18

17

Retained earnings

454

642

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
20
(62
)
(60
)
 

893

1,081

Non-controlling interest

110

113

Total equity

1,003

1,194

 

3,673

3,831

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Approved by the Board of Directors

/s/ Alain Lemaire
Alain Lemaire - DIRECTOR
/s/ Georges Kobrynsky
Georges Kobrynsky - DIRECTOR



 
3

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS)

(For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars, except per-share amounts and number of shares)
NOTE
2014

2013

Sales

3,561

3,370

Cost of sales and expenses



Cost of sales (including depreciation and amortization of $174 million; 2013 — $167 million)
21
3,063

2,863

Selling and administrative expenses
21
334

335

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
23

3

Impairment charges and restructuring costs
24
23

2

Foreign exchange gain

(2
)
(4
)
Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments
26
6

(5
)


3,424

3,194

Operating income

137

176

Financing expense
25
101

104

Interest expense on employee future benefits
25
6

8

Loss on refinancing of long-term debt
14
44


Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments

30

(2
)
Share of results of associates and joint ventures


3

Profit (loss) before income taxes

(44
)
63

Provision for income taxes
17
16

19

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations including non-controlling interest for the year

(60
)
44

Net loss from discontinued operations for the year
5
(83
)
(30
)
Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interest for the year

(143
)
14

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interest

4

3

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Shareholders for the year

(147
)
11

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per basic and diluted common share

$
(0.68
)
$
0.44

Net earnings (loss) per basic and diluted common share

$
(1.57
)
$
0.11

Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding

94,025,600

93,885,402

Weighted average number of diluted common shares

95,355,998

94,694,761





Net earnings (loss) attributable to Shareholders:



     Continuing operations

(64
)
41

     Discontinued operations
5
(83
)
(30
)
Net earnings (loss)

(147
)
11

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


 
4

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Net earnings (loss) including non-controlling interest for the year

(143
)
14

Other comprehensive income (loss)



Items that may be reclassified subsequently to earnings



Translation adjustments
20


Change in foreign currency translation of foreign subsidiaries

37

52

Change in foreign currency translation related to net investment hedging activities

(44
)
(30
)
Income taxes

6

4

Cash flow hedges
20


Change in fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts

3

(7
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps

(13
)
13

Change in fair value of commodity derivative financial instruments

(1
)
9

Income taxes

5

(6
)


(7
)
35

Items that are reclassified to retained earnings



Actuarial gain (loss) on post-employment benefit obligations
16
(39
)
97

Income taxes
17
11

(26
)


(28
)
71

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(35
)
106

Comprehensive income (loss) including non-controlling interest for the year

(178
)
120

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest for the year

(3
)
12

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Shareholders for the year

(175
)
108

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Shareholders:



Continuing operations

(84
)
110

Discontinued operations

(91
)
(2
)
Comprehensive income (loss)

(175
)
108

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


 
5

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

 
For the year ended December 31, 2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CAPITAL STOCK

CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS

RETAINED EARNINGS

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

TOTAL EQUITY

Balance - Beginning of year
482

17

642

(60
)
1,081

113

1,194

Comprehensive income (loss)








Net earnings (loss)


(147
)

(147
)
4

(143
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)


(26
)
(2
)
(28
)
(7
)
(35
)



(173
)
(2
)
(175
)
(3
)
(178
)
Dividends


(15
)

(15
)

(15
)
Stock options

1



1


1

Issuance of common shares
1




1


1

Balance - End of year
483

18

454

(62
)
893

110

1,003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CAPITAL STOCK

CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS

RETAINED EARNINGS

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

TOTAL EQUITY

Balance - Beginning of year
482

16

567

(87
)
978

116

1,094

Comprehensive income








Net earnings


11


11

3

14

Other comprehensive income


70

27

97

9

106




81

27

108

12

120

Dividends


(15
)

(15
)

(15
)
Stock options

1



1


1

Acquisition of non-controlling interest


9


9

(15
)
(6
)
Balance - End of year
482

17

642

(60
)
1,081

113

1,194

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


 
6

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Operating activities from continuing operations



Net earnings (loss) attributable to Shareholders for the year

(147
)
11

Net loss from discontinued operations for the year

83

30

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

(64
)
41

Adjustments for:



Financing expense and interest expense on employee future benefits
25
107

112

Loss on refinancing of long-term debt

44


Depreciation and amortization

174

167

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
23

3

Impairment charges and restructuring costs
24
21


Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments

6

(6
)
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments

30

(2
)
Provision for income taxes
17
16

19

Share of results of associates and joint ventures


3

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interest

4

3

Net financing expense paid

(73
)
(100
)
Premium paid on long-term debt refinancing

(31
)

Net income taxes received

14

5

Dividend received
8
15

12

Employee future benefits and others

(19
)
(26
)


244

231

Changes in non-cash working capital components
25
(13
)
5



231

236

Investing activities from continuing operations



Investments in associates and joint ventures


(32
)
Payments for property, plant and equipment

(178
)
(138
)
Proceeds on disposals of property, plant and equipment

7

12

Investments in intangible and other assets

(2
)
(15
)


(173
)
(173
)
Financing activities from continuing operations



Bank loans and advances

(3
)
(31
)
Change in revolving credit facilities

(154
)
76

Issuance of senior notes, net of related expenses
14
833


Repayment of senior notes
14
(740
)
(10
)
Increase in other long-term debt

23

14

Payments of other long-term debt

(50
)
(50
)
Settlement of derivative financial instruments


(14
)
Issuance of common shares
18
1


Acquisition of non-controlling interest


(19
)
Dividends paid to the Corporation's Shareholders
18
(15
)
(15
)


(105
)
(49
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year from continuing operations

(47
)
14

Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year from discontinued operations
5
54

(12
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents during the year

7

2

Currency translation on cash and cash equivalents

(1
)
1

Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of year

23

20

Cash and cash equivalents - End of year

29

23

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 


SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Corporation analyzes the performance of its operating segments based on their operating income before depreciation and amortization, which is not a measure of performance under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"); however, the chief operating decision-maker ("CODM") uses this performance measure to assess the operating performance of each reportable segment. Earnings for each segment are prepared on the same basis as those of the Corporation. Intersegment operations are recorded on the same basis as are sales to third parties, which are at fair market value. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Corporation’s accounting policies described in Note 2.

The Corporation's operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the CODM. The Chief Executive Officer has authority for resource allocation and management of the Corporation's performance, and is therefore the CODM.

The Corporation's operations are managed in four segments: Containerboard, Boxboard Europe, Specialty Products (which constitutes the Corporation's Packaging Products) and Tissue Papers.
 
 
SALES
For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Packaging Products



Containerboard

1,407

1,314

Boxboard Europe

873

837

Specialty Products

716

774

Discontinued operations of Containerboard
5
(226
)
(219
)
Discontinued operations of Boxboard Europe
5
(32
)
(51
)
Discontinued operations of Specialty Products
5
(148
)
(226
)
Intersegment sales

(49
)
(50
)


2,541

2,379

Tissue Papers

1,054

1,033

Intersegment sales and others

(34
)
(42
)
Total

3,561

3,370


 
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (OIBD)
For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Packaging Products



Containerboard

108

156

Boxboard Europe

50

30

Specialty Products

(4
)
32

Discontinued operations of Containerboard
5
56

1

Discontinued operations of Boxboard Europe
5
14

17

Discontinued operations of Specialty Products
5
30

3



254

239

Tissue Papers

95

150

Corporate

(38
)
(46
)
Operating income before depreciation and amortization

311

343

Depreciation and amortization

(174
)
(167
)
Financing expense and interest expense on employee future benefits

(107
)
(112
)
Loss on refinancing of long-term debt

(44
)

Foreign exchange gain (loss) on long-term debt and financial instruments

(30
)
2

Share of results of associates and joint ventures


(3
)
Profit (loss) before income taxes

(44
)
63



 
8

 


 
 
PAYMENTS FOR PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Packaging Products



Containerboard

34

44

Boxboard Europe

33

29

Specialty Products

19

22

Discontinued operations of Containerboard
5
(2
)
(4
)
Discontinued operations of Specialty Products
5
(1
)
(6
)


83

85

Tissue Papers

88

47

Corporate

8

15

Total acquisitions

179

147

Proceeds on disposals of property, plant and equipment

(7
)
(12
)
Capital-lease acquisitions and acquisitions included in other debts

(14
)
(4
)


158

131

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment included in ''Trade and other payables''



Beginning of year

33

28

End of year

(20
)
(33
)
Payments for property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposals

171

126


 
TOTAL ASSETS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2014

DECEMBER 31, 2013

Packaging Products


Containerboard
1,250

1,312

Boxboard Europe
637

712

Specialty Products
355

469


2,242

2,493

Tissue Papers
834

755

Corporate
414

358

Intersegment eliminations
(83
)
(46
)

3,407

3,560

Investments in associates and joint ventures
259

261

Other investments
7

10

Total assets
3,673

3,831






















 
9

 


Information by geographic segment is as follows:
For the years ended December 31 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Sales


Operations located in Canada


Within Canada
1,249

1,201

To the United States
509

488

Offshore
24

26


1,782

1,715

Operations located in the United States


Within the United States
839

779

To Canada
50

49

Offshore
1

2


890

830

Operations located in Italy


Within Italy
240

233

Other countries
146

137


386

370

Operations located in other countries


Within Europe
378

349

Other countries
125

106


503

455

Total
3,561

3,370


(in millions of Canadian dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2014

DECEMBER 31, 2013

Property, plant and equipment


Canada
845

1,015

United States
387

304

Italy
282

306

Other countries
59

59

Total
1,573

1,684

(in millions of Canadian dollars)
DECEMBER 31, 2014

DECEMBER 31, 2013

Goodwill, customer relationships and client lists, and other finite and indefinite useful life intangible assets


Canada
457

471

United States
54

50

Italy
7

8

Total
518

529







 
10

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2014
(Tabular amounts in millions of Canadian dollars, except per-share and option amounts and number of shares and options)


NOTE 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
Cascades Inc. and its subsidiaries (together “Cascades” or the “Corporation”) produce, convert and market packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. Cascades Inc. is incorporated and domiciled in Québec, Canada. The address of its registered office is 404 Marie-Victorin Boulevard, Kingsey Falls. Its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements on March 12, 2015 .


NOTE 2
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION OF SHIPPING EXPENSES
In 2014, the Corporation classifies shipping expenses of $ 33 million as Cost of sales. As a result of this classification, the Corporation has reclassified shipping expenses that were previously classified within Selling and administrative expenses under Cost of sales for the comparative period, resulting in a reclassification adjustment of $ 36 million as at December 31, 2013.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Corporation prepares its financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (‘‘GAAP’’) as set forth in Part 1 of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) Handbook – Accounting which incorporates International Financial Accounting Standards (‘‘IFRS’’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The key accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are described below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented, unless otherwise stated.

BASIS OF MEASUREMENT
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities, including derivative instruments which are measured at fair value.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation, which include:

A.
SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Corporation has power over decisions about relevant activities. The Corporation does not have any interest in a structured entity. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Corporation controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Corporation. They are deconsolidated from the date on which control ceases. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed, where necessary, to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Corporation. The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Corporation. Results of operations are consolidated commencing on the date of acquisition. The purchase consideration is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange. The transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition are expensed. Identifiable assets acquired, as well as liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination, are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any non-controlling interest. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the Corporation's share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the purchase consideration is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the consolidated statement of earnings. Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between subsidiaries are eliminated.







 
11

 


The following are the principal subsidiaries of the Corporation:

PERCENTAGE OWNED (%)
JURISDICTION
Cascades Canada ULC
100
Canada
Cascades Recovery Inc.
73
Canada
Cascades USA Inc.
100
Delaware
Cascades S.A.S. (France)
100
France
Cascades Europe S.A.S.
100
France
Reno de Medici S.p.A.
57.61
Italy

B.
TRANSACTIONS AND CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP
Acquisitions or disposals of equity interests that do not result in the Corporation obtaining or losing control are treated as equity transactions. When the Corporation obtains or loses control, the revaluation of the previously held interest or the non-controlling interest that results in gains or losses for the Corporation is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.

C.
ASSOCIATES
Associates are all entities over which the Corporation has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are initially recognized at cost. The Corporation's investment from associates includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment loss.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Corporation and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Corporation's interest in the associates. Accounting policies of associates have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Corporation. Dilution gains and losses arising in investments in associates are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The Corporation assesses, at each year-end, whether there is any objective evidence that its interest in associates is impaired. If impaired, the carrying value of the Corporation's share of the underlying assets of associates is written down to its estimated recoverable amount (being the higher of fair value less cost of disposal or value in use) and charged to the consolidated statement of earnings.

D.
JOINT VENTURES
A joint venture is an entity in which the Corporation holds a long-term interest and for which it shares joint control over decisions regarding relevant activities. The Corporation reports its interests in joint ventures using the equity method. Accounting policies of joint ventures have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Corporation.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Corporation recognizes its sales, which consist of product sales, when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Corporation, the goods are shipped and the significant risks and benefits of ownership are transferred, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Revenue is measured based on the price specified in the sales contract, net of discounts and estimated returns at the time of sale. Historical experience is used to estimate and provide for discounts and returns. Volume discounts are assessed based on anticipated annual sales.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when the Corporation becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired or have been transferred and the Corporation has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

CLASSIFICATION
The Corporation classifies its financial instruments in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, held to maturity ("HTM"), loans and receivables, available for sale ("AFS") and other liabilities. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired or issued. Management determines the classification of its financial assets and financial liabilities at initial recognition. Settlement date accounting is used by the Corporation for all financial assets.




 
12

 


A.
FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
A financial asset or financial liability is classified in this category if it is acquired principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the short term. Derivatives are also included in this category unless they are designated as hedges. Financial instruments in this category are recognized initially and subsequently at fair value. Transaction costs are expensed in the consolidated statement of earnings. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are presented in the consolidated statement of earnings in loss (gain) on acquisition, disposal and others in the period in which they arise. Financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are classified as current, except for the portion expected to be realized or paid beyond 12 months of the consolidated balance sheet date, which is classified as long-term.

B.
HELD TO MATURITY
HTM financial assets are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities, other than loans and receivables, AFS or fair value through profit or loss that the entity has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. These financial assets are measured at amortized cost. The Corporation has no HTM financial assets as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 .

C.
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS
AFS investments are non-derivative financial assets that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories. AFS investments are recognized initially at fair value plus transaction costs, and are subsequently carried at fair value. Gains or losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in the statement of other comprehensive income (loss). AFS investments are classified as long-term, unless the investment matures within 12 months, or Management expects to dispose of them within 12 months.

Interest on AFS investments, calculated using the effective interest method, is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings as part of financing expense. Dividends on AFS equity instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings as part of loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments when the Corporation's right to receive payment is established. When an AFS investment is sold or impaired, the accumulated gains or losses are moved from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statement of earnings and included in loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments.

D.
LOANS AND RECEIVABLES
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. The Corporation's loans and receivables comprise accounts receivable, notes receivable from business disposals, the Greenpac bridge loan and cash and cash equivalents. Loans and receivables are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequently, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method less a provision for impairment.

E.
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES AT AMORTIZED COST
Financial liabilities at amortized cost include bank loans and advances, trade and other payables, and long-term debt. Financial liabilities at amortized cost are initially recognized at the amount required to be paid, less, when material, a discount to reduce the payables to fair value. Subsequently, they are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. They are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within 12 months. Otherwise, they are presented as long-term liabilities.

IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
At each report date, the Corporation assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. If such evidence exists, the Corporation recognizes an impairment loss, as follows:

i)
Financial assets carried at amortized cost: The impairment loss is the difference between the amortized cost of the loan or receivable and the present value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted using the instrument's original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced by this amount either directly or indirectly through the use of an allowance account.
ii)
AFS financial assets: The impairment loss is the difference between the original cost of the asset and its permanent fair value decrease at the measurement date, less any impairment losses previously recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. This amount represents the cumulative loss in ''Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)'' that is reclassified to net earnings (loss).

Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortized cost are reversed in subsequent periods if the amount of the loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized. Impairment losses on AFS equity instruments are not reversed.







 
13

 


DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Corporation designates certain derivative financial instruments as either:

i)
hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge);
ii)
hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge); or
iii)
hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge).

The Corporation formally documents, at the inception of the transaction, the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. The Corporation also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a long-term asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as current assets or liabilities.

A.
CASH FLOW HEDGE
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in the statement of other comprehensive income (loss). The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the period when the hedged item affects profit or loss (for example, when the forecast sale that is hedged takes place). The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of interest rate swaps hedging variable rate borrowings is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings on the same line as the hedged item. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings as part of loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments. However, when the forecasted transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (for example, inventory or property, plant and equipment), the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognized in Cost of goods sold in the case of inventory or in Depreciation in the case of property, plant and equipment.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the consolidated statement of earnings.

B.
NET INVESTMENT HEDGE
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations are accounted for similarly to cash flow hedges. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized in the statement of other comprehensive income (loss). The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of earnings. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the consolidated statement of earnings when the foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, bank balances and short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable are initially recognized at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less a provision for doubtful accounts that is based on expected collectability.

INVENTORIES
Inventories of finished goods are valued at the lower of cost, determined by either average production cost or retail method, or net realizable value. Inventories of raw material and supplies are valued at the lower of cost or replacement value, which is the best available measure of their net realizable value. Cost of raw material and supplies is determined using the average cost and first-in, first-out methods respectively. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.


 
14

 


PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and net impairment losses, including interest incurred during the construction period of qualifying property, plant and equipment. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the consolidated statement of earnings during the period in which they are incurred. Residual values, method of depreciation and useful lives of the assets are reviewed annually and adjusted if appropriate. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis as follows:

Buildings                Between 20 and 33 years
Machinery and equipment        Between 7 and 20 years
Automotive equipment        Between 5 and 10 years
Other property, plant and equipment    Between 3 and 10 years

GRANTS AND INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS
Grants and investment tax credits for property, plant and equipment are accounted for using the cost reduction method and are amortized to earnings as a reduction of depreciation, using the same basis as that used to depreciate the related property, plant and equipment.

BORROWING COSTS
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until all the activities necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are complete. All other borrowing costs are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings in the period in which they are incurred.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships and client lists, application software and favourable leases. They are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses and amortized on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Customer relationships and client lists    Between 2 and 30 years
Other finite-life intangible assets    Between 2 and 20 years
Application software    Between 3 and 10 years
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)     7 years
Favourable leases    Term of the lease

Expenditure on research activities is recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

IMPAIRMENT

A.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH FINITE USEFUL LIFE
At the end of each reporting period, the Corporation assesses whether there is an indicator that the carrying amount of an asset or a group of assets may be higher than its recoverable amount. For that purpose, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows (cash generating units (CGUs)).

When the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recorded immediately in the consolidated statement of earnings in the line item Impairment charges and restructuring costs. Impairment losses are evaluated for potential reversals when events or changes in circumstances warrant such consideration. The revalued carrying value is the lower of the estimated recoverable amount and the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized and depreciation had been taken previously on the asset or CGU. A reversal of impairment loss is recorded directly in the consolidated statement of earnings in the line item Impairment charges and restructuring costs.

B.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH INDEFINITE USEFUL LIFE
Goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are recognized at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. They have an indefinite useful life due to their permanent nature since they are acquired rights or not subject to wear and tear. They are reviewed for impairment annually on December 31 or when an event or a circumstance occurs and indicates that the value could be permanently impaired. Goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are allocated to CGUs for the purpose of impairment testing based on the level at which Management monitors it, which is not higher than an operating segment. The allocation is made to CGUs that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life arose. Impairment loss on goodwill is not reversed.




 
15

 


C.
RECOVERABLE AMOUNTS
A recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less cost of disposal or value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. When determining fair value less cost of disposal, the Corporation considers if there is a market price for the asset being evaluated. Otherwise, the Corporation uses the income approach.

LEASES
Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statement of earnings on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

The Corporation leases certain property, plant and equipment. Leases of property, plant and equipment for which the Corporation has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalized at the lease's commencement at the lower of the fair value of the leased property or the present value of the minimum lease payments. Property, plant and equipment acquired under a finance lease are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term using the straight-line method. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and the financing expense so as to achieve a constant rate on the finance balance outstanding. The corresponding rental obligations, net of financing expense, are included in long-term debt.

PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND CHARGES
Provisions for contingencies include mainly legal and other claims. A provision is recognized when the Corporation has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event and it is probable that settlement of the obligation will require a financial payment or cause a financial loss, and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made.

If some or all of the expenditure required to settle a provision is expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as a separate asset, but only if it is virtually certain that the reimbursement will be received.

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as a financing expense.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
An obligation to incur restoration and environmental costs arises when environmental disturbance is caused by the development or ongoing production of a plant or landfill site. Such costs arising from the installation of a plant and other site preparation work are provided for and capitalized at the start of each project, or as soon as the obligation to incur such costs arises. Decommissioning costs are recorded at the estimated amount at which the obligation could be settled at the consolidated balance sheet date, and are charged against profit over the life of the operation, through the depreciation of the asset and the unwinding of the discount on the provision. The discount rate is the pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. Costs for restoring subsequent site damage which is created on an ongoing basis during production are provided for at their present values and charged against profit as the obligation arises.

Changes in the measurement of a liability relating to the decommissioning of a plant or other site preparation work which result from changes in the estimated timing or amount of the cash flow, or a change in the discount rate, are added to, or deducted from, the cost of the related asset in the current year. If a decrease in the liability exceeds the carrying amount of the asset, the excess is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of earnings. If the asset value is increased and there is an indication that the revised carrying value is not recoverable, an impairment test is performed in accordance with the accounting policy for impairment testing.

LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt is recognized initially at fair value, net of financing costs incurred. Long-term debt is subsequently carried at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings over the period of the term of the debt using the effective interest method.

Financing costs paid on establishment of the revolving credit facility are recognized as deferred financing costs and amortized on a straight-line basis over the anticipated period of the credit facility.





 
16

 


EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Corporation offers funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and group registered retirement savings plans (RRSP) that provide retirement benefit payments for most of its employees. The defined benefit pension plans are usually contributory and are based on the number of years of service and, in most cases the average salaries or compensation at the end of a career. Retirement benefits are not adjusted based on inflation. The Corporation also offers its employees some post-employment benefit plans, such as a retirement allowance, group life insurance and medical and dental plans. However, these benefits, other than pension plans, are not funded. Furthermore, the medical and dental plans upon retirement are being phased out and are no longer offered to the majority of the new retirees, and the retirement allowance is not offered to those who do not meet certain criteria.

The liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated at least every three years by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method, and updated regularly by management for any material transactions and changes in circumstances, including changes in market prices and interest rates up to the end of the reporting period.

As well, when an asset is recorded for a pension plan, its carrying value cannot be greater than the future economic benefit that the Corporation will get from the asset. The future economic benefit includes the suspension of contribution if the pension plan provisions allows for it under the minimum funding requirements. When there is a minimum funding requirement, it can increase the liability recorded. All special contributions legally required to fund a plan deficit are considered. For plans for which an actuarial evaluation is required as at December 31, 2014, a schedule of contributions is estimated to establish the minimum funding requirement. For other plans, we have used contributions from the most recent actuarial report.

Actuarial gains and losses that arise in calculating the present value of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets are recorded in the statement of other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized immediately in retained earnings without recycling to the consolidated statement of earnings. Past service costs are recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of earnings.

When restructuring a plan results in a curtailment and settlement occurring at the same time, the curtailment is accounted for before the settlement.

Interest costs on pension and other post-employment benefits are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings as Interest expense on employee future benefits. The measurement date of the employee future benefit plans is December 31 of each year. An actuarial evaluation is performed at least every three years. Based on their balances as at December 31, 2014 , 100 % of the plans were evaluated on December 31, 2013 ( 45 % in 2012) .

INCOME TAXES
The Corporation uses the liability method to recognize deferred income taxes. According to this method, deferred income taxes are determined using the difference between the accounting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates at the consolidated balance sheet date that are expected to apply when the deferred income taxes are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred income tax assets are recognized when it is probable that the asset will be realized.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Corporation's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the "functional currency"). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is Cascades' functional currency.

A.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the business unit's functional currency are recorded at the rate of exchange prevailing at the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the consolidated balance sheet date. Unrealized gains and losses on translation of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year.

B.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into Canadian dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the consolidated balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. Translation gains or losses are deferred and included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 
17

 


SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
The Corporation uses the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation awards granted to officers and key employees. This method consists in recording expenses to earnings based on the vesting period of each tranche of options granted. The fair value of each tranche is calculated based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. When stock options are exercised, any considerations paid by employees, as well as the related stock-based compensation, are credited to capital stock.

DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION
Dividend distribution to the Corporation's Shareholders is recognized as a liability in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Corporation's Board of Directors.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic earnings per common share are determined using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are determined by adjusting the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for dilutive instruments, which are primarily stock options, using the treasury stock method to evaluate the dilutive effect of stock options. Under this method, instruments with a dilutive effect, which is when the average market price of a share for the period exceeds the exercise price, are considered to have been exercised at the beginning of the period and the proceeds received are considered to have been used to redeem common shares of the Corporation at the average market price for the period.


NOTE 3
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY AND DISCLOSURES

A) NEW IFRS ADOPTED

IFRS 7 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURES
IFRS 7 requires disclosure of both gross and net information about financial instruments eligible for offset in the balance sheet and financial instruments subject to master netting arrangements. Concurrent with the amendments to IFRS 7, the IASB also amended IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation to clarify the existing requirements for offsetting financial instruments in the balance sheet. The amendments to IAS 32 were effective as of January 1, 2014. The Corporation evaluated this standard and there is no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

B) RECENT IFRS PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

IFRS 15 — REVENUE RECOGNITION
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. IFRS 15 replaces all previous revenue recognition standards, including IAS 18 - Revenue, and related interpretations such as IFRIC 13 - Customer Loyalty Programs. The standard sets out the requirements for recognizing revenue. Specifically, the new standard introduces a comprehensive framework with the general principle being that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard introduces more prescriptive guidance than was included in previous standards and may result in changes in classification and disclosure in addition to changes in the timing of recognition for certain types of revenues. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. At this time, the Corporation is reviewing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In July 2014, the IASB released the final version of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. This standard addresses classification and measurement of financial assets and replaces the multiple category and measurement models for debt instruments in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, with a new mixed measurement model having only two categories: amortized cost and fair value through profit or loss. IFRS 9 also replaces the models for measuring equity instruments, and such instruments are recognized either at fair value through profit or loss or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Where such equity instruments are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, dividends are recognized in profit or loss insofar as they do not clearly represent a return on investment; however, other gains and losses (including impairments) associated with such instruments remain in accumulated comprehensive income indefinitely. Requirements for financial liabilities carry forward existing requirements in IAS 39, except that fair value changes due to credit risk for liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss would generally be recorded in the statement of other comprehensive income. It also includes guidance on hedge accounting. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with earlier application permitted. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 
18

 


NOTE 4
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and disclosure of contingencies at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On a regular basis and with the information available, Management reviews its estimates, including those related to environmental costs, employee future benefits, collectability of accounts receivable, financial instruments, contingencies, income taxes, useful life and residual value of property, plant and equipment and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. When adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the period in which they occur.

A. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
In determining the recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU, the Corporation uses several key assumptions, based on external information on the industry when available, and including estimated production levels, selling prices, volume, raw material costs, foreign exchange rates, growth rates, discounting rates and capital spending.

The Corporation believes its assumptions are reasonable. Based on available information at the assessment date, however these assumptions involve a high degree of judgment and complexity. Management believes that the following assumptions are the most susceptible to change and therefore could impact the valuation of the assets in the next year.

DESCRIPTION OF SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT TESTING ASSUMPTIONS (see Notes 5 and 24)

GROWTH RATES
The assumptions used were based on the Corporation's internal budget. Revenues, operating margins and cash flows were projected for a period of five years, and a perpetual long-term growth rate was applied thereafter. In arriving at its forecasts, the Corporation considered past experience, economic trends such as gross domestic product growth and inflation, as well as industry and market trends.

DISCOUNT RATES
The Corporation assumed a discount rate in order to calculate the present value of its projected cash flows. The discount rate represents a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC") for comparable companies operating in similar industries of the applicable CGU, group of CGUs or reportable segment, based on publicly available information.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
Foreign exchange rates are determined using the financial institutions' average forecast for the first two years of forecasting. For the three following years, the Corporation uses the last five years' historical average of the foreign exchange rate. Terminal rate is based on historical data of the last 20 years and adjusted to reflect management best estimate.

Considering the sensitivity of the key assumptions used, there is measurement uncertainty since adverse changes in one or a combination of the Corporation's key assumptions could cause a significant change in the carrying amounts of these assets.

B. INCOME TAXES
The Corporation is required to estimate the income taxes in each jurisdiction in which it operates. This includes estimating a value for existing tax losses based on the Corporation's assessment of its ability to use them against future taxable income before they expire. If the Corporation's assessment of its ability to use the tax losses proves inaccurate in the future, more or less of the tax losses might be recognized as assets, which would increase or decrease the income tax expense and, consequently, affect the Corporation's results in the relevant year.

C. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.




 
19

 


The cost of pensions and other retirement benefits earned by employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method pro-rated on years of service and Management's best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalations, retirement ages of employees and expected healthcare costs. The accrued benefit obligation is evaluated using the market interest rate at the evaluation date. Due to the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. All assumptions are reviewed annually.

CRITICAL JUDGMENTS IN APPLYING THE CORPORATION'S ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS
Significant judgment is applied in assessing whether certain investment structures result in control, joint control or significant influence over the operations of the investment. Management's assessment of control, joint control or significant influence over an investment will determine the accounting treatment for the investment.The Corporation has a 59.7% interest in an associate ("Greenpac"). Greenpac's Shareholders agreement requires a majority of 80% for all decision-making related to relevant activities. Consequently, the Corporation does not have the power over relevant activities of Greenpac and its participation is accounted for as an associate.


NOTE 5
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSAL

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Containerboard Group
On December 11, 2014, the Containerboard Group announced that it had reached an agreement for the sale of its boxboard activities in North America to Graphic Packaging Holding Company for $45 million. The sale was completed on February 4, 2015. Following the announcement, impairment charges of $2 million on intangible assets, $23 million on property, plant and equipment and $6 million on spare parts were recorded.

In the second quarter of 2014, the Containerboard Group had reviewed the recoverable value of one boxboard mill and recorded impairment charges of $ 12 million on property, plant and equipment and $ 5 million on spare parts. In the same quarter, we also recorded impairment charges of $ 16 million on notes receivable related to the 2011 disposal of our U.S. boxboard activities.

In the third quarter of 2014, the Containerboard Group sold a building in connection with a closed plant and recorded a gain of $ 1 million. Also during the third quarter, in connection with our boxboard plants sold in 2011, we recorded a loss of $ 2 million related to an onerous lease contract following the bankruptcy of Fusion Paperboard.

The operating results and cash flows from these activities are presented as discontinued operations and prior periods have been restated.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Results of the discontinued operations of North American boxboard activities


Sales, net of intercompany transactions
226

219

Cost of sales and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), net of intercompany transactions
207

209

Depreciation and amortization
6

7

Selling and administrative expenses
11

12

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
1


Impairment charges and restructuring costs
64


Foreign exchange gain
(1
)
(1
)
Operating loss
(62
)
(8
)
Financing expense

(1
)
Interest expense on employee future benefits

1

Recovery of income tax
(18
)
(2
)
Net loss from discontinued operations
(44
)
(6
)

(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Net cash flow of discontinued operations of North American boxboard activities


Cash flow from (used for):




Operating activities
9

(10
)
Investing activities

(2
)
Total
9

(12
)

 
20

 


ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF DISPOSAL GROUP CLASSIFIED AS HELD FOR SALE
 
BUSINESS SEGMENT
CONTAINERBOARD GROUP

 
 
North American Boxboard Activities

(in millions of Canadian dollar)

Accounts receivables
25

Inventories
25

Property, plant and equipment
19

Other assets
3

Total assets
72

 

Trade and other payables
25

Other liabilities
7

Total liabilities
32

Net assets classified as held for sale
40

Estimated selling price adjustment related to pension plan deficit as at December 31, 2014
4

Estimated selling price adjustment related to working capital balance as at December 31, 2014
1

Base selling price as per agreement
45


Boxboard Europe Group
On June 15, 2014, following the announcement made in 2013, we definitively ceased the operation of our virgin boxboard mill located in Sweden. Following the closure, we recorded an impairment charge of $ 4 million on spare parts and severances of $ 7 million. An environmental provision of $ 1 million was recorded as well.

In 2013, the Djupafors mill recorded severances totaling $ 1  million in relation to consolidation of its virgin boxboard activities in Djupafors, Sweden. The mill also recorded an impairment charge of $ 10  million on property, plant and equipment. This impairment charge was recorded due to sustained difficult market conditions which led to insufficient profitability. The recoverable amount was based on the selling price of assets as it was higher than the income approach.

The operating results and cash flows from this activity are presented as discontinued operations and prior periods have been restated.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Results of the discontinued operations of Swedish virgin boxboard activities


Sales, net of intercompany transactions
32

51

Cost of sales and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), net of intercompany transactions
32

54

Depreciation and amortization

1

Selling and administrative expenses
2

3

Impairment charges and restructuring costs
12

11

Net loss from discontinued operations
(14
)
(18
)

(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Net cash flow of the discontinued operations of Swedish virgin boxboard activities


Cash flow from (used for):




Operating activities
3

(7
)

Specialty Product Group
On June 30, 2014, we sold our fine papers activities of the Specialty Products Group to Les Entreprises Rolland, a subsidiary of H.I.G. Capital, for a cash consideration of $39 million, before transaction fees of $1 million, of which $37 million was received on closing and $2 million during the third quarter. During the third quarter, the Corporation recorded and paid a preliminary working capital adjustment of $2 million. The transaction is still subject to working capital adjustment as of December 31, 2014. A loss on disposal of $43 million was recorded in 2014.





 
21

 


On September 26, 2014, we ceased the operation of our kraft papers manufacturing activities of the Specialty Product Group located in East Angus, Québec. The closure was announced on July 9, 2014, and an impairment charge of $2 million on spare parts and restructuring costs of $4 million were recorded in the second quarter. At the same time, a curtailment gain of $9 million was recorded on the pension plan. In the fourth quarter, we recorded $1 million of closure costs for the mill.

In 2013, the recoverable amount of the East Angus mill had been reviewed and impairment charges of $16 million on property, plant and equipment and $4 million on spare parts were recorded. The strength of the Canadian dollar over the last few years combined with lower demand reduced profitability. The recoverable amount was based on the selling prices of assets as it was higher than the income approach.

The operating results and cash flows from these activities, which constituted the specialty papers sectors, are presented as discontinued operations and prior periods have been restated.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Results of the discontinued operations of specialty papers sector


Sales, net of intercompany transactions
148

226

Cost of sales and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), net of intercompany transactions
128

194

Depreciation and amortization
3

7

Selling and administrative expenses
9

15

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
43


Impairment charges and restructuring costs
(2
)
20

Operating loss
(33
)
(10
)
Interest expense on employee future benefits
1

3

Recovery of income tax
(9
)
(5
)
Net loss from discontinued operations
(25
)
(8
)

(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Net cash flow of discontinued operations of specialty papers sector


Cash flow from (used for):




Operating activities
7

13

Investing activities
35

(6
)
Total
42

7


Corporate activities
In 2013, in Corporate activities, we also reversed a $ 2  million provision for which we retained liability following the Dopaco sale in 2011 as it did not materialize.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Condensed net loss from discontinued operations
(83
)
(30
)
Condensed net loss from discontinued operations per common share




Basic and diluted
$
(0.89
)
$
(0.33
)


















 
22

 


DISPOSAL OF THE FINE PAPERS ACTIVITIES

Assets and liabilities of the fine papers activities at the time of disposal were as follows:
 
BUSINESS SEGMENT
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS GROUP

 
 
Fine Papers Activities

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

Accounts receivables
26

Inventories
33

Property, plant and equipment
62

Other assets
9

 
 
130

 

Trade and other payables
30

Provisions for contingencies and charges
1

Other liabilities
23

 
 
54

 
 
76

Loss on disposal before tax and transaction fees
(42
)
Transaction fees
(1
)
Non-cash provision for working capital adjustment
3

Total consideration received
36



NOTE 6
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

2014

2013

Accounts receivable - Trade

416

458

Receivables from related parties
28

19

20

Less: provision for doubtful accounts

(12
)
(13
)
Trade receivables - net

423

465

Provisions for volume rebates

(31
)
(27
)
Other

61

74

 

453

512


As of December 31, 2014 , trade receivables of $ 99  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 155  million) were past due but not impaired. The aging of these trade receivables at each reporting date is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Past due 1-30 days
72

118

Past due 31-60 days
14

23

Past due 61-90 days
9

9

Past due 91 days and over
4

5

 
99

155


Movements in the Corporation's allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Balance at beginning of year
13

12

Provision for doubtful accounts, net of unused beginning balance
4

4

Receivables written off during the year as uncollectable
(4
)
(3
)
Business disposals
(1
)

Balance at end of year
12

13



 
23

 


The change in the provision for doubtful accounts has been included in Selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date approximates the carrying value of each class of receivable mentioned above.


NOTE 7
INVENTORIES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Finished goods
218

254

Raw material
99

128

Supplies and spare parts
145

161

 
462

543


As at December 31, 2014 , finished goods, raw material and supplies and spare parts were adjusted to net realizable value ("NRV") by $ 7  million, nil   and $ 1 million, respectively (December 31, 2013 - $ 5  million, nil, $ 2  million). As at December 31, 2014 , the carrying amount of inventory carried at net realizable value consisted of $ 19  million in finished goods inventory, nil  in raw material inventory and nil  million in supplies and spare parts (December 31, 2013 - $ 22  million, nil and $ 4  million).

The Corporation has sold all the goods that were written down in 2013 . No reversal of previously written-down inventory occurred in 2014 nor in 2013 . The cost of raw material and supplies and spare parts included in Cost of sales amounted to $ 1,405  million ( 2013 - $ 1,268  million).


NOTE 8
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

A.
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES ARE DETAILED AS FOLLOWS:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Investments in associates
217

230

Investments in joint ventures
42

31

 
259

261


Investments in associates and joint ventures as at December 31, 2014 , include goodwill of $ 49  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 20  million).

B.
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
The following are the principal associates of the Corporation:
 
PERCENTAGE OF EQUITY OWNED (%)
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
PRINCIPAL ESTABLISHMENT
Boralex Inc.
34.23
Note 1
Kingsey Falls, Canada
Greenpac Holding LLC
59.7
Note 2
Niagara Falls, United States
1 Boralex Inc., is a Canadian public corporation and a major electricity producer whose core business is the development and operation of power stations that generate renewable
energy, with operations in Canada, the northeastern United States and France.
2 Greenpac Holding LLC is an American corporation that manufactures a light-weight linerboard made with 100% recycled fibres.













 
24

 


The Corporation's financial information from its principal associates (100%) is as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
BORALEX INC.

GREENPAC HOLDING LLC

BORALEX INC.

GREENPAC HOLDING LLC

Balance sheet








Cash and cash equivalents
75

56

125

13

Current assets
158

114

193

70

Current financial assets
1




Long-term assets
1,756

504

1,229

479

Long-term financial assets
3




Current liabilities
59

47

60

33

Current financial liabilities
206

41

99

5

Long-term liabilities
61


50


Long-term financial liabilities
1,256

341

828

338

 








Statements of earnings (loss)








Sales
193

246

169

58

Depreciation and amortization
60

24

54

9

Financing expense
58

25

51

11

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
(1
)

1


Net earnings (loss)
(11
)
(4
)
(4
)
(18
)
 








Other comprehensive income (loss)








Translation adjustment
(2
)
(2
)
18


Cash flow hedges
(28
)
(10
)
25

(10
)
Available for sale asset


1


 
(30
)
(12
)
44

(10
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
(41
)
(16
)
40

(28
)
 








Cash flow








Dividend received from associates
7





Investment in Boralex Inc. has a fair value of $ 169 million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $ 142  million).

C.
INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURES
The following are the principal joint ventures of the Corporation and the Corporation's percentage of equity owned:
 
PERCENTAGE EQUITY OWNED (%)
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP
PRINCIPAL ESTABLISHMENT
Cascades Sonoco Inc.
50
Note 1
Birmingham and Tacoma, United States
Cascades Conversion Inc.
50
Note 1
Kingsey Falls, Canada
Converdis Inc.
50
Note 1
Berthierville, Canada
Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership (MPPLP)
40
Note 2
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
1 The joint ventures all produce specialty paper packaging products such as headers, rolls and wrappers.
2 MPPLP is a Canadian corporation converting containerboard.












 
25

 


The Corporation's joint ventures information (100%) is as follows:

2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CASCADES SONOCO INC.

CASCADES CONVERSION INC.

CONVERDIS INC.

MARITIME PAPER PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

Balance sheet




Cash and cash equivalents
4

1



Current assets
25

14

6

24

Long-term assets
12

26

5

34

Current liabilities
6

3

2


Current financial liabilities
2

1


19

Long-term liabilities
3

2

1

6

Long-term financial liabilities



4

 




Statement of earnings (loss)




Sales
104

62

23

86

Depreciation and amortization
2

1


2

Provision for income taxes
3

2



Net earnings (loss)
7

6

1

(4
)
 




Other comprehensive income (loss)




Translation adjustment
3




Total comprehensive income (loss)
10

6

1

(4
)
 




Cash flow




Dividend received from joint ventures
3

3




2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CASCADES SONOCO INC.

CASCADES CONVERSION INC.

CONVERDIS INC.

Balance sheet



Cash and cash equivalents
4

2


Current assets
20

17

5

Long-term assets
12

21

5

Current liabilities
4

5

2

Current financial liabilities
3



Long-term liabilities
3

2

1

 



Statement of earnings



Sales
97

62

24

Depreciation and amortization
1

1


Provision for income taxes
3

2


Net earnings
7

6

1

 



Other comprehensive income



Translation adjustment
1



Total comprehensive income
8

6

1

 



Cash flow



Dividend received from joint ventures
6

3



There are no contingent liabilities relating to the Corporation's interest in the joint ventures, and no contingent liabilities of the ventures themselves.




 
26

 


D.
SUBSIDIARIES WITH NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
The Corporation's information for its subsidiaries with significant non-controlling interest is as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted)
RENO DE MEDICI S.p.A.

NORCAN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

CASCADES RECOVERY INC.

RENO DE MEDICI S.p.A.

NORCAN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

CASCADES RECOVERY INC.

Principal establishment
Milan, Italy

Mississauga, Canada

Toronto, Canada

Milan, Italy

Mississauga, Canada

Toronto, Canada

% of shares held by non-controlling interest
42.39
%
37.9
%
27
%
42.39
%
43.54
%
27
%
Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
5

(3
)
2

3

(1
)
1

Non-controlling interest accumulated at the end of the year
83

(1
)
28

85

2

26

 












Subsidiaries financial information












Assets
508

10

132

559

18

124

Liabilities
313

12

39

360

13

39

Net earnings (loss)
6

(4
)
6

3

(1
)
3

Cash flows from operating activities
37


16

37

1

16

Cash flows from investing activities
(20
)

(9
)
(17
)

(5
)
Cash flows from financing activities
(17
)

(2
)
(21
)
(1
)
(16
)

In 2010 , the Corporation entered into a put and call agreement with Industria E Innovazione (“Industria”) whereby it had the option to buy 9.07 % ( 100 % of the shares held by Industria) of the shares of Reno de Medici (RdM) for € 0.43 per share between March 1, 2011 and December 31, 2012 . Industria also had the option of requiring the Corporation to purchase its shares for € 0.41 per share between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 . As the put option held by Industria became effective on January 1, 2013 , the non-controlling interest has been adjusted by 9.07 % effective January 1, 2013 , to 42.39 %.

E.
NON-SIGNIFICANT ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
The carrying value of investments in associates and joint ventures that are not significant, for the Corporation is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Non-significant associates
13

13

Non-significant joint ventures
8

7

 
21

20


The shares of results of non-significant associates and joint ventures, for the Corporation are as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Non-significant associates

1

Non-significant joint ventures
2

(2
)
 
2

(1
)

The Corporation received dividends of $ 2 million from these associates and joint ventures as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $ 3 million).

F.
CONTRIBUTION TO A JOINT VENTURE
On January 31, 2014, the Corporation concluded the creation of Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership (MPPLP), a new joint venture for converting corrugated board activities in the Atlantic provinces with Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL), announced on November 27, 2013. The creation of this joint venture will position our Containerboard Group to achieve future growth in the Atlantic provinces and to remain at the forefront in this market, by offering an improved and more comprehensive range of products to its customers. Furthermore, the creation of MPPLP aims to provide customers with better service through the combined strengths of our Containerboard Group and MPPL. 

Our containerboard operations located in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Moncton, New Brunswick, were integrated with those of MPPL on February 1, 2014, and the Corporation received a 40% ownership in the joint venture. This transaction resulted in a gain of $5 million and non interest-bearing notes receivable totaling $4 million to be received over a 7-year period.

 
27

 


Net asset contribution and investment in joint venture:

BUSINESS SEGMENT
CONTAINERBOARD

 
Joint venture created
Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership (MPPLP)

(in millions of Canadian dollar)

Book value of identifiable assets and liabilities contributed:

Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
(4
)
Inventories
(3
)
Property, plant and equipment
(5
)
Total assets
(12
)
Accounts payable
3

Net assets contributed
(9
)
 


Fair value of share in the joint venture
14

Notes receivable from MPPLP
4

Total consideration received
18

Total gain
9

Deferred gain on equity already owned
(4
)
Net gain recorded on the transaction
5

 
 


Net investment on balance sheet:


Fair value of share in the joint venture
14

Deferred gain on share already owned
(4
)
 
10


 
28

 


NOTE 9
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

LAND

BUILDINGS

MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT

OTHER

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2013







Cost

104

681

2,764

78

225

3,852

Accumulated depreciation and impairment


273

1,757

57

106

2,193

Net book amount

104

408

1,007

21

119

1,659

Year ended December 31, 2013







Opening net book amount

104

408

1,007

21

119

1,659

Additions

3

8

51

11

84

157

Disposals



(8
)

(2
)
(10
)
Depreciation


(25
)
(123
)
(7
)
(9
)
(164
)
Impairment charges
5 and 24

(2
)
(13
)


(1
)
(16
)
Other


10

68


(76
)
2

Exchange differences

4

11

37


4

56

Closing net book amount

109

399

1,032

25

119

1,684

As at December 31, 2013







Cost

111

721

2,831

84

215

3,962

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

2

322

1,799

59

96

2,278

Net book amount

109

399

1,032

25

119

1,684

Year ended December 31, 2014







Opening net book amount

109

399

1,032

25

119

1,684

Additions

1

7

17

16

141

182

Disposals


(2
)
(1
)

(7
)
(10
)
Depreciation


(26
)
(128
)
(7
)
(5
)
(166
)
Business disposal
5

(1
)
(17
)
(42
)
(1
)
(1
)
(62
)
Contribution to a joint venture
8


(2
)
(3
)


(5
)
Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale
5


(8
)
(9
)
(1
)
(1
)
(19
)
Impairment charges
5 and 24

(2
)
(2
)
(46
)


(50
)
Other

1

16

141

1

(156
)
3

Exchange differences

(1
)
3

6


8

16

Closing net book amount

107

368

967

33

98

1,573

As at December 31, 2014







Cost

110

681

2,554

93

195

3,633

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

3

313

1,587

60

97

2,060

Net book amount

107

368

967

33

98

1,573


Other property, plant and equipment includes buildings and machinery and equipment in the process of construction or installation with a book value of $ 63  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 60  million) and deposits on purchases of equipment amounting to $ 7  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 10  million). The carrying value of finance-lease assets is $ 18  million.

In 2014 , $ 1  million of interest incurred on qualifying assets was capitalized. The weighted average capitalization rate on funds borrowed in 2014 was 5.74 %.



 
29

 


NOTE 10
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

APPLICATION SOFTWARE AND ERP

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND CLIENT LISTS

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH FINITE USEFUL LIFE

TOTAL INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH FINITE USEFUL LIFE

GOODWILL

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH INDEFINITE USEFUL LIFE

TOTAL INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH INDEFINITE USEFUL LIFE

As at January 1, 2013








Cost

81

179

41

301

329

7

336

Accumulated amortization and impairment

19

53

29

101


1

1

Net book amount

62

126

12

200

329

6

335

Year ended December 31, 2013








Opening net book amount

62

126

12

200

329

6

335

Additions

15



15




Impairment charges
24


(2
)

(2
)
(4
)

(4
)
Amortization

(4
)
(11
)
(3
)
(18
)



Exchange differences


1


1

1

1

2

Closing net book amount

73

114

9

196

326

7

333

As at December 31, 2013








Cost

97

180

41

318

330

8

338

Accumulated amortization and impairment

24

66

32

122

4

1

5

Net book amount

73

114

9

196

326

7

333

Year ended December 31, 2014








Opening net book amount

73

114

9

196

326

7

333

Additions

6



6




Impairment charges
5


(2
)

(2
)



Amortization

(5
)
(10
)
(2
)
(17
)



Exchange differences





2


2

Closing net book amount

74

102

7

183

328

7

335

As at December 31, 2014








Cost

102

170

35

307

332

8

340

Accumulated amortization and impairment

28

68

28

124

4

1

5

Net book amount

74

102

7

183

328

7

335



NOTE 11
OTHER ASSETS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

2014

2013

Notes receivable from business disposals


13

18

Other investments

7

10

Other assets

48

42

Deferred financing costs

2

4

Employee future benefits
16

20

44

 

90

118

Less: Current portion, included in accounts receivables

(7
)
(10
)
Total other assets

83

108


In 2012 , the Corporation granted a US$ 15  million ($ 15  million) bridge loan to Greenpac Holding LLC (Greenpac Project). The loan is included in Other assets will mature no later than 2021 and bears interest ranging from 7.5 % to 9.5 % depending on the mill debt/OIBD ratio. Including accrued interest, the bridge loan stands at $ 22  million as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $ 20  million). However, we expect the loan to be repaid over the next 4 years through secured tax credits to be received by members of the project and operational cash flows. In 2014 , the Corporation also recorded in Other assets $ 2  million worth of deferred revenue for the supervision of Greenpac ( 2013 - $ 6  million). These costs are repayable to the Corporation by Greenpac Mill over an eight-year period.


 
30

 


NOTE 12
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

2014

2013

Trade payables

390

450

Payables to related parties
28

27

25

Accrued expenses

140

115

Trade and other payables

557

590



NOTE 13
PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND CHARGES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION OBLIGATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

LEGAL CLAIMS

SEVERANCES

ONEROUS CONTRACT

OTHER

TOTAL PROVISIONS

As at January 1, 2013
 
8

13

8

2

5

3

39

Additional provision
 

1

2

4

1


8

Payments
 

(1
)
(4
)
(2
)
(3
)
(1
)
(11
)
Revaluation
 





2

2

Unwinding of discount
 




1


1

As at December 31, 2013
 
8

13

6

4

4

4

39

Additional provision
 

1

1

10

4

4

20

Payments
 



(12
)
(2
)
(1
)
(15
)
Revaluation
 
1






1

Business disposal
5

(1
)





(1
)
Unwinding of discount
 




1


1

Other
 


(4
)
4




Exchange differences
 



(1
)


(1
)
As at December 31, 2014
 
8

14

3

5

7

7

44


Analysis of total provisions:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Non-current
33

37

Current
11

2

 
44

39


ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
The Corporation uses some landfill sites. A provision has been recognized at fair value for the costs to be incurred for the restoration of those sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
An environmental provision is recorded when the Corporation has an obligation caused by its ongoing or abandoned operations.

LEGAL CLAIMS
In the normal course of operations, the Corporation is party to various legal actions and contingencies related to contract disputes and labour issues.

In the normal course of operations, the Corporation is party to various legal actions and contingencies, mostly related to contract disputes, environmental and product warranty claims, and labour issues. While the final outcome with respect to legal actions outstanding or pending as at December 31, 2014, cannot be predicted with certainty, it is Management's opinion that the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial position, the results of its operations or its cash flows.

The Corporation is currently working with representatives of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) - Northern Region and Environment Canada - Great Lakes Sustainability Fund in Toronto, regarding its potential responsibility for an environmental impact identified at its former Thunder Bay facility ("Thunder Bay"). Both authorities have requested that the Corporation look into a site management plan relating to the

 
31

 


sediment quality adjacent to Thunder Bay's lagoon. Several meetings have been held during the year with the MOE and Environment Canada. A study on the sediment quality and potential remediation options has commenced.

The Corporation is also in discussions with representatives of the MOE, regarding its potential responsibility for an environmental impact identified at Thunder Bay. This facility was sold to Thunder Bay Fine Papers Inc. ("Fine Papers") in 2007. Fine Papers has since sold the facility to Superior Fine Papers Inc. ("Superior"). The MOE has requested that the Corporation together with the former owner Fine Papers and the current owner Superior submit a closure plan for the Waste Disposal Site and a decommissioning plan for the closure and long-term monitoring for the Sewage Works (the "Plans"). Although, the Corporation recognizes that where as a result of past events, there may be an outflow of resources embodying future economic benefits in settlement of a possible obligation, it is not possible at this time to estimate the Corporation's obligation, since Superior has not submitted all of the Plans and related costs to allow the Corporation to perform an evaluation nor does the Corporation have access to the site. Moreover, the Corporation is unable to ascertain the value of the assets remaining on its former site which may be available to fund this potential obligation. The Corporation is pursuing all available legal remedies to resolve the situation. In any event, Management does not consider the Corporation's potential obligation to be significant.

The Corporation has recorded an environmental reserve to address its estimated exposure for these matters.


NOTE 14
LONG-TERM DEBT
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
MATURITY
2014

2013

Revolving credit facility, weighted average interest rate of 2.63% as at December 31, 2014, consists of $103 million; US$50 million and €123 million (December 31, 2013 - $291 million; US$10 million and €125 million)
2016
332

484

7.75% Unsecured senior notes of $200 million repurchased in 2014
2016

199

7.75% Unsecured senior notes of US$500 million repurchased in 2014
2017

527

7.875% Unsecured senior notes of US$250 million
2020
287

263

5.50% Unsecured senior notes of $250 million
2021
250


5.50% Unsecured senior notes of US$550 million
2022
638


Other debts of subsidiaries

31

39

Other debts without recourse to the Corporation

73

80

 

1,611

1,592

Less: Unamortized financing costs

15

13

Total long-term debt

1,596

1,579

Less:



Current portion of debts of subsidiaries

10

15

Current portion of debts without recourse to the Corporation

30

24

 

40

39

 

1,556

1,540


a.
On June 19, 2014, the Corporation issued US$550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% senior notes due in 2022 and $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% due in 2021. The Corporation used the proceeds from this offering of notes to fund the purchase of the Corporation's unsecured senior notes maturing in 2016 and 2017. The Corporation used part of the proceeds of the offering to pay fees and expenses in connection with the offering and the tender offer totaling $13 million. As well, the Corporation purchased for a total consideration of US$521 million ($563 million) and $208 million, including premiums of US$21 million ($23 million) and $8 million, a total of US$500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior notes due in 2017 and $200 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75 % senior notes due in 2016.

Issuance proceeds were used as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
 
 
                       2014

Debt issuance
 
 
846

Offering and tender offer fees
 
 
(13
)
Refinanced debt repurchase
 
 
(740
)
Premium paid on refinanced debt
 
 
(31
)
Decrease of credit facility
 
 
(62
)


 
32

 


b.
In 2013 , the Corporation repurchased US$ 4 million of its 7.25 % unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$ 4  million ($ 4  million) and US$ 6  million of its 6.75 % unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$ 6  million ($ 6  million). No gain or loss resulted from these transactions.

c.
As at December 31, 2014 , accounts receivable and inventories totaling approximately $ 627  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 655  million) as well as property, plant and equipment totaling approximately $ 249  million (December 31, 2013 - $ 261  million) were pledged as collateral for the Corporation's revolving credit facility.

d. The Corporation has finance leases for various items of property, plant and equipment. Renewals and purchase options are specific to the entity that holds the lease. Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default. Future minimum lease payments under finance leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments are as follows:
 
2014
2013
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
MINIMUM PAYMENTS

PRESENT VALUE OF PAYMENTS

MINIMUM PAYMENTS

PRESENT VALUE OF PAYMENTS

Within one year
6

5

6

5

Later than 1 year but no later than 5 years
12

9

10

7

More than 5 years
8

6

9

6

Total minimum lease payments
26

20

25

18

Less: amounts representing finance charges
6


7


Present value of minimum lease payments
20

20

18

18



NOTE 15
OTHER LIABILITIES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

2014

2013

Employee future benefits
16

188

202

Other

5

11

 

193

213

Less: Current portion, included in Trade and other payables

(2
)
(1
)
Total other liabilities

191

212




 
33

 


NOTE 16
EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS

The Corporation operates various post-employment plans, including both defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans and post-employment benefit plans, such as retirement allowance, group life insurance and medical and dental plans. The table below outlines where the Corporation’s post-employment amounts and activity are included in the financial statements.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Balance sheet obligations for



Defined pension benefits
16(a)
59

44

Post-employment benefits other than defined benefit pension plans
16(b)
109

114

Net liability in the balance sheet

168

158

Allocated as follow:





Short-term


(6
)
Long-term

168

164

Net liability on balance sheet

168

158

 





Income statement charge





Defined pension benefits

8

11

Defined contribution benefits

19

18

Post-employment benefits other than defined benefit pension plans

6

6

Included in discontinued operations

(2
)
11

 

31

46

Remeasurements for





Defined pension benefits
16(a)
30

(89
)
Post-employment benefits other than defined benefit pension plans
16(b)
9

(8
)
 

39

(97
)

A.
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS
The Corporation offers funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution pension plans and group registered retirement savings plans (RRSP) that provide retirement benefit payments for most of its employees. The defined benefit pension plans are usually contributory and are based on the number of years of service and, in most cases the average salaries or compensation at the end of a career. Retirement benefits are not partially adjusted based on inflation.

The majority of benefit payments are payable from a trustee administered funds; however, for the unfunded plans, the Corporation meets the benefit payment obligation as it falls due. Plan assets held in trusts are governed by local regulations and practice in each country. Responsibility for governance of the plans - overseeing all aspects of the plans including investment decisions and contribution schedules - lies with the Corporation. The Corporation has established Investment Committees to assist in the management of the plans and has also appointed experienced, independent professional experts such as investments managers, investment consultants, actuaries and custodians.



















 
34

 


The movement in the net defined benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets of pension plans over the year is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
PRESENT VALUE OF OBLIGATION

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS

TOTAL

IMPACT OF MINIMUM FUNDING REQUIREMENT (ASSET CEILING)

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2013
723

(598
)
125

13

138

Current service cost
12


12


12

Interest expense (income)
29

(22
)
7

1

8

Impact on profit or loss
41

(22
)
19

1

20

Remeasurements










Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in interest expense (income)

(63
)
(63
)

(63
)
Loss from change in demographic assumptions
17


17


17

Gain from change in financial assumptions
(42
)

(42
)

(42
)
Experience gains
(1
)

(1
)

(1
)
Impact of remeasurements on other comprehensive income
(26
)
(63
)
(89
)

(89
)
Exchange differences
3

(1
)
2


2

Contributions










Employers

(27
)
(27
)

(27
)
Plan participants
3

(3
)



Benefit payments
(90
)
90




As at December 31, 2013
654

(624
)
30

14

44

Current service cost
8


8


8

Interest expense (income)
27

(24
)
3


3

Plan changes
1


1


1

Business closures
(7
)

(7
)

(7
)
Other
7

(7
)



Impact on profit or loss
36

(31
)
5


5

Remeasurements










Return on plan assets, excluding amounts included in interest expense (income)

(37
)
(37
)

(37
)
Loss from change in demographic assumptions
2


2


2

Loss from change in financial assumptions
66


66


66

Experience losses
10


10


10

Change in asset ceiling, excluding amounts included in interest expense



(11
)
(11
)
Impact of remeasurements on other comprehensive income
78

(37
)
41

(11
)
30

Exchange differences

(1
)
(1
)

(1
)
Business disposal
(134
)
131

(3
)
(3
)
(6
)
Included in assets of disposal group classified as held for sale
(51
)
47

(4
)

(4
)
Contributions










Employers

(9
)
(9
)

(9
)
Plan participants
2

(2
)



Benefit payments
(73
)
73




As at December 31, 2014
512

(453
)
59


59
















 
35

 


The defined benefit obligation and plan assets are composed by country and by sector as follows:
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

TOTAL

Present value of funded obligations
443

9


452

Fair value of plan assets
448

5


453

Deficit (surplus) of funded plans
(5
)
4


(1
)
Present value of unfunded obligations
36


24

60

Net liability on balance sheet
31

4

24

59


 
2014
 
(in million of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINERBOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

TISSUE PAPERS

CORPORATE

TOTAL

Present value of funded obligations
398


19

34

1

452

Fair value of plan assets
409


13

29

2

453

Deficit (surplus) of funded plans
(11
)

6

5

(1
)
(1
)
Present value of unfunded obligations
8

24

2

2

24

60

Net liability on balance sheet
(3
)
24

8

7

23

59


 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

TOTAL

Present value of funded obligations
594

7


601

Fair value of plan assets
619

5


624

Deficit (surplus) of funded plans
(25
)
2


(23
)
Impact of minimum funding requirement (asset ceiling)
14



14

Present value of unfunded obligations
33


20

53

Net liability on balance sheet
22

2

20

44


 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINER-BOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

TISSUE PAPERS

CORPORATE

TOTAL

Present value of funded obligations
386


186

28

1

601

Fair value of plan assets
424


173

25

2

624

Deficit (surplus) of funded plans
(38
)

13

3

(1
)
(23
)
Impact of minimum funding requirement (asset ceiling)
11


3



14

Present value of unfunded obligations
7

20

2

2

22

53

Net liability on balance sheet
(20
)
20

18

5

21

44


The significant actuarial assumptions are as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

Discount rate
3.75
%
3.62
%
1.9
%
4.75
%
4.5
%
3.25
%
Salary growth rate
Between 2.5% and 3%

N/A

%
Between 1.5% and 3%

N/A

%
Inflation rate
2.5
%
N/A

1.75
%
2.5
%
N/A

1.75
%








 
36

 


Assumptions regarding future mortality are set based on actuarial advice in accordance with published statistics and experience in each territory. For Canadian pension plans which represent 95 % of all pension plans, these assumptions translate into an average life expectancy in years for a pensioner retiring at age 65:
 
2014

2013

Retiring at the end of the year




Male
21.5

20.9

Female
24

23.1

Retiring 20 years after the end of the reporting year




Male
22.6

22.6

Female
25

24.2


The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in assumptions is set out below. The effects on each plan of a change in an assumption are weighted proportionately to the total plan obligations to determine the total impact for each assumption presented.
 
IMPACT ON DEFINED BENEFIT OBLIGATION
 
CHANGE IN ASSUMPTION
INCREASE IN ASSUMPTION
DECREASE IN ASSUMPTION
Discount rate
0.25%
(3.0)%
3.1%
Salary growth rate
0.25%
0.4%
(0.3)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCREASE BY 1 YEAR IN ASSUMPTION
 
Life expectancy
 
2.8
%

Plan assets, which are funding the Corporation’s defined pension plans, are comprised as follows:
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

%

Cash and short-term investments
10



10

2.3
%











Bonds








Canadian bonds
62

60


122

26.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares








Canadian shares
76



76



Foreign shares
16



16










92

20.3
%
Mutual funds








Money market funds

13


13



Foreign bond mutual funds

2


2



Canadian equity mutual funds

25


25



Foreign equity mutual funds

115


115










155

34.2
%
Other








Insured annuities

68


68



Derivatives contract, net
6



6










74

16.3
%

170

283


453






 
37

 


 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

%

Cash and short-term investments
28

1


29

4.6
%











Bonds








Canadian bonds
115

97


212










212

34.0
%
Shares








Canadian shares
113



113



Foreign shares
13



13







126

20.2
%
Mutual funds








Money market funds

11


11



Canadian bond mutual funds

11


11



Foreign bond mutual funds

2


2



Canadian equity mutual funds

49


49



Foreign equity mutual funds

176


176



Alternative investments funds

2


2







251

40.2
%
Other








Derivatives contract, net
6



6







6

1.0
%

275

349


624




The plan assets include shares of the Corporation for an amount of less than $ 1 million. Those shares have been bought by one of the asset managers. Annual benefit annuities of an approximate value of $ 68  million are pledged by insurance contracts.

B.
POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS
The Corporation also offers to its employees some post-employment benefit plans, such as retirement allowance, group life insurance and medical and dental plans. However, these benefits, other than pension plans, are not funded. Furthermore, the medical and dental plans upon retirement are being phased out and are no longer offered to the majority of the new retirees, and the retirement allowance is not offered to the majority of employees hired after 2002.

The amounts recognized in the balance sheet composed by country and by sector are determined as follows:
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

TOTAL

Present value of unfunded obligations
81

4

24

109

Liability on balance sheet
81

4

24

109

 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINERBOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

TISSUE PAPERS

CORPORATE

TOTAL

Present value of unfunded obligations
48

24

6

13

18

109

Liability on balance sheet
48

24

6

13

18

109

 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CANADA

UNITED STATES

EUROPE

TOTAL

Present value of unfunded obligations
85

3

26

114

Liability on balance sheet
85

3

26

114

 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINERBOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

TISSUE PAPERS

CORPORATE

TOTAL

Present value of unfunded obligations
46

26

17

12

13

114

Liability on balance sheet
46

26

17

12

13

114

.

 
38

 


The movement in the net defined benefit obligation for post-employment benefits over the year is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
PRESENT VALUE OF OBLIGATION

FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSET

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2013
120


120

Current service cost
3


3

Interest expense
4


4

Post-employment variation
(1
)

(1
)
Plan changes
1


1

Impact on profit or loss
7


7

Remeasurements



Loss from change in demographic assumptions
1


1

Gain from change in financial assumptions
(11
)

(11
)
Experience losses
2


2

Impact of remeasurements on other comprehensive income
(8
)

(8
)
Exchange differences
3


3

Contributions and premiums paid by the employer

(8
)
(8
)
Benefit payments
(8
)
8


As at December 31, 2013
114


114

Current service cost
2


2

Interest expense
5


5

Plan changes
1


1

Business acquisitions, disposals and closures
(2
)

(2
)
Impact on profit or loss
6


6

Remeasurements






Loss from change in financial assumptions
9


9

Impact of remeasurements on other comprehensive income
9


9

Business disposal
(9
)

(9
)
Contributions and premiums paid by the employer

(11
)
(11
)
Benefit payments
(11
)
11


As at December 31, 2014
109


109


The method of accounting, assumptions relating to discount rate and life expectancy, and the frequency of valuations for post-employment benefits are similar to those used for defined benefit pension plans, with the addition of actuarial assumptions relating to the long-term increase in healthcare costs of 4.50 % a year ( 2013 - 4.75 %).

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in assumptions is set out below. The effects on each plan of a change in an assumption are weighted proportionately to the total plan obligations to determine the total impact for each assumption presented.
 
IMPACT ON OBLIGATION FOR POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
 
CHANGE IN ASSUMPTION
INCREASE IN ASSUMPTION
DECREASE IN ASSUMPTION
Discount rate
0.25
%
(2.4
)%
2.6
 %
Salary growth rate
0.25
%
0.6
 %
(0.6
)%
Health care cost increase
1.0
%
2.3
 %
(2.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCREASE BY 1 YEAR IN ASSUMPTION
 
Life expectancy
 
1.3
 %


C.
RISKS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE TO POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Through its defined benefit plans, the Corporation is exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are detailed below.

Asset volatility
The plan liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields; if plan assets underperform this yield, this will create an experience loss. Both the Canada and US plans hold a proportion of equities, which are expected to outperform corporate bonds in the long-term while contributing volatility and risk in the short-term.


 
39

 


For the Canadian pension plans, which represent 99 % of funded pension plans, the Corporation intends to reduce the level of investment risk by investing more in assets that better match the liabilities when the financial situation of the plans improves and/or the rate of return on bonds used for solvency valuations will increase.

The first step of this process was completed in 2013 with the sale of a number of equity holdings and the purchase of a mixture of government and corporate bonds for smaller pension plans ($ 50  million or less); for larger pension plans, it has been done through future contracts. The government bonds represent investments in Canadian government securities only. The corporate bonds are global securities with an emphasis on Canada. As at December 31, 2014, 58 % of the plan's assets are invested in bonds, in kind or through futures. The second step began in 2014 as we purchased $ 66 millions in annuities from a life insurance company for some pensioners.

However, the Corporation believes that due to the long-term nature of the plan liabilities and the strength of the supporting group, a level of continuing equity investment is an appropriate element of the Corporation’s long-term strategy to manage the plans efficiently. Plan assets are diversified, so the failure of an individual stock would not have a big impact on the plan assets taken as a whole. The pension plans do not face a significant currency risk.

Changes in bond yields
A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond holdings, particularly for plans in a good financial position that have a greater proportion of bonds.

Inflation risk
The benefits paid are not indexed. Only the future benefits for active members are based on salaries. Therefore, this risk is not significant.

Life expectancy
The majority of the plans’ obligations are to provide benefits for the member's lifetime, so increases in life expectancy will result in an increase in the plans’ liabilities.

Each sensitivity analysis disclosed in this note is based on changing one assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to variations in significant actuarial assumptions, the same method (present value of the defined benefit obligation calculated using the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period) has been applied as for calculating the liability recognized in the statement of financial position.

As at December 31, 2014 , the aggregate surplus of the Corporation’s funded pension plans (mostly in Canada) amounted to $ 1  million (a surplus of $ 23  million as at December 31, 2013 ). The Corporation will make special payments of $ 1  million for past service to fund the Canadian pension plan deficit over ten years. As well, in 2015, the Corporation will make one-time contributions totaling $7 million to pension plans of units closed or sold in 2014. Current agreed expected service contributions amount to $ 6  million and will be made in the normal course. As for the cash flow requirement, these pension plans are expected to require a net contribution of approximately $ 14 million in 2015 .

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is 12 years ( 2013 - 13 years).

Expected maturity analysis of undiscounted pension and other post-employment benefits:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
LESS THAN A YEAR

BETWEEN 1-2 YEARS

BETWEEN 2-5 YEARS

OVER 5 YEARS

TOTAL

Pension benefits
49

30

95

1,039

1,213

Post-employment benefits other than defined benefit pension plans
9

7

26

142

184

As at December 31, 2014
58

37

121

1,181

1,397


These amounts represent all the benefits payable to current members during the following years and thereafter without limitations. The majority of benefit payments are payable from trustee administered funds. The difference will come from future investment returns expected on plan assets and future contributions that will be made by the Corporation for services rendered after December 31, 2014 .

 
40

 


NOTE 17
INCOME TAXES

a.
The provision for (recovery of) income taxes is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Current tax
16

(3
)
Deferred tax

22

 
16

19


b.
The provision for (recovery of) income taxes based on the effective income tax rate differs from the provision for (recovery of) income
taxes based on the combined basic rate for the following reasons:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes based on the combined basic Canadian and provincial income tax rate
(12
)
17

Adjustment of provision for (recovery of) income taxes arising from the following:


Difference in statutory income tax rate of foreign operations
1

5

Reassessment
3

1

Permanent differences - others
22

(2
)
Change in unrecognized temporary differences
2

(2
)

28

2

Provision for income taxes
16

19


Weighted average income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 , was 26.5 % ( 2013 - 28.9 %).

c.
The provision for (recovery of) income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Foreign currency translation related to hedging activities
(6
)
(4
)
Cash flow hedge

1

Actuarial gain (loss) on post-employment benefit obligations
(11
)
26

 
(17
)
23


The analysis of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Deferred income tax assets:


Deferred income tax assets to be recovered after more than 12 months
328

333

Deferred income tax assets to be recovered within 12 months

7

 
328

340

Deferred income tax liabilities:


Deferred income tax liabilities to be used after more than 12 months
281

331

 
47

9


The movement of the deferred income tax account is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

As at January 1
9

48

Through statement of earnings (loss)

(22
)
Variance of income tax credit, net of related income tax

3

Through statement of comprehensive income (loss)
17

(23
)
Included in discontinued operations
29

7

Exchange differences
(8
)
(4
)
As at December 31
47

9




 
41

 


The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
RECOGNIZED TAX BENEFIT ARISING FROM INCOME TAX LOSSES

EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS

EXPENSE ON RESEARCH

UNUSED TAX CREDITS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

OTHERS

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2013
141

59

56

49

16

14

335

Through statement of earnings (loss)
33

(1
)
7

2

(8
)
(4
)
29

Variance of income tax credit



3



3

Through statement of comprehensive income (loss)

(26
)


(1
)

(27
)
As at December 31, 2013
174

32

63

54

7

10

340

Through statement of earnings (loss)
(17
)
(11
)
7

(15
)
1

12

(23
)
Through statement of comprehensive income (loss)

11





11

Included in discontinued operations
5

2




(8
)
(1
)
Exchange differences
1






1

As at December 31, 2014
163

34

70

39

8

14

328


DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAIN (LOSS) ON LONG-TERM DEBT

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

INVESTMENTS

OTHERS

TOTAL

As at January 1, 2013
161

59

44

14

9

287

Through statement of earnings (loss)
8

(12
)
8

40

7

51

Through statement of comprehensive loss

(4
)



(4
)
Included in discontinued operations
(7
)




(7
)
Exchange differences
4





4

As at December 31, 2013
166

43

52

54

16

331

Through statement of earnings (loss)
(12
)
(20
)

14

(5
)
(23
)
Through statement of comprehensive loss

(6
)



(6
)
Included in discontinued operations
(25
)

(1
)
(4
)

(30
)
Exchange differences
5



4


9

As at December 31, 2014
134

17

51

68

11

281


When taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, the net deferred tax asset of $ 47 million is presented on the balance sheet as $ 185 million of deferred income tax asset amounts and $ 138 million of deferred income tax liabilities.




















 
42

 


The Corporation has accumulated losses for income tax purposes amounting to approximately $ 798  million which may be carried forward to reduce taxable income in future years. The future tax benefit of $ 163  million resulting from the deferral of these losses has been recognized in the accounts as a deferred income tax asset. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for tax loss carry-forward to the extent that the realization of the related tax benefits through future taxable profits is probable. Income tax losses as at December 31, 2014 are detailed as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
UNRECOGNIZED TAX LOSSES

RECOGNIZED TAX LOSSES

TOTAL TAX LOSSES

MATURITY
Canada

6

6

2015
 

8

8

2026
 

14

14

2027
 

3

3

2029
 

51

51

2030
 

78

78

2031
 

128

128

2032
 

85

85

2033
 

137

137

2034
United States

2

2

2029
 

2

2

2031
 

2

2

2032
 

2

2

2033
Europe
162

118

280

Indefinitely
 
162

636

798




NOTE 18
CAPITAL STOCK

A.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Capital is defined as long-term debt, bank loans and advances net of cash and cash equivalents and Shareholders' equity which includes capital stock.
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Cash and cash equivalents
(29
)
(23
)
Bank loans and advances
46

56

Long-term debt, including current portion
1,596

1,579

 
1,613

1,612

Total equity
1,003

1,194

Total capital
2,616

2,806


The Corporation's objectives when managing capital are:

to safeguard the Corporation's ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns to Shareholders;
to maintain an optimal capital structure and reduce the cost of capital;
to make proper capital investments that are significant to ensure the Corporation remains competitive; and
to redeem common shares based on an annual redemption program.

The Corporation sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. The Corporation manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Corporation may adjust the amount of dividends paid to Shareholders, return capital to Shareholders, issue new shares and acquire or sell assets to improve its financial performance and flexibility.

The Corporation monitors capital on a monthly and quarterly basis based on different financial ratios and non-financial performance indicators. Also, the Corporation must conform to certain financial ratios under its various credit agreements. These ratios are calculated on an adjusted consolidated basis of restricted subsidiaries only. These are a maximum ratio of funded debt to capitalization of 65% and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.25x. The Corporation must also comply with a consolidated interest coverage ratio to incur additional debt. Funded debt is defined as liabilities as per the consolidated balance sheet, including guarantees and liens granted in respect of funded debt of another

 
43

 


person but excluding other long-term liabilities, trade accounts payable, obligations under finance leases and other accrued obligations ( 2014 - $ 1,561  million; 2013 - $ 1,538  million). The capitalization ratio is calculated as "Shareholders' equity" as shown in the consolidated balance sheet plus the funded debt. Shareholders' equity is adjusted to add back the effect of IFRS adjustments as at December 31, 2010 in the amount of $ 208  million. The interest coverage ratio is defined as OIBD to interest expense. The OIBD is defined as net earnings of the last four quarters plus interest expense, income taxes, amortization and depreciation, expense for stock options and dividends received from a person who is not a credit party ( 2014 - $ 291  million; 2013 - $ 293  million). Excluded from net earnings are share of results of equity investments and gains or losses from non-recurring items. Interest expense is calculated as interest and financial charges determined in accordance with IFRS plus any capitalized interest but excluding the amortization of deferred financing costs, up-front and financing costs and also unrealized gains or losses arising from hedging agreements. It also excludes any gains or losses on the translation of any long-term debt denominated in a foreign currency. The consolidated interest coverage ratio to incur additional debt is calculated as defined in the Senior notes indenture dated December 3, 2009.

As at December 31, 2014 , the funded debt-to-capitalization ratio stood at 58.62 % and the interest coverage ratio was 3.22 x. The Corporation is in compliance with the ratio requirements of its lenders. If cash is available, the Corporation will use it to reduce its revolving credit facility utilization.

The Corporation's credit facility is subject to terms and conditions for loans of this nature, including limits on incurring additional indebtedness and granting liens or selling assets without the consent of the lenders.

The unsecured senior notes are subject to customary covenants restricting the Corporation's ability to, among other things, incur additional debt, pay dividends and make other restricted payments as defined in the Indenture dated December 3, 2009.

The Corporation normally invests between $ 100  million and $ 200  million yearly in purchases of property, plant and equipment. These amounts are carefully reviewed during the course of the year in relation to operating results and strategic actions approved by the Board of Directors. These investments, combined with annual maintenance, enhance the stability of the Corporation's business units and improve cost competitiveness through new technology and improved process procedures.

The Corporation has an annual share redemption program in place to redeem its outstanding common shares when the market price is judged appropriate by Management. In addition to limitations on the normal course issuer bid, the Corporation's ability to redeem common shares is limited by its senior notes indenture.

B.
ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING
The authorized capital stock of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of common shares, without nominal value, and an unlimited number of Class A and B shares issuable in series without nominal value. Over the past two years, the common shares have fluctuated as follows:
 
 
2014
2013
 
NOTE
NUMBER OF SHARES

IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS

NUMBER OF SHARES

IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS

Balance - beginning of year

93,887,849

482

93,882,445

482

Shares issued on exercise of stock options
18(d)
376,025

1

75,304


Redemption of common shares
18(c)
(77,400
)

(69,900
)

Balance - end of year

94,186,474

483

93,887,849

482


C.
REDEMPTION OF COMMON SHARES
In 2014 , in the normal course of business, the Corporation renewed its redemption program of a maximum of 1,502,206 common shares with the Toronto Stock Exchange, said shares representing approximately 1,6 % of issued and outstanding common shares. The redemption authorization is valid from March 17, 2014 to March 16, 2015 . In 2014 , the Corporation redeemed 77,400 common shares under this program for a consideration of approximately nil ( 2013 - nil).

D.
SHARE ISSUANCE
The Corporation issued 376,025 shares upon the exercise of options for an amount of $ 1 million ( 2013 - nil for 75,304 shares issued).







 
44

 


E.
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share are calculated as follows:
 
2014

2013

Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders (in millions of Canadian dollars)
(147
)
11

Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding (in millions)
94

93.9

Dilution effect of stock options (in millions)

0.8

Adjusted weighted average number of common shares (in millions)
94

94.7

Basic net earnings (loss) per common share (in Canadian dollars)
$
(1.57
)
$
0.11

Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share (in Canadian dollars)
$
(1.57
)
$
0.11


In calculating diluted net earnings (loss) per share for 2014 and 2013 , stock options of 6,432,328 and 3,058,072 respectively were excluded due to their antidilutive effect. As of March 12, 2015 , the Corporation had not redeemed any shares since the beginning of the financial year.

F.
DETAILS OF DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE ARE AS FOLLOWS
 
2014

2013

Dividends declared per share
$
0.16

$
0.16



NOTE 19
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

a.
Under the terms of a share option plan adopted on December 15, 1998, and amended on March 15, 2013, and approved by Shareholders on May 8, 2013, for officers and key employees of the Corporation, a remaining balance of 2,460,973 common shares has been specifically reserved for issuance. Each option will expire at a date not to exceed 10 years following the grant date of the option. The exercise price of an option shall not be lower than the market value of the share at the date of grant, determined as the average of the closing price of the share on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the five trading days preceding the date of grant. The terms for exercising the options are 25% of the number of shares under option within 12 months after the first anniversary date of grant, and up to an additional 25% every 12 months after the second, third and fourth anniversaries of grant date. Options cannot be exercised if the market value of the share at exercise date is lower than the book value at the date of grant. Options exercised are settled in shares. The stock-based compensation cost related to these options amounted to $ 1  million ( 2013 - $ 1  million).

Changes in the number of options outstanding as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
2014
2013
 
NUMBER OF OPTIONS

WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE $

NUMBER OF OPTIONS

WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE $

Beginning of year
6,656,423

6.22

6,534,700

6.54

Granted
546,155

6.10

560,391

5.18

Exercised
(376,025
)
4.56

(75,304
)
2.39

Expired
(383,424
)
12.11

(331,301
)
11.69

Forfeited
(10,801
)
5.42

(32,063
)
4.46

End of year
6,432,328

5.96

6,656,423

6.22

Options exercisable - end of year
4,728,990

6.18

4,727,343

6.65


The weighted-average share price at the time of exercise of the options was $ 6.35 ( 2013 - $ 4.97 ).












 
45

 


The following options were outstanding as at December 31, 2014 :
 
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
 
YEAR GRANTED
NUMBER OF OPTIONS

WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE $

NUMBER OF OPTIONS

WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE $

EXPIRATION DATE
2005
219,333

12.73

219,333

12.73

2015
2006
260,714

11.49

260,714

11.49

2015-2016
2007
285,680

11.83

285,680

11.83

2015-2017
2008
431,443

7.81

431,443

7.81

2015-2018
2009
321,175

2.28

321,175

2.28

2019
2009
1,307,412

3.92

1,307,412

3.92

2019
2010
650,517

6.43

650,517

6.43

2015-2020
2011
716,074

6.26

538,674

6.26

2015-2021
2012
1,141,831

4.46

575,207

4.46

2015-2022
2013
555,373

5.18

138,835

5.18

2023
2014
542,776

6.10



2024
 
6,432,328

5.96

4,728,990

6.18



FAIR VALUE OF THE SHARE OPTIONS GRANTED
Options were priced using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical share price volatility over the past five years. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of $ 2.52 ( 2013 - $ 1.75 ), as at the date of grant, of each option issued to employees:
 
2014

2013

Grant date share price
$
6.65

$
5.15

Exercise price
$
6.10

$
5.18

Risk-free interest rate
1.79
%
1.75
%
Expected dividend yield
2.41
%
3.11
%
Expected life of options
6 years

6 years

Expected volatility
45
%
47
%

b.
The Corporation offers its Canadian employees a share purchase plan for its common shares. Employees can voluntarily contribute up to a maximum of 5% of their salary and, if certain conditions are met, the Corporation will contribute to the plan for 25% of the employee's contribution.

The shares are purchased on the market on a predetermined date each month. For the year ended December 31, 2014 , the Corporation's contribution to the plan amounted to $ 1  million ( 2013 - $ 1  million).

c.
The Corporation has a Deferred Share Unit Plan for the benefit of its external directors, allowing them to receive all or a portion of their annual compensation in the form of Deferred Share Units (DSUs). A DSU is a notional unit equivalent in value to the Corporation's common share. Upon resignation from the Board of Directors, participants are entitled to receive the payment of their cumulated DSUs in the form of cash based on the average price of the Corporation's common shares as traded on the open market during the five days before the date of the participant's resignation.

The DSU expense and the related liability are recorded at the grant date. The liability is adjusted periodically to reflect any variation in the market value of the common shares. As at December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had a total of 271,581 DSUs outstanding ( 2013 - 227,415 DSUs), representing a long-term liability of $ 2  million ( 2013 - $ 2  million).

d.
In 2013, the Corporation put in place a Performance Share Unit (PSU) Plan for the benefit of officers and key employees, allowing them to receive a portion of their annual compensation in the form of PSUs. A PSU is a notional unit equivalent in value to the Corporation's common share. Periodically, the number of PSUs forming part of the award shall be adjusted depending upon the three-year average return on capital employed of the Corporation (ROCE). Such adjusted number shall be obtained by multiplying the number of PSUs forming part of the award by the applicable multiplier based on the ROCE level. Participants are entitled to receive the payment of their PSUs in the form of cash based on the average price of the Corporation's common shares as traded on the open market during the five days before the vesting date.




 
46

 


The PSUs vest over a period of two years starting on the award date. The expense and the related liability are recorded during the vesting period. The liability is adjusted periodically to reflect any variation in the market value of the common shares, the expected average ROCE and the passage of time. As at December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had a total of 1,098,149 PSUs outstanding ( 2013 - 560,391  PSUs), representing a liability of $ 2 million ( 2013 - nil).


NOTE 20
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Foreign currency translation, net of hedging activities and related income tax of $6 million (December 31, 2013 - nil)
(25
)
(29
)
Unrealized loss arising from foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, net of related income taxes of nil (December 31, 2013 - $1 million)
(2
)
(4
)
Unrealized loss arising from interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges, net of related income taxes of $14 million (December 31, 2013 - $8 million)
(20
)
(13
)
Unrealized loss arising from commodity derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of related income taxes of $5 million (December 31, 2013 - $5 million)
(14
)
(13
)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale financial assets, net of related income taxes of nil (December 31, 2013 - nil)
(1
)
(1
)
 
(62
)
(60
)


NOTE 21
COST OF SALES BY NATURE
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Raw material
1,405

1,268

Wages and employee benefits expenses
600

566

Energy
270

261

Delivery
255

240

Depreciation and amortization
174

167

Other
359

361

Total cost of sales
3,063

2,863


SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES BY NATURE
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Wages and employee benefits expenses
233

231

Information technology
20

17

Publicity and marketing
11

10

Other
70

77

Total selling and administrative expenses
334

335



NOTE 22
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSES
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

2014

2013

Wages and employee benefits expenses
21

833

797

Share options granted to directors and employees
19(a)

1

1

Pension costs - defined benefit plans
16

8

11

Pension costs - defined contribution benefits
16

19

18

Post-employment benefits other than defined benefit pension plans
16

6

6

 

867

833






 
47

 


KEY MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION
Key management includes the members of the Board of Directors, Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Corporation (same as disclosed in annual information form in section 8.3 ). The compensation paid or payable to key management for their services is shown below:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Salaries and other short-term benefits
9

9

Post-employment benefits
1

1

Share-based payments
4

1

 
14

11



NOTE 23
LOSS (GAIN) ON ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHERS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
2014

2013

Employment contracts


5

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment


(2
)
Class action settlement

5


Gain on joint-venture contribution
8(f)
(5
)

 


3


2014
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Corporation has settled a class action lawsuit that was filed against it and other North American manufacturers of containerboard. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Corporation has agreed to pay US $4.8 million into a settlement fund in return for the release of all claims of the alleged class without any admission of wrong doing on the part of the Corporation.

On January 31, the Corporation concluded the creation of a new joint venture for converting corrugated board activities in the Atlantic provinces with Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL).This transaction resulted in a gain of $5 million.

2013
As part of the transition process related to the appointment of a new President and CEO, the Corporation entered into employment contracts with the new President and CEO and its Presidents of the Containerboard, Specialty Products and Tissue Papers business segments. The fair value of the post-employment benefit obligation related to these employment contracts was evaluated at $ 5  million and an equivalent charge has been recorded.

The Containerboard Group sold a piece of land located at its New York City, USA, containerboard plant site and recorded a gain of $ 2  million on the disposal.


NOTE 24
IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (REVERSAL) AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS

A.
IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (REVERSAL) ON PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH FINITE USEFUL LIFE AND OTHER ASSETS

The Corporation recorded net impairment charges totaling $ 21  million in 2014 and a net impairment reversal of $ 7  million in 2013 . The recoverable amount of CGUs was determined using a fair value less cost of disposal sell model based on the income approach, unless otherwise indicated. Level 2 inputs are used to measure fair value. Impairments are detailed as follows:
 
2014
 
 
PACKAGING PRODUCTS
 
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINER-BOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

SUB-TOTAL

TISSUE PAPERS

TOTAL

Property, plant & equipment

7

8

15


15

Spare parts


3

3


3

Intangible assets with finite useful life and other assets


3

3


3

Total

7

14

21


21



 
48

 


 
2013
 
 
PACKAGING PRODUCTS
 
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CONTAINER-BOARD

BOXBOARD EUROPE

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

SUB-TOTAL

TISSUE PAPERS

TOTAL

Property, plant & equipment

7


7

(17
)
(10
)
Intangible assets with finite useful life and other assets
1


2

3


3

Total
1

7

2

10

(17
)
(7
)

2014
In the fourth quarter, the Boxboard Europe Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its Iberica, Spain, recycled boxboard manufacturing mills, and recorded impairment charges on property, plant and equipment totaling $7 million. The slow recovery of the European economic environment since the 2009 financial crisis negatively impacted profitability of this mill. Recoverable amount was based on selling price of assets as it was higher than the income approach.

In the second quarter, the Specialty Products Group recorded impairment charges of $2 million on property, plant and equipment and $3 million on spare parts due to sustained challenging business conditions for a plant manufacturing consumer goods made from recovered plastics in its consumer products sub-segment. On September 30, 2014, the plant was sold to Laurent Lemaire, a director and major shareholder of the Corporation, at a value determined to be fair by the independent members of the Board. The independent directors of the Board reviewed all options for this business and determined that the sale to Mr. Lemaire was in the best interest of the Corporation and the employees of the consumer plastics business. The Group also recorded impairment charges of $3 million on other assets.

In the fourth quarter, the Specialty Product Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its flexible film activities CGU and recorded an impairment charge of $6 million on property, plant and equipment. Sustained low shipments in this sector do not generate enough profitability to support the carrying value of property plant and equipment. Recoverable amount was based on selling price of assets as it was higher than the income approach.

2013
The Containerboard Group recorded an impairment charge of $1 million due to the re-evaluation of a note receivable (in Other assets) from a 2011 business disposal.

The Boxboard Europe Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its Magenta and Marzabotto (both in Italy) as well as its Iberica, Spain, recycled boxboard manufacturing mills, and recorded impairment charges on property, plant and equipment totaling $ 7  million. The slow recovery of the European economic environment since the 2009 financial crisis negatively impacted profitability of these mills and led to the consolidation of our recycled boxboard activities in Europe. Recoverable amount was based on selling price of assets as it was higher than the income approach.

The Specialty Products Group also reviewed the recoverable amount of its honeycomb activities CGU and recorded an impairment charge of $ 2  million on a client list. Low shipments in this sector does not generate enough profitability to support the carrying value of this intangible assets with a finite life.

The Tissue Papers Group recorded a $ 17  million reversal of impairment on its Memphis, Tennessee, manufacturing mill. We had initially recorded an impairment charge of $ 22  million at transition date to IFRS on January 1, 2010, due to operational challenges. Since then, the Corporation implemented a Group best practices program to maximize efficiency at all of its plants. These actions contributed to solve operating difficulties at the Memphis mill.

B.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INDEFINITE USEFUL LIFE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Allocation of goodwill and other indefinite useful life intangible assets is as follows:

Containerboard's goodwill of $ 277  million is allocated to all Containerboard's CGUs.
Specialty Products' goodwill is allocated to all Cascades Recovery CGUs, $ 13  million, and the partitioning activities CGU, $ 2  million.
Tissue Papers' goodwill of $ 36  million and trademarks of $ 2  million are allocated to all Tissue Papers' CGUs.
Water rights of $ 5  million are allocated to RdM's CGU.

The Corporation tested its Containerboard goodwill for impairment. As a result of this impairment test, the Corporation concluded that the recoverable amount of the CGUs was in excess of $ 458  million over their carrying amount, thus no impairment charge was necessary. With all other variables held constant, a decrease in the terminal growth rate of 11 %; a rise in the discounting rate of 4 %, a decrease in the terminal shipments of 133,000 s.t., or a decrease in the terminal exchange rate of $ 0.09 would reduce the excess of $ 458 million to nil.


 
49

 


The Corporation applied the income approach in determining fair value less cost of disposal and used the following key assumptions (level 2 inputs):
 
2014

2013

 
CONTAINERBOARD

CONTAINERBOARD

Terminal growth rate
2
%
2
%
Discounting rate
9.5
%
9.5
%
Terminal exchange rate (CA$/US$)
$
1.15

$
1.10

Terminal shipments (manufacturing only)
888,000 s.t.

903,000 s.t.


With regards to other goodwill, all impairment testing resulted in a significant excess of recoverable amount compared to the carrying amount of the respective goodwill.

In 2013 , the Corporation also tested the goodwill allocated to its honeycomb activities CGU. The Corporation used the income approach to determine the recoverable amount and we concluded it was not enough to support the carrying value of the goodwill. Level 2 inputs were used to measure fair value. The Corporation recorded an impairment charge of $ 4  million on the goodwill of this CGU.

C.
RESTRUCTURING COSTS

Restructuring costs are detailed as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Containerboard

2

Boxboard Europe
1

3

Tissue Papers
1


 
2

5


2014
The Boxboard Europe Group also recorded severances of $1 million in relation to previous years' plant closures.

The Tissue Papers Group recorded severances of $1 million as part of its consumer products activities restructuring.

2013
The Containerboard Group recorded a $ 1  million provision relating to an onerous lease contract and additional severances provisions totaling $ 1  million relating to the consolidation of its Ontario converting activities announced in 2012.

The Boxboard Europe Group recorded severances totaling $ 3 million in relation to the consolidation of its recycled boxboard activities in Italy and Spain.


NOTE 25
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A.
CHANGES IN NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL COMPONENTS ARE DETAILED AS FOLLOWS:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Accounts receivable
18

37

Current income tax assets
(6
)
1

Inventories
(7
)
(29
)
Trade and other payables
(19
)
1

Current income tax liabilities
1

(5
)
 
(13
)
5



 
50

 


B.
FINANCING EXPENSE AND INTEREST EXPENSE ON EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Interest on long-term debt
97

99

Interest income
(5
)
(4
)
Amortization of financing costs
5

5

Other interest and banking fees
4

4

Interest on employee future benefits
6

8

Net financing expense
107

112



NOTE 26
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

26.1 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The classification of financial instruments as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 , along with the respective carrying amounts and fair values, is as follows:
 

2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE

CARRYING AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

CARRYING AMOUNT

FAIR VALUE

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss





Derivatives
26.4

25

25

9

9

Financial assets available for sale





Other investments

3

3

6

6

Investments in shares

1

1

1

1

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss





Derivatives
26.4

(41
)
(41
)
(35
)
(35
)
Financial liabilities at amortized cost





Long-term debt

(1,596
)
(1,608
)
(1,579
)
(1,640
)
Derivatives designated as hedge





Asset derivatives



(9
)
(9
)
Liability derivatives

(18
)
(18
)
(14
)
(14
)

26.2 DETERMINING THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount of consideration that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as at the measurement date.

(i)
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable, bank loans and advances, trade and other payables and provisions approximate their carrying amounts due to their relatively short maturities.
(ii)
The fair value of investments in shares held for trading is based on observable market data and mainly represents the Corporation's investment in Junex Inc., which is quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
(iii)
The fair value of long-term debt is based on observable market data and on the calculation of discounted cash flows. Discount rates were determined based on local government bond yields adjusted for the risks specific to each of the borrowings and the credit market liquidity conditions.

26.3 HIERARCHY OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE
The following table presents information about the Corporation's financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the Corporation's valuation techniques to determine such fair value. Three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar
assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for
substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 - Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect Management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would
use in pricing the asset or liability.

 
51

 


 
 
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CARRYING AMOUNT

QUOTED PRICES IN ACTIVE MARKETS FOR IDENTICAL ASSETS (LEVEL1)

SIGNIFICANT OBSERVABLE INPUTS (LEVEL 2)

SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS (LEVEL 3)

Financial assets




Other investments
3


3


Investments in shares held for trading
1

1



Derivative financial assets
25


25


Total
29

1

28


Financial liabilities




Derivative financial liabilities
(59
)

(59
)

Total
(59
)

(59
)


 
 
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CARRYING AMOUNT

QUOTED PRICES IN ACTIVE MARKETS FOR IDENTICAL ASSETS (LEVEL1)

SIGNIFICANT OBSERVABLE INPUTS (LEVEL 2)

SIGNIFICANT UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS (LEVEL 3)

Financial assets




Other investments
6


6


Investments in shares held for trading
1

1



Derivative financial assets
18


18


Total
25

1

24


Financial liabilities




Derivative financial liabilities
(49
)

(49
)

Total
(49
)

(49
)


26.4 FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Corporation's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Corporation's overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of the financial market and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Corporation's financial performance. The Corporation uses derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department and a management committee acting under policies approved by the Board of Directors. They identify, evaluate and hedge financial risks in close cooperation with the business units. The Board provides guidance for overall risk management, covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity.

Summary
 
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

ASSETS
LIABILITIES
RISK
NOTE
SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

TOTAL

SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

TOTAL

Currency risk
26.4 A) (i)

16

16

(3
)
(37
)
(40
)
Price risk
26.4 A) (ii)
1

8

9

(11
)
(8
)
(19
)
Total

1

24

25

(14
)
(45
)
(59
)
 
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)

ASSETS
LIABILITIES
RISK
NOTE
SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

TOTAL

SHORT-TERM

LONG-TERM

TOTAL

Currency risk
26.4 A) (i)

9

9

(1
)
(28
)
(29
)
Price risk
26.4 A) (ii)
2

7

9

(8
)
(11
)
(19
)
Interest risk
26.4 A) (iii)



(1
)

(1
)
Total

2

16

18

(10
)
(39
)
(49
)



 
52

 


A.
MARKET RISK

(i)
Currency risk
The Corporation operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risks arising from various currencies as a result of its export of goods produced in Canada, the United States, France, Sweden, Italy and Germany. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities, and net investments in foreign operations. These risks are partially covered by purchases and debt.

The Corporation manages the foreign exchange exposure by entering into various foreign exchange forward contracts and currency option instruments related to anticipated sales, purchases, interest expense and repayment of long-term debt. The Corporation may designate these foreign exchange forward contracts as a cash flow hedge of future anticipated sales, purchases, interest expense and repayment of long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies. Gains or losses from these derivative financial instruments designated as hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of related income taxes and are reclassified to earnings as adjustments to sales, cost of sales, interest expense or foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt in the period in which the respective hedged item affected earnings.
Management has implemented a policy for managing foreign exchange risk against its functional currency. The Corporation's risk management policy is to hedge 25 % to 90 % of anticipated cash flows in each major foreign currency for the next 12 months and to hedge 0 % to 75 % for the subsequent 24 months.

In 2014 , approximately 29 % of sales from Canadian operations were made to the United States and 15 % of sales from French and Italian operations were made in countries whose currencies were other than the Euro.The following table summarizes the Corporation's commitments to buy and sell foreign currencies as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 :
 
2014
 
 
EXCHANGE RATE

MATURITY
NOTIONAL AMOUNT (IN MILLIONS)

FAIR VALUE (IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS)

Repayment of long-term debt




Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt:




Foreign exchange forward contracts to buy (US$ for CAN$)
0.9965

December 2017
US$
150

25

Foreign exchange forward contracts to buy (US$ for CAN$)
1.06

January 2020
US$
50

4

Currency option sold to sell US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.1167

December 2017
US$
300

(29
)
Currency option sold to sell US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.15

January 2020
US$
100

(10
)
Currency option sold to buy US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.0225

January 2020
US$
200

(8
)
Sub-total



(18
)
Forecasted sales




Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments:




Foreign exchange forward contracts to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.1580

0 to 12 months
US$
23


Currency option instruments to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.1098

0 to 12 months
US$
45

(2
)
Currency option instruments to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.1286

13 to 24 months
US$
45

(4
)
Sub-total



(6
)
Total



(24
)

In 2014 , the Corporation did offset $ 13  million in derivative assets against $ 34  million in derivative liabilities as we intend to settle the derivatives on a net basis.

 
53

 


 
2013
 
 
EXCHANGE RATE

MATURITY
NOTIONAL AMOUNT (IN MILLIONS)

FAIR VALUE (IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS)

Repayment of long-term debt




Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and reclassified in Foreign exchange gain on long-term debt:




Foreign exchange forward contracts to buy (US$ for CAN$)
0.9965

December 2017
US$
150

13

Sub-total



13

Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt:




Foreign exchange forward contracts to buy (US$ for CAN$)
1.06

January 2020
US$
50

1

Currency option sold to sell US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.1167

December 2017
US$
300

(17
)
Currency option sold to sell US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.15

January 2020
US$
100

(6
)
Currency option sold to buy US$ (US$ for CAN$)
1.0225

January 2020
US$
200

(10
)
Sub-total



(32
)
Forecasted sales




Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and reclassified in Sales:




Foreign exchange forward contracts to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.0484

0 to 12 months
US$
15


Foreign exchange forward contracts to buy (€ for US$)
1.3399

0 to 12 months
US$
2.4


Foreign exchange forward contracts to sell (GBP for SEK)
10.736

0 to 12 months
£
2


Foreign exchange forward contracts to sell (€ for SEK)
9.0010

0 to 12 months
2.8


Sub-total




Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments:




Currency option instruments to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.0427

0 to 12 months
US$
35


Currency option instruments to sell (US$ for CAN$)
1.0314

13 to 24 months
US$
25

(1
)
Sub-total



(1
)
Total



(20
)

In 2013, the Corporation also paid US$4 million ($4 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 7.25% unsecured senior notes and US$10 million ($10 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 6.75% unsecured senior notes.

In 2013, the Corporation did offset $5 million in derivative assets against $22 million in derivative liabilities as we intend to settle the derivatives on a net basis.

The fair values of foreign exchange forward contracts and currency options are determined using the discounted value of the difference between the value of the contract at expiry calculated using the contracted exchange rate and the exchange rate the financial institution would use if it renegotiated the same contract under the same conditions as at the consolidated balance sheet date. The discount rates are adjusted for the credit risk of the Corporation or of the counterparty, as applicable. When determining credit risk adjustments, the Corporation considers master netting agreements, if applicable.

In 2014 , if the Canadian dollar had strengthened by $0.01 against the US dollar on average for the year with all other variables held constant, operating income before depreciation for the year would have been approximately $ 4 million lower, based on the net exposure of total US sales less US purchases of the Corporation's Canadian operations and operating income before depreciation of the Corporation's US operations but excluding the effect of this change on the denominated working capital components. The interest expense would have remained relatively stable.

In 2014 , if the Canadian dollar had strengthened by $0.01 against the Euro with all other variables held constant, operating income before depreciation for the year would have been approximately $1 million lower following the translation of operating income of the Corporation's European operations.







 
54

 


CURRENCY RISK ON TRANSLATION OF SELF-SUSTAINING FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES
The Corporation has certain investments in foreign operations whose net assets are exposed to foreign currency translation risk. The Corporation may designate part of its long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies as a hedge of the net investment in self-sustaining foreign subsidiaries. Gains or losses resulting from the translation to Canadian dollars of long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies and designated as net investment hedges are recorded in ''Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)'', net of related income taxes.

The table below shows the effect on consolidated equity of a 10% change in the value of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar and the Euro as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 . The calculation includes the effect of currency hedges of net investment in US foreign entities and assumes that no changes occurred other than a single currency exchange rate movement.

The exposures used in the calculations are the foreign currency-denominated equity and the hedging level as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 , with the hedging instruments being the long-term debt denominated in US dollars.

Consolidated Shareholders' equity: Currency effect before tax of a 10% change:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
BEFORE HEDGES

HEDGES

NET IMPACT

BEFORE HEDGES

HEDGES

NET IMPACT

10% change in the CAN$/US$ rate
93

52

41

80

67

13

10% change in the CAN$/Euro rate
4


4

7


7


(ii) Price risk
The Corporation is exposed to commodity price risk on old corrugated containers, electricity and natural gas. The Corporation uses derivative commodity contracts to help manage its production costs. The Corporation may designate these derivatives as cash flow hedges of anticipated purchases of raw material, natural gas and electricity. Gains or losses from these derivative financial instruments designated as hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of related income taxes and are reclassified to earnings as adjustments to ''Cost of sales'' in the same period as the respective hedged item affects earnings.

The fair value of these contracts is as follows:
 
2014
 
 
QUANTITY
MATURITY
FAIR VALUE (IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS)

Forecasted purchases
 
 

Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Cost of sales
 
 

Electricity
284,904 MWh
2015 to 2017

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and reclassified in Cost of sales (effective portion)

 

Natural gas:

 

Canadian portfolio
9,336,800 GJ
2015 to 2018
(12
)
US portfolio
3,636,000 mmBtu
2015 to 2018
(6
)
Total
 
 
(18
)

 
2013
 
 
QUANTITY
MATURITY
FAIR VALUE (IN MILLIONS OF CANADIAN DOLLARS)

Forecasted purchases
 


Derivatives designated as held for trading and reclassified in Cost of sales
 


Old corrugated containers
10,200 s.t.
2014

Sorted office papers
12,000 s.t.
2014

Electricity
375,888 MWh
2014 to 2017

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and reclassified in Cost of sales (effective portion)
 


Natural gas:
 


Canadian portfolio
11,525,060 GJ
2014 to 2018
(13
)
US portfolio
4,776,300 mmBtu
2014 to 2018
(5
)
Total
 

(18
)

 
55

 


In 2011, as part of the sale of its Versailles boxboard mill, the Corporation also entered into an agreement to sell natural gas to the acquirer. The acquirer went bankrupt in 2014 and the fair value of this agreement has been written down to nil as at December 31, 2014 ( 2013 - $ 1  million asset).

In 2013, the Corporation entered into an agreement to purchase steam. The agreement includes an embedded derivative and the fair value as at December 31, 2014 was $ 8 million ( 2013 - $ 7 million).

The fair value of derivative financial instruments other than options is established utilizing a discounted future expected cash flows method. Future expected cash flows are determined by reference to the forward price or rate prevailing on the assessment date of the underlying financial index (exchange or interest rate or commodity price) according to the contractual terms of the instrument. Future expected cash flows are discounted at an interest rate reflecting both the maturity of each flow and the credit risk of the party to the contract for which it represents a liability (subject to the application of relevant credit support enhancements). The fair value of derivative financial instruments that represent options is established utilizing similar methods that reflect the impact of the potential volatility of the financial index underlying the option on future expected cash flows.

The table below shows the effect of changes in the price of old corrugated containers, natural gas and electricity as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 . The calculation includes the effect of price hedges of these commodities and assumes that no changes occurred other than a single change in price.

The exposures used in the calculations are the commodity consumption and the hedging level as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 , with the hedging instruments being derivative commodity contracts.

Consolidated commodity consumption: Price change effect before tax.
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars 1 )
BEFORE HEDGES

HEDGES

NET IMPACT

BEFORE HEDGES

HEDGES

NET IMPACT

US$15/s.t. change in recycled paper price
28


28

30


30

US$30/s.t. change in commercial pulp price
5


5

7


7

US$1/mmBTU. change in natural gas price
9

5

4

9

5

4

US$1/MWh change in electricity price
2


2

2


2

1
Sensitivity calculated with an exchange rate of 1.10 CAN$/US$ for 2014 and 1.03 CAN$/US$ for 2013 .

(iii) Interest rate risk
The Corporation has no significant interest-bearing assets.

The Corporation's interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Corporation to cash flow interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Corporation to fair value interest rate risk.

When appropriate, the Corporation analyzes its interest rate risk exposure. Various scenarios are simulated taking into consideration refinancing, renewal of existing positions, alternative financing and hedging. Based on these scenarios, the Corporation calculates the impact on earnings of a defined interest rate shift. For each simulation, the same interest rate shift is used for all currencies. The scenarios are run only for liabilities that represent the major interest-bearing positions. As at December 31, 2014 , approximately 23 % ( 2013 - 33 %) of the Corporation's long-term debt was at variable rates.

Based on the outstanding long-term debt as at December 31, 2014 the impact on interest expense of a 100-basis point change in rate would be approximately $ 4 million (impact on net earnings is approximately $ 3 million).

The Corporation has swaps maturing in 2015 and up to 2017 on a notional amount up to $ 50 million. As at December 31, 2014 , these agreements are recorded as an asset at a fair value of nil ( 2013 - nil). The Corporation also holds interest rate swaps through RdM. These swaps are contracted to fix the interest rate on a notional amount of € 8 million and are maturing in 2015 and 2016 . Fair value of these agreements is nil as at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 - $ 1 million liability).

(iv)
Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments is as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments
6

(6
)
Realized loss on derivative financial instruments

1

 
6

(5
)

 
56

 


B.
CREDIT RISK
Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions. The Corporation reduces this risk by dealing with creditworthy financial institutions.

The Corporation is exposed to credit risk on the accounts receivable from its customers. In order to reduce this risk, the Corporation's credit policies include the analysis of the financial position of its customers and the regular review of their credit limits. In addition, the Corporation believes there is no particular concentration of credit risk due to the geographic diversity of customers and the procedures for the management of commercial risks. Derivative financial instruments include an element of credit risk should the counterparty be unable to meet its obligations.

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for doubtful accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter into bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. Each trade receivable balance is evaluated separately to identify impairment. The amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings in Selling and administrative expenses. When a trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against Selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Loans and notes receivables from business disposals are recognized at fair value. There is no past due amount as at December 31, 2014 .







































 
57

 


C.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Corporation will not be able to meet its obligations as they fall due. The following are the contractual maturities of financial liabilities as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 :
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CARRYING AMOUNT

CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS

LESS THAN ONE YEAR

BETWEEN ONE AND TWO YEARS

BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE YEARS

MORE THAN FIVE YEARS

Non-derivative financial liabilities:






Bank loans and advances
46

46

46




Trade and other payables
557

557

557




Revolving credit facility
332

347

13

334



Unsecured senior notes
1,175

1,647

72

71

215

1,289

Other debts of subsidiaries
31

37

11

6

11

9

Other debts without recourse to the Corporation
73

77

36

17

19

5

Derivative financial liabilities
59

59

14

8

24

13

 
2,273

2,770

749

436

269

1,316

 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
CARRYING AMOUNT

CONTRACTUAL CASH FLOWS

LESS THAN ONE YEAR

BETWEEN ONE AND TWO YEARS

BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE YEARS

MORE THAN FIVE YEARS

Non-derivative financial liabilities:






Bank loans and advances
56

56

56




Trade and other payables
590

590

590




Revolving credit facility
484

514

14

15

485


Unsecured senior notes
989

1,354

78

77

890

309

Other debts of subsidiaries
39

46

17

9

10

10

Other debts without recourse to the Corporation
80

80

25

30

19

6

Derivative financial liabilities
49

49

10

7

18

14

 
2,287

2,689

790

138

1,422

339


As at December 31, 2014 , the Corporation had unused credit facilities of $ 495 million (December 31, 2013 - $ 303 million), net of outstanding letters of credit of $ 38 million (December 31, 2013 - $ 56 million).

D.
OTHER RISK

FACTORING OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The Corporation sells its accounts receivable from one of its European subsidiaries through a factoring contract with a financial institution. The Corporation uses factoring of receivables as a source of financing by reducing its working capital requirements. When the receivables are sold, the Corporations removes them from the balance sheet, recognizes the amount received as the consideration for the transfer and records a loss on factoring which is included in ''Financing expense''. As at December 31, 2014 , the off-balance sheet impact of the factoring of receivables amounted to $ 27 million (€ 20 million). The Corporation expects to continue to sell receivables on an ongoing basis. Should it decide to discontinue this contract, its working capital and bank debt requirements would increase.

 
58

 


NOTE 27
COMMITMENTS

a.
The Corporation leases various properties, vehicles and equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements.

Future minimum payments under operating leases are as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

No later than one year
22

21

Later than one year but no later than five years
36

36

More than five years
6

9


b.
Capital and raw material commitments

Capital expenditures and raw material contracted at the end of the reporting date but not yet incurred are as follows:
 

2014
2013
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
NOTE
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

RAW MATERIAL

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

RAW MATERIAL

No later than one year
28
6

2

71

13

2

50

Later than one year but no later than five years
28


287

1

2

201

More than five years
28


107



126

 

6

2

465

14

4

377




 
59

 


NOTE 28
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Corporation entered into the following transactions with related parties:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
JOINT VENTURES

ASSOCIATES

2014


Sales to related parties
52

72

Purchases from related parties
28

153

2013


Sales to related parties
52

58

Purchases from related parties
31

79


These transactions occurred in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.

In addition to related party balance presented elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, the following balances were outstanding at the end of the reporting period:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Receivables from related parties


Joint ventures
6

11

Associates
13

9

Payables to related parties


Joint ventures
9

10

Associates
18

15


The receivables from related parties arise mainly from sale transactions. The receivables are unsecured in nature and bear no interest. There are no provisions held against receivables from related parties. The payables to related parties arise mainly from purchase transactions. The payables bear no interest.

Starting in June 2013, the Corporation entered into a take-or-pay agreement with its associate Greenpac. For a period of eight years, the Corporation has the obligation to purchase a minimum quantity of 340,000 short tons per year from Greenpac. If the Corporation fails to purchase the minimum quantity, it must compensate Greenpac for the lost gross margin on those short tons. Included in commitments in Note 27 is the minimum amount to be paid to Greenpac which corresponds to the potential lost gross margin on 340,000 tons.

On September 30, 2014, the Corporation sold a plant manufacturing consumer goods made from recovered plastics in its Specialty Products Group to Laurent Lemaire, a director and major shareholder of the Corporation, at a value determined to be fair by the independent members of the Board. The independent directors of the Board reviewed all options for this business and determined that the sale to Mr. Lemaire was in the best interest of the Corporation and the employees of the consumer plastics business.



 
60

 


HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - 10 YEARS                                          
For the years ended December 31,
IFRS

IFRS

(in millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts and ratios) (unaudited)
2014

2013

Historical financial information are not adjusted to reclass the impact of discontinued operations and IFRS for years ended prior to 2011.
Highlights - Consolidated Results



Sales
3,953

3,849

Cost of sales and expenses
3,595

3,497

Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD) excluding specific items
358

352

Depreciation and amortization
183

182

Operating income excluding specific items
175

170

Financing expense and interest expense on employee future benefits
108

115

Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments
30

(2
)
Specific items
191

28

 
(154
)
29

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
(11
)
12

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

3

Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
4

3

Net earnings (loss)
(147
)
11

Net earnings (loss) per common share
$
(1.57
)
$
0.11

Highlights - Consolidated Cash Flow


Cash flow generated by operating activities
250

232

Cash flow from operations
251

226

per common share
$
2.67

$
2.41

Purchases of property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposal
172

136

Business acquisitions and cash from a joint venture


Proceed from business disposals
(36
)

Net change in long-term debt
88

(30
)
Dividends on common shares
15

15

per common share
$
0.16

$
0.16

Dividend yield
2.3
 %
2.3
%
Highlights - Consolidated Balance Sheet (As at December 31)


Current assets less current liabilities
308

414

Property, plant & equipment
1,592

1,684

Total assets
3,673

3,831

Total long-term debt
1,596

1,579

Non-controlling interests
110

113

Shareholders' equity
893

1,081

per common share
$
9.48

$
11.52

Stock Market Highlights


Shares issued and outstanding (in millions)
94.2

93.9

Trading volume (in millions)
45.0

25.2

Market capitalization
661

646

Closing price
$
7.02

$
6.88

High
$
7.60

$
6.92

Low
$
5.64

$
4.07

Key Financial Ratios


Net earnings (loss)/sales
(3.7
)%
0.3
%
Sales/total assets*
1.1X

1.0X
Total assets/average Shareholders' equity*
3.7X

3.7X
Return on Shareholder's equity*
(14.9
)%
1.1
%
Return on total assets (OIBD/average total assets)*
9.5
 %
9.4
%
OIBD/sales
9.1
 %
9.1
%
OIBD/interest
3.3X

3.1X
Current assets less current liabilities/sales*
7.8
 %
10.8
%
Net debt/OIBD*
4.5X

4.6X
Total debt/total debt + Shareholders' equity
64.8
 %
60.2
%
Price to earnings
N/A

62.5

Price to book value
0.7X

0.6X
* Prior to 2007, ratios are calculated excluding the impact of the Norampac acquisition.
 
 


 
61

 




 
IFRS

IFRS









 
2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

 
 









 
3,645

3,760

3,959

3,877

4,025

4,033

3,481

3,862

 
3,341

3,517

3,561

3,412

3,720

3,693

3,167

3,600

 
304

243

398

465

305

340

314

262

 
199

186

212

218

213

208

163

174

 
105

57

186

247

92

132

151

88

 
115

100

112

118

103

106

83

83

 
(8
)
(4
)
4

31

24

(59
)

(10
)
 
33

(148
)
65

33

54

7

76

159

 
(35
)
109

5

65

(89
)
78

(8
)
(144
)
 
(4
)
27


23

(29
)
6

(3
)
(40
)
 
(2
)
(14
)
(15
)
(17
)
(8
)
(27
)
(8
)
(7
)
 
(7
)
(3
)
3

(1
)
2

3



 
(22
)
99

17

60

(54
)
96

3

(97
)
 
$
(0.23
)
$
1.03

$
0.18

$
0.61

$
(0.55
)
$
0.96

$
0.04

$
(1.19
)
 








 
199

115

228

355

126

53

191

100

 
154

121

246

303

150

163

174

100

 
$
1.64

$
1.26

$
2.54

$
3.10

$
1.52

$
1.64

$
2.15

$
1.23

 
141

110

131

171

184

169

110

121

 
14

60

3

69

(5
)
10

572

52

 

(292
)


47

37

94


 
(54
)
143

30

59

149

91

178

91

 
15

15

16

16

16

16

13

13

 
$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

$
0.16

 
3.9
 %
3.6
%
2.4
%
1.8
%
4.6
 %
1.9
%
1.2
%
1.6
 %
 








 
295

400

479

484

522

581

574

530

 
1,659

1,703

1,777

1,912

2,030

1,886

2,063

1,562

 
3,694

3,728

3,724

3,792

4,031

3,769

3,911

3,046

 
1,475

1,407

1,395

1,469

1,708

1,574

1,666

1,297

 
116

136

24

21

22

25

19


 
978

1,029

1,257

1,304

1,256

1,199

1,157

897

 
$
10.42

$
10.87

$
13.01

$
13.41

$
12.74

$
12.09

$
11.62

$
11.10

 








 
93.9

94.6

96.6

97.2

98.5

99.1

99.5

80.8

 
20.2

33.8

57.7

79.8

39.8

63.2

31.7

23.6

 
385

419

647

869

339

837

1,317

812

 
$
4.10

$
4.43

$
6.70

$
8.94

$
3.44

$
8.44

$
13.23

$
10.05

 
$
5.18

$
7.75

$
9.80

$
9.10

$
8.90

$
15.80

$
14.78

$
13.95

 
$
3.85

$
3.51

$
5.71

$
1.70

$
3.00

$
7.46

$
9.66

$
7.35

 








 
(0.6
)%
2.6
%
0.4
%
1.5
%
(1.3
)%
2.4
%
0.1
%
(2.5
)%
 
1.0X
1.0
x
1.1
x
1.0
x
1.0
x
1.1
x
1.2
x
1.3
x
 
3.7X
3.3
x
2.9
x
3.0
x
3.3
x
3.2
x
3.2
x
3.1
x
 
(2.2
)%
8.7
%
1.3
%
4.7
%
(4.4
)%
8.1
%
0.3
%
(9.9
)%
 
8.2
 %
6.5
%
10.6
%
11.9
%
7.8
 %
8.9
%
10.6
%
8.4
 %
 
8.3
 %
6.5
%
10.1
%
12.0
%
7.6
 %
8.4
%
9.0
%
6.8
 %
 
2.6X
2.4
x
3.6
x
3.9
x
3.0
x
3.2
x
3.8
x
3.2
x
 
8.1
 %
10.6
%
12.1
%
12.5
%
13.0
 %
14.4
%
13.3
%
13.7
 %
 
5.0X
6.1
x
3.6
x
3.3
x
5.9
x
4.7
x
3.8
x
5.0
x
 
61.4
 %
59.3
%
53.7
%
54.3
%
59.1
 %
57.5
%
59.6
%
59.9
 %
 
N/A

4.3
x
37.2
x
14.7
x
N/A

8.8
x
330.8
x
N/A

 
0.4X
0.4
x
0.5
x
0.7
x
0.3
x
0.7
x
1.1
x
0.9
x

 
62

 
EXHIBIT 13.3
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW - 2013
The year 2013 was highlighted by favourable market conditions as we benefited from higher selling prices in our containerboard activities, stable recycled fibre prices and a favourable Canadian dollar. We were also able to increase our total shipments by 5%, when excluding discontinued operations. On the other hand, business conditions remained challenging in Europe and our operational efficiencies in some of our manufacturing facilities in North America were not up to our normal standards. We also incurred additional costs related to our initiatives of upgrading our information systems and the re-engineering of our business processes. As a result we improved our operating results for the second year in a row as our operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD), excluding specific items increased by 20% over 2012, excluding the effects of discontinued operations.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW - 2014
The start of 2014 was marked by slower-than-usual business activities in January and February, combined with harsh weather conditions prevailing in Québec, Ontario and the U.S. Northeast. This led to lower-than-expected sales volumes and higher energy, transportation and logistics costs in the first quarter. However, our results for the year benefited from the depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and the Euro, as well as higher selling prices in our Containerboard segment, but these factors were more than offset by higher raw material costs compared to last year due to increased use of virgin pulp and external purchases of containerboard parent rolls, mainly from Greenpac.

During the year, we completed several business transactions with the intention of focusing our efforts and resources on strategic core businesses we want to grow in the future. Some of these transactions were presented as discontinued operations. See the ''Business Highlights'' section, on page 29, and Note 5 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, for all the details regarding the Discontinued Operations. The following table reconciles the 2014 and 2013 presentation of our results and cash flow:
2014
 
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
As reported
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Total
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Intersegment sales
Total
Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales, net of intercompany transactions
3,953

(226
)
(32
)
(148
)
14

3,561

Cost of sales and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), net of intercompany transactions
3,242

(207
)
(32
)
(128
)
14

2,889

Depreciation and amortization
183

(6
)

(3
)

174

Selling and administrative expenses
356

(11
)
(2
)
(9
)

334

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
44

(1
)

(43
)


Impairment charges and restructuring costs
97

(64
)
(12
)
2


23

Foreign exchange gain
(3
)
1




(2
)
Loss on derivative financial instruments
6





6

Operating income
28

62

14

33


137

Financing expense
101





101

Interest expense on employee future benefits
7



(1
)

6

Loss on refinancing of long-term debt
44





44

Foreign exchange loss on long-term debt and financial instruments
30





30

Loss before income taxes
(154
)
62

14

34


(44
)
Provision for (recovery of) income tax
(11
)
18


9


16

Net loss from continuing operations for the year
(143
)
44

14

25


(60
)
Net loss from discontinued operations for the year

(44
)
(14
)
(25
)

(83
)
Net loss including non-controlling interest for the year
(143
)




(143
)
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interest
4





4

Net loss attributable to Shareholders for the year
(147
)




(147
)

 
1

 


2013
 
 
As reported in 2013
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
As reported
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Total
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Intersegment sales
Total
Results
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales, net of intercompany transactions
3,849

(219
)
(51
)
(226
)
17

3,370

Cost of sales and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization), net of intercompany transactions
3,136

(209
)
(54
)
(194
)
17

2,696

Depreciation and amortization
182

(7
)
(1
)
(7
)

167

Selling and administrative expenses
365

(12
)
(3
)
(15
)

335

Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
3





3

Impairment charges and restructuring costs
33


(11
)
(20
)

2

Foreign exchange gain
(5
)
1




(4
)
Gain on derivative financial instruments
(5
)




(5
)
Operating income
140

8

18

10


176

Financing expense
103

1




104

Interest expense on employee future benefits
12

(1
)

(3
)

8

Foreign exchange gain on long-term debt and financial instruments
(2
)




(2
)
Share of results of associates and joint ventures
3





3

Profit (loss) before income taxes
24

8

18

13


63

Provision for (recovery of) income tax
12

2


5


19

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations for the year
12

6

18

8


44

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the year

2

(6
)
(18
)
(8
)

(30
)
Net earnings including non-controlling interest for the year

14





14

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interest
3





3

Net earnings attributable to Shareholders for the year
11





11


2014
 
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
As reported
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Total
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Total
Net cash flow
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow from (used for):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
250

(9
)
(3
)
(7
)
231

Investing activities
(138
)


(35
)
(173
)
Financing activities
(105
)



(105
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year from discontinued operations

9

3

42

54

Net change in cash and cash equivalents during the year
7




7


2013
 
 
As reported in 2013
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
As reported
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Total
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Total
Net cash flow
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow from (used for):
 
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
232

10

7

(13
)
236

Investing activities
(181
)
2


6

(173
)
Financing activities
(49
)



(49
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year from discontinued operations

(12
)
(7
)
7

(12
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents during the year

2




2



 
2

 


Sales increased by 6% , or $191 million , to reach $3,561 million in 2014, compared to $3,370 million in 2013. The 7% average depreciation of the Canadian dollar against both the U.S. dollar and the Euro largely explains this increase. We experienced higher selling prices and shipments for our containerboard activities, while our tissue paper activities volume and average selling prices were lower than last year after excluding the currency exchange rate impact.

The following graphics shows the breakdown of sales, before intercompany eliminations, and operating income before depreciation and amortization by business segment:
SALES BREAKDOWN 1
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION BREAKDOWN 2
1 Excluding inter-segment sales and Corporate activities.
2 Excluding specific items and Corporate activities. Please refer to ''Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures'' for a complete reconciliation.

For the year, the Corporation posted a net loss of $147 million , or $1.57 per share, compared to net earnings of $11 million , or $0.11 per share, in 2013. Excluding specific items, which are discussed in detail on pages 30 to 33, we posted net earnings of $20 million during the year, or $0.21 per share, compared to net earnings of $29 million or $0.31 per share in 2013. The Corporation recorded an operating income of $137 million during the year, compared to $176 million in 2013. Excluding specific items, operating income stood at $166 million during the year, compared to $175 million in 2013 (see the “Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures” section for reconciliation of these figures).

The decrease of $1.68 in our net earnings per share in 2014 compared to 2013, including specific items, can be explained by the following factors:
(in Canadian dollars)


Change in specific items (see reconciliation on page 34)
$
(1.58
)
Change in net earnings (loss) from continuing operations including non-controlling interest after normalized provision for income taxes
$
(0.11
)
Withholding tax provision - North American capital structure optimization
$
(0.15
)
Change in share of results of associates and joint ventures - net of income taxes and change in non-controlling interest
$
0.05

Change in net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - net of income taxes
$
0.11

Decrease in net earnings per share
$
(1.68
)

















 
3

 


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON NON-IFRS MEASURES

The following is the annual financial report and management's discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) of the operating results and financial position of Cascades Inc.(“Cascades” or “the Corporation”), and should be read in conjunction with the Corporation's consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Information contained herein includes any significant developments as at March 12, 2015 , the date on which the MD&A was approved by the Corporation's Board of Directors. For additional information, readers are referred to the Corporation's Annual Information Form (“AIF”), which is published separately. Additional information relating to the Corporation is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

This MD&A is intended to provide readers with the information that Management believes is required to gain an understanding of Cascades' current results and to assess the Corporation's future prospects. Accordingly, certain statements herein, including statements regarding future results and performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation, based on current expectations. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, the effect of general economic conditions, decreases in demand for the Corporation's products, the prices and availability of raw material, changes in the relative values of certain currencies, fluctuations in selling prices and adverse changes in general market and industry conditions. Cascades disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. This MD&A also includes price indices, as well as variance and sensitivity analysis that are intended to provide the reader with a better understanding of the trends related to our business activities. These items are based on the best estimates available to the Corporation.

The financial information contained herein, including tabular amounts, is expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified, and is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise indicated or if required in the context, the terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Cascades Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. The financial information included in this analysis also contains certain data that are not measures of performance under IFRS (“non-IFRS measures”). For example, the Corporation uses net debt, working capital and working capital as a percentage of sales, return on capital employed, consolidated return on assets, operating income, operating income before depreciation and amortization, or operating income before depreciation and amortization excluding specific items (OIBD or OIBD excluding specific items) as these are the measures used by Management to assess the operating and financial performance of the Corporation's operating segments. Moreover, we believe that OIBD is a measure often used by investors to assess a corporation's operating performance and its ability to meet debt service requirements. OIBD has limitations as an analytical tool, and it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results as reported under IFRS. These limitations include the following:

OIBD excludes certain income tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us
OIBD does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments
OIBD does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs
OIBD does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt
Although depreciation and amortization expenses are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and OIBD does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements
The specific items excluded from OIBD, operating income, financing expense, net earnings (loss) and cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations mainly include charges for (reversals of) impairment of assets, charges for facility or machine closures, accelerated depreciation of assets due to restructuring measures, loss on refinancing of long-term debt, discontinued operations, premiums paid on long-term debt refinancing, gains or losses on the acquisition or sale of a business unit, gains or losses on the share of results of associates and joint ventures, unrealized gains or losses on derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting, unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps, foreign exchange gains or losses on long-term debt, specific items on discontinued operations and other significant items of an unusual or non-recurring nature. Although we consider these items to be non-recurring and less relevant to evaluating our performance, some of them will continue to take place and will reduce the cash available to us.

Due to these limitations, OIBD should not be used as a substitute for net earnings (loss) or cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations as determined in accordance with IFRS, nor is it necessarily indicative of whether or not cash flow will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements. In addition, our definitions of OIBD may differ from those of other corporations. Any such modification or reformulation may be significant. A reconciliation of OIBD to net earnings (loss) from continuing operations and to net cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations, which we believe to be the closest IFRS performance and liquidity measure to OIBD, is outlined in the “Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures” section.

 
4

 


BUSINESS DRIVERS

Cascades' results are impacted by the fluctuations of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and Euro, as well as by energy prices and the cost of raw material.
SALES +
 
COSTS -
- Selling prices
 
- Freight
- Demand for packaging products and tissue papers
 
- Energy prices, mainly electricity and natural gas
- Trend towards sustainable products, mainly made of recycled fibres
 
- Fibre prices and availability (recycled papers, virgin pulp and woodchips) and production recipes
- Foreign exchange rates
 
- Foreign exchange rates
- Population growth
 
- Labour
- Industrial production
 
- Chemical product prices
- Product mix, substitution and innovation
 
- Capacity utilization rates and production downtime
 
 

EXCHANGE RATES
 
ENERGY COSTS
Cascades’ results are impacted by fluctuations of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and Euro. Please refer to the "Sensitivity Table" section for more details on these impacts.

For the year 2014, the average value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar was 7% lower than the average in 2013. Each $0.01 change in the U.S. dollar against its Canadian counterpart has an impact of approximately $4 million on our annual OIBD. The sale of the fine papers and North American boxboard activities, the closure of the kraft paper mill and parent roll purchases from Greenpac contributed to lowering Cascades' sensitivity to the U.S. dollar.

Against the Euro, the Canadian currency also depreciated by 7% during the year compared to 2013. Each 0.01 change of the Euro against the Canadian dollar has an impact of approximately $1 million on our annual OIBD.
 
With regard to energy costs, the average price of natural gas increased by 21% in 2014 compared to the previous year, as higher prices in the first quarter due to harsh weather conditions more than offset lower prices during the rest of the year.

In the case of crude oil, the average price remained stable in 2014 compared to 2013, despite a significant decrease in average crude oil prices in Q4 2014, caused by oversupply on the global market.

The variation of energy costs directly impacts our results as illustrated in the "Sensitivity Table" section. It can also indirectly impact our results through its influence on other costs such as chemical product prices, freight and other costs that are sensitive to energy prices.
 

 
5

 


SELLING PRICES AND RAW MATERIAL COSTS IN NORTH AMERICA
 
Selling prices and raw material costs trends are illustrated by the indices below, which have been adjusted following the sale of certain assets and to more accurately represent the activities of our two core sectors.

The manufacturing index is a multiple calculated by dividing the average manufacturing selling price 1  by the average raw material cost 2 . For instance, for the fourth quarter of 2014, the average manufacturing selling price 1  resulted in a 3.2x multiple of the average raw material cost 2 .

To establish the converting index, we first calculate the spread between the average converting selling price 3  and the average manufacturing selling price 1 . This spread is then divided by the average raw material cost 2 . For instance, for the fourth quarter of 2014, the spread between the average converting selling price 3  and the average manufacturing selling price 1  resulted in a 5.2x multiple of the average raw material cost 2 .

We then establish a weighted index to reflect the partial integration of our activities. For instance, for the fourth quarter of 2014, as our global integration rate was approximately 57%, the weighted index is composed of 57% of the converting index and 43% of the manufacturing index.
 
In 2014, the manufacturing index decreased by 3%, compared to 2013 due to lower average manufacturing selling prices and higher raw material costs. Compared to 2012, this index increased slightly in 2013 as higher average manufacturing selling prices more than offset higher raw material costs.

Compared to 2013, the converting index and the weighted index decreased in 2014, both by 5% due to lower average converting selling prices and integration rate. Compared to 2012, the two indices were also 7% lower in 2013 as higher raw material costs and lower integration rate more than offset higher converting selling prices. It is worth noting that these indices only highlight the spread between selling prices and raw material costs. They do not reflect other factors which impact profitability, such as exchange rates, production costs or depreciation.





















1 The average manufacturing selling price is equal to the average, weighted according to shipments, of our average selling prices in U.S. dollars for containerboard rolls and of our average selling prices in U.S. dollars for tissue paper jumbo rolls. This index only considers North American manufacturing prices for the Containerboard Group and the Tissue Papers Group. This index should only be used as a trend indicator, as it may differ from our actual selling prices and our product mix.

2 The average raw material cost is equal to the average, weighted according to consumed volume, of the average costs in U.S. dollars paid in by our containerboard and tissue papers activities for recycled fibre and virgin pulp. Some of these costs are estimated according to the historical relationship between our costs and selling prices published in PPI Pulp & Paper Week magazine. The cost of woodchips and logs is not considered. This index should only be used as a trend indicator, as it may differ from our actual manufacturing purchasing costs and our purchase mix.

3 The average converting selling price is equal to the average, weighted according to shipments, of our average selling prices in U.S. dollars for corrugated boxes and of our average selling prices in U.S. dollars for converted tissue paper products. This index only considers North American converting prices for the Containerboard Group and the Tissue Papers Group. This index should only be used as a trend indicator, as it may differ from our actual selling prices and our product mix.

 
6

 


SENSITIVITY TABLE 1  

The following table provides a quantitative estimate of the impact on Cascades’ annual OIBD of potential changes in the prices of our main products, the costs of certain raw material and energy, as well as the CAN$/US$ exchange rate, assuming, for each price change, that all other variables remain constant. This is based on Cascades’ 2014 manufacturing and converting external shipments and consumption quantities. However, it is important to note that this table does not consider the risk management from hedging instruments used by the Corporation. In fact, Cascades’ hedging policies and portfolios (see the “Risk Factors” section) should also be considered in order to fully analyze the Corporation’s sensitivity to the highlighted factors.

With regards to the CAN$/US$ exchange rate, we do not consider Cascades’ indirect sensitivity. This sensitivity refers to the fact that some of Cascades’ selling prices and raw material costs in Canada are based on reference prices and costs in U.S. dollars converted into Canadian dollars. In other words, the exchange rate fluctuation can have a direct influence on sales and purchases in Canada from Canadian facilities. However, because this fluctuation is difficult to measure precisely, we do not include it in the following table. It also excludes the impact of the exchange rate on the Corporation's Canadian units working capital items and cash positions denominated in other currency than CAN$. The foreign exchange rates also has an impact on the translation in CAN$ of the results of our non-Canadian units.
 
SHIPMENTS/CONSUMPTION ('000 SHORT TONS, '000 MMBTU FOR NATURAL GAS)

INCREASE
OIBD IMPACT (IN MILLIONS OF CAN$)

SELLING PRICE (MANUFACTURING AND CONVERTING) 2
 
 
 
North America
 
 
 
Containerboard
1,100

US$25/s.t.
30

Specialty Products (Industrial Packaging only)
160

US$25/s.t.
4

Tissue Papers
570

US$25/s.t.
16

 
1,830

 

Europe

 

Boxboard
1,090

€25/s.t.
40

 
2,920

 
90

RAW MATERIAL 2

 

Recycled Papers

 

North America

 

Brown grades (OCC and others)
1,020

US$15/s.t.
(17
)
Groundwood grades (ONP and others)
50

US$15/s.t.
(1
)
White grades (SOP and others)
560

US$15/s.t.
(9
)
 
1,630

 
(27
)
Europe

 

Brown grades (OCC and others)
740

€15/s.t.
(16
)
Groundwood grades (ONP and others)
180

€15/s.t.
(4
)
White grades (SOP and others)
100

€15/s.t.
(2
)
 
1,020

 
(22
)
 
2,650

 
(49
)
Virgin pulp

 

North America
110

US$30/s.t.
(4
)
Europe
80

€30/s.t.
(4
)
 
190

 
(8
)
Natural gas

 

North America
6,800

US1.00/mmBtu
(7
)
Europe
4,700

€1.00/mmBtu
(7
)
 
11,500

 
(14
)
Exchange rate 3
 
 

Sales less purchases in US$ from Canadian operations
 
CAN$/US$

 
 
0.01 change
3

U.S. subsidiaries translation
 
CAN$/US$

 
 
0.01 change
1

European subsidiaries translation
 
CAN$/€
 
 
 
0.01 change
1

 
 
 
5

1 Sensitivity calculated according to 2014 volumes or consumption, excluding discontinued operations, with an exchange rate of CAN$/US$ 1.10 and CAN$/€ 1.46, excluding hedging programs and
the impact of related expenses such as discounts, commissions on sales and profit-sharing.
2 Based on 2014 external manufacturing and converting shipments, as well as 2014 fibre and pulp consumption. Including purchases from our subsidiary Cascades Recovery. All figures are
excluding discontinued operations.
3 As an example, from CAN$/US$ 1.10 to CAN$/US$ 1.11 and from CAN$/€ 1.46 to CAN$/€ 1.47.

 
7

 


KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
In order to achieve our long-term objectives while also monitoring our action plan, we use several key performance indicators, including the following:
 
 
2012

2013
 
2014
 
 
 
TOTAL

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

TOTAL

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

TOTAL

OPERATIONAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total shipments (in '000 s.t.) 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Containerboard
1,192

296

324

334

314

1,268

309

337

337

325

1,308

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(221
)
(54
)
(55
)
(53
)
(43
)
(205
)
(55
)
(51
)
(50
)
(48
)
(204
)
Boxboard Europe
1,104

299

301

260

277

1,137

303

293

261

263

1,120

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(52
)
(13
)
(14
)
(11
)
(14
)
(52
)
(13
)
(10
)
(4
)

(27
)
Specialty Products 2
385

94

94

93

90

371

94

93

65

39

291

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(207
)
(53
)
(52
)
(48
)
(50
)
(203
)
(53
)
(52
)
(24
)
(2
)
(131
)
 
 
2,201

569

598

575

574

2,316

585

610

585

577

2,357

Tissue Papers
564

143

149

153

138

583

130

140

153

144

567

Total
2,765

712

747

728

712

2,899

715

750

738

721

2,924

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Integration rate 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Containerboard only
64
%
62
%
56
%
54
%
50
%
55
%
55
%
50
%
54
%
49
%
52
%
Tissue Papers
69
%
69
%
70
%
71
%
72
%
70
%
71
%
70
%
69
%
69
%
70
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Manufacturing capacity utilization rate 4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Containerboard
88
%
88
%
91
%
90
%
88
%
89
%
85
%
93
%
94
%
90
%
91
%
Boxboard Europe
93
%
99
%
102
%
87
%
93
%
95
%
101
%
98
%
89
%
91
%
95
%
Tissue Papers
96
%
98
%
98
%
100
%
93
%
97
%
90
%
95
%
100
%
89
%
93
%
Consolidated total
92
%
95
%
97
%
91
%
91
%
93
%
93
%
96
%
93
%
90
%
93
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy cons. 5   - GJ/ton
11.41

12.30

10.69

10.40

11.54

11.22

11.92

11.07

10.36

10.69

11.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Work accidents 6   - OSHA frequency rate
3.80

3.10

3.30

3.10

3.20

3.20

3.30

3.50

3.50

2.90

3.30

FINANCIAL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on assets 7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Containerboard
7
%
8
%
9
%
10
%
11
%
11
%
12
%
13
%
13
%
13
%
13
%
Boxboard Europe
6
%
6
%
6
%
6
%
7
%
7
%
9
%
10
%
11
%
10
%
10
%
Specialty Products
9
%
9
%
10
%
10
%
12
%
12
%
12
%
12
%
14
%
13
%
13
%
Tissue Papers
19
%
18
%
18
%
18
%
18
%
18
%
17
%
15
%
13
%
12
%
12
%
Consolidated return on assets
8.1
%
8.0
%
8.0
%
8.5
%
9.3
%
9.3
%
9.5
%
9.6
%
9.9
%
9.4
%
9.4
%
Return on capital employed 8
2.8
%
2.8
%
2.9
%
3.2
%
4.0
%
4.0
%
4.1
%
4.2
%
4.4
%
4.1
%
4.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Working capital 9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In millions of $, at end of period
455

488

543

485

455

455

526

469

460

379

379

% of sales 10
14.4
%
14.0
%
13.5
%
13.1
%
12.9
%
12.9
%
12.9
%
12.7
%
12.6
%
12.3
%
12.3
%
1 Shipments do not take into account the elimination of business sector inter-company shipments.
2 Industrial Packaging shipments only, for all current and comparative periods.
3 Defined as: Percentage of manufacturing shipments transferred to our converting operations. Containerboard excludes manufacturing shipments from our North American boxboard operations presented as
discontinued operations.
4 Defined as: Manufacturing internal and external shipments/practical capacity. Excluding discontinued operations and Specialty Products Group manufacturing activities.
5 Average energy consumption for manufacturing mills only, excluding RdM. Not adjusted for discontinued operations.
6 Starting in Q1 2013, the rate includes Papersource and Bird Packaging. Excluding RdM for all periods and Djupafors starting in Q2 2014. Not adjusted for discontinued operations.
7 Return on assets is a non-IFRS measure defined as the last twelve months' (“LTM”) OIBD excluding specific items/LTM quarterly average of total assets. It includes or excludes significant business
acquisitions and disposals, respectively, of the last twelve months, on a pro forma basis. Not adjusted for discontinued operations.
8 Return on capital employed is a non-IFRS measure and is defined as the after-tax (30%) amount of the LTM operating income, including our share of core joint ventures, excluding specific items, divided by the
LTM quarterly average of capital employed. Capital employed is defined as the total assets less trade and other payables. It includes or excludes significant business acquisitions and disposals, respectively,
of the last twelve months, on a pro forma basis. Not adjusted for assets of disposal group classified as held for sale.
9 Working capital includes accounts receivable (excluding the short-term portion of other assets) plus inventories less trade and other payables. Not adjusted for assets of disposal group classified as held for sale.
10 % of sales = Average LTM working capital/LTM sales. It includes or excludes significant business acquisitions and disposals, respectively, of the last twelve months, on a pro forma basis. Not adjusted for assets
of disposal group classified as held for sale.

 
8

 


HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
2012

2013
 
2014
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted)
TOTAL

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

TOTAL

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

TOTAL

Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Containerboard
1,189

298

335

353

328

1,314

330

363

366

348

1,407

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(242
)
(58
)
(58
)
(56
)
(47
)
(219
)
(59
)
(58
)
(56
)
(53
)
(226
)
    Boxboard Europe
791

212

215

194

216

837

246

232

199

196

873

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(53
)
(14
)
(12
)
(11
)
(14
)
(51
)
(14
)
(12
)
(6
)

(32
)
    Specialty Products
791

189

196

197

192

774

203

207

167

139

716

Discontinued operations net of intercompany transactions
(224
)
(57
)
(57
)
(55
)
(57
)
(226
)
(63
)
(61
)
(22
)
(2
)
(148
)
    Inter-segment sales
(56
)
(12
)
(12
)
(13
)
(13
)
(50
)
(13
)
(13
)
(10
)
(13
)
(49
)
 
2,196

558

607

609

605

2,379

630

658

638

615

2,541

Tissue Papers
979

241

264

279

249

1,033

245

257

282

270

1,054

Inter-segment sales and Corporate activities
(34
)
(10
)
(12
)
(10
)
(10
)
(42
)
(12
)
(5
)
(11
)
(6
)
(34
)
Total
3,141

789

859

878

844

3,370

863

910

909

879

3,561

Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Containerboard
(12
)
12

22

33

29

96

23

(6
)
35

(6
)
46

    Discontinued operations
(1
)
3

4

1


8

(1
)
35

(1
)
29

62

    Boxboard Europe
1

2

1


(10
)
(7
)
14

(1
)
4

(2
)
15

    Discontinued operations
2


2

3

13

18

1

12


1

14

    Specialty Products
23

5

9

(12
)
4

6

6

(37
)
10

(6
)
(27
)
    Discontinued operations
(4
)

(3
)
18

(5
)
10

(2
)
33

(2
)
4

33

 
9

22

35

43

31

131

41

36

46

20

143

Tissue Papers
92

18

23

29

36

106

9

11

20

8

48

Corporate activities
(29
)
(17
)
(17
)
(13
)
(14
)
(61
)
(14
)
(10
)
(15
)
(15
)
(54
)
Total
72

23

41

59

53

176

36

37

51

13

137

OIBD excluding specific items 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Containerboard
98

26

34

42

47

149

33

44

49

47

173

    Discontinued operations
(8
)
1

2

(1
)
(1
)
1

(2
)
(1
)
(3
)
(3
)
(9
)
    Boxboard Europe
42

11

10

9

21

51

23

19

14

14

70

    Discontinued operations
1


2

2

2

6

1

1



2

    Specialty Products
49

11

16

15

16

58

12

13

16

10

51

    Discontinued operations
(12
)
(2
)
(5
)
(3
)
(7
)
(17
)
(4
)
(3
)
(4
)

(11
)
 
170

47

59

64

78

248

63

73

72

68

276

Tissue Papers
138

29

33

39

32

133

20

23

32

21

96

Corporate activities
(23
)
(9
)
(10
)
(9
)
(11
)
(39
)
(8
)
(6
)
(11
)
(7
)
(32
)
Total
285

67

82

94

99

342

75

90

93

82

340

Net earnings (loss)
(22
)
(8
)
2

11

6

11

(1
)
(83
)
(16
)
(47
)
(147
)
     Excluding specific items 1
5

(4
)
8

7

18

29

1

7

4

8

20

Net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Basic and diluted
$
(0.23
)
$
(0.09
)
$
0.03

$
0.12

$
0.05

$
0.11

$
(0.01
)
$
(0.88
)
$
(0.17
)
$
(0.51
)
$
(1.57
)
     Basic, excluding specific items 1
$
0.05

$
(0.04
)
$
0.09

$
0.07

$
0.19

$
0.31

$
0.01

$
0.08

$
0.04

$
0.08

$
0.21

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per basic and diluted common share (in dollars)
$
(0.19
)
$
(0.05
)
$
0.06

$
0.28

$
0.15

$
0.44

$
(0.01
)
$
(0.24
)
$
(0.20
)
$
(0.23
)
$
(0.68
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow from operations including discontinued operations
161

46

41

78

61

226

60

26

92

73

251

Cash flow from discontinued operations
(6
)
2

1

5

(3
)
5

(3
)
10

(10
)
(2
)
(7
)
Cash flow from continuing operations 1
155

48

42

83

58

231

57

34

82

71

244

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net debt 2
1,535

1,581

1,675

1,601

1,612

1,612

1,708

1,645

1,640

1,613

1,613

US$/CAN$
$
1.00

$
0.99

$
0.98

$
0.96

$
0.95

$
0.97

$
0.91

$
0.92

$
0.92

$
0.88

$
0.91

EURO€/CAN$
$
0.78

$
0.75

$
0.75

$
0.73

$
0.70

$
0.73

$
0.66

$
0.67

$
0.69

$
0.70

$
0.68

Natural Gas Henry Hub - US$/mmBtu
$
2.79

$
3.34

$
4.09

$
3.58

$
3.60

$
3.65

$
4.94

$
4.67

$
4.06

$
4.00

$
4.42

Sources: Bloomberg and Cascades.
1 See “Forward-looking statements and supplemental information on non-IFRS measures” .
2 Defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.


 
9

 


BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation completed transactions in order to optimize its asset base and streamline its cost structure. The following transactions and announcements, which occurred in both years, should be taken into consideration when reviewing the overall or segmented analysis of the Corporation's results.

BUSINESS CLOSURES, RESTRUCTURING AND DISPOSALS

BOXBOARD EUROPE
On April 9, 2014, following a consultation process with the unions, the Corporation announced closure of its subsidiary Cascades Djupafors, located in Ronneby, Sweden, which definitively ceased its operations on June 15. Results and cash flows have been reclassified as discontinued operations for the current and comparative periods.
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS GROUP
Effective June 30, 2014, we sold our fine papers activities for an amount of $39 million, before transaction fees of $1 million, of which $37 million was received on the date of the transaction and a selling price balance of $2 million has been received in the third quarter. A negative preliminary working capital adjustment of $2 million was recorded and paid by the Corporation during the third quarter. Results and cash flows have been reclassified as discontinued operations for the current and comparative periods.
On July 9, 2014, we announced the permanent closure of our kraft paper manufacturing activities located in East Angus, Québec. On September 26, we definitively ceased operations of the mill. Results and cash flows have been reclassified as discontinued operations for the current and comparative periods.
CONTAINERBOARD GROUP
On December 11, 2014, the Corporation announced that it had reached an agreement for the sale of its North American boxboard manufacturing and converting assets for $45 million. The transaction was closed on February 4, 2015. Results and cash flows have been reclassified as discontinued operations for the current and comparative periods. Balance sheet items were reclassified as held for sale.
On November 27, 2013, the Corporation announced the creation of a new joint venture with Maritime Paper Products Limited in the Atlantic provinces related to our plants in St. John's, Newfoundland, and Moncton, New Brunswick. The transaction was closed on January 31, 2014.

SIGNIFICANT FACTS AND DEVELOPMENTS
i. On August 18, 2014, we announced the strategic optimization and expansion of our tissue papers activities in the southeastern United States, with the installation of a new tissue converting facility in Wagram, North Carolina. This investment will reorganize and expand our converting activities in that area, which is a targeted region of growth for the Corporation. The total estimated cost of the project is US$55 million of which US$18 million has already been spent in 2014. New equipment is being installed progressively, and some production started in December 2014 and will continue throughout the first half of 2015.
ii. In 2014, we refinanced our 7.75% unsecured senior notes of US$500 million and $200 million, due in 2017 and in 2016, respectively. The Corporation issued 5.50% unsecured senior notes of US$550 million, due in 2022, and 5.50% unsecured senior notes of $250 million, due in 2021. We allocated the proceeds of these new notes to repurchase the US$500 million notes due in 2017 and the $200 million notes due in 2016. The remaining amounts (US$50 million and $50 million) were used to pay a premium totaling $31 million and refinancing costs of $13 million and to reduce our credit facility utilization. The refinancing of these notes will reduce our future interest expense by approximately US$8 million and $6 million annually.
iii . During the third quarter of 2013, we announced plans to increase tissue paper production capacity at our plant in St. Helens, Oregon. The project, consists in converting and starting up a second paper machine. The retrofitting of an existing machine will allow us to bring an additional capacity of 55,000 tons to this market at a lower capital cost and on a faster timeline than if we were to build a new machine. The project started its ramp-up period on October 25 , 2014. Total cost of this project after the ramp-up period stood at $45 million as at December 31, 2014 ($11 million spent in 2013).
iv. During the fourth quarter of 2014, we announced the acquisition and installation, for $13 million, of two new printing presses for the Containerboard activities in our Vaudreuil and Drummondville, Québec plants which specialize in manufacturing corrugated packaging products. This investment will allow us to respond more quickly to our customers' needs, offer packaging products of greater quality and increase our productivity.
v. In 2013 and 2014, the results of our European boxboard operations were, from time to time, positively impacted by energy savings certificates ("white certificates"). These certificates of energy efficiency are awarded by the Italian authorities for the promotion of, and reward, energy savings achieved through approved projects. The recognition of these credits in our operating results is done once the approval of a project is received from the authorities. We might continue to receive such certificates in 2015.

 
10

 


SPECIFIC ITEMS INCLUDED IN OPERATING INCOME AND NET EARNINGS (LOSS)

The Corporation incurred some specific items in 2014 and 2013 that adversely or positively affected its operating results. We believe it is useful for readers to be aware of these items, as they provide a measure of performance with which to compare the Corporation's results between periods, notwithstanding these specific items.

The reconciliation of the specific items included in operating income (loss) by business segment is as follows:
 
2014
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
Total
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Tissue Papers
Corporate activities
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Consoli-dated
Operating income (loss)
46
15
(27)
48
(54)
62
14
33
137
Depreciation and amortization
62
35
23
47
16
(6)
(3)
174
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization
108
50
(4)
95
(38)
56
14
30
311
Specific items:









Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
1
43
(1)
(43)
Impairment charges
64
11
16
(64)
(4)
(2)
21
Restructuring costs (gain)
9
(4)
1
(8)
4
2
Unrealized loss on financial instruments
6
6

65
20
55
1
6
(65)
(12)
(41)
29
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization - excluding specific items
173
70
51
96
(32)
(9)
2
(11)
340
Operating income (loss) - excluding specific items
111
35
28
49
(48)
(3)
2
(8)
166
 
2013
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
Total
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Tissue Papers
Corporate activities
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Consoli-dated
Operating income (loss)
96
(7)
6
106
(61)
8
18
10
176
Depreciation and amortization
60
37
26
44
15
(7)
(1)
(7)
167
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization
156
30
32
150
(46)
1
17
3
343
Specific items:









Loss (gain) on acquisitions, disposals and others
(2)
5
3
Impairment charges (reversal)
1
17
26
(17)
(10)
(20)
(3)
Restructuring costs
2
4
(1)
5
Unrealized loss (gain) on financial instruments
(8)
2
(6)

(7)
21
26
(17)
7
(11)
(20)
(1)
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization - excluding specific items
149
51
58
133
(39)
1
6
(17)
342
Operating income (loss) - excluding specific items
89
14
32
89
(54)
8
7
(10)
175















 
11

 


LOSS (GAIN) ON ACQUISITIONS, DISPOSALS AND OTHERS
In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation recorded the following gains and losses:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Employment contracts

5

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(2
)
Class action settlement
5


Gain on a joint-venture contribution
(5
)

 

3


2014
In the fourth quarter, the Corporation settled a class action lawsuit that was filed against it and other North American manufacturers of containerboard. Under the terms of the settlement agreement the Corporation has agreed to pay US$4.8 million into a settlement fund in return for the release of all claims of the alleged class action without any admission of wrong doing on the part of the Corporation.

On January 31, the Corporation concluded the creation of a new joint venture, for converting corrugated board activities in the Atlantic provinces with Maritime Paper Products Limited (MPPL).This transaction resulted in a gain of $5 million (see Note 8, ''Investments in associates and joint ventures'' for more details).

2013
In the second quarter, the Containerboard Group sold a piece of land located at its New York City, U.S., containerboard plant site and recorded a gain of $2 million on the disposal.

As part of the transition process in connection with the appointment of a new President and CEO, the Corporation entered into employment contracts with the new President and CEO, and the Presidents of the Containerboard, Specialty Products and Tissue Papers business segments. The fair value of the post-employment benefit obligation related to these employment contracts was evaluated at $5 million as at March 31, and an equivalent charge has been recorded.

IMPAIRMENT CHARGES (REVERSAL) AND RESTRUCTURING COSTS
In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation recorded the following impairment charges (reversal) and restructuring costs:

2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Impairment charges

Restructuring costs

Impairment charges (reversal)

Restructuring costs

Containerboard Group


1

2

Boxboard Europe Group
7

1

7

3

Specialty Products Group
14


6


Tissue Papers Group

1

(17
)


21

2

(3
)
5


2014
In the fourth quarter, the Boxboard Europe Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its Iberica, Spain, recycled boxboard manufacturing mill and recorded impairment charges on property, plant and equipment totaling $7 million. The slow recovery of the European economic environment since the 2009 financial crisis negatively impacted the profitability of this mill. The Boxboard Europe Group also recorded severances of $1 million in relation to previous years' plant closures.

In the second quarter, the Specialty Products Group recorded impairment charges of $2 million on property, plant and equipment, and the amount of $3 million on spare parts due to sustained challenging business conditions for a plant manufacturing consumer goods made from recovered plastics in its consumer products sub-segment. On September 30, the plant was sold to Laurent Lemaire, a director and major shareholder of the Corporation, at a value determined to be fair by the independent members of the Board. The independent directors of the Board reviewed all options for this business and determined that the sale to Mr. Lemaire was in the best interests of the Corporation and the employees of the consumer plastics business. The Group also recorded impairment charges of $3 million on other assets.

In the fourth quarter, the Specialty Products Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its flexible film activities CGU and recorded an impairment charge of $6 million on property, plant and equipment. Sustained low shipments in this sector do not generate enough profitability to support the carrying value of property plant and equipment.

The Tissue Papers Group recorded severances of $1 million as part of its consumer products activities restructuring.

 
12

 


2013
The Containerboard Group recorded an impairment charge of $1 million due to the re-evaluation of a note receivable (in Other assets) from a 2011 business disposal.

The Containerboard Group also recorded a $1 million provision relating to an onerous lease contract and an additional severances provision totaling $1 million in relation to the consolidation of its Ontario converting activities, announced in 2012.

The Boxboard Europe Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its Magenta and Marzabotto (both in Italy) and Iberica, Spain recycled boxboard manufacturing mills, and recorded impairment charges on property, plant and equipment totaling $7 million. The slow recovery of the European economic environment since the 2009 financial crisis negatively impacted the profitability of these mills and led to the consolidation of our recycled boxboard activities in Europe.

The Boxboard Europe Group recorded severances totaling $3 million in relation to consolidation of its recycled boxboard activities in Italy and Spain.

The Specialty Products Group also reviewed the recoverable amount of its honeycomb activities and recorded an impairment charge of the amount of $2 million on a client list and $4 million on goodwill. Low shipments in this sector do not generate enough profitability to support the carrying value of these intangible assets with a finite life.

The Tissue Papers Group recorded a $17 million reversal of impairment on its Memphis, Tennessee, manufacturing mill. The Corporation had initially recorded an impairment charge of $22 million as at the transition date to IFRS on January 1, 2010, due to operational challenges. Since then, the Corporation implemented a Group Best Practices program to maximize efficiency at all of its plants. These actions contributed to solving operating difficulties at the Memphis mill.


DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In 2014, the Corporation recorded an unrealized loss of $6 million , compared to an unrealized gain of $6 million in 2013, on certain financial instruments not designated for hedge accounting.


LOSS ON REFINANCING OF LONG-TERM DEBT
Following the refinancing of the Corporation's unsecured senior notes on June 19, 2014, we recorded premiums of $ 30 million to repurchase and redeem our existing notes before their maturities. We also wrote-off financing costs and discounts related to the redeemed notes, in the amount of $ 14 million.


INTEREST RATE SWAPS
In 2013, the Corporation recorded an unrealized gain of $1 million on financial instruments on interest rate swaps.


FOREIGN EXCHANGE GAIN (LOSS) ON LONG-TERM DEBT AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In 2014, the Corporation recorded a loss of $30 million , compared to a gain of $2 million in 2013, on its US$-denominated debt and related financial instruments. This is composed of a loss of $27 million in 2014, compared to a loss of $ 7 million in 2013, on our US$-denominated long-term debt net of our net investment hedge in the U.S. and forward exchange contracts designated as hedging instruments. It also includes a loss of $3 million in 2014, compared to a gain of $ 9 million in 2013, on foreign exchange forward contracts not designated for hedge accounting.


SHARE OF RESULTS OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
In 2014, our share of results of associates and joint ventures includes a $1 million impairment charge on assets from our joint venture Maritime Paper. As well, it includes a $1 million unrealized gain on financial instruments not designated for hedge accounting, compared to a $5 million unrealized gain in 2013 from our associate Greenpac. Additionally, it includes $2 million in acquisition costs from our associate Boralex following its acquisition of Enel Green Power France in the fourth quarter of 2014. Finally, the 2013 share of results includes a $1 million impairment on its investment in a joint venture in Europe.

 
13

 


DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation recorded the following amounts in discontinued operations:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Loss on disposals and others

Impairment charges

Restructuring costs (gain)

Total

Loss on disposals and others

Impairment charges

Restructuring costs (gain)

Total

Containerboard Group - Boxboard North America
1

64


65





Boxboard Europe Group

4

8

12


10

1

11

Specialty Products Group - Fine Papers
43



43





Specialty Products Group - Kraft Papers

2

(4
)
(2
)

20


20

Corporate activities






(2
)
(2
)
Total (excluding related income taxes)
44

70

4

118


30

(1
)
29

Income taxes
(13
)
(19
)
1

(31
)

(5
)

(5
)
Total
31

51

5

87


25

(1
)
24


2014
On December 11, the Containerboard Group announced that it had reached an agreement for the sale of its boxboard activities in North America to Graphic Packaging Holding Company, for $45 million. The sale was completed on February 4, 2015. Following the announcement, impairment charges of $2 million on intangible assets, $23 million on property, plant and equipment, and $6 million on spare parts were recorded.

In the second quarter, the Containerboard Group had reviewed the recoverable value of one boxboard mill and recorded impairment charges of $12 million on property, plant and equipment, and $5 million on spare parts. In the same quarter, we also recorded impairment charges of $16 million on notes receivable related to the 2011 disposal of our U.S. boxboard activities.

In the third quarter, the Containerboard Group sold a building in connection with a closed plant and recorded a gain of $1 million. Also during the third quarter, in connection with our boxboard plants sold in 2011, we recorded a loss of $2 million related to an onerous lease contract following the bankruptcy of Fusion Paperboard.

On June 15, following the announcement made in 2013, we definitively ceased the operation of our virgin boxboard mill located in Sweden. Following the closure, we recorded an impairment charge of $4 million on spare parts and severances of $7 million. An environmental provision of $1 million was recorded as well.

On June 30, we sold our fine papers activities of the Specialty Products Group, for a cash consideration of $39 million before transaction fees of $1 million, of which $37 million was received on closing and $2 million during the third quarter. Also during the third quarter, the Corporation recorded and paid a preliminary working capital adjustment of $2 million. The transaction is still subject to a working capital adjustment as of December 31. As a result, a loss on disposal of $43 million was recorded during the year.

On September 26, we ceased the operation of our kraft papers manufacturing activities of the Specialty Product Group located in East Angus, Québec. The closure was announced on July 9, and an impairment charge of $2 million on spare parts and restructuring costs of $4 million were recorded in the second quarter. At the same time, a curtailment gain of $9 million was recorded on the pension plan. In the fourth quarter, we recorded $1 million of closure costs for the mill.


2013
During the year, the Djupafors mill recorded severances totaling $1 million in relation to consolidation of its recycled boxboard activities in Djupafors, Sweden. The mill also recorded an impairment charge of $10 million on property, plant and equipment at its Djupafors mill. This impairment charge was recorded due to sustained difficult market conditions, which led to insufficient profitability.

In the third quarter, the Specialty Products Group reviewed the recoverable amount of its East Angus, Québec, kraft paper mill and recorded impairment charges of $16 million on property, plant and equipment, and $4 million on spare parts.

On March 11, 2011, the Corporation announced that it had entered into an agreement for the sale of Dopaco Inc. and Dopaco Canada Inc. (collectively Dopaco), its converting business for the quick-service restaurant industry, to Reynolds Group Holdings Limited. In 2013, we reversed in Corporate Activities a $2 million provision for which we had retained liability following this transaction that did not materialize.





 
14

 


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON NON-IFRS MEASURES

Net earnings (loss), a performance measure defined by IFRS, is reconciled below with operating income, operating income excluding specific items and operating income before depreciation and amortization excluding specific items:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Shareholders for the year
(147
)
11

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interest
4

3

Net loss from discontinued operations for the year
83

30

Provision for income taxes
16

19

Share of results of associates and joint ventures

3

Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments
30

(2
)
Financing expense, interest expense on employee future benefits and loss on refinancing of long term debt
151

112

Operating income
137

176

Specific items:




Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others

3

Impairment charges (reversal)
21

(3
)
Restructuring costs
2

5

Unrealized loss (gain) on financial instruments
6

(6
)

29

(1
)
Operating income - excluding specific items
166

175

Depreciation and amortization
174

167

Operating income before depreciation and amortization - excluding specific items
340

342



The following table reconciles net earnings (loss) and net earnings (loss) per share with net earnings excluding specific items and net earnings per share excluding specific items:

NET EARNINGS (LOSS)
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE 1
(in millions of Canadian dollars, except amount per share)
2014

2013

2014

2013

As per IFRS
(147
)
11

$
(1.57
)
$
0.11

Specific items:




Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others

3


$
0.03

Impairment charges (reversal)
21

(3
)
$
0.13

$
(0.02
)
Restructuring costs
2

5

$
0.02

$
0.03

Unrealized loss (gain) on financial instruments
6

(6
)
$
0.05

$
(0.04
)
Loss on refinancing of long-term debt
44


$
0.35


Unrealized gain on interest rates swaps

(1
)

$
(0.01
)
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on long-term debt and financial instruments
30

(2
)
$
0.28

$
(0.02
)
Share of results of associates and joint ventures
2

(4
)
$
0.01

$
(0.03
)
Included in discontinued operations, net of tax
87

24

$
0.94

$
0.26

Tax effect on specific items, other tax adjustments and attributable to non-controlling interest 1
(25
)
2



 
167

18

$
1.78

$
0.20

Excluding specific items
20

29

$
0.21

$
0.31

1 Specific amounts per share are calculated on an after-tax basis and net of the portion attributable to non-controlling interest.



 
15

 


The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations with cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations (adjusted) and cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations excluding specific items:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations
231

236

Changes in non-cash working capital components
13

(5
)
Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations (adjusted)
244

231

Specific items, net of current income taxes if applicable:




Restructuring costs
2

2

Premium paid on long-term debt refinancing
31


Excluding specific items
277

233


The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations with operating income and operating income before depreciation and amortization:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations
231

236

Changes in non-cash working capital components
13

(5
)
Depreciation and amortization
(174
)
(167
)
Net income taxes received
(14
)
(5
)
Net financing expense paid
73

100

Premium paid on long-term debt refinancing
31


Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others

(3
)
Impairment charges and restructuring costs
(21
)

Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments
(6
)
6

Dividend received, employee future benefits and others
4

14

Operating income
137

176

Depreciation and amortization
174

167

Operating income before depreciation and amortization
311

343


The following table reconciles the total debt and the net debt with the net debt on operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBD) excluding specific items ratio:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Long-term debt
1,556

1,540

Current portion of other long-term debt
40

39

Bank loans and advances
46

56

Total debt
1,642

1,635

Cash and cash equivalents
29

23

Net debt
1,613

1,612

OIBD excluding specific items 1, 2
340

352

Net debt / OIBD excluding specific items ratio
4.7

4.6

1 For 2013, the OIBD excluding specific items includes the effect of discontinued operations of $10 million as reported in 2013.
2 Net debt does not include the impact of the sale of our North American boxboard assets which results are reclassified as discontinued operations. The transaction was closed in February 2015 and the Corporation received proceeds of $46 million (including $1 million in working capital adjustment). However, as per the sale agreement, we will have to incur in 2015 cash disbursement of approximately $4 million to compensate for pension plan deficit as of February 4, 2015.


 
16

 


FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
Our 2014 and 2013 results have been adjusted to account for the reclassification of discontinued operations.

SALES
Sales increased by 6% , or $191 million , to reach $3,561 million in 2014, compared to $3,370 million in 2013. The 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against both the U.S. dollar and the Euro largely explains this increase. We experienced higher selling prices and increased shipments for our containerboard activities, while our tissue paper activities volumes and average selling prices were lower than last year when excluding the currency exchange rate impact.

Sales by geographic segment are as follows, along with the localization of our plants and property, plant and equipment around the world:
Sales from (in %):
 
Sales to (in %):
 
Production and sorting facilities' units (in %) 1
 
Property, plant and equipment by geographic segment (in %)
 
1 Excluding sales offices, distribution and transportation hubs and corporate offices.
Including the main associates and joint ventures.


OPERATING INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
The Corporation generated an operating income of $137 million in 2014, compared to $176 million in 2013, a decrease of $39 million . The reduction in operating income mainly comes from the specific items recorded, as described on pages 30 to 33. The depreciation of the Canadian dollar and the increase in the average selling price and in volumes in our Containerboard Group positively contributed to operating income. However, these elements were more than offset by lower volume and average selling prices (excluding the currency impact) in our Tissue Papers Group, and by the negative impacts of higher raw material costs, mostly due to an increase in external purchases of paper rolls, mainly from Greenpac, in our Containerboard Group, a different mix of products sold and higher usage of virgin pulp in our Tissue Papers Group. Higher depreciation expense also impacted the operating income, mainly due to the lower Canadian dollar.

Excluding specific items, the operating income stood at $166 million in 2014, compared to $175 million in 2013 (see the “Supplemental Information on Non-IFRS Measures” and ''Specific Items Included in Operating Income and Net Earnings (Loss)'' sections for reconciliation of these amounts).







 
17

 


The main variances in sales and operating income in 2014, compared to 2013, are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 

1 Raw material: The impacts of these estimated costs are based on production costs per unit shipped externally, which are affected by yield, product mix changes and purchase and transfer prices. In addition to market pulp and recycled fibre, they include purchases of external boards and parent rolls for the converting sector, and other raw material such as plastics and woodchips.
2 F/X CAN$: The estimated impact of the exchange rate is based on the Corporation's Canadian ex port sales less purchase s, denominated in US$, that are impacted by exchange rate fluctuations
and by our non-Canadian subsidiaries OIBD translation into CAN$. It also includes the impact of the exchange rate variation on the Corporation's Canadian units in other currency than the CAN$
working capital items and cash positions, as well as our hedging transactions. It excludes indirect sensitivity (please refer to page 26 for more details).
3 Other costs: Other costs include the impact of variable and fixed costs based on production costs per unit shipped externally, which are affected by downtimes, efficiencies and product mix changes.
4 OIBD : Excluding specific items.


The operating income variance analysis by segment is shown in each business segment review (refer to pages 38 to 49).



 
18

 


BUSINESS SEGMENT REVIEW

PACKAGING PRODUCTS - CONTAINERBOARD

Our Industry
U.S. containerboard industry production and capacity utilization rate 1
 
U.S. containerboard inventories at box plants and mills 2
As the U.S. economy picked up, the U.S. containerboard industry remained well balanced in 2014 despite the addition of production capacity. Total production and the capacity utilization rate increased slightly in 2014.
 
The average inventory level was 4% higher in 2014 than in 2013 and weeks of supply averaged 4.1, a figure slightly above the 2013 and 2012 levels. This increase can be explained by the addition of production capacity.
 

Canadian corrugated box industry shipments 3
 
Reference prices - recovered paper (brown grade) 1
Canadian shipments increased by 3% in 2014 compared to 2013, as both Canada and the U.S. experienced improved market conditions.
 
The average reference price of Corrugated containers no.11 decreased again in 2014, due to weak Asian demand and improved recovery rates in China. Closures of North American mills also resulted in abundant domestic supply to meet demand.
 

Reference prices - containerboard 1
 
 
The linerboard reference price remained stable throughout 2014 while, according to RISI, the reference price for corrugating medium posted a $10 per ton decline starting in July 2014 as a result of new production capacity in the Northeast.
 
 
 
 
1 Source: RISI

2 Source: Fiber Box Association

3 Source: Canadian Corrugated and Containerboard Association



 
19

 


Our Performance
Our 2014 and 2013 results have been adjusted to account for the reclassification of discontinued operations.
Sales
 
OIBD and OIBD margin (excluding specific items)
 
Shipments and manufacturing capacity utilization rate
 
Average selling price
 
 
 


The main variances in sales and operating income for the Containerboard Group are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 

For Notes 1 to 4, see definitions on page 37.

The Corporation incurred some specific items in 2014 and 2013 that adversely or positively affected its operating results. Please refer to pages 30 to 33 for more details and reconciliation.


 
20

 

 
 
 

2013
2014
 
Change in %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments 1  ('000 s.t.)
 
4%
 
1,063
1,104
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Selling Price
 
 
 
(CAN$/unit)
 
 
 
1,031
1,070
 
4%
 
(US$/unit)
 
 
1,001
969
 
-3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales ($M)
 
8%
 
1,095
1,181
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
104
108
 
4%
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
11%
97
108
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OIBD ($M)
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
157
164
 
4%
% of sales
 
 
14%
14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
 
 
150
164
 
9%
 
% of sales
 
 
14%
14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Shipments do not take into account the elimination of business sector inter-company shipments.
 
 
2 Since our participation in Greenpac is accounted for using the equity method, all transactions are accounted for as external.
 
 
3 Pro forma figures based on normalized average daily production and current-month margin, as well as unplanned downtime taken.
 
 

















 
Shipments increased by 4%, or 41,000 s.t., to 1,104,000 s.t. in 2014, compared to 1,063,000 s.t. in 2013. The containerboard mills’ external shipments went up by 19,000 s.t.(same-plants basis), or 5%, as they sold fewer tons internally following the start-up of the Greenpac mill 2 , which is now fulfilling a portion of our internal converting linerboard needs. Also, despite a fire at our Niagara Falls mill in the third quarter of 2014 and the 14-day shutdown in the first quarter at our Trenton mill, which together subtracted 15,000 s.t. 3 , the mills still managed to increase their operating rate by 1%. Our corrugated products plants registered a volume increase of 3.3% (same plants basis). This mirrors the Canadian and US industries that respectively recorded an increase of 4% and 1.2%.
The total average selling price went up by $39, or 4%, to $1,070 per s.t. in 2014 compared to $1,031 in 2013. While our containerboard mills average selling price showed a slight increase of US$2 per s.t., our corrugated products plants’ average selling price rose by CAN$50 per s.t. Simultaneously, the weakening of the Canadian dollar positively impacted the average selling price of both our primary and converting sectors.
As a result, the Containerboard Group’s sales increased by $86 million, or 8%, to $1,181 million in 2014, compared to $1,095 million in 2013. Notwithstanding the sale of our two converting plants in the Maritimes in the first quarter of 2014 which subtracted $17 million in sales, all factors impacting the Group’s revenue line were positive. Furthermore, the increased volume highlighted above generated $41 million of additional sales while the 7% decline in the Canadian dollar value and a higher average selling price combined to add another $68 million of revenue.
Excluding specific items, operating income stood at $108 million in 2014, compared to $97 million in 2013, an increase of $11 million mainly driven by better selling prices and stronger volume. These two factors jointly produced $54 million of additional income. On the other hand, raw material costs increased by $30 million. Our containerboard mills benefited from lower recycled fibre prices, albeit not sufficient to counterbalance the negative impact of the weakening Canadian dollar and the 29% increase in the paper bought externally, coming largely from Greenpac 2 . Lastly, freight costs were up $6 million, due largely to the mills that shipped to less favourable locations with an increase in external shipments.
The 2014 operating income was also impacted by the harsh weather conditions prevailing in Québec, Ontario and the U.S. Northeast that led to higher energy costs of approximately $4 million during the first quarter of 2014, and by an amount of $4 million loss resulting from a 14-day shutdown following problems with the water treatment equipment at our Trenton containerboard mill. Fire incidents also resulted in additional maintenance and repair expenses, and unplanned downtime, for a shortfall of around 7,000 tons at our containerboard mill in Niagara Falls, U.S., and our converting plant in Etobicoke, Ontario 3 .
The 2013 operating income was also impacted by a loss of $2 million following flooding incidents resulting in additional maintenance and repair expenses, and unplanned downtime for a shortfall of around 6,000 tons 3 at our containerboard mill in Niagara Falls, U.S. and by a $5 million gain resulting from a decrease in our post-retirement benefits liability following a change to our benefits program.
In the first quarter of 2014, a gain of $5 million was recorded following the contribution of our assets in the Atlantic provinces to a newly formed joint venture with Maritime Paper Products Limited, in which we have a 40% ownership share. Also, in the last quarter of 2014, a provision of $5 million was recorded following a class action lawsuit settlement. Please refer to page 30 to 33 for more details on specific items recorded in 2014 and 2013.
Finally, we are also recording our share of results of our associate Greenpac 2 mill (59.7%). In 2014, including the incidents of a fire protection system malfunction and a fire in the raw material yard located outside, Greenpac had a negative contribution of $4 million to share of results of associates and joint ventures (excluding specific items).


 
21

 


PACKAGING PRODUCTS - BOXBOARD EUROPE

Our Industry

European industry's order inflow of coated boxboard from Europe 1  
In Europe, order inflows of white-lined chipboard (WLC) increased by 3% in 2014 compared to 2013. For folding boxboard, order inflows were 1% lower than in 2013. The fourth quarter of 2014 represented the best quarter over the last six years for WLC order inflows at 754,000 tonnes.
Coated recycled boxboard industry's order inflow from Europe  
(White-lined chipboard (WLC) - 5-week weekly moving average)
 
Virgin coated duplex boxboard industry's order inflow from Europe   (Folding boxboard (FBB) - 5-week weekly moving average)
 

Reference prices - boxboard in Europe 4
 
Reference prices - recovered papers in Europe 4
Recycled WLC reference prices remained stable all year long but decreased slightly at the end of the year in Italy and Spain. The economic recovery in 2014 resulted in price increases averaging 20 Euros per tonne for virgin coated duplex boxboard at the beginning of the year. Since then, prices have decreased slightly.
 
In 2014, our recovered paper reference index in Europe decreased by 5%, mainly due to lower prices for brown grades, a decrease in Asian demand, higher stocks and planned production outages at paper mills.
 
 
 
 
1 Source: CEPI Cartonboard
2 The Cascades recycled white-lined chipboard selling prices index represents an approximation of Cascades’ recycled grade selling prices in Europe. It is weighted by country. For each country, we use an average of PPI Europe prices for white-lined chipboard.

3 The Cascades virgin coated duplex boxboard selling prices index represents an approximation of Cascades’ virgin grade selling prices in Europe. It is weighted by country. For each country, we use an average of PPI Europe prices for coated duplex boxboard.

4 Source: RISI
5 The Recovered paper index represents an approximation of Cascades’ recovered paper purchase prices in Europe. It is weighted by country. For each country, we use an average of PPI Europe prices for recovered papers. This index should only be used as a trend indicator and may differ from our actual purchasing costs and our purchase mix.


 
22

 


Our Performance
Our 2014 and 2013 results have been adjusted to account for the reclassification of discontinued operations.
Sales
 
OIBD and OIBD margin (excluding specific items)
 
Shipments and manufacturing capacity utilization rate
 
Average selling price
 
 
 


The main variances in sales and operating income for the Boxboard Europe Group are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 
For Notes 1 to 4, see definitions on page 37.

The Corporation incurred some specific items in 2014 and 2013 that adversely or positively affected its operating results. Please refer to pages 30 to 33 for more details and reconciliation.

 
23

 


2013
2014
 
Change in %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments 1  ('000 s.t.)
 
1%
 
1,085
1,093
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Selling Price 2
 
 
 
(CAN$/unit)
 
 
 
723
770
 
7%
 
(Euro€/unit)
 
 
528
525
 
-1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales ($M)
 
7%
 
786
841
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
11
29
 
164%
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
76%
 
21
37
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OIBD ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
47
64
 
36%
 
% of sales
 
 
6%
8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
 
 
57
72
 
26%
 
% of sales
 
 
7%
9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Shipments do not take into account the elimination of business sector inter-company
shipments.
2 Average selling price is a weighted average of virgin and recycled boxboard shipments.



















 
Shipments increased slightly by 8,000 s.t., or 1%, to 1,093,000 s.t. in 2014 compared to 1,085,000 s.t. in 2013. The shipments in our virgin boxboard activities increased, due in part to a pulp tank incident that occurred in the first quarter of 2013 and reduced the production output. On the other hand, the shipments decreased in our recycled boxboard activities due to the challenging environment in Europe and to a machine rebuilt at our Santa Giustina mill in 2014.

The total average selling price went up by $47, or 7%, to $770 per s.t. in 2014 compared to $723 in 2013, resulting mainly from a lower Canadian dollar against the Euro. The average selling price in Euros decreased by €3, to €525 in 2014, compared to €528 in 2013. The recycled activities average selling price is down by €8 while the virgin boxboard activities' average selling price is up by €6 in 2014 compared to 2013.

As a result, the Boxboard Europe Group’s sales increased by an amount of $55 million, or 7%, to $841 million in 2014 compared to $786 million in 2013. The 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the Euro is the key factor explaining that increase and accounted for $59 million of it. As well, higher volume coming from our virgin boxboard activities generated $6 million in additional sales but were more than offset by a lower average selling price for $12 million. However, this decrease was mitigated by a favourable mix of product sold and geographic mix of sales.

Excluding specific items, operating income stood at $37 million in 2014 compared to $21 million in 2013, an increase of $16 million. We benefited from a $4 million positive energy impact mainly related to $9 million in white certificates in 2014 compared to $6 million in 2013 (see the ''Business Highlights'' section for more details). Lower fixed costs and general and administrative expenses explain the majority of a $8 million cost reduction compared to the same period of last year. Lower raw material costs positively contributed as well for $7 million. Finally, the 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the Euro accounted for $6 million of the increase. As explained above, the lower average selling price and mix partly offset the increase for $12 million.

In 2014, the Group recorded impairment charges on property, plant and equipment totaling $7 million on its Iberica recycled boxboard mill in Spain and severances totaling 1 M$ related to previous years plant closures. In 2013, impairment charges of $7 million were recorded on property, plant and equipment at our Marzabotto and Magenta (both in Italy) and Iberica, Spain recycled boxboard mills. Also, severances totaling $3 million were recorded in relation to the consolidation of our recycled boxboard activities. Please refer to page 30 to 33 for more details on specific items recorded in 2014 and 2013.









 
24

 


PACKAGING PRODUCTS - SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Our Industry
Reference prices - market pulp  1
 
Reference prices - uncoated recycled boxboard 1
In 2014, prices followed a downward trend as a result of lower demand from China, market downtimes and a stronger U.S. dollar. However, average prices of all grades were 1% to 9% higher in 2014 than in 2013.
 
For a second consecutive year, the reference price for uncoated recycled boxboard increased in 2014. The 4% increase over 2013 can be attributed to market strength and growing order backlogs.
 

U.S. recycled fibre exports to China 1  
With the sale of our fine papers activities and our exit from the kraft paper market, our recycling and recovery activities represent a more important component of the results of the Specialty Products Group. The relationship between recovered paper supply and demand, particularly from Asia, plays an important role in pricing dynamics. For a second consecutive year, U.S. exports to China decreased in 2014. White grades and old corrugated containers grades decreased by 44% and 4% respectively over 2013 while mixed groundwood papers and old newspapers exports increased by 7% and 2% in 2014 compared to the previous year. The percentage of total U.S exports to China was approximately 3% lower in 2014 than in 2013.
Total U.S. exports of recycled papers to China - all grades
 
Major grades exported by the U.S.
 

Chi nese imports of recycled fibre 1  
Total Chinese imports decreased by 8% between 2012 and 2014, as a result of higher recovery rates and lower demand in China. In 2014, imports of old corrugated containers were 6% lower than in 2013.
Total Chinese imports of recycled papers - all grades
 
Major grades imported by China
 
1 Source: RISI



 
25

 


Our Performance
Our 2014 and 2013 results have been adjusted to account for the reclassification of discontinued operations.
Sales
 
OIBD and OIBD margin (excluding specific items)
 
Industrial packaging manufacturing shipments and manufacturing capacity utilization rate
 
 


The main variances in sales and operating income for the Specialty Products Group are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 
For Notes 1 to 4, see definitions on page 37.

The Corporation incurred some specific items in 2014 and 2013 that adversely or positively affected its operating results. Please refer to pages 30 to 33 for more details and reconciliation.


 
26

 

 
 
 

2013
2014
 
Change in %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments 1  ('000 s.t.)
 
-5%
 
168
160
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales ($M)
 
4%
 
548
568
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
16
6
 
-63%
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
-9%
 
22
20
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OIBD ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
35
26
 
-26%
 
% of sales
 
 
6%
5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
 
 
41
40
 
-2%
 
% of sales
 
 
7%
7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Industrial packaging shipments only. Shipments do not take into account the elimination of business
sector inter-company shipments.




























 
Shipments decreased by 8,000 s.t., or 5%, to 160,000 s.t. in 2014, compared to 168,000 s.t. in 2013, due to lower volume in the Industrial Packaging sector.

The Specialty Products Group's sales increased by $20 million, or 4%, to $568 million in 2014, compared to $548 million in 2013. The increase was mainly driven by the 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and accounted for $25 million of the increase.

Excluding specific items, operating income stood at $20 million in 2014, compared to $22 million in 2013, a decrease of $2 million. Lower spread mainly resulting from higher resin costs in our Consumer Packaging sector, higher maintenance costs as well increased freight costs due to a different mix of customers and fuel surcharge accounted for $4 million, $3 million and $1 million respectively. These were partly offset by a favourable exchange rate, which accounted for $7 million of the operating income.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Group recorded impairment charges of $6 million on property, plant and equipment due to sustained challenging business conditions for a plant manufacturing flexible packaging in our Consumer Packaging sector. Impairment charges of $3 million on other assets were also recorded in the second quarter of 2014.

As well in the second quarter of 2014, the Group recorded impairment charges of $2 million on property, plant and equipment and $3 million on spare parts for a plant that was sold to Laurent Lemaire on September 30, 2014, a director and major shareholder of the Corporation, at a value determined to be fair by the independent members of the Board. The independent directors of the Board reviewed all options for this business and determined that the sale to Mr. Lemaire was in the best interests of the Corporation and the employees of the consumer plastics business. Please refer to page 30 to 33 for more details on specific items recorded in 2014 and 2013.





 
27

 


TISSUE PAPERS

Our Industry
U.S. tissue paper industry - production (parent rolls) and capacity utilization rate 1
 
U.S. tissue paper industry - converted product shipments 1
In 2014, parent roll shipments were 1% higher than during the previous year. While the average capacity utilization rate for the year remained stable at 94%, it ended the year at 90% as newly installed capacity ramped up production.
 
Both the retail and away-from-home markets continued to grow in 2014, with shipments increasing by 2%.
 

Reference prices - parent rolls 1
 
Reference prices - recovered paper (white grade) 1
The reference price for recycled parent rolls declined by 11% in 2014, mainly due to favourable recovered paper prices and additional capacity. The reference price for virgin parent rolls decreased by 7% during the year, as additional production capacity more than offset increasing virgin pulp prices.
 
The reference price of Sorted office papers no.37 increased by 3% in 2014, compared to 2013, after two consecutive years of decrease. Greater demand in the U.S. and Mexico pushed prices higher.
 

U.S. producer price index - yearly changes in converted tissue
prices 2
 
 
In the U.S., prices for retail toilet tissue and paper towels decreased from 2.5% to 4.4% in 2014 compared to 2013, as intensive promotional activities took place.
 
 
 
 
1 Source: RISI
2 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
 
 

 
28

 


Our Performance
Sales
 
OIBD and OIBD margin (excluding specific items)
 
Shipments and manufacturing capacity utilization rate
 
Average selling price
 
 
 


The main variances in sales and operating income for the Tissue Papers Group are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 
For Notes 1 to 4, see definitions on page 37.

The Corporation incurred some specific items in 2014 and 2013 that adversely or positively affected its operating results. Please refer to pages 30 to 33 for more details and reconciliation.


 
29

 


2013
2014
 
Change in %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments 1  ('000 s.t.)
 
-3%
 
583
567
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Selling Price
 
 
 
(CAN$/unit)
 
 
 
1,772
1,860
 
5%
 
(US$/unit)
 
 
1,720
1,683
 
-2%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales ($M)
 
2%
 
1,033
1,054
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
106
48
 
-55%
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
-45%
 
89
49
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OIBD ($M)
 
 
 
(as reported)
 
 
 
150
95
 
-37%
 
% of sales
 
 
15%
9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(excluding specific items)
 
 
 
133
96
 
-28%
 
% of sales
 
 
13%
9%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Shipments do not take into account the elimination of business sector inter-company
shipments.





















 
Shipments decreased by 16,000 s.t., or 3%, to 567,000 s.t. in 2014, compared to 583,000 s.t. in 2013. Manufacturing external shipments decreased slightly by 2,000 s.t., or 1%, to 161,000 s.t. in 2014, compared to 163,000 s.t. in 2013. Converting shipments decreased by 14,000 s.t., or 3%, to 406,000 s.t. in 2014, compared to 420,000 s.t. in 2013. The decrease is mainly driven by slower demand in our U.S. retail segment.

The total average selling price , went up by $88, or 5%, to $1,860 per s.t. in 2014 compared to $1,772 per s.t. in 2013. The 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar contributed increasing the average selling price. These gains were partially offset by a price erosion in our Retail Canada segment due to the product mix and a competitive market landscape, combined with lower jumbo rolls selling prices.

As a result, the Tissue Paper Group’s sales increased by $21 million, or 2%, to $1,054 million in 2014, compared to $1,033 million in 2013. The $54 million favourable impact of the 7% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar more than offset the negative $28 million impact on volume. The lower average selling price, as explained above, had an $11 million negative impact on sales.

Excluding specific items, operating income stood at $49 million in 2014, compared to $89 million in 2013, for a decrease of $40 million, or 45%. Lower shipments in our U.S. retail market mostly contributed to a negative volume impact of $10 million. An erosion of spread driven by a raw material increase, a higher virgin pulp usage and a lower average selling price has also negatively impacted profitability by an amount of $30 million. The increase in manufacturing expenses is impacted by the current volume situation which has been offset by lower sub-contracting costs as we completed the installation of a new production line in order to increase our U.S. converting capacity. The cold weather in the Northeast in the first quarter of 2014 explains an amount of $4 million of the $7 million negative energy impact. A favourable exchange rate increased operating income by $10 million.

In 2014, the Tissue Papers Group recorded a $1 million restructuring cost related to a severance cost for lay-off communicated to employees during the last quarter of the year, affecting our Toronto converting facility. This layoff is part of a supply chain improvement initiative started in 2014. This initiative will optimize our manufacturing capacity between Canada and the U.S., in order that we can be closer to the market by improving our distribution network.

In 2013, the Group recorded a $17 million reversal of impairment on its Memphis, Tennessee manufacturing mill. The Corporation had initially recorded an impairment charge of $22 million as at transition date to IFRS on January 1, 2010, due to operational challenges. Since then, the Corporation has implemented a Group Best Practices program to maximize efficiency at all of its plants. These actions contributed to solving operating difficulties at the Memphis mill.






 
30

 


CORPORATE ACTIVITIES

The operating loss in 2014 includes an unrealized loss of $ 6 million on financial instruments compared to an unrealized loss of $ 2 million in 2013. In the first quarter of 2013, the Corporation recorded a $5 million charge due to the establishment of employment contracts in favour of the new CEO and the Presidents of its Containerboard, Specialty Products and Tissue Papers business segments. Operating loss in 2014 was positively impacted compared to 2013, as we incurred lower costs in connection with our information system transformation and lower corporate expenses. In 2014, the operating loss includes a $3 million loss representing direct costs incurred by the Corporation resulting from fire incidents at its Niagara Falls mill and Etobicoke converting plant both in our Containerboard Group.


OTHER ITEMS ANALYSIS

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
The depreciation and amortization expense increased by $7 million , to $174 million in 2014, compared to $167 million in 2013. The impairment charges recorded in the last twelve months decreased the depreciation and amortization expense for 2014, but have been more than offset by capital investments completed during the last twelve months. The depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the Euro and the U.S. dollar also increased the depreciation expense from our European and U.S. operations, for $5 million.


FINANCING EXPENSE AND INTEREST ON EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS
The financing expense and interest on employee future benefits decreased by $5 million to $107 million in 2014 compared to $112 million in 2013. The depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the Euro and the U.S. dollar increased the interest expense by approximately $4 million, but this factor was more than offset following the refinancing of senior notes at lower interest rates by approximately $7 million.

Interest expense on the employee future benefits obligation decreased by $2 million to $6 million in 2014 compared to $8 million in 2013, due to good investment returns in 2013. Despite a significant decrease in discount rates, good investment returns in 2014 will allow interest expense on employee future benefits to remain stable in 2015. This expense does not require any cash payment by the Corporation.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, Standard & Poor's, a rating service agency, upgraded the unsecured debt rating to ''B+'' of the Corporation from ''B'' following the review of its recovery analysis methodology calculation. During the second quarter of 2013, Standard & Poor's downgraded the long-term corporate credit rating of the Corporation to ''B+'' from ''BB-'' on slower de-leveraging, with a stable outlook. This has caused an increase, of 37.5 basis points, in the interest rate on our revolving credit facility in the second half of 2013 and for future periods.

In 2013, the Corporation recorded an unrealized gain of $1 million on financial instruments on interest rate swaps.

In 2014, we refinanced our 7.75% unsecured senior notes of US$500 million and $200 million, due in 2017 and in 2016, respectively. The Corporation issued 5.50% unsecured senior notes of US$550 million, due in 2022, and 5.50% unsecured senior notes of $250 million, due in 2021. We allocated the proceeds of these new notes to repurchase the US$500 million notes due in 2017 and the $200 million notes due in 2016. The remaining amounts (US$50 million and $50 million) were used to pay a premium totaling $31 million and refinancing costs of $13 million and to reduce our credit facility utilization. The refinancing of these notes will reduce our future interest expense by approximately US$8 million and $6 million annually.

Following the refinancing of the Corporation's unsecured senior notes on June 19, 2014, we recorded premiums of $30 million to repurchase and redeem our existing notes before their maturities. We also wrote-off financing costs and discounts related to the redeemed notes, in the amount of $ 14 million.





 
31

 


PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
In 2014, the Corporation recorded an income tax provision of $16 million , for an effective tax rate of 7% . The provision for (recovery of) income taxes based on the effective income tax rate differs from the provision for (recovery of) income taxes based on the combined basic rate for the following reasons:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
2014

2013

Provision for (recovery of) income taxes based on the combined basic Canadian and provincial income tax rate
(12
)
17

Adjustment of provision for (recovery of) income taxes arising from the following:


Difference in statutory income tax rate of foreign operations
1

5

Reassessment
3

1

Permanent differences - others
22

(2
)
Change in unrecognized temporary differences
2

(2
)

28

2

Provision for income taxes
16

19


In 2014, we optimized our North American capital structure and incurred a one-time withholding tax of $14 million, included in the permanent differences in the above table.

The income tax provision is mainly impacted by the weighted average of taxable income in each jurisdiction. The tax provisions for the foreign exchange gain or loss on long-term debt and related financial instruments, and our share of the results of our Canadian associates and joint ventures are calculated at the rate of capital gain.

As for our United States-based joint ventures and associates, which are mostly composed of the Greenpac mill, our share of results is taxed based on the statutory tax rate. Moreover, as Greenpac is a limited liability company (LLC), partners agreed to account for it as a disregarded entity. As such, income taxes at the United States statutory tax rate are fully integrated into each partner's consolidated income tax provision based on its respective share in the LLC, and no income tax provision is included in Greenpac's net earnings.

The effective tax rate and current income taxes are affected by the results of certain subsidiaries and joint ventures located in countries, notably the United States, France and Italy, where the income tax rate is higher than in Canada. The normal effective tax rate is expected to be in the range of 26% to 39%. In fact, the weighted-average applicable tax rate was 26.5 % in 2014.


SHARE OF RESULTS OF ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
The share of results of associates and joint ventures is partly represented by our 34.23 % interest in Boralex Inc. (“Boralex”), a Canadian public corporation that is a major electricity producer whose core business is the development and operation of power stations that generate renewable energy, with operations in the north-eastern United States, Canada and France. To finance its acquisition of Enel Green Power France, in December 2014, Boralex proceeded, in January 2015, to the issuance of common shares which diluted our participation to 27.4% at that time.

We are also recording our share (59.7%) of the results of our associate, Greenpac mill. In 2014, Greenpac had a $ 3 million negative contribution to our share of results of associates and joint ventures. No provision for income taxes is included in our Greenpac share of results, as it is a disregarded entity for tax purposes (see the ''Provision for income taxes'' section just above for more details).


RESULTS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Refer to the ''Financial Overview'' section on pages 20 to 21 for all details on results and cash flows from discontinued operations.



 
32

 


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Continuing operating activities generated $231 million of operating cash flow in 2014 compared to $236 million in 2013 . Changes in non-cash working capital components used $13 million in liquidity in 2014 compared to generation of $5 million in 2013 . The first half of the year normally requires cash for working capital purposes, due to seasonal variations. During the first quarter of the year, we always notice an increase in pre-paid expenses and payment of year-end volume rebates. Moreover, inventory build-up normally takes place during the first half of the year for the forthcoming summer. In the first quarter of 2014, our working capital increased due to higher inventory levels following softer demand, particularly in our tissue papers business, and higher sales volume towards the end of March. Demand in our Tissue Papers Group has improved since the first quarter, but inventory of jumbo rolls remains high. Also, in Europe, a reduction of $17 million (€12 million) in factoring of accounts receivable contributed to increased working capital requirements during the year. However, actions taken since 2012 to improve our working capital of the last twelve months (LTM) as a percentage of sales continue to show positive results. As at December 31, 2014, the level of working capital as a percentage of LTM sales stands at 12.3 %.

Cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations, excluding the change in non-cash working capital components, stood at the amount of $244 million in 2014 , compared to $231 million in 2013 . In 2014, cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations were reduced by refinancing costs paid, totaling $31 million. Interest paid in 2014 was lower than in 2013, following our June 2014 refinancing, which postponed our interest payments on our senior notes from December to January. We benefited from a net income tax reimbursement of $14 million and from lower pension and post-benefits payments, compared to 2013. This cash flow measurement is significant, since it positions the Corporation to pursue its capital expenditures program and reduce its indebtedness.


INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Investment activities required total cash resources of $173 million in 2014 and 2013. Capital expenditure payments accounted for $171 million in 2014 , compared to $126 million in 2013 , net of proceeds of disposals in the amount of $7 million in 2014 , compared to $12 million in 2013 . Other assets and investments in associates and joint ventures required $2 million in 2014 , compared to $47 million in 2013 .


PAYMENTS FOR PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Capital expenditure projects paid for in 2014 amounted to $178 million , compared to $138 million in 2013 . New capital expenditure projects in 2014 amounted to $179 million , compared to $147 million in 2013 . The remaining amounts are related to the variation in purchases of property, plant and equipment included in ''Trade and Other Payables'' and to capital-lease acquisitions and acquisitions included in ''Other debts''.

New capital expenditure projects by sector were as follows in 2014 (in $M):











 
33

 


The major capital projects initiated, in progress or completed in 2014 are as follows:

CONTAINERBOARD
$13 million for the acquisition and installation of two new printing presses at the Québec plants of Vaudreuil and Drummondville, which specialize in manufacturing corrugated packaging products. This investment will allow us to respond more quickly to our customers' needs, offer packaging products of greater quality and increase our productivity.
$ 10 million for which grants were awarded, at our Cabano mill, for the installation of a new water pulp process, which will increase our return on wood-chips and reduce chemical usage and atmospheric emissions.
BOXBOARD EUROPE
$ 21 million in order to rebuild the wet-end section and for the installation of a belt calender at the Santa Giustina recycled boxboard mill, in Italy, that will allow a reduction of energy consumption, increase productivity and improve quality.

TISSUE PAPERS
$ 34 million, as part of the recently announced project to convert and start a second paper machine at our Oregon mill.
$ 20 million for a new building and a new towel line that will allow us to increase our production capacity in Wagram, North Carolina.

Other capital projects initiated, in progress or completed across the Corporation have been paid for in 2014 but are not significant enough to be described.


PROCEEDS ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

In 2014 , the main transactions composing the $7 million in proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment were as follows:

The Containerboard Group sold a building related to a plant that had previously been closed, for proceeds of $ 3 million.
The Boxboard Europe Group, specifically RdM, sold some equipment coming from a plant that had been closed in 2013 and received proceeds of $ 2  million in 2014 .


INVESTMENTS IN INTANGIBLE AND OTHER ASSETS, AND INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

In 2014 , the Corporation also invested in other assets and made investments in associates and joint ventures in the amount of $2 million compared to $47 million in 2013 . The main investments of 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

2014
$ 5 million for the modernization of our financial information system to an ERP information technology system.
Greenpac repaid $ 2  million on its bridge loan from the Corporation.
$1 million from the reimbursement of notes receivable coming from business sold in 2011.

2013
US$ 30 million ($ 32 million) for our Greenpac project in our Containerboard Group segment.
$ 14 million for the modernization of our financial information system to an ERP information technology system.



 
34

 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

DEBT REFINANCING
In 2014, we refinanced our 7.75% unsecured senior notes of US$500 million and $200 million, due in 2017 and in 2016, respectively. The Corporation issued 5.50% unsecured senior notes of US$550 million, due in 2022, and 5.50% unsecured senior notes of $250 million, due in 2021. We allocated the proceeds of these new notes to repurchase the US$500 million notes due in 2017 and the $200 million notes due in 2016.

Issuance proceeds were used as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
 
Debt issuance
846

Offering and tender offer fees
(13
)
Refinanced debt repurchase
(740
)
Premium paid on refinanced debt
(31
)
Decrease of credit facility
(62
)

In 2013, the Corporation repurchased US$4 million of its 7.25% unsecured senior notes for an amount of US$4 million ($4 million) and the amount of US$6 million of its 6.75% unsecured senior notes, for an amount of US$6 million ($6 million). No gain or loss resulted from these transactions.

In 2013, the Corporation also paid US$4 million ($4 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 7.25% unsecured senior notes and US$10 million ($10 million) for the settlement of derivative financial instruments related to its 6.75% unsecured senior notes.

The Corporation redeemed 77,400 of its common shares on the open market in 2014, pursuant to a normal-course issuer bid. The Corporation also issued 376,025 common shares following the exercise of stock options, for an amount of $1 million received. Including the $15 million in dividends paid out in 2014 , financing activities from continuing operations, including debt repayment and the change in our revolving facility, required $105 million in liquidity, compared to requirements of $49 million in the same period of 2013.


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

The Corporation's financial position and ratios are as follows:
(in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted)
2014

2013

2012

Cash and cash equivalents
29

23

20

Working capital 1
379

455

455

% of sales 2
12.3
%
12.9
%
14.4
%
Bank loans and advances
46

56

80

Current portion of other long-term debt
40

39

60

Long-term debt
1,556

1,540

1,415

Total debt
1,642

1,635

1,555

Net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents)
1,613

1,612

1,535

Equity attributable to Shareholders
893

1,081

978

Total equity
1,003

1,194

1,094

Total equity and net debt
2,616

2,806

2,629

Ratio of net debt/(total equity and net debt)
61.7
%
57.4
%
58.4
%
Shareholders' equity per share (in dollars)
$
9.48

$
11.52

$
10.42

1 Working capital includes accounts receivable (excluding the short-term portion of other assets) plus inventories less trade and other payables. It includes the working capital of our North American
assets that were reclassified as held for sale.
2 % of sales = Average LTM working capital/LTM sales. It includes or excludes significant business acquisitions and disposals, respectively, of the last twelve months, on a pro forma basis. Including
the results of our discontinued operations on an LTM basis.





 
35

 


NET DEBT RECONCILIATION
The variances in the net debt (total debt less cash and cash equivalents) in 2014 are shown below (in M$), with the applicable financial ratios included (2013 OIBD excluding specific items includes the results of the discontinued operations):
352
OIBD excluding specific items (last twelve months)
340
4.6
Net debt 1 /OIBD excluding specific items
4.7
1 Net debt does not include the impact of the sale of our North American boxboard assets, the results of which were reclassified as discontinued operations. The
transaction closed in February 2015 and the Corporation received proceeds of $46 million (including $1 million of working capital adjustment). However, as per
the sale agreement, we have to compensate for the pension plan deficit, which is estimated at $4 million and is expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2015.

Liquidity available via the Corporation's credit facilities, along with the expected cash flow generated by its operating activities, will provide sufficient funds to meet its financial obligations and to fulfill its capital expenditure program. Capital expenditure requests for 2015 are initially approved at $150 million. This amount is subject to change, depending on the Corporation’s operating results and on general economic conditions. As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had $410 million (net of letters of credit in the amount of $ 8 million) available through its $ 750 million credit facility. In 2013, the Corporation issued $ 23 million in new letters of credit in connection with the Greenpac project, which expired in December 2014.


EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS

The Corporation’s employee future benefits assets and liabilities amounted to $453 million and $621 million respectively as at December 31, 2014, including an amount of $109 million for post-retirement benefits other than pension plans. These pension plans include an amount of $60 million, which does not require any funding by the Corporation until it is paid to the employees. This amount is not expected to increase, as the Corporation is reviewing its benefits program to phase out some of them for the majority of future retirees.

With regard to pension plans, the Corporation’s risk is limited, since all defined benefit pension plans are closed to new employees and as less than 10% of its active employees are subject to those pension plans, while the remaining employees are part of the Corporation’s defined- contribution plans, such as group RRSPs or 401(k). Based on their balances as at December 31, 2014, 100% of the Corporation pension plans have been evaluated on December 31, 2013 (45% in 2012). Where applicable, Cascades used the measurement relief allowed by law in order to reduce the impact of its increased current contributions.

Considering the assumptions used and the asset ceiling limit, the deficit status for accounting purposes of its pension plans amounted to $59 million as at December 31, 2014, compared to $44 million in 2013. The 2014 pension plan expense was $12 million less a curtailment gain of $7 million, and the cash outflow was $15 million and we had a refund of $6 million from closed plans. Due to the good investment returns in 2014, the change in the assumptions and the sale or closure of some divisions, the expense for these pension plans is expected to decrease by $4 million in 2015. As for the cash flow requirements, these pension plans are expected to require a net contribution of approximately $14 million in 2015. Finally, on a consolidated basis, the solvency ratio of the Corporation’s pension plans will remain stable at around 100%.



 
36

 


COMMENTS ON THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2014

Sales increased by $35 million , or 4% , to $879 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $844 million in the same period of 2013, resulting from the 8% decrease of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and the increase in our shipments. These factors were partly offset by lower average selling prices in our Boxboard Europe and Tissue Papers activities.

The Corporation generated an operating income of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $53 million in the same period of 2013, a decrease of $40 million . The reduction in operating income mainly comes from the specific items recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014, as described on pages 30 to 33. Higher volumes and the 8% depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar generated a favourable impact. These factors were more than offset, however, by higher raw material costs especially in our containerboard sector, and by lower average selling prices and lower energy credits ($4 million) in our Boxboard Europe segment. In 2013, the fourth-quarter results of our Containerboard Group were positively impacted by a $5 million post-retirement benefits adjustments. On a segmented basis, our boxboard Europe and tissue papers operations posted lower results, while our containerboard and specialty products activities were stable. Excluding specific items, the operating income stood at $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $54 million in the same period of 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the following specific items before income taxes impacted our results:
a $5 million provision following a class-action lawsuit settlement in the Containerboard segment;
a $13 million impairment charge in our Boxboard Europe and Specialty Products groups;
a $2 million charge related to restructuring measures;
a $5 million unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments;
a $13 million foreign exchange loss on long-term debt and financial instruments;
a $2 million loss related to the share of results of associates, joint-ventures;
a $5 million reversal of the above mentioned items attributable to non-controlling interests;
a $36 million loss from impairment charges and restructuring costs of discontinued operations.

Net earnings excluding specific items amounted to $8 million , or $0.08 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to $18 million , or $0.19 per share, for the same period of 2013. Including specific items, the net loss stood at $47 million , or $0.51 , per share, compared to net earnings of $6 million , or $0.05 per share, for the same period of 2013.

The reconciliation of the specific items included in operating income (loss) by business segment is as follows:
 
For the 3-month period ended December 31, 2014
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
Total
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Tissue Papers
Corporate activities
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Consoli-dated
Operating income (loss)
(6)
(2)
(6)
8
(15)
29
1
4
13
Depreciation and amortization
16
7
6
12
4
(1)
44
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization
10
5
20
(11)
28
1
4
57
Specific items :









Loss on acquisitions, disposals and others
5
3
(3)
5
Impairment charges
31
7
6
(31)
13
Restructuring costs
2
1
1
(1)
(1)
2
Unrealized loss on financial instruments
1
4
5

37
9
10
1
4
(31)
(1)
(4)
25
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization - excluding specific items
47
14
10
21
(7)
(3)
82
Operating income (loss) - excluding specific items
31
7
4
9
(11)
(2)
38

 
37

 


 
For the 3-month period ended December 31, 2013
 
Including Discontinued Operations
Exclusion of Discontinued Operations
Total
(in millions of Canadian dollars)
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Tissue Papers
Corporate activities
Container- board
Boxboard Europe
Specialty Products
Consoli-dated
Operating income (loss)
29
(10)
4
36
(14)
13
(5)
53
Depreciation and amortization
16
10
6
13
3
(1)
(2)
45
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization
45
10
49
(11)
(1)
13
(7)
98
Specific items :









Impairment charges (reversals)
1
17
6
(17)
(10)
(3)
Restructuring costs
2
4
(1)
5
Unrealized gain on financial instruments
(1)
(1)

2
21
6
(17)
(11)
1
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization - excluding specific items
47
21
16
32
(11)
(1)
2
(7)
99
Operating income (loss) - excluding specific items
31
11
10
19
(14)
2
(5)
54

The main variances in sales and operating income in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to the same period of 2013, are shown below:
Sales ($M)
 
Operating income ($M)
 
For Notes 1 to 4, see definitions on page 37.


NEAR-TERM OUTLOOK

With certain important restructuring initiatives of our action plan implemented during 2014, we will focus on getting the most out of our renewed operating platform during the next year. Demand for Packaging Products seems good as we start the year and most business drivers should provide tailwinds in 2015. We are still expecting challenging conditions in 2015 in the tissue sector and we took additional downtime during the first quarter of 2015 for equipment maintenance and upgrades. However, our new tissue sites in the U.S. will gradually add to our results in 2015 and we expect Greenpac to contribute positively to EPS. Hence, following all the difficult decisions taken in 2014, we are confident that our margins will be higher this year. Coupled with prudent management of our cash flows, including lower capital expenditures, our leverage ratios should also improve despite the impact of a weaker Canadian dollar on our financial situation.



 
38

 


CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION

As at December 31, 2014, issued and outstanding capital stock consisted of 94,186,474 common shares ( 93,887,849 as at December 31, 2013), and 6,432,328 stock options were issued and outstanding ( 6,656,423 as at December 31, 2013). In 2014, 546,155 options were granted, 376,025 options were exercised and 394,225 options expired or were forfeited. As well, in 2014, 77,400 common shares were redeemed by the Corporation. As at March 12, 2015 , issued and outstanding capital stock consisted of 94,219,380 common shares and 6,327,120 stock options.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMITMENTS

The Corporation’s principal contractual obligations and commercial commitments relate to outstanding debt, operating-leases and obligations for its pension and post-employment benefit plans. The following table summarizes these obligations as at December 31, 2014:

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Payment due by period (in millions of Canadian dollars)
TOTAL

LESS THAN A YEAR

BETWEEN 1-2 YEARS

BETWEEN 2-5 YEARS

OVER 5 YEARS

Long-term debt and capital-leases, including capital and interest
2,108

132

428

245

1,303

Operating leases
64

22

16

20

6

Pension plans and other post-employment benefits 1
1,396

58

37

121

1,180

Total contractual obligations
3,568

212

481

386

386

1 These amounts represent all the benefits payable to current members during the following years and thereafter without limitations. The majority of benefit payments are payable from trustee-administered funds. The difference will come from future investment returns expected on plan assets and future contributions that will be made by the Corporation for services rendered after December 31, 2014.


TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

The Corporation has also entered into various agreements with its joint-venture partners, significantly influenced companies and entities that are affiliated with one or more of its directors, for the supply of raw material, including recycled paper, virgin pulp and energy, as well as the supply of unconverted and converted products, and other agreements entered into in the normal course of business. Aggregate sales by the Corporation to its joint-venture partners and other affiliates totaled $124 million and $110 million for 2014 and 2013 respectively. Aggregate sales to the Corporation from its joint-venture partners and other affiliates came to $181 million and $110 million for 2014 and 2013 respectively.

Starting in June 2013, the Corporation entered into a take-or-pay agreement with its associate Greenpac. For a period of eight years, the Corporation has the obligation to purchase a minimum quantity of 340,000 short tons per year from Greenpac. If the Corporation fails to purchase the minimum quantity, it must compensate Greenpac for the lost gross margin on those short tons. Included in commitments in Note 27 is the minimum amount to be paid to Greenpac, which corresponds to the potential lost gross margin on 340,000 tons.

On September 30, 2014, the Corporation sold a plant manufacturing consumer goods made from recovered plastics in its Specialty Products Group, to Laurent Lemaire, a director and major shareholder of the Corporation, at a value determined to be fair by the independent members of the Board. The independent directors of the Board reviewed all options for this business and determined that the sale to Mr. Lemaire was in the best interests of the Corporation and the employees of the consumer plastics business.


 
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CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY AND DISCLOSURES

A) NEW IFRS ADOPTED

IFRS 7 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURES
IFRS 7 requires disclosure of both gross and net information about financial instruments eligible for offset in the balance sheet and financial instruments subject to master netting arrangements. Concurrent with the amendments to IFRS 7, the IASB also amended IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation to clarify the existing requirements for offsetting financial instruments in the balance sheet. The amendments to IAS 32 were effective as of January 1, 2014. The Corporation evaluated this standard and there is no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

B) RECENT IFRS PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

IFRS 15 — REVENUE RECOGNITION
In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. IFRS 15 replaces all previous revenue recognition standards, including IAS 18 - Revenue, and related interpretations such as IFRIC 13 - Customer Loyalty Programs. The standard sets out the requirements for recognizing revenue. Specifically, the new standard introduces a comprehensive framework with the general principle being that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard introduces more prescriptive guidance than was included in previous standards and may result in changes in classification and disclosure in addition to changes in the timing of recognition for certain types of revenues. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. At this time, the Corporation is reviewing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 9 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In July 2014, the IASB released the final version of IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. This standard addresses classification and measurement of financial assets and replaces the multiple category and measurement models for debt instruments in IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, with a new mixed measurement model having only two categories: amortized cost and fair value through profit or loss. IFRS 9 also replaces the models for measuring equity instruments, and such instruments are recognized either at fair value through profit or loss or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Where such equity instruments are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, dividends are recognized in profit or loss insofar as they do not clearly represent a return on investment; however, other gains and losses (including impairments) associated with such instruments remain in accumulated comprehensive income indefinitely. Requirements for financial liabilities carry forward existing requirements in IAS 39, except that fair value changes due to credit risk for liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss would generally be recorded in the statement of other comprehensive income. It also includes guidance on hedge accounting. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with earlier application permitted. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and disclosure of contingencies at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On a regular basis and with the information available, Management reviews its estimates, including those related to environmental costs, employee future benefits, collectability of accounts receivable, financial instruments, contingencies, income taxes, useful life and residual value of property, plant and equipment and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. When adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the period in which they occur.

A. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL
In determining the recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU, the Corporation uses several key assumptions, based on external information on the industry when available, and including estimated production levels, selling prices, volume, raw material costs, foreign exchange rates, growth rates, discounting rates and capital spending.


 
40

 


The Corporation believes its assumptions are reasonable. Based on available information at the assessment date, however these assumptions involve a high degree of judgment and complexity. Management believes that the following assumptions are the most susceptible to change and therefore could impact the valuation of the assets in the next year.

DESCRIPTION OF SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT TESTING ASSUMPTIONS (see Notes 5 and 24)

GROWTH RATES
The assumptions used were based on the Corporation's internal budget. Revenues, operating margins and cash flows were projected for a period of five years, and a perpetual long-term growth rate was applied thereafter. In arriving at its forecasts, the Corporation considered past experience, economic trends such as gross domestic product growth and inflation, as well as industry and market trends.

DISCOUNT RATES
The Corporation assumed a discount rate in order to calculate the present value of its projected cash flows. The discount rate represents a weighted average cost of capital ("WACC") for comparable companies operating in similar industries of the applicable CGU, group of CGUs or reportable segment, based on publicly available information.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
Foreign exchange rates are determined using the financial institutions' average forecast for the first two years of forecasting. For the three following years, the Corporation uses the last five years' historical average of the foreign exchange rate. Terminal rate is based on historical data of the last 20 years and adjusted to reflect management best estimate.

Considering the sensitivity of the key assumptions used, there is measurement uncertainty since adverse changes in one or a combination of the Corporation's key assumptions could cause a significant change in the carrying amounts of these assets.

B. INCOME TAXES
The Corporation is required to estimate the income taxes in each jurisdiction in which it operates. This includes estimating a value for existing tax losses based on the Corporation's assessment of its ability to use them against future taxable income before they expire. If the Corporation's assessment of its ability to use the tax losses proves inaccurate in the future, more or less of the tax losses might be recognized as assets, which would increase or decrease the income tax expense and, consequently, affect the Corporation's results in the relevant year.

C. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability.

The cost of pensions and other retirement benefits earned by employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit method pro-rated on years of service and Management's best estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalations, retirement ages of employees and expected healthcare costs. The accrued benefit obligation is evaluated using the market interest rate at the evaluation date. Due to the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty. All assumptions are reviewed annually.

CRITICAL JUDGMENTS IN APPLYING THE CORPORATION'S ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUBSIDIARIES AND EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS
Significant judgment is applied in assessing whether certain investment structures result in control, joint control or significant influence over the operations of the investment. Management's assessment of control, joint control or significant influence over an investment will determine the accounting treatment for the investment.The Corporation has a 59.7% interest in an associate ("Greenpac"). Greenpac's Shareholders agreement requires a majority of 80% for all decision-making related to relevant activities. Consequently, the Corporation does not have the power over relevant activities of Greenpac and its participation is accounted for as an associate.



 
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CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES, AND INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer have designed, or caused to be designed under their supervision, disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P), and internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) as defined in National Instrument 52-109, “Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings”, in order to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.

The DC&P have been designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Corporation is made known to the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer by others, and that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by the Corporation under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation. The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded, based on their evaluation, that the Corporation's DC&P were effective as at December 31, 2014 for providing reasonable assurance that material information related to the issuer is made known to them by others within the Corporation.

The President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer have assessed the effectiveness of the ICFR as at December 31, 2014, based on the control framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 COSO Framework). Based on this assessment, they have concluded that the Corporation’s ICFR were effective as at December 31, 2014 and expect to certify the Corporation’s annual filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 40-F, as required by the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, there were no changes to the Corporation's ICFR that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its ICFR.


RISK FACTORS

As part of its ongoing business operations, the Corporation is exposed to certain market risks, including risks ensuing from changes in selling prices for its principal products, costs of raw material, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, all of which impact the Corporation’s financial position, operating results and cash flows. The Corporation manages its exposure to these and other market risks through regular operating and financing activities, and, on a limited basis, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We use these derivative financial instruments as risk management tools, not for speculative investment purposes. The following is a discussion of key areas of business risks and uncertainties that we have identified, and our mitigating strategies. The risk areas below are listed in no particular order, as risks are evaluated based on both severity and probability. Readers are cautioned that the following is not an exhaustive list of all the risks we are exposed to, nor will our mitigation strategies eliminate all risks listed.

a)
The markets for some of the Corporation’s products tend to be cyclical in nature and prices for some of its products, as well as raw material and energy costs, may fluctuate significantly, which can adversely affect its business, operating results, profitability and financial position.

The markets for some of the Corporation’s products, particularly containerboard and boxboard, are highly cyclical. As a result, prices for these types of products and for its two principal raw material, recycled paper and virgin fibre, have fluctuated significantly in the past and will likely continue to fluctuate significantly in the future, principally due to market imbalances between supply and demand. Demand is heavily influenced by the strength of the global economy and the countries or regions in which Cascades does business, particularly Canada and the United States, the Corporation’s two primary markets. Demand is also influenced by fluctuations in inventory levels held by customers and by consumer preferences. Supply depends primarily on industry capacity and capacity utilization rates. In periods of economic weakness, reduced spending by consumers and businesses results in decreased demand, which can potentially cause downward price pressure. Industry participants may also, at times, add new capacity or increase capacity utilization rates, potentially causing supply to exceed demand and exerting downward price pressure. Depending on market conditions and related demand, Cascades may have to take market-related downtime. In addition, the Corporation may not be able to maintain current prices or implement additional price increases in the future. If Cascades is unable to do so, its revenues, profitability and cash flows could be adversely affected. In addition, other participants may introduce new capacity or increase capacity utilization rates, which could also adversely affect the Corporation’s business, operating results and financial position. Prices for recycled and virgin fibre also fluctuate considerably. The costs of these material present a potential risk to the Corporation’s profit margins, in the event that it is unable to pass along price increases to its customers on a timely basis. Although changes in the price of recycled fibre generally correlate with changes in the price of products made from recycled paper, this may not always be the case. If Cascades wasn’t able to implement increases

 
42

 


in the selling prices for its products to compensate for increases in the price of recycled or virgin fibre, the Corporation’s profitability and cash flows would be adversely affected. In addition, Cascades uses energy, mainly natural gas and fuel oil, to generate steam, which it then uses in the production process and to operate machinery. Energy prices, particularly for natural gas and fuel oil, have continued to remain very volatile. Cascades continues to evaluate its energy costs and consider ways to factor energy costs into its pricing. However, should energy prices increase, the Corporation’s production costs, competitive position and operating results would be adversely affected. A substantial increase in energy costs would adversely affect the Corporation’s operating results and could have broader market implications that could further adversely affect the Corporation’s business or financial results.

To mitigate price risk, our strategies include the use of various derivative financial instrument transactions, whereby it sets the price for notional quantities of old corrugated containers, electricity and natural gas.

Additional information on our North American electricity and natural gas hedging programs as at December 31, 2014 is set out below:

NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRICITY HEDGING
 
UNITED STATES

CANADA

Electricity consumption
34
%
66
%
Electricity consumption in a regulated market
48
%
72
%
% of consumption hedged in a de-regulated market (2015)
22
%
42
%
Average prices (2015 - 2017) (in US$, per KWh)
$
0.043

$
0.275

Fair value as at December 31, 2014 (in millions of CAN$)
$
(0.6
)
$
0.2


NORTH AMERICAN NATURAL GAS HEDGING
 
UNITED STATES

CANADA

Natural gas consumption
38
%
62
%
% of consumption hedged (2015)
48
%
69
%
Average prices (2015 - 2018) (in US$, per mmBTU) (in CAN$, per GJ)
$
4.84

$
4.32

Fair value as at December 31, 2014 (in millions of CAN$)
$
(6.7
)
$
(11.7
)

b)
Cascades faces significant competition and some of its competitors may have greater cost advantages or be able to achieve greater economies of scale, or be able to better withstand periods of declining prices and adverse operating conditions, which could negatively affect the Corporation’s market share and profitability.

The markets for the Corporation’s products are highly competitive. In some of the markets in which Cascades competes, such as tissue papers, it competes with a small number of other producers. In some businesses, such as the containerboard industry, competition tends to be global. In others, such as the tissue industry, competition tends to be regional. In the Corporation’s packaging products segment, it also faces competition from alternative packaging materials, such as vinyl, plastic and Styrofoam, which can lead to excess capacity, decreased demand and pricing pressures. Competition in the Corporation’s markets is primarily based on price, as well as customer service and the quality, breadth and performance characteristics of its products. The Corporation’s ability to compete successfully depends on a variety of factors, including:

its ability to maintain high plant efficiencies, operating rates and lower manufacturing costs
the availability, quality and cost of raw material, particularly recycled and virgin fibre, and labour, and
the cost of energy.

Some of the Corporation’s competitors may, at times, have lower fibre, energy and labour costs, and less restrictive environmental and governmental regulations to comply with than Cascades does. For example, fully integrated manufacturers, which are those whose requirements for pulp or other fibre are met fully from their internal sources, may have some competitive advantages over manufacturers that are not fully integrated, such as Cascades, in periods of relatively high raw material pricing, in that the former are able to ensure a steady source of these raw material at costs that may be lower than prices in the prevailing market. In contrast, competitors that are less integrated than Cascades may have cost advantages in periods of relatively low pulp or fibre prices because they may be able to purchase pulp or fibre at prices lower than the costs the Corporation incurs in the production process. Other competitors may be larger in size or scope than Cascades is, which may allow them to achieve greater economies of scale on a global basis or to better withstand periods of declining prices and adverse operating conditions. In addition, there has been an increasing trend among the Corporation’s customers towards consolidation. With fewer customers in the market for the Corporation’s products, the strength of its negotiating position with these customers could be weakened, which could have an adverse effect on its pricing, margins and profitability.


 
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To mitigate competition risk, Cascades’ targets are to offer quality products that meet customers’ needs at competitive prices and to provide good customer service.

c)
Because of the Corporation’s international operations, it faces political, social and exchange rate risks that can negatively affect its business, operating results, profitability and financial condition.

Cascades has customers and operations located outside Canada. In 2014, sales outside Canada, in Canadian dollars, represented approximately 64% of the Corporation’s consolidated sales, including 38% in the United States. In 2014, 29% of sales from Canadian operations were made to the United States.

The Corporation’s international operations present it with a number of risks and challenges, including:

the effective marketing of its products in other countries
tariffs and other trade barriers, and
different regulatory schemes and political environments applicable to the Corporation’s operations, in areas such as environmental and health and safety compliance.

In addition, the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements are reported in Canadian dollars, while a portion of its sales is made in other currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar and the Euro. The appreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar over the last few years has adversely affected the Corporation’s reported operating results and financial condition. This had a direct impact on export prices and also contributed to reducing Canadian dollar prices in Canada, because several of the Corporation’s product lines are priced in U.S. dollars. However, a substantial portion of the Corporation’s debt is also denominated in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. The Corporation has senior notes outstanding and also some borrowings under its credit facility that are denominated in U.S. dollars and in Euros, in the amounts of US $853 million and €169 million respectively as at December 31, 2014.

Moreover, in some cases, the currency of the Corporation’s sales does not match the currency in which it incurs costs, which can negatively affect the Corporation’s profitability. Fluctuations in exchange rates can also affect the relative competitive position of a particular facility, where the facility faces competition from non-local producers, as well as the Corporation’s ability to successfully market its products in export markets. As a result, if the Canadian dollar were to remain permanently strong compared to the U.S. dollar and the Euro, it could affect the profitability of the Corporation’s facilities, which could lead Cascades to shut down facilities either temporarily or permanently, all of which could adversely affect its business or financial results. To mitigate the risk of currency rises from future commercial transactions, recognized assets and liabilities, and net investments in foreign operations, which are partially covered by purchases and debt, Management has implemented a policy for managing foreign exchange risk against the relevant functional currency.

The Corporation uses various foreign exchange forward contracts and related currency option instruments to anticipate sales net of purchases, interest expenses and debt repayment. Gains or losses from the derivative financial instruments designated as hedges are recorded under “Other comprehensive income (loss)” and are reclassified under earnings in accordance with the hedge items.

Additional information on our North American foreign exchange hedging program is set out below:

NORTH AMERICAN FOREIGN EXCHANGE HEDGING 1  
Sell contracts and currency options on net exposure to $US:
2015

2016

Total amount (in millions of US$)
$
45

$
45

Estimated % of sales, net of expenses from Canadian operations (excluding subsidiaries with non-controlling interest)
30
%
30
%
Average rate (US$/CAN$)
0.9010

0.8861

Fair value as at December 31, 2014 (in millions of CAN$)
$
(2
)
$
(4
)
1
See Note 26 of the audited consolidated financial statements for more details on derivatives.












 
44

 


d)
The Corporation’s operations are subject to comprehensive environmental regulations and involve expenditures that may be material in relation to its operating cash flow.

The Corporation is subject to environmental laws and regulations imposed by the various governments and regulatory authorities in all countries in which it operates. These environmental laws and regulations impose stringent standards on the Corporation regarding, among other things:

air emissions
water discharges
use and handling of hazardous materials
use, handling and disposal of waste, and
remediation of environmental contamination.

The Corporation is also subject to the U.S. Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) as well as to other applicable legislation in the United States, Canada and Europe that holds companies accountable for the investigation and remediation of hazardous substances. The Corporation’s European subsidiaries are also subject to the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at reducing worldwide CO 2 emissions. Each unit has been allocated emission rights (“CO 2 quota”). On a calendar-year basis, the Corporation must buy the necessary credits to cover its deficit, on the open market, if its emissions are higher than quota.

The Corporation’s failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations or permit requirements may result in civil or criminal fines, penalties or enforcement actions. These may include regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations, or requiring corrective measures, the installation of pollution control equipment or remedial actions, any of which could entail significant expenditures. It is difficult to predict the future development of such laws and regulations, or their impact on future earnings and operations, but these laws and regulations may require capital expenditures to ensure compliance. In addition, amendments to, or more stringent implementation of, current laws and regulations governing the Corporation’s operations could have a material adverse effect on its business, operating results or financial position. Furthermore, although Cascades generally tries to plan for capital expenditures relating to environmental and health and safety compliance on an annual basis, actual capital expenditures may exceed those estimates. In such an event, Cascades may be forced to curtail other capital expenditures or other activities. In addition, the enforcement of existing environmental laws and regulations has become increasingly strict. The Corporation may discover currently unknown environmental problems or conditions in relation to its past or present operations, or may face unforeseen environmental liabilities in the future. These conditions and liabilities may:

require site remediation or other costs to maintain compliance or correct violations of environmental laws and regulations, or
result in governmental or private claims for damage to person, property or the environment.

Either of these could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or operating results.

Cascades may be subject to strict liability and, under specific circumstances, joint and several (solidary) liability for the investigation and remediation of soil, surface and groundwater contamination, including contamination caused by other parties, on properties that it owns or operates, and on properties where the Corporation or its predecessors have arranged for the disposal of regulated materials. As a result, the Corporation is involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters. The Corporation may become involved in additional proceedings in the future, the total amount of future costs and other environmental liabilities of which could be material.

To date, the Corporation is in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental legislation or regulations. However, we expect to incur ongoing capital and operating expenses in order to achieve and maintain compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

EMISSIONS MARKET
The Corporation is exposed to the emissions trading market and has to hold carbon credits equivalent to its emissions. Depending on circumstances, the Corporation may have to buy credits on the market or could sell some in the future. These transactions would have no significant effect on the financial position of the Corporation and it is not anticipated that it will change in the future.










 
45

 


e) Cascades may be subject to losses that might not be covered in whole or in part by its insurance coverage.

Cascades carries comprehensive liability, fire and extended coverage insurance on most of its facilities, with policy specifications and insured limits customarily carried in its industry for similar properties. The cost of the Corporation’s insurance policies has increased over the past few years. In addition, some types of losses, such as losses resulting from wars, acts of terrorism or natural disasters, are generally not insured because they are either uninsurable or not economically practical. Moreover, insurers have recently become more reluctant to insure against these types of events. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, Cascades could lose capital invested in that property, as well as the anticipated future revenues derived from the manufacturing activities conducted on that property, while remaining obligated for any mortgage indebtedness or other financial obligations related to the property. Any such loss could adversely affect its business, operating results or financial condition.

To mitigate the risk subject to insurance coverage, the Corporation reviews its strategy annually with the Board of Directors and is seeking different alternatives to achieve more efficient forms of insurance coverage, at the lowest costs possible.

f)
Labour disputes could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s cost structure and ability to run its mills and plants.

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had approximately 10,700 employees, of whom approximately 9,000 were employees of its Canadian and United States operations. Approximately 33% of the Corporation’s employees are unionized under 26 separate collective bargaining agreements. In addition, in Europe, some of the Corporation’s operations are subject to national industry collective bargaining agreements that are renewed on an annual basis. The Corporation’s inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with these unions upon expiration of an existing contract could result in strikes or work stoppages by the affected workers, and increased operating costs as a result of higher wages or benefits paid to union members. If the unionized workers were to engage in a strike or another form of work stoppage, Cascades could experience a significant disruption in operations or higher labour costs, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow. Of the Corporation’s 26 collective bargaining agreements in North America, 11 will expire in 2015 and 4 more in 2016.

The Corporation generally begins the negotiation process several months before agreements are due to expire and is currently in the process of negotiating with the unions where the agreements have expired or will soon expire. However, Cascades may not be successful in negotiating new agreements on satisfactory terms, if at all.

g)
Cascades may make investments in entities that it does not control and may not receive dividends or returns from those investments in a timely fashion or at all.

Cascades has established joint ventures, made investment in associates and acquired significant participations in subsidiaries in order to increase its vertical integration, enhance customer service and increase efficiencies in its marketing and distribution in the United States and other markets. The Corporation’s principal joint ventures, associates and significant participations in subsidiaries are:

three 50%-owned joint ventures with Sonoco Products Corporation, of which two are in Canada and one in the United States, that produce specialty paper packaging products such as headers, rolls and wrappers
a 73%-owned subsidiary, Cascades Recovery Inc., a Canadian operator of wastepaper recovery and recycling operations
a 34.23% interest in Boralex Inc., a Canadian public corporation and a major electricity producer whose core business is the development and operation of power stations that generate renewable energy, with operations in Canada, the northeastern United States and France. In January 2015, Boralex issued common shares to finance its acquisition of Enel Green Power France in December 2014. Taking into consideration this issuance, Cascades' interest in Boralex now stands at 27.4%.
a 57.61%-owned subsidiary, RdM, a European manufacturer of recycled boxboard, and
a 59.7% interest in Greenpac Mill LLC, an American corporation that manufactures a light-weight linerboard made with 100% recycled fibres.

Apart from Cascades Recovery and RdM, Cascades does not have effective control over these entities. The Corporation’s inability to control entities in which it invests may affect its ability to receive distributions from those entities or to fully implement its business plan. The incurrence of debt or entrance into other agreements by an entity not under the Corporation’s control may result in restrictions or prohibitions on that entity’s ability to pay distributions to the Corporation. Even where these entities are not restricted by contract or by law from paying dividends or making distributions to Cascades, the Corporation may not be able to influence the payout or timing of these dividends or distributions. In addition, if any of the other investors in a non-controlled entity fails to observe its commitments, the entity may not be able to operate according to its business plan or Cascades may be required to increase its level of commitment. If any of these events were to transpire, the Corporation’s business, operating results, financial condition and ability to make payments on the notes could be adversely affected.


 
46

 


In addition, the Corporation has entered into various shareholder agreements relating to its joint ventures and equity investments. Some of these agreements contain “shotgun” provisions, which provide that if one Shareholder offers to buy all the shares owned by the other parties to the agreement, the other parties must either accept the offer or purchase all the shares owned by the offering Shareholder at the same price and conditions. Some of the agreements also stipulate that, in the event that a Shareholder is subject to bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise defaults on any indebtedness, the non-defaulting parties to that agreement are entitled to invoke the ''shotgun'' provision or sell their shares to a third party. The Corporation’s ability to purchase the other Shareholders’ interests in these joint ventures if they were to exercise these ''shotgun'' provisions could be limited by the covenants in the Corporation’s credit facility and the indenture. In addition, Cascades may not have sufficient funds to accept the offer or the ability to raise adequate financing should the need arise, which could result in the Corporation having to sell its interests in these entities or otherwise alter its business plan.

h) Acquisitions have been, and are expected to continue to be, a substantial part of the Corporation’s growth strategy, which could expose the Corporation to difficulties in integrating the acquired operation, diversion of management time and resources, and unforeseen liabilities, among other business risks.

Acquisitions have been a significant part of the Corporation’s growth strategy. Cascades expects to continue to selectively seek strategic acquisitions in the future. The Corporation’s ability to consummate and to effectively integrate any future acquisitions on terms that are favourable to it may be limited by the number of attractive acquisition targets, internal demands on its resources and, to the extent necessary, its ability to obtain financing on satisfactory terms, if at all. Acquisitions may expose the Corporation to additional risks, including:

difficulty in integrating and managing newly acquired operations, and in improving their operating efficiency
difficulty in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies across all of the Corporation’s businesses
entry into markets in which Cascades has little or no direct prior experience
the Corporation’s ability to retain key employees of the acquired corporation
disruptions to the Corporation’s ongoing business, and
diversion of management time and resources.

In addition, future acquisitions could result in Cascades' incurring additional debt to finance the acquisition or possibly assuming additional debt as part of it, as well as costs, contingent liabilities and amortization expenses. The Corporation may also incur costs and divert Management's attention for potential acquisitions that are never consummated. For acquisitions Cascades does consummate, expected synergies may not materialize. The Corporation’s failure to effectively address any of these issues could adversely affect its operating results, financial condition and ability to service debt, including its outstanding senior notes.

Although Cascades generally performs a due diligence investigation of the businesses or assets that it acquires, and anticipates continuing to do so for future acquisitions, the acquired business or assets may have liabilities that Cascades fails or is unable to uncover during its due diligence investigation and for which the Corporation, as a successor owner, may be responsible. When feasible, the Corporation seeks to minimize the impact of these types of potential liabilities by obtaining indemnities and warranties from the seller, which may in some instances be supported by deferring payment of a portion of the purchase price. However, these indemnities and warranties, if obtained, may not fully cover the liabilities because of their limited scope, amount or duration, or the financial resources of the indemnitor or warrantor, or for other reasons.

i)
The Corporation undertakes impairment tests, which could result in a write-down of the value of assets and, as a result, have a material adverse effect.

IFRS requires that Cascades regularly undertake impairment tests of long-lived assets and goodwill to determine whether a write-down of such assets is required. A write-down of asset value as a result of impairment tests would result in a non-cash charge that reduces the Corporation’s reported earnings. Furthermore, a reduction in the Corporation’s asset value could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s compliance with total debt-to-capitalization tests under its current credit facilities and, as a result, limit its ability to access further debt capital.












 
47

 


j)
Certain Cascades insiders collectively own a substantial percentage of the Corporation’s common shares.

Messrs. Bernard, Laurent and Alain Lemaire (“the Lemaires”) collectively own 32.5 % of the common shares as at December 31, 2014, and there may be situations in which their interests and the interests of other holders of common shares will not be aligned. Because the Corporation’s remaining common shares are widely held, the Lemaires may be effectively able to:

elect all of the Corporation’s directors and, as a result, control matters requiring Board approval
control matters submitted to a Shareholder vote, including mergers, acquisitions and consolidations with third parties, and the sale of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, and
otherwise control or influence the Corporation’s business direction and policies.

In addition, the Lemaires may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance the value of their equity investment, even though the transactions might involve increased risk to the holders of the common shares.

k) If Cascades is not successful in retaining or replacing its key personnel, particularly if the Lemaires do not stay active in the
Corporation’s business, its business, financial condition or operating results could be adversely affected.

Although Cascades believes that the Lemaires will remain active in the business and that Cascades will continue to be able to attract and retain other talented personnel, and replace key personnel should the need arise, competition in recruiting replacement personnel could be significant. On May 9, 2013, Mr. Mario Plourde was appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Corporation, following a two-year transition as Chief Operating Officer. Cascades does not carry key-man insurance on the Lemaires or on any other members of its senior management.

l)
Risks relating to the Corporation’s indebtedness and liquidity.

The significant amount of the Corporation’s debt could adversely affect its financial health and prevent it from fulfilling its obligations under its outstanding indebtedness. The Corporation has a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2014, it had $1,642 million in outstanding total debt on a consolidated basis, including capital-lease obligations. The Corporation also had $410 million available under its revolving credit facility. On the same basis, its consolidated ratio of net debt to total equity as of December 31, 2014 was 61.7% . The Corporation’s actual financing expense, including interest on employees' future benefits, was $107 million , excluding the loss on refinancing of long-term debt, for 2014. Cascades also has significant obligations under operating leases, as described in its audited consolidated financial statements that are incorporated by reference herein.

In 2014, we refinanced our 7.75% unsecured senior notes of US$500 million and $200 million, due in 2017 and in 2016, respectively. The Corporation issued 5.50% unsecured senior notes of US$550 million, due in 2022, and 5.50% unsecured senior notes of $250 million, due in 2021. We allocated the proceeds of these new notes to repurchase the US$500 million notes due in 2017 and the $200 million notes due in 2016. The remaining amounts (US$50 million and $50 million) were used to pay a premium totaling $31 million and refinancing costs of $13 million and to reduce our credit facility utilization. The refinancing of these notes will reduce our future interest expense by approximately US$8 million and $6 million annually.

The Corporation has outstanding senior notes rated by Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”).

During the fourth quarter of 2014, Standard & Poor's, a rating service agency, upgraded the unsecured debt rating to ''B+'' of the Corporation from ''B'' following the review of its recovery analysis methodology calculation. During the second quarter of 2013, Standard & Poor's downgraded the long-term corporate credit rating of the Corporation to ''B+'' from ''BB-'' on slower de-leveraging, with a stable outlook. This has caused an increase of 37.5 basis points in the interest rate on our revolving credit facility in the second half of 2013 and for future periods.












 
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The following table reflects the Corporation’s secured debt rating/corporate rating/unsecured debt rating as at the date on which this MD&A was approved by the Board of Directors, and the evolution of these ratings compared to past years:
Credit rating (outlook)
MOODY'S
STANDARD & POOR'S
2004
Ba1/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BBB-/BB+/BB+ (negative)
2005 - 2006
Ba1/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB+/BB/BB- (negative)
2007
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BBB-/BB/BB- (stable)
2008
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (negative)
BB+/BB-/B+ (negative)
2009 - 2010
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB+/BB-/B+ (stable)
2011
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB+/BB-/B+ (positive)
2012
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB+/BB-/B+ (negative)
2013
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB/B+/B (stable)
2014
Baa3/Ba2/Ba3 (stable)
BB/B+/B+ (stable)

This facility is in place with a core group of highly rated international banks. The Corporation may decide to enter into certain derivative instruments to reduce interest rates and foreign exchange exposure.

The Corporation’s leverage could have major consequences for holders of its common shares. For example, it could:

make it more difficult for the Corporation to satisfy its obligations with respect to its indebtedness
increase the Corporation’s vulnerability to competitive pressures and to general adverse economic or market conditions, and require it to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to servicing debt, reducing the availability of its cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes
limit its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and industry, and
limit its ability to obtain additional sources of financing.

Cascades may incur additional debt in the future, which would intensify the risks it now faces as a result of its leverage as described above. Even though we are substantially leveraged, we and our subsidiaries will be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although our credit facility and the indentures governing the notes restrict us and our restricted subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, these restrictions are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. If we or our subsidiaries incur additional debt, the risks that we and they now face as a result of our leverage could intensify.

The Corporation’s operations are substantially restricted by the terms of its debt, which could limit its ability to plan for or react to market conditions, or to meet its capital needs. The Corporation’s credit facilities and the indenture governing its senior notes include a number of significant restrictive covenants. These covenants restrict, among other things, the Corporation’s ability to:

borrow money
pay dividends on stock or redeem stock or subordinated debt
make investments
sell assets, including capital stock in subsidiaries
guarantee other indebtedness
enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other distributions from restricted subsidiaries
enter into transactions with affiliates
create or assume liens
enter into sale and leaseback transactions
engage in mergers or consolidations, and
enter into a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

These covenants could limit the Corporation’s ability to plan for or react to market conditions, or to meet its capital needs. The Corporation’s current credit facility contains other, more restrictive covenants, including financial covenants that require it to achieve certain financial and operating results, and maintain compliance with specified financial ratios. The Corporation’s ability to comply with these covenants and requirements may be affected by events beyond its control, and it may have to curtail some of its operations and growth plans to maintain compliance.

The restrictive covenants contained in the Corporation’s senior note indenture, along with the Corporation’s credit facility, do not apply to its subsidiaries with non-controlling interest.




 
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The Corporation’s failure to comply with the covenants contained in its credit facility or its senior note indenture, including as a result of events beyond its control or due to other factors, could result in an event of default that could cause accelerated repayment of the debt. If Cascades is not able to comply with the covenants and other requirements contained in the indenture, its credit facility or its other debt instruments, an event of default under the relevant debt instrument could occur. If an event of default does occur, it could trigger a default under its other debt instruments, Cascades could be prohibited from accessing additional borrowings and the holders of the defaulted debt could declare amounts outstanding with respect to that debt, which would then be immediately due and payable. The Corporation’s assets and cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under its outstanding debt instruments. In addition, the Corporation may not be able to re-finance or re-structure the payments on the applicable debt. Even if the Corporation were able to secure additional financing, it may not be available on favourable terms. A significant or prolonged downtime in general business and difficult economic conditions may affect the Corporation’s ability to comply with its covenants, and could require it to take actions to reduce its debt or to act in a manner contrary to its current business objectives.

m) Cascades is a holding corporation and depends on its subsidiaries to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service
obligations.

Cascades is structured as a holding corporation, and its only significant assets are the capital stock or other equity interests in its subsidiaries, joint ventures and minority investments. As a holding corporation, Cascades conducts substantially all of its business through these entities. Consequently, the Corporation’s cash flow and ability to service its debt obligations are dependent on the earnings of its subsidiaries, joint ventures and minority investments, and the distribution of those earnings to Cascades, or on loans, advances or other payments made by these entities to Cascades. The ability of these entities to pay dividends or make other payments or advances to Cascades will depend on their operating results and will be subject to applicable laws and contractual restrictions contained in the instruments governing their debt. In the case of the Corporation’s joint ventures and minority investments, Cascades may not exercise sufficient control to cause distributions to itself. Although its credit facility and the indenture, respectively, limit the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to enter into consensual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends and make other payments to the Corporation, these limitations do not apply to its joint ventures or minority investments. The limitations are also subject to important exceptions and qualifications. The ability of the Corporation’s subsidiaries to generate cash flow from operations that is sufficient to allow the Corporation to make scheduled payments on its debt obligations will depend on their future financial performance, which will be affected by a range of economic, competitive and business factors, many of which are outside of the Corporation’s control. If the Corporation’s subsidiaries do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy the Corporation’s debt obligations, Cascades may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as re-financing or re-structuring its debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments, or seeking to raise additional capital. Re-financing may not be possible, and any assets may not be able to be sold, or, if they are sold, Cascades may not realize sufficient amounts from those sales. Additional financing may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all, or the Corporation may be prohibited from incurring it, if available, under the terms of its various debt instruments in effect at the time. The Corporation’s inability to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy its debt obligations, or to re-finance its obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and operating results. The earnings of the Corporation’s operating subsidiaries and the amount that they are able to distribute to the Corporation as dividends or otherwise may not be adequate for the Corporation to service its debt obligations.

n)
Risks related to the common shares.

The market price of the common shares may fluctuate, and purchasers may not be able to re-sell the common shares at or above the purchase price. The market price of the common shares may fluctuate due to a variety of factors relative to the Corporation’s business, including announcements of new developments, fluctuations in the Corporation’s operating results, sales of the common shares in the marketplace, failure to meet analysts’ expectations, general conditions in all of our segments or the worldwide economy. In recent years, the common shares, the stock of other companies operating in the same sectors and the stock market in general have experienced significant price fluctuations, which have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. There can be no assurance that the market price of the common shares will not continue to experience significant fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that are unrelated to the Corporation’s performance.

o)
Cash-flow and fair-value interest rate risks.

As the Corporation has no significant interest-bearing assets, its earnings and operating cash flows are substantially independent of changes in market interest rates.

The Corporation’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Corporation to a cash-flow interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at a fixed rate expose the Corporation to a fair-value interest rate risk.





 
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p)
Credit risk.

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions. The Corporation reduces this risk by dealing with creditworthy financial institutions.

The Corporation is exposed to credit risk on accounts receivable from its customers. In order to reduce this risk, the Corporation’s credit policies include the analysis of a customer’s financial position and a regular review of its credit limits. The Corporation also believes that no particular concentration of credit risks exists due to the geographic diversity of its customers and the procedures in place for managing commercial risks. Derivative financial instruments include an element of credit risk, should the counterparty be unable to meet its obligations.

q)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation.

The Corporation decided to modernize its financial information system with the implementation of an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The Corporation identified the risks associated with said project and adopted a step-by-step plan to address any risks related to the implementation process. The Corporation dedicated a project team, required corporate oversight with the appropriate skills and knowledge, and retained the services of consultants to provide expertise and training. Supported by senior management and key personnel, the Corporation undertook a detailed analysis of its requirements during 2010 and, in November of 2010, successfully completed a pilot project in one of its plants. The project team then finalized a detailed blueprint for its manufacturing and some of its converting operations, and started implementing the solution in its business units in 2012. The implementation is still ongoing as the Corporation is reviewing its internal processes at the same time, to maximize the realization of benefits and reduce risks.


 
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Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 of Cascades Inc. of our report dated March 12, 2015, relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears in the Exhibit incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 1

 

Montréal, Canada

March 27, 2015

 

 

1 FCPA auditor, FCA, public accountancy permit No. A108517

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE

WITH SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES – OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Mario Plourde, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Cascades Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 27, 2015

 

/s/ Mario Plourde
Mario Plourde
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER IN ACCORDANCE

WITH SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES – OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Allan Hogg, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 40-F of Cascades Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: March 27, 2015

 

/s/ Allan Hogg
Allan Hogg
Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND

OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of Cascades Inc. (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

1) the Annual Report on Form 40-F (the “Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Corporation as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.

 

Dated March 27, 2015

 

  /s/ Mario Plourde
  Name: Mario Plourde
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   

/s/ Allan Hogg

  Name: Allan Hogg
  Title: Vice - President and Chief Financial Officer

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.