S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2023

Registration No. 333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

British Columbia   98-1488978

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor

New York, New York 10019

(212) 634-7100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Derek Watson

Chief Financial Officer

Columbia Care LLC

680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor

New York, New York 10019

(212) 634-7100

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

 

 

Copies to:

James Guttman

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

TD Canada Trust Tower

Brookfield Place, 161 Bay Street, Suite 4310

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2S1

(416) 367-7376

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time, after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

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

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2023

PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.

$250,000,000

Common Shares

Proportionate Voting Shares

Preferred Shares

Debt Securities

Subscription Receipts

Warrants

Units

 

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) may, from time to time, offer, issue and sell, as applicable the following securities: (i) common shares (the “Common Shares”); (ii) proportionate voting shares (the “Proportionate Voting Shares” and together with Common Shares, the “Shares”); (iii) preferred shares (the “Preferred Shares”); (iv) senior and subordinated unsecured debt securities (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), including debt securities convertible or exchangeable into other securities of the Company; (v) subscription receipts (the “Subscription Receipts”); (vi) warrants to purchase Shares or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”); and (vii) units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus (the “Units”, and collectively with all of the foregoing, the “Securities”), up to an aggregate offering price of $250,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof if the Securities are denominated in any other currency or currency unit) during the period that this registration statement (this “Prospectus”), including any amendments hereto, remains effective. The Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in one or more accompanying prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) to this prospectus (the “Prospectus”).

Certain information permitted under applicable laws to be omitted from this Prospectus will be contained in one or more Prospectus Supplements that will be delivered to purchasers together with this Prospectus, except in cases where an exemption from such delivery has been obtained. Each Prospectus Supplement will be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and only for the purposes of distribution of the Securities to which the Prospectus Supplement pertains.

The specific terms of the Securities with respect to a particular offering will be set out in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and may include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common Shares, the number of shares offered, the offering price, the currency, dividend rate, if any, and any other terms specific to the Common Shares being offered; (ii) in the case of Proportionate Voting Shares, the number of shares offered, the offering price, the currency, dividend rate, if any, and any other terms specific to the Proportionate Voting Shares being offered; (iii) in the case of Preferred Shares, the designation of the particular class and, if applicable, series, the number of shares offered, the offering price, the currency, dividend rate, if any, and any other terms specific to the Preferred Shares being offered; (iv) in the case of Debt Securities, the designation of the Debt Securities, any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities, the maturity date, whether payment on the Debt Securities will be senior or subordinated to the Company’s other liabilities and obligations, whether the Debt Securities will bear interest, the interest rate or method of determining the interest rates, any conversion or exchange rates attached to the Debt Securities, whether the Company may redeem the Debt Securities at its


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option and any other specific terms; (v) in the case of Subscription Receipts, the number of Subscription Receipts being offered, the offering price (or the manner of determination thereof if offered on a non-fixed price basis), the procedures for the exchange of Subscription Receipts for Shares or Debt Securities, as the case may be, the currency or currency unit in which the Subscription Receipts are issued and any other specific terms; (vi) in the case of Warrants, the designation, number and terms of the Shares or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the offering price, the currency, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of these numbers, the exercise price, dates and periods of exercise, and any other terms specific to the Warrants being offered; and (vii) in the case of Units, the designation, number of Securities comprising the Units, the offering price, the currency and any other terms specific to the Units being offered. A Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities may include terms pertaining to the Securities being offered thereunder that are not within the terms and parameters described in this Prospectus.

No underwriter or agent has been involved in the preparation of this Prospectus or performed any review of the contents of this Prospectus.

The Company may offer and sell the Securities to or through underwriters or dealers purchasing as principals and may also sell directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or pursuant to applicable statutory exemptions. See “Plan of Distribution”. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular offering of Securities will identify each underwriter, dealer or agent, as the case may be, engaged by the Company in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities, and will set forth the terms of the offering of such Securities, including, to the extent applicable, any fees, discounts or any other compensation payable to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering, the method of distribution of the Securities, the initial issue price (in the event that the offering is a fixed price distribution), the proceeds that the Company will, or expects to receive and any other material terms of the plan of distribution.

The Securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices or at non-fixed prices. If offered on a non-fixed price basis, the Securities may be offered at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices determined by reference to the prevailing price of a specified security in a specified market or at prices to be negotiated with purchasers, in which case the compensation payable to an underwriter, dealer or agent in connection with any such sale will be decreased by the amount, if any, by which the aggregate price paid for Securities by the purchasers is less than the gross proceeds paid by the underwriter, dealer or agent to the Company. The price at which the Securities will be offered and sold may vary from purchaser to purchaser and during the period of distribution.

In connection with any offering of Securities, other than an “at-the-market distribution” (as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation), unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Securities at a level other than those which otherwise might prevail on the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time. A purchaser who acquires Securities forming part of the underwriters’, dealers’ or agents’ over-allocation position acquires those securities under this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular offering of Securities, regardless of whether the over-allocation position is ultimately filled through the exercise of the over-allotment option or secondary market purchases. See “Plan of Distribution”. No underwriter or dealer involved in an “at-the-market distribution” under this Prospectus, no affiliate of such an underwriter or dealer and no person or company acting jointly or in concert with such underwriter or dealer will over-allot Securities in connection with such distribution or effect any other transactions that are intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities.

The Common Shares and certain Common Share purchase warrants of the Company (the “CGGC Warrants”) are listed on the Cboe Canada (the “Cboe”) under the symbols “CBST” and “CBST.WT”, respectively. The Common Shares are quoted on the OTCQX Best Market (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “CBSTF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “3LP”.

 

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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities other than the Common Shares or CGGC Warrants will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is no market through which the Securities, other than the Common Shares and CGGC Warrants, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell such Securities purchased under this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement. This may affect the pricing of such Securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities, and the extent of issuer regulation. See “Risk Factors” below and the “Risk Factors” section of the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE ‘‘SEC’’) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATOR NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR REGULATOR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Investing in the Securities is speculative and involves significant risks. You should carefully review and evaluate certain risk factors contained in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein before purchasing the Securities. See “Forward-Looking Information and Risk Factors”.

The Company is not making an offer of the Securities in any jurisdiction where such offer is not permitted.

 

This Prospectus is being provided in relation to the distribution of securities of an entity that currently derives, directly, substantially all of its current revenues from the cannabis industry in certain U.S. states, which industry is illegal under U.S. federal law. The Company, through its subsidiaries, currently owns or manages interests in several state-licensed medical and/or adult use marijuana businesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The Company has exited its prior operations in the Missouri, European Union and Puerto Rico markets and intends to exit Utah.

The United States federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) (the “CSA”), which places controlled substances, including cannabis, in a schedule. Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug. Under United States federal law, a Schedule I drug or substance has a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for the use of the drug under medical supervision. The United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) has not approved cannabis as a safe and effective drug for any indication.

In the United States, cannabis is largely regulated at the state level. State laws regulating cannabis are in direct conflict with the federal CSA, which makes cannabis use and possession federally illegal. Although certain states authorize medical or adult-use cannabis production and distribution by licensed or registered entities, under U.S. federal law, the possession, use, cultivation, and transfer of cannabis and any related drug paraphernalia is illegal, and any such acts are criminal acts under federal law. The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution establishes that the United States Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it are paramount and, in case of direct conflict between federal and state law, the federal law shall apply. The Company faces risks for operating in an industry that is illegal under federal law, including that third party service providers could suspend or withdraw services.

Until 2018, the federal government provided guidance to federal law enforcement agencies and banking institutions through a series of United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) memoranda. The most significant of these memoranda was drafted by former Deputy Attorney General James Cole in 2013 (the “Cole Memo”).

 

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The Cole Memo offered guidance to federal enforcement agencies as to how to prioritize civil enforcement, criminal investigations and prosecutions regarding marijuana in all states. The Cole Memo put forth eight prosecution priorities:

 

  1.

Preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors;

 

  2.

Preventing revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels;

 

  3.

Preventing the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal under state law in some form to other states;

 

  4.

Preventing the state-authorized marijuana activity from being used as a cover or pretext for the trafficking of other illegal drugs or other illegal activity;

 

  5.

Preventing violence and the use of firearms in the cultivation and distribution of marijuana;

 

  6.

Preventing drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences associated with marijuana use;

 

  7.

Preventing the growing of marijuana on public lands and the attendant public safety and environmental dangers posed by marijuana production on public lands; and

 

  8.

Preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property.

On January 4, 2018, former United States Attorney General Jefferson Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo by issuing a new memorandum to all United States Attorneys (the “Sessions Memo”). Rather than establish national enforcement priorities particular to marijuana-related crimes in jurisdictions where certain marijuana activity was legal under state law, the Sessions Memo instructs that “[i]n deciding which marijuana activities to prosecute ... with the DOJ’s finite resources, prosecutors should follow the well-established principles that govern all federal prosecutions.” Namely, these include the seriousness of the offense, history of criminal activity, deterrent effect of prosecution, the interests of victims, and other principles.

The former Attorneys General who succeeded former Attorney General Sessions following his resignation did not provide a clear policy directive for the United States as it pertains to state-legal marijuana-related activities. It is still not yet known whether the DOJ under President Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland will re-adopt the Cole Memo or announce a substantive marijuana enforcement policy. Justice Garland stated at a confirmation hearing in 2021 before the United States Senate that “It does not seem to me a useful use of limited resources that we have, to be pursuing prosecutions in states that have legalized and that are regulating the use of marijuana, either medically or otherwise. I don’t think that’s a useful use.” Recently, in testimony in February of 2023 before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Garland said the DOJ is “still working on a marijuana policy” and that policy – when issued – “will be very close to what was done in the Cole Memorandum.”1

Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that state laws legalizing and regulating the sale and use of marijuana will not be repealed or overturned, or that local governmental authorities will not limit the applicability of state laws within their respective jurisdictions. Unless and until the United States Congress amends the CSA with respect to marijuana (and as to the timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current U.S. federal law. Currently, in the absence of uniform federal guidance, as had been established by the Cole Memo, enforcement priorities are determined by respective United States Attorneys, and notwithstanding public statements to the contrary, federal law enforcement could enforce the CSA – and its criminal prohibition on commercial cannabis activity.

 

1 

John Schroyer, (2021 February 22) Attorney general nominee Garland signals friendlier marijuana stance, available at https://mjbizdaily.com/attorney-general-nominee-merrick-garland-signals-friendlier-marijuana-stance/

 

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Due to the CSA categorization of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, federal law also makes it illegal for financial institutions that depend on the Federal Reserve’s money transfer system to take any proceeds from marijuana sales as deposits. Banks and other financial institutions could be prosecuted and possibly convicted of money laundering for providing services to cannabis businesses under the United States Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”). Therefore, under the Bank Secrecy Act, banks or other financial institutions that provide a cannabis business with a checking account, debit or credit card, small business loan, or any other service could be charged with money laundering or conspiracy.

While there has been no change in U.S. federal banking laws to accommodate businesses in the large and increasing number of U.S. states that have legalized medical and/or adult-use marijuana, the Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), in 2014, issued guidance to prosecutors of money laundering and other financial crimes (the “FinCEN Guidance”). The FinCEN Guidance advised prosecutors not to focus their enforcement efforts on banks and other financial institutions that serve marijuana-related businesses so long as that business is legal in their state and none of the federal enforcement priorities referenced in the Cole Memo are being violated (such as keeping marijuana away from children and out of the hands of organized crime). The FinCEN Guidance also clarifies how financial institutions can provide services to marijuana-related businesses consistent with their Bank Secrecy Act obligations, including thorough customer due diligence, but makes it clear that they are doing so at their own risk. The customer due diligence steps include:

 

  1.

Verifying with the appropriate state authorities whether the business is duly licensed and registered;

 

  2.

Reviewing the license application (and related documentation) submitted by the business for obtaining a state license to operate its marijuana-related business;

 

  3.

Requesting from state licensing and enforcement authorities available information about the business and related parties;

 

  4.

Developing an understanding of the normal and expected activity for the business, including the types of products to be sold and the type of customers to be served (e.g., medical versus adult-use customers);

 

  5.

Ongoing monitoring of publicly available sources for adverse information about the business and related parties;

 

  6.

Ongoing monitoring for suspicious activity, including for any of the red flags described in this guidance; and

 

  7.

Refreshing information obtained as part of customer due diligence on a periodic basis and commensurate with the risk.

With respect to information regarding state licensure obtained in connection with such customer due diligence, a financial institution may reasonably rely on the accuracy of information provided by state licensing authorities, where states make such information available.

Because most banks and other financial institutions are unwilling to provide any banking or financial services to marijuana businesses, these businesses can be forced into becoming “cash-only” businesses. While the FinCEN Guidance decreased some risk for banks and financial institutions considering serving the industry, in practice it has not substantially increased banks’ willingness to provide services to marijuana businesses. This is because, as described above, the current law does not guarantee banks immunity from prosecution, and it also requires banks and other financial institutions to undertake time-consuming and costly due diligence on each marijuana business they accept as a customer.

 

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Those state-chartered banks and credit unions that do have customers in the marijuana industry charge marijuana businesses high fees to pass on the added cost of ensuring compliance with the FinCEN Guidance. Unlike the Cole Memo, however, the FinCEN Guidance from 2014 has not been rescinded. Despite the rescission of the Cole Memo in 2018, The Company continues to do the following towards ensuring compliance with the guidance provided by the Cole Memo, the FinCEN Guidance, and other best industry practices:

 

   

The Company and its subsidiaries operate in compliance with licensing requirements that are set forth with regards to cannabis operation by the applicable state, county, municipality, town, township, borough, and other political/administrative divisions.

 

   

The Company’s cannabis-related activities adhere to the scope of the licensing obtained – for example, in the states where only medical cannabis is permitted, products are sold only to patients who hold the necessary documentation to permit the possession of the cannabis.

 

   

The Company performs due diligence on contractors or anyone provided access to secure areas of its facilities to prevent cannabis products from being distributed to minors.

 

   

The Company works to ensure that the licensed operators have an adequate inventory tracking system and adequate procedures in place so that their compliance system can track inventory effectively. This is done so that there is no diversion of cannabis or cannabis products into states where cannabis is not permitted by state law, or across state lines in general.

 

   

The Company conducts background checks as required by applicable state law.

 

   

The Company conducts reviews of activities of the cannabis businesses, the premises on which they operate, and the policies and procedures that are related to possession of cannabis or cannabis products outside of its licensed premises (including the cases where such possession is permitted by regulation – e.g., transfer of products between licensed premises). These reviews are completed to ensure that licensed operators do not possess or use cannabis on federal property or engage in manufacturing or cultivation of cannabis on federal lands.

There have been recent developments regarding the potential for cannabis to be removed from the most restrictive schedule under the CSA. On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden requested that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Xavier Becerra, and Attorney General Merick Garland initiate a scientific review of the basis for cannabis’ scheduling under the CSA. After approximately 11 months of review, on August 29, 2023, HHS Assistant Secretary of Health, Rachel Levine, sent a letter to Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Administrator, Anne Milgram, that is believed to recommend rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”). The recommendation was based on a scientific and medical review by the FDA with an analysis of the eight factors determinative of control of a substance under the CSA.

As a result, the DEA can now initiate a formal rule-making process that would potentially reschedule marijuana from its current Schedule I classification. The DEA is bound by the HHS recommendation in regard to the scientific and medical matters but can ultimately make a different scheduling decision. The DEA may also account for the United States’ treaty obligations, including the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotics. The DEA will consider several factors that include: (1) marijuana’s actual or relative potential for abuse, (2) scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect, (3) the state of current scientific knowledge; (4) history and current pattern of abuse, (5) scope, duration, and significance of abuse, (6) risks to public health, (7) psychic or psychological dependence liability, and (8) whether marijuana is an immediate precursor of a substance already controlled under the CSA. The DEA has not yet started a formal rule-making process, which would require a public hearing on the record with an administrative law judge(s) making the final decision whether to adopt the new regulation. The regulation would be subject to challenges and judicial review. The DEA is not under a required timeline to initiate and complete this process.

 

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On September 13, 2023, the Congressional Research Service (“CRS”) published a report stating that the DEA is “likely” to reschedule marijuana according to the HHS recommendation. According to the CRS report, this would have “broad implications for federal policy” and potentially impact state medical and recreational programs. If rescheduling occurs, various federal agencies such as the DOJ, FDA, FinCEN, and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may issue additional memoranda providing further regulatory, tax, and enforcement priority instruction as it relates to marijuana that would replace the previous guidance.

The Company’s objective is to capitalize on the opportunities presented as a result of the changing regulatory environment governing the cannabis industry in the United States. Accordingly, there are a number of significant risks associated with the business of the Company. Unless and until the U.S. Congress amends the CSA with respect to medical and/or adult-use cannabis (and as to the timing or scope of any such potential amendments there can be no assurance), there is a risk that federal authorities may enforce current federal law, and the business of the Company may be deemed to be producing, cultivating, extracting, or dispensing cannabis or aiding or abetting or otherwise engaging in a conspiracy to commit such acts in violation of the CSA and other federal laws in the United States.

For these reasons, the Company’s investments in the U.S. cannabis market may subject the Company to heightened scrutiny by regulators, stock exchanges, clearing agencies and other Canadian and U.S. authorities. See section entitled “Risk Factors” herein.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     3  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     5  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     5  

RISK FACTORS

     7  

ISSUERS WITH UNITED STATES CANNABIS-RELATED ASSETS

     9  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     10  

DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY

     11  

CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION

     18  

DILUTION

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

     20  

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

     21  

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS

     22  

EARNINGS COVERAGE

     23  

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     24  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     25  

LEGAL MATTERS

     28  

AUDITOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     28  

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless the context indicates or suggests otherwise, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Cannabist Company” refer to The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of British Columbia, Canada, individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries.

In this Prospectus, currency amounts are stated in U.S. dollars (“$”), unless specified otherwise. All references to C$, CAD$ and CDN$ are to Canadian dollars.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference. It is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. For a more complete understanding of the Company’s business and before making any investment decision, you should read the entire Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” commencing on page 7 of this Prospectus and the “Risk Factors” sections contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”).

General

The Company’s common shares are listed on the Cboe Canada (the “Cboe”) under the symbol “CBST” and are quoted on the OTCQX Best Market (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “CBSTF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol “3LP”.

The Company’s principal business activity is the production and sale of cannabis as regulated by the regulatory bodies and authorities of the jurisdictions in which it operates.

The Company, through its subsidiaries, currently owns or manages interests in several state-licensed medical and/or adult use marijuana businesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The Company has exited its prior operations in the Missouri, European Union and Puerto Rico markets.

The registered office of the Company is 1700, 666 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8. The head office is located at 680 5th Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019. The Company’s telephone number is (212) 634-7100.

History of the Company

The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”) on August 13, 2018 under the name “Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp.” as a special purpose acquisition corporation for the purpose of effecting an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets, by way of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or any other similar business combination.

On October 17, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent with Columbia Care LLC (“Old Columbia Care”) to exclusively negotiate a business combination between the two companies. On November 21, 2018, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with Old Columbia Care pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would acquire all of the membership interests of Old Columbia Care by way of a merger between Old Columbia Care and a newly-formed Delaware subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”). The Business Combination constituted the Company’s qualifying transaction.

 

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The Business Combination was completed on April 26, 2019, at which point Old Columbia Care became a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company was continued out of the jurisdiction of Ontario under the OBCA and into the jurisdiction of British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“BCBCA”).

Recent Developments

September 2023 Private Placement

On September 18, 2023, the Company entered into subscription agreements with institutional investors (the “Investors”) for the purchase and sale of 22,244,210 units of the Company (the “September 2023 Units”) at a price of C$1.52 per Unit (the “Issue Price”) pursuant to a private placement (the “September 2023 Offering”), for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$33.8 million or approximately US$25 million (the “Initial Tranche”). Each Unit consists of one Common Share (or Common Share equivalent) and one half of one warrant that entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$1.96 per Common Share, a 29% premium to issue, for a period of three years following the closing of the Initial Tranche (“September 2023 Warrant”). The Initial Tranche consisted of an aggregate of 21,887,240 Common Shares, 11,122,105 September 2023 Warrants and 356,970 pre-funded warrants that provide the holder the right to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.0001 per Common Share (the “September 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants”). The September 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable immediately and may be exercised at any time until the September 2023 Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. The September 2023 Offering closed on September 21, 2023. ATB Capital Markets Inc. acted as sole placement agent for the Offering. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the September 2023 Offering to reduce its outstanding indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

In connection with the transaction, the Company and the Investors entered into a customary registration rights agreement. The September 2023 Units are subject to limited lock-up requirements.

The Company issued the September 2023 Units pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company is relying on this exemption from registration based in part on the nature of the transaction and the various representations made by the Investors.

Name Change

Effective September 19, 2023, the Company changed its name from “Columbia Care Inc.” to “The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.” (the “Name Change”). To effect the Name Change, the Company filed a Notice of Alteration with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies (the “Registrar”), pursuant to which the Registrar issued a new Notice of Articles and a Certificate of Change of Name to the Company. Other than the Name Change, no other changes were made to the Company’s Articles. Copies of the Articles and the Certificate of Change of Name are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively.

In connection with the Name Change, on September 21, 2023, the Company’s Common Shares and warrants began trading under the ticker symbols “CBST” and “CBST.WT”, respectively, on the Cboe. The Company’s Common Shares began trading under ticker symbol “CBSTF” on the OTCQX on September 26, 2023.

In connection with the Name Change, the Company launched a new corporate website: www.cannabistcompany.com. The Company’s investor relations information, including press releases and links to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will now be found on this website. The Company’s SEC filings and the Company’s corporate governance documents are available on this website.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Prospectus, and certain documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, contain certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking information”) which are based upon the Company’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. In certain cases, such information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expect”, “likely”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend”, or “anticipate”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate” and other similar words, including negative and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information includes estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, targets, guidance, or other statements that are not statements of fact. Such forward-looking information is made as of the date of this Prospectus, or in the case of documents incorporated by reference herein, as of the date of each such document. Forward-looking information in this Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

 

   

the impact of the termination of the acquisition of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares by Cresco Labs LLC (the “Cresco Transaction”) on the Company’s current and future operations, financial condition and prospects;

 

   

the costs of the Cresco Transaction;

 

   

the partial redemption of the Company’s 13% senior secured notes due May 2024;

 

   

the impact of the Company’s corporate restructuring plan;

 

   

the fact that marijuana remains illegal under federal law;

 

   

the application of anti-money laundering laws and regulations to the Company;

 

   

legal, regulatory, or political change to the cannabis industry;

 

   

access to public and private capital;

 

   

unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of the cannabis industry;

 

   

expansion to the adult-use markets;

 

   

the impact of laws, regulations, and guidelines;

 

   

the impact of Section 280E of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”);

 

   

the impact of state laws pertaining to the cannabis industry;

 

   

the Company’s reliance on key inputs, suppliers and skilled labor;

 

   

the difficulty of forecasting the Company’s sales;

 

   

constraints on marketing products;

 

   

potential cyber-attacks and security breaches;

 

   

net operating loss and other tax attribute limitations;

 

   

the impact of changes in tax laws;

 

   

the volatility of the market price of the Common Shares;

 

   

reliance on management;

 

   

litigation;

 

   

future results and financial projections; and

 

   

the impact of global financial conditions.

 

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Forward-looking information contained in certain documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus are based on the key assumptions described in such documents and may prove inaccurate. Certain of the forward-looking information contained herein or in the documents incorporated by reference concern the medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis industry; the general expectations of the Company related thereto; the Company’s ability to implement its growth strategies and business plan; the Company’s ability to keep pace with changing consumer preferences; the ongoing ability of the Company to conduct business in the regulatory environments in which it operates and may operate in the future; the profitability or liquidity of the Company and the impact of increased debt and interest costs; and the Company’s business and operations and are based on estimates prepared by the Company using data from publicly available governmental sources, as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which the Company believes to be reasonable. However, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics, such data is inherently imprecise. While the Company is not aware of any misstatement regarding any industry or government data presented herein, the current cannabis industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors.

Readers are cautioned that the above list of cautionary statements is not exhaustive. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from what is projected in forward-looking information. The purpose of forward-looking information is to provide the reader with a description of management’s expectations, and such forward-looking information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. Prospective purchasers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this Prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference therein. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking information contained in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference therein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Investors should read this entire Prospectus and consult their own professional advisors to ascertain and assess the income tax and legal risks and other aspects associated with holding the securities being offered for sale hereunder. Prospective purchasers should also carefully consider the matters discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the securities offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules, portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about us and our common stock, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules.

The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov. You may request a copy of these filings, which we will provide to you at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor

New York, New York 10019

(212) 271-0915

Attn: Investor Relations

Our SEC filings are also available to the public at our website at www.cannabistcompany.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and does not constitute a part of Prospectus.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Information has been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus from documents that have been filed with, or furnished to, the SEC and some of which have also been filed by us with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this Prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Prospectus and any accompanying Prospectus Supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (excluding any portions of any Form 8-K that are not deemed “filed” pursuant to the General Instructions of Form 8-K):

 

  (a)

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022;

 

  (b)

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March  31, 2023, June  30, 2023 and September 30, 2023; and

 

  (c)

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February  28, 2023, March  16, 2023, June  16, 2023, July  6, 2023, August  3, 2023, September  12, 2023, September  22, 2023, November  13, 2023 and November 14, 2023.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than Current Reports furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) after the date of the initial registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part until we sell all of the securities we are offering or the termination of the offering, excluding, in each case, information deemed furnished and not filed.

Any statement contained in this Prospectus, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein, or

 

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in any subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

Upon written or oral request, we will provide to you, without charge, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus but not delivered with the Prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019, telephone (212) 271-0915.

You may also access the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus through our website at www.cannabistcompany.com. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this Prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in the securities of the Company involves certain risks, including those set forth below and in the Annual Report. When evaluating the Company and its business, investors should carefully review the information set out in this Prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that are currently considered immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company.

Prospective investors should carefully consider these risks, in addition to the information contained and incorporated herein by reference and in any Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering and the information incorporated by reference therein, before purchasing Securities. Some of the risk factors described herein and in the documents incorporated herein by reference (including subsequently filed documents incorporated by reference herein), including the applicable Prospectus Supplement are interrelated and, consequently, investors should treat such risk factors as a whole. If any of the events identified in these risks and uncertainties were to actually occur, it could have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company . These are not the only risks and uncertainties that the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that are currently considered immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company. The Company cannot assure you that it will successfully address any or all of these risks.

There is no market for certain of the Securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Proportionate Voting Shares, the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Warrants and Units will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is no market through which the Securities, other than the Common Shares and CGGC Warrants, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell such Securities purchased under this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement. This may affect the pricing of such Securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities, and the extent of issuer regulation.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

The Company may need to raise additional financing in the future through the issuance of additional equity securities or convertible debt securities. If the Company raises additional funding by issuing additional equity securities or convertible debt securities, such financings may substantially dilute the interests of shareholders of the Company and reduce the value of their investment and the value of the Company’s securities.

There may not be an active, liquid market for the Common Shares or CGGC Warrants.

There may not be an active, liquid market for the Common Shares or CGGC Warrants. There is no guarantee that an active trading market for the Common Shares will be maintained on Cboe and/or the OTCQX or that an active trading market for the CGGC Warrants will be maintained on the Cboe. Investors may not be able to sell their Common Shares quickly or at the latest market price if trading in the Common Shares or CGGC Warrants, respectively, is not active.

Return on the Securities is not guaranteed.

There is no guarantee that any of the Common Shares, the Proportionate Voting Shares, the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Warrants or Units will earn any positive return in the short term or long term. A holding of any such security is speculative and involves a high degree of risk and should be undertaken only by holders whose financial resources are sufficient to enable them to assume such risks and who have no need for immediate liquidity in their investment. An investment in any of the Securities is appropriate only for holders who have the capacity to absorb a loss of some or all of their investment.

 

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Management has discretion concerning the use of proceeds.

Management will have broad discretion concerning the use of the net proceeds from the offering of any Securities, as well as the timing of their expenditures. The intended use of net proceeds from the offering of any Securities may change. As a result, an investor will be relying on the judgment of management for the application of the net proceeds from the offering of any Securities. Management may use the net proceeds from the offering of any Securities in ways that an investor may not consider desirable if they believe it would be in the best interests of the Company to do so. The results and the effectiveness of the application of proceeds from an offering of any Securities are uncertain. If the proceeds are not applied effectively, the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may suffer.

 

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ISSUERS WITH UNITED STATES CANNABIS-RELATED ASSETS

The Company currently operates in the United States through various subsidiaries and other entities pursuant to management services arrangements with third-parties on arm’s length terms as more specifically described in the Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds to the Company from any offering of Securities and the proposed use of those proceeds will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that offering of Securities. To date, the Company has had negative cash flow from operating activities. Among other potential uses, the Company may use the net proceeds from the sale of Securities for general corporate purposes, including funding negative cash flow from operating activities, ongoing operations and/or working capital requirements, to repay indebtedness outstanding from time to time, capital projects, potential expansions within existing markets, and potential future acquisitions.

Management of the Company will retain broad discretion in allocating the net proceeds of any offering of Securities by the Company under this Prospectus and the Company’s actual use of the net proceeds may vary depending on the availability and suitability of investment opportunities and its operating and capital needs from time to time. All expenses relating to an offering of Securities and any compensation paid to underwriting dealers or agents as the case may be, will be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of Securities, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

The Company may, from time to time, issue securities (including Securities) other than pursuant to this Prospectus.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY

Description of the Company’s Securities

The authorized share capital of the Company consists of (i) an unlimited number of Common Shares of which 419,187,861 Common Shares are issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2023; (ii) an unlimited number of Proportionate Voting Shares, of which 99,556.61 are issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2023; and (iii) an unlimited number of Preferred Shares, issuable in series, none of which are issued and outstanding. All Proportionate Voting Shares are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the former Old Columbia Care members.

Generally, except as described below, the Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares have the same rights, are equal in all respects and are treated by the Company as if they were shares of one class only.

Conversion Rights and Transfers

Issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Shares, including fractions thereof, may at any time, subject to the FPI Condition (as defined below), at the option of the holder, be converted into Common Shares at a ratio of 100 Common Shares per Proportionate Voting Share with fractional Proportionate Voting Shares convertible into Common Shares at the same ratio. Further, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) may determine in the future that it is no longer advisable to maintain the Proportionate Voting Shares as a separate class of shares and may cause all of the issued and outstanding Proportionate Voting Shares to be converted into Common Shares at a ratio of 100 Common Shares per Proportionate Voting Share with fractional Proportionate Voting Shares convertible into Common Shares at the same ratio and the Board shall not be entitled to issue any more Proportionate Voting Shares under the Articles thereafter.

The Proportionate Voting Shares are not transferrable without Board approval, except to Permitted Holders (as defined below) and in compliance with U.S. securities laws.

Conversion Conditions

The right of the Proportionate Voting Shares to convert into Common Shares is subject to certain conditions in order to maintain the Company’s status as a “foreign private issuer” under U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise waived by the Company, the right to convert the Proportionate Voting Shares is subject to the condition that the aggregate number of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares (calculated as a single class) held of record, directly or indirectly, by residents of the United States (as determined in accordance with Rules 3b-4 and 12g3-2(a) under the Exchange Act) may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to such conversions (calculated as a single class) (the “FPI Condition”).

A holder of Common Shares may at any time, at the option of the holder and with the approval of the Board of the Company, convert such Common Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares on the basis of 100 Common Shares for one Proportionate Voting Share.

No fractional Common Shares will be issued on any conversion of any Proportionate Voting Shares and any fractional Common Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person.

 

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Permitted Holders” means (i) the initial holders of Proportionate Voting Shares; and (ii) any Affiliate or Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by one or more of the Persons referred to in clause (i) above.

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture or limited liability company.

A Person is “controlled” by another Person or other Persons if: (i) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated: (A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (B) the votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such company or other body corporate; or (ii) in the case of a Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating (equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and “controls”, “controlling” and “under common control with” shall be interpreted accordingly.

Voting Rights

All holders of Shares are entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and to attend and vote at such meetings, except those meetings at which only holders of a specific class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class under the BCBCA. A quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is present if shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 25% of the voting rights attached to the issued shares of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy.

On all matters upon which holders of Shares are entitled to vote:

 

   

each Common Share is entitled to one vote per Common Share; and

 

   

each Proportionate Voting Share is entitled to 100 votes per Proportionate Voting Share, and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share is entitled to the number of votes calculated by multiplying the fraction by 100.

The number of votes represented by fractional Proportionate Voting Shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Unless a different majority is required by law or the Articles, resolutions to be approved by holders of Shares require approval by a simple majority of the total number of votes of all Shares cast at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present based on the voting entitlements of each class of Shares described above.

Dividend Rights

Holders of Shares are entitled to receive dividends out of the assets available for the payment or distribution of dividends at such times and in such amount and form as the Board may from time to time determine, subject to any preferential rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, on the following basis, and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares: each Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to 100 times the amount paid or distributed per Common Share (including by way of share dividends, which holders of Proportionate Voting Shares will receive in Proportionate Voting Shares, unless otherwise determined by the Board) and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to the applicable fraction thereof. See “Conversion Rights and Transfers” above.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of

 

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Shares will be entitled to receive all of the Company’s assets remaining after payment of all debts and other liabilities, subject to any preferential rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Shares, on the basis that each Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to 100 times the amount distributed per Common Share (and each fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share will be entitled to the amount calculated by multiplying the fraction by the amount otherwise payable in respect of a whole Proportionate Voting Share), and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares. See “Conversion Rights and Transfers” above.

Pre-emptive and Redemption Rights

Holders of Shares will not have any pre-emptive or redemption rights.

Subdivision or Consolidation

No subdivision or consolidation of any class of Shares may be carried out unless, at the same time, the Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares, as the case may be, are subdivided or consolidated in the same manner and on the same basis, so as to preserve the relative rights of the holders of each class of Shares.

Certain Amendments

In addition to any other voting right or power to which the holders of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares shall be entitled by law or regulation or other provisions of the Articles from time to time in effect, but subject to the provisions of the Articles, holders of Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares shall each be entitled to vote separately as a class, in addition to any other vote of shareholders that may be required, in respect of any alteration, repeal or amendment of the Company’s Articles which would prejudice or interfere with the rights or special rights attached to the Common Shares or Proportionate Voting Shares, or which would affect the rights or special rights of the holders of the Common Shares and the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares differently, on a per share basis, including an amendment to the terms of the Articles that provide that any Proportionate Voting Shares sold or transferred to a Person that is not a Permitted Holder shall be automatically converted into Common Shares.

Pursuant to the Articles, holders of Shares will be treated equally and identically, on a per share basis, in certain change of control transactions that require approval of our shareholders under the BCBCA, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of the Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares, each voting separately as a class.

Issuance of Additional Proportionate Voting Shares

The Company may issue additional Proportionate Voting Shares upon the approval of the Board. Shareholder approval is not required in connection with a subdivision or consolidation on a pro rata basis as between the Common Shares and the Proportionate Voting Shares.

Take-Over Bid Protection

If an offer is being made for Proportionate Voting Shares (a “PVS Offer”) where: (i) by reason of applicable securities legislation or stock exchange requirements, the offer must be made to all holders of the class of Proportionate Voting Shares; and (ii) no equivalent offer is made for the Common Shares, the holders of Common Shares have the right, pursuant to the Articles, at their option, to convert their Common Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares for the purpose of allowing the holders of the Common Shares to tender to such PVS Offer, provided that such conversion into Proportionate Voting Shares will be solely for the purpose of tendering the Proportionate Voting Shares to the PVS Offer in question and that any Proportionate Voting Shares that are tendered to the PVS Offer but that are not, for any reason, taken up and paid for by the offeror will automatically be reconverted into the Common Shares that existed prior to such conversion.

 

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In the event that holders of Common Shares are entitled to convert their Common Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares in connection with a PVS Offer pursuant to (ii) above, holders of an aggregate of Common Shares of less than 100 (an “Odd Lot”) will be entitled to convert all but not less than all of such Odd Lot of Common Shares into an applicable fraction of one Proportionate Voting Share, provided that such conversion into a fractional Proportionate Voting Share will be solely for the purpose of tendering the fractional Proportionate Voting Share to the PVS Offer in question and that any fraction of a Proportionate Voting Share that is tendered to the PVS Offer but that is not, for any reason, taken up and paid for by the offeror will automatically be reconverted into the Common Shares that existed prior to such conversion.

Compliance Provisions

The Company’s Articles contain certain provisions (the “Compliance Provisions”), including a combination of certain remedies such as a suspension of voting and/or dividend rights, a discretionary right to force a share transfer to a third party and/or a discretionary redemption right in favour of the Company, in each case to seek to ensure that the Company and its subsidiaries are able to comply with applicable regulatory and licensing regulations. The purpose of the Compliance Provisions is to provide the Company with a means of protecting itself from having a shareholder, or as determined by the Board, a group of shareholders acting jointly or in concert, with an ownership interest of, whether of record or beneficially (or having the power to exercise control or direction over) (“Owning or Controlling”), five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company, or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time, and: (i) who a governmental authority granting licenses to, or otherwise governing the operations of, the Company or its subsidiaries has determined to be unsuitable to own Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable; (ii) whose ownership of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, may result in the loss, suspension or revocation (or similar action) with respect to any licenses or permits relating to the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ conduct of business (being the conduct of any activities relating to the cultivation, manufacturing and dispensing of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in the United States, which include the owning and operating of cannabis licenses) or in the Company or any of its affiliates being unable to obtain any new licenses or permits in the normal course, all as determined by the Board; or (iii) who have not been determined by the applicable regulatory authority to be an acceptable person or otherwise have not received the requisite consent of such regulatory authority to own the Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, in each case within a reasonable time period acceptable to the Board or prior to acquiring any Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable (in each case, an “Unsuitable Person”). The ownership restrictions in the Company’s notice of articles and articles are also subject to an exemption for applicable depositaries and clearing houses as well as underwriters (as defined in the Securities Act (Ontario)) in the course of a distribution of securities of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compliance Provisions provide that any shareholder (or group of shareholders acting jointly or in concert) proposing to Own or Control five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time) will be required to provide not less than 30 days’ advance written notice to the Company by mail sent to the Company’s head office to the attention of the Corporate Secretary and to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals. Upon any such shareholder(s) Owning or Controlling five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company (or such other number as is determined by the Board from time to time), and having not received the requisite approval of any applicable regulatory authority to own the Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, the Compliance Provisions provide: (i) that such shareholder(s) may, in the discretion of the Board, be prohibited from exercising any voting rights and/or receiving any dividends from the Company, unless and until all requisite regulatory approvals are obtained; and (ii) the Company with a right, but not the obligation, at its option, upon notice to the Unsuitable Person, to: (A) redeem any or all Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held by an Unsuitable Person; and/or (B) forcibly transfer any or all Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held by an Unsuitable Person to a third party. Such rights are required in order for the Company to comply with regulations in various jurisdictions where the Company or its subsidiaries

 

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conduct business or are expected to conduct business. Further, a holder of the Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, will be prohibited from acquiring five percent (5%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more transactions, without providing 30 days’ advance written notice to the Company by mail sent to the Company’s registered office to the attention of the Corporate Secretary. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to the ownership, acquisition or disposition of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, as a result of: (i) transfer of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, occurring by operation of law including, inter alia, the transfer of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, to a trustee in bankruptcy, (ii) an acquisition or proposed acquisition by one or more underwriters who hold Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, for the purposes of distribution to the public or for the benefit of a third party provided that such third party is in compliance with the foregoing restriction, or (iii) conversion, exchange or exercise of securities issued by the Company or a subsidiary into or for Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, in accordance with their respective terms. If the Board reasonably believes that any such holder of the Common Shares may have failed to comply with the foregoing restrictions, the Company may apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, for an order directing that such shareholder disclose the number of Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, directly or indirectly held.

Upon receipt by the holder of a notice to redeem or to transfer any or all of its Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, the holder will be entitled to receive, as consideration therefor, no less than 95% of the lesser of: (i) the closing price of the Common Shares on Cboe (or the then principal exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading) on the trading day immediately prior to the closing of the redemption or transfer (or the average of the last bid and last asking prices if there was no trading on the specified date); and (ii) the five-day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on Cboe (or the then principal exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted for trading) for the five trading days immediately prior to the closing of the redemption or transfer (or the average of the last bid and last asking prices if there was no trading on the specified dates).

Notwithstanding the adoption of the proposed Compliance Provisions, the Company may not be able to exercise such rights in full or at all, including its redemption rights. Under the BCBCA, a corporation may not make any payment to redeem shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business or if making the payment of the redemption price or providing the consideration would cause the company to be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of its business. Furthermore, the Company may become subject to contractual restrictions on its ability to redeem its Common Shares and/or Proportionate Voting Shares, as applicable, by, for example, entering into a secured credit facility subject to such restrictions. In the event that restrictions prohibit the Company from exercising its redemption rights in part or in full, the Company will not be able to exercise its redemption rights absent a waiver of such restrictions, which the Company may not be able to obtain on acceptable terms or at all.

Preferred Shares

The Preferred Shares may at any time and from time to time be issued in one or more series. Subject to the provisions of the BCBCA and the Articles, the Board may, by resolution, from time to time before the issue thereof determine the maximum number of shares of each series, create an identifying name for each series, attach special rights or restrictions to the Preferred Shares of each series including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative and variable or fixed) or the means of determining such dividends, the dates of payment thereof, any terms or conditions of redemption or purchase, any conversion rights, any retraction rights, any rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and any sinking fund or other provisions, the whole to be subject to filing a Notice of Alteration to the Notice of Articles to create the series and altering the Articles to include the special rights or restrictions attached to the Preferred Shares of the series. Except as provided in any special rights or restrictions attaching to any series of Preferred

 

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Shares issued from time to time, the holders of preferred shares will not be entitled to receive notice of, attend or vote at any meeting of shareholders.

Preferred Shares of each series, if and when issued, will, with respect to the payment of dividends, rank pari passu with the Preferred Shares of every other series and be entitled to preference over the Common Shares, the Proportionate Voting Shares and any other shares of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends.

In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Preferred Shares will be entitled to preference with respect to distribution of the property or assets of the Company over the Common Shares, the Proportionate Voting Shares and any other shares of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to the repayment of capital paid up on and the payment of unpaid dividends accrued on the Preferred Shares.

Advance Notice Provisions

The Company’s Articles includes certain advance notice provisions with respect to the election of its directors (the “Advance Notice Provisions”). The Advance Notice Provisions are intended to: (i) facilitate orderly and efficient annual general meetings or, where the need arises, special meetings; (ii) ensure that all shareholders receive adequate notice of director nominations to the Board and sufficient information with respect to all nominees; and (iii) allow shareholders to register an informed vote. Only persons who are nominated by shareholders in accordance with the Advance Notice Provisions will be eligible for election as directors at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors.

Under the Advance Notice Provisions, a shareholder wishing to nominate a director would be required to provide the Company notice, in the prescribed form, within the prescribed time periods. These time periods include, (i) in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders (including an annual and special meeting), not fewer than 30 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, that if the first public announcement of the date (the “Notice Date”) of the annual meeting of shareholders is less than 50 days before the meeting date, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the Notice Date; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for any purpose which includes electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the Notice Date, provided that, in either instance, if notice-and-access (as defined in National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer) is used for delivery of proxy related materials in respect of a meeting described above, and the Notice Date in respect of the meeting is not fewer than 50 days prior to the date of the applicable meeting, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 40th day before the applicable meeting.

Forum Selection

The Company’s Articles includes a forum selection provision that provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada and the appellate courts therefrom, will be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on the Company’s behalf; (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of the Company’s directors, officers or other employees to the Company; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the BCBCA or the Articles; or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to the relationships among the Company, its Affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors and/or officers, but excluding claims related to the Company’s business or the business carried on by such Affiliates. The forum selection provision also provides that the Company’s securityholders are deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the courts in the Province of British Columbia and to service of

 

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process on their counsel in any foreign action initiated in violation of the foregoing provisions. The forum selection could apply to claims brought under the United States federal securities laws.

CGGC Warrants

As of the date hereof, 15,351,500 CGGC Warrants issued pursuant to the warrant agency agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) between CGGC and Odyssey Trust Company, as warrant agent, dated September 20, 2018 are outstanding. The CGGC Warrants were issued as part of the initial public offering of the Company. The CGGC Warrants are governed by the terms of the Warrant Agreement. Three CGGC Warrants are exercisable for one Common Share at an exercise price of $10.35.

Warrants

The chart below sets out the issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants (“Warrants”) of the Company as of September 30, 2023.

 

Expiration

  

Number of Shares
Issued and Exercisable

    

Exercise Price
(Canadian Dollars)

 

October 1, 2025

     648,783      $ 8.12  

April 26, 2024

     5,394,945        10.35  
  

 

 

    
     6,043,728     
  

 

 

    

 

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CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION

As at September 30, 2023, there were 418,915,272 Common Shares issued and outstanding and 9,955,661 Proportionate Voting Shares issued and outstanding, as well as 15,351,500 CGGC Warrants and 6,043,728 Warrants. There have been no material changes in the Company’s share or loan capital, on a consolidated basis, since September 30, 2023.

The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe any material change in, and the effect of such material change on, the share and loan capital of the Company that will result from the issuance of Securities pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement.

The Company’s capitalization and indebtedness will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference herein.

DILUTION

Purchasers of Securities in an Offering may suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of Common Shares. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per Common Share paid by purchasers in an offering of Securities and the net tangible book value per share of Common Shares immediately after an offering of Securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and one or more trustees (the “Trustee”) that may be named in a Prospectus Supplement for a series of Debt Securities. To the extent applicable, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. A copy of the form of the Indenture to be entered into has been or will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and will be filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada when it is entered into. The Company may issue Debt Securities, separately or together, with Common Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Subscription Receipts, Warrants or Units or any combination thereof, as the case may be.

The description of certain provisions of the Indenture in this section do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities. The particular terms and provisions of a series of Debt Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to such Debt Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description may include, but may not be limited to, any of the following, if applicable:

 

   

the title of the Debt Securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

   

the date or dates, if any, on which the Debt Securities will mature and the portion (if less than all of the principal amount) of the Debt Securities to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of maturity;

 

   

the rate or rates (whether fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which any such interest will be payable and the record dates for any interest payable on the Debt Securities;

 

   

the terms and conditions under which the Company may be obligated to redeem, repay or purchase the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or otherwise;

 

   

the terms and conditions upon which the Company may redeem the Debt Securities, in whole or in part, at its option;

 

   

the covenants applicable to the Debt Securities;

 

   

the terms and conditions for any conversion or exchange of the Debt Securities for any other securities;

 

   

the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of the Debt Securities of the series will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of other liabilities and obligations of the Company;

 

   

whether the Debt Securities will be secured or unsecured;

 

   

whether the Debt Securities will be issuable in the form of global securities (“Global Securities”), and, if so, the identity of the depositary for such Global Securities;

 

   

the denominations in which Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of US$1,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000;

 

   

each office or agency where payments on the Debt Securities will be made and each office or agency where the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

 

   

if other than United States dollars, the currency in which the Debt Securities are denominated or the currency in which we will make payments on the Debt Securities;

 

   

material Canadian federal income tax consequences and United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Debt Securities;

 

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any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities; and

 

   

any other terms, conditions, rights or preferences of the Debt Securities which apply solely to the Debt Securities.

If the Company denominates the purchase price of any of the Debt Securities in a currency or currencies other than United States dollars or a non-United States dollar unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any Debt Securities is payable in a currency or currencies other than United States dollars or a non-United States dollar unit or units, the Company will provide investors with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of Debt Securities and such non-United States dollar currency or currencies or non-United States dollar unit or units in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Each series of Debt Securities may be issued at various times with different maturity dates, may bear interest at different rates and may otherwise vary.

The terms on which a series of Debt Securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares or other securities of the Company will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. These terms may include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the option of the Company, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of Common Shares or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of Debt Securities would be subject to adjustment.

To the extent any Debt Securities are convertible into Common Shares or other securities of the Company, prior to such conversion the holders of such Debt Securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities into which the Debt Securities are convertible, including the right to receive payments of dividends or the right to vote such underlying securities.

The Company may, from time to time, issue Debt Securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the issue of Debt Securities pursuant to this Prospectus

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

The following is a brief summary of certain general terms and provisions of the Subscription Receipts that may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete. The particular terms and provisions of the Subscription Receipts as may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pertaining to such offering of Subscription Receipts, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to such Subscription Receipts will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Subscription Receipts may be offered separately or together with other Securities, as the case may be.

The Subscription Receipts may be issued under a subscription receipt agreement. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will include details of the subscription receipt agreement, if any, governing the Subscription Receipts being offered. The Company will file a copy of any subscription receipt agreement, if any, relating to an offering of Subscription Receipts with the relevant securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States after it has been entered into by the Company.

Each applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms and other information with respect to the Subscription Receipts being offered thereby, which may include, without limitation, the following (where applicable):

 

   

the number of Subscription Receipts;

 

   

the price at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered;

 

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the terms, conditions and procedures for the conversion of the Subscription Receipts into other Securities;

 

   

the dates or periods during which the Subscription Receipts are convertible into other Securities;

 

   

the designation, number and terms of the other Securities that may be exchanged upon conversion of each Subscription Receipt;

 

   

the designation, number and terms of any other Securities with which the Subscription Receipts will be offered, if any, and the number of Subscription Receipts that will be offered with each Security;

 

   

whether such Subscription Receipts are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof;

 

   

terms applicable to the gross or net proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts plus any interest earned thereon;

 

   

certain material Canadian and United States tax consequences of owning the Subscription Receipts; and

 

   

any other material terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS

The following is a brief summary of certain general terms and provisions of the Warrants that may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus. This summary does not purport to be complete. The particular terms and provisions of the Warrants as may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pertaining to such offering of Warrants, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to such Warrants will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Warrants may be offered separately or together with other Securities, as the case may be. Each series of Warrants may be issued under a separate warrant indenture or warrant agency agreement to be entered into between the Company and one or more banks or trust companies acting as Warrant agent or may be issued as stand-alone contracts. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will include details of the Warrant agreements, if any, governing the Warrants being offered. The Warrant agent, if any, will be expected to act solely as the agent of the Company and will not assume a relationship of agency with any holders of Warrant certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants. A copy of any warrant indenture or any warrant agency agreement relating to an offering of Warrants will be filed by the Company with the relevant securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States after it has been entered into by the Company.

Each applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms and other information with respect to the Warrants being offered thereby, which may include, without limitation, the following (where applicable):

 

   

the designation of the Warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of Warrants offered and the offering price;

 

   

the designation, number and terms of the other Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, and procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers;

 

   

the exercise price of the Warrants;

 

   

the dates or periods during which the Warrants are exercisable including any “early termination” provisions;

 

   

the designation, number and terms of any Securities with which the Warrants are issued;

 

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if the Warrants are issued as a unit with another Security, the date on and after which the Warrants and the other Security will be separately transferable;

 

   

whether such Warrants are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof;

 

   

any minimum or maximum amount of Warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

whether such Warrants will be listed on any securities exchange;

 

   

any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the Warrants;

 

   

certain material Canadian and United States tax consequences of owning the Warrants; and

 

   

any other material terms and conditions of the Warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNITS

The following description, together with the additional information the Company may include in any applicable Prospectus Supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the Units that the Company may offer under this Prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any Units that the Company may offer under this Prospectus, the Company will describe the particular terms of any series of Units in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The terms of any Units offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described below.

The Company will file the form of unit agreement (“Unit Agreement”), if any, between us and a unit agent (“Unit Agent”) that describes the terms and conditions of the series of Units the Company is offering, and any supplemental agreements, concurrently with the filing of the applicable Prospectus Supplement under which such series of Units are offered. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the Units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Unit Agreement, if any, and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of Units. The Company urges you to read the applicable Prospectus Supplements related to the particular series of Units that the Company sells under this Prospectus, as well as the complete Unit Agreement, if any, and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the Units.

General

The Company may issue Units comprising one or more of the Securities described herein in any combination. Each Unit will be issued so that the holder of the Unit is also the holder of each security included in the Unit. Thus, the holder of a Unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included Security. The Unit Agreement under which a Unit may be issued may provide that the Securities included in the Unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.

The Company will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the terms of the series of Units, including:

 

   

the designation and terms of the Units and of the Securities comprising the Units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

   

provisions of the governing Unit Agreement, if any; and

 

   

any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the Units or of the securities comprising the Units.

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of the Share Capital of the Company”, “Description of the Debt Securities”, “Description of the Subscription Receipts” and “Description of the Warrants” will apply to each Unit and to any Security included in each Unit, respectively.

 

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Issuance in Series

The Company may issue Units in such amounts and in numerous distinct series as it determines.

EARNINGS COVERAGE

If the Company offers Debt Securities having a term to maturity in excess of one year or Preferred Shares under this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will include earnings coverage ratios giving effect to the issuance of such Securities.

 

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CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Owning any of the Securities may subject holders to tax consequences. The applicable Prospectus Supplement may describe certain material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investors described therein of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any Securities offered thereunder. The applicable Prospectus Supplement may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investors described therein who are U.S. persons (within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any Securities offered thereunder. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors prior to deciding to purchase any of the Securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Company may, during the period that this Prospectus remains effective, offer for sale and issue, as applicable, the Securities, separately or together: (i) through underwriters, dealers or agents purchasing as principal or acting as agent; (ii) directly to one or more purchasers, including sales upon the exercise of conversion or exchange rights attaching to convertible or exchangeable securities held by the purchaser; or (iii) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. Securities sold to the public pursuant to this Prospectus may be offered and sold exclusively in Canada or the United States, or in both jurisdictions. The Prospectus Supplement relating to each offering of Securities will indicate the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which such offering is being made to the public, identify each underwriter, dealer or agent, as the case may be, and will also set forth the terms of that offering, including the purchase price or prices of the Securities (or the manner of determination thereof if offered on a non-fixed price basis), the proceeds to the Company or, if applicable, any underwriters’, dealers’ or agents’ fees, commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation. Only underwriters, dealers or agents so named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, in connection with the Securities offered thereby.

The Securities may be sold, from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices which may be changed or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, including sales in transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market distributions” as defined in NI 44-102 and Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on Cboe, the OTCQX or other existing trading markets for the securities. The prices at which the Securities may be offered may vary between purchasers and during the period of distribution.

If, in connection with the offering of Securities at a fixed price or prices, the underwriters have made a bona fide effort to sell all of the Securities at the initial offering price fixed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the offering price may be decreased and thereafter further changed, from time to time, to an amount not greater than the initial offering price fixed in such Prospectus Supplement, in which case the compensation realized by the underwriters will be decreased by the amount that the aggregate price paid by purchasers for the Securities is less than the gross proceeds paid by the underwriters to the Company.

Any offering of Proportionate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Warrants or Units will be a new issue of Securities with no established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Proportionate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts, Warrants and Units will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is no market through which the Securities, other than the Common Shares, may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell such Securities purchased under this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement. This may affect the pricing of such Securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities, and the extent of issuer regulation. See “Risk Factors”.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account, including through underwriting, purchase, security lending or repurchase agreements with the Company. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions.

Underwriters may sell the securities in order to facilitate transactions in any of our other securities (described in this Prospectus or otherwise), including other public or private transactions and short sales. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of

 

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them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. The Prospectus Supplement will include the names of the principal underwriters, the respective amount of securities underwritten, the nature of the obligation of the underwriters to take the securities and the nature of any material relationship between an underwriter and the Company. The Company may agree to pay the underwriters a fee or commission for various services relating to the offering of any of our securities. Any such fee or commission will be paid out of our general corporate funds. The Company may use underwriters with whom it has a material relationship. The Company will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any such relationship.

Some or all of the securities that the Company offers through this Prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom the Company sells securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus.

If dealers are used in the sale of securities offered through this Prospectus, the Company will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. The Prospectus Supplement will include the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

The Company may sell the securities offered through this Prospectus directly at such prices and upon such terms as agreed to by the Company and the purchaser. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The Company may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in any required Prospectus Supplement.

Securities may also be sold through agents designated from time to time. Any required Prospectus Supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities and will describe any fees or commissions payable to the agent by the Company. Unless otherwise indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If the applicable Prospectus Supplement indicates, the Company may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the fee or commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

Unless the applicable Prospectus Supplement states otherwise, each series of offered securities by the Company will be a new issue and will have no established trading market, except for the Common Shares. The Company may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange. Any underwriters that the Company uses in the sale of such offered securities may make a market in such securities, but may discontinue such market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you that the securities will have a liquid trading market.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in

 

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excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on any exchange or over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Derivative Transactions and Hedging

The Company, the underwriters or other agents may engage in derivative transactions involving the Company’s securities. These derivatives may consist of short sale transactions and other hedging activities. The underwriters or agents may acquire a long or short position in the Company’s securities, hold or resell securities acquired and purchase options or futures on the Company’s securities and other derivative instruments with returns linked to or related to changes in the price of the Company’s securities. In order to facilitate these derivative transactions, the Company may enter into security lending or repurchase agreements with the underwriters or agents. The underwriters or agents may effect the derivative transactions through sales of our securities to the public, including short sales, or by lending the securities in order to facilitate short sale transactions by others. The underwriters or agents may also use our securities that are purchased or borrowed from the Company or others (or, in the case of derivatives, securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives) to directly or indirectly settle sales of the securities or close out any related open borrowings of the securities.

Electronic Auctions

The Company may also make sales through the Internet or through other electronic means. Since the Company may from time to time elect to offer securities directly to the public, with or without the involvement of agents, underwriters or dealers, utilizing the Internet or other forms of electronic bidding or ordering systems for the pricing and allocation of such securities, you should pay particular attention to the description of that system the Company will provide in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Such electronic system may allow bidders to directly participate, through electronic access to an auction site, by submitting conditional offers to buy that are subject to acceptance by the Company, and which may directly affect the price or other terms and conditions at which such securities are sold. These bidding or ordering systems may present to each bidder, on a so-called “real-time” basis, relevant information to assist in making a bid, such as the clearing spread at which the offering would be sold, based on the bids submitted, and whether a bidder’s individual bids would be accepted, prorated or rejected. For example, in the case of a debt security, the clearing spread could be indicated as a number of “basis points” above an index treasury note. Of course, many pricing methods can and may also be used.

Upon completion of such an electronic auction process, securities will be allocated based on prices bid, terms of bid or other factors. The final offering price at which securities would be sold and the allocation of securities among bidders would be based in whole or in part on the results of the Internet or other electronic bidding process or auction.

General Information

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or applicable Canadian securities laws. Agents, underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to any Securities offered, certain legal matters in connection with the offering of Securities will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Stikeman Elliott LLP and Dorsey & Whitney LLP. In addition, certain legal matters in connection with any offering of Securities will be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel to be designated at the time of the offering by such underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be.

AUDITOR, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The auditor of the Company is Davidson & Company LLP, having an address at 1200 – 609 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1G6. Davidson & Company LLP is independent of the Company within the meaning of the Code of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia.

The transfer agent and registrar of the Common Shares is Odyssey Trust Company at its principal offices located at 350 – 300 5th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following is a statement of the expenses (all of which are estimated), other than any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses reimbursed by us, if any, to be incurred in connection with a distribution of an assumed amount of $250,000,000 of Securities under this Registration Statement:

 

     Amount to be paid  

SEC registration fee

   $ 36,900  

Legal fees and expenses

     (1) 

Accounting fees and expenses

     (1) 

Printing fees

     (1) 

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     (1) 

Miscellaneous

     (1) 
  

 

 

 

Total

   $            
  

 

 

 

Notes:

 

  (1)

To be provided by a Prospectus Supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Company is subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA.

Under Section 160 of the BCBCA, we may, subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA:

 

  (a)

indemnify an individual who:

 

  (i)

is or was a director or officer of our company,

 

  (ii)

is or was a director or officer of another corporation (A) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of our company; or (B) at our request, or

 

  (iii)

at our request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity, including, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an “eligible party”), against all eligible penalties, defined below, to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

 

  (b)

after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

 

  (i)

“eligible penalty” means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding,

 

  (ii)

“eligible proceeding” means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation (A) is or may be joined as a party, or (B) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding,

 

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  (iii)

“expenses” includes costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees, but does not include judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding, and

 

  (iv)

“proceeding” includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Under Section 162 of the BCBCA, and subject to Section 163 of the BCBCA, we may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that we must not make such payments unless we first receive from the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the BCBCA, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

Under Section 163 of the BCBCA, we must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

 

  (a)

if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, we were prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

 

  (b)

if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, we are prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by our Articles;

 

  (c)

if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of our company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

 

  (d)

in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of our company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, we must not either indemnify the eligible party under Section 160(a) of the BCBCA against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160(b), 161 or 162 of the BCBCA, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the BCBCA, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the BCBCA, on application of our company or an eligible party, the court may do one or more of the following:

 

  (a)

order us to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

  (b)

order us to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

 

  (c)

order the enforcement of, or any payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by us;

 

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  (d)

order us to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the BCBCA; or

 

  (e)

make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the BCBCA provides that we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, our company or an associated corporation.

Under Article 20.2 of our Articles, and subject to the BCBCA, we must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the BCBCA. Each of our directors and officers is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in Article 20.2 of our Articles.

Under Article 20.4 of our Articles, and subject to any restrictions in the BCBCA, we may indemnify any person.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these indemnification agreements, each director and executive officer is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to the right of indemnification and contribution for certain expenses to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We believe that these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.

Pursuant to Article 20.5 of our Articles, the failure of a director or officer of the Company to comply with the BCBCA or our Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our Articles.

Under Article 20.6 of our Articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who: (1) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company; (2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company; (3) at the request of the Company, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or (4) at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity, against any liability incurred by him or her by reason of having been a director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

We have an insurance policy covering our directors and officers, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policy, with respect to certain liabilities arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.
 

Exhibit Description

    1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
    4.1   Warrant Agency Agreement dated September  20, 2018 between Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.2   Warrant Agreement dated April  26, 2019 between Columbia Care Inc. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.3   Trust Indenture made as of March  31, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.4   Warrant Indenture dated March  31, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.5   Trust Indenture made as of May  14, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.6   Warrant Indenture dated May  14, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.7   First Supplemental Indentures dated as of June  19, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.8   Warrant Indenture dated July  2, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.9   Warrant Indenture dated October  29, 2020 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on December 14, 2021)
    4.10   Second Supplemental Indenture dated June  29, 2021 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Registrant’s amended Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on January 28, 2022)
    4.11   Third Supplemental Indenture dated February  2, 2022 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Registrant’s amended Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2022)
    4.12   Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated February  3, 2022 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Registrant’s amended Registration Statement on Form 10, filed with the SEC on February 15, 2022)
    4.13   Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated May  5, 2022 between Columbia Care Inc. and Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2022)

 

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    4.14   Extension Notice dated March  28, 2023 to Odyssey Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December  31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023)
    4.15   Form of Debt Indenture
    4.16*   Form of Warrant Indenture
    4.17*   Form of Subscription Receipt Agreement
    4.18*   Form of Unit Agreement
    5.1   Opinion of Stikeman Elliott LLP
    5.2   Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
  23.1   Consent of Stikeman Elliott LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2   Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.2)
  23.3   Consent of Davidson & Company LLP
  24.1   Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page to this Registration Statement).
107   Filing Fee Table

 

*

To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference if necessary or required by the transaction.

Item 17. Undertakings

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as

 

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expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on November 30, 2023.

 

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.
By:   /s/ Nicholas Vita
    Nicholas Vita
    Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Nicholas Vita and Derek Watson, and each of them singly, as such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement (or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Nicholas Vita

Nicholas Vita

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Derek Watson

Derek Watson

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Michael Abbott

Michael Abbott

  

Chairman and Director

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Frank Savage

Frank Savage

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

/s/ James A.C. Kennedy

James A.C. Kennedy

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Jonathan P. May

Jonathan P. May

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

 

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/s/ Jeff Clarke

Jeff Clarke

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Alison Worthington

Alison Worthington

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

/s/ Julie Hill

Julie Hill

  

Director

  November 30, 2023

 

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EX-4.15

Exhibit 4.15

 

 

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.

as Issuer

and

[                ]

as U.S. Trustee

and

[                ]

as Canadian Trustee

Indenture

Dated as of [                 ]

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1  

SECTION 1.01

  Definitions      1  

SECTION 1.02

  Rules of Construction      9  

SECTION 1.03

  Compliance Certificates and Opinions      10  

SECTION 1.04

  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustees      10  

SECTION 1.05

  Acts of Holders      11  

SECTION 1.06

  Notices, Etc. to Trustees and Company      12  

SECTION 1.07

  Notice to Holders; Waiver      12  

SECTION 1.08

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      13  

SECTION 1.09

  Successors and Assigns      13  

SECTION 1.10

  Severability Clause      13  

SECTION 1.11

  Benefits of Indenture      13  

SECTION 1.12

  Governing Law      13  

SECTION 1.13

  Legal Holidays      13  

SECTION 1.14

  Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities      14  

SECTION 1.15

  Conversion of Judgment Currency      14  

SECTION 1.16

  Currency Equivalent      15  

SECTION 1.17

  Conflict with Trust Indenture Legislation      16  

SECTION 1.18

  Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability      16  

SECTION 1.19

  Waiver of Jury Trial      16  

SECTION 1.20

  Counterparts      16  

SECTION 1.21

  Force Majeure      16  

ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES FORMS

     16  

SECTION 2.01

  Forms Generally      16  

SECTION 2.02

  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication      17  

SECTION 2.03

  Securities Issuable in Global Form      17  

ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES

     18  

SECTION 3.01

  Issuable in Series      18  

SECTION 3.02

  Denominations      21  

SECTION 3.03

  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating      21  

SECTION 3.04

  Temporary Securities      23  

SECTION 3.05

  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange      25  

SECTION 3.06

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities      27  

SECTION 3.07

  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset      28  

SECTION 3.08

  Optional Extension of Stated Maturity      30  

SECTION 3.09

  Persons Deemed Owners      30  

SECTION 3.10

  Cancellation      31  

SECTION 3.11

  Computation of Interest      31  

 

i


SECTION 3.12

  Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities      31  

SECTION 3.13

  Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent      34  

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     35  

SECTION 4.01

  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture      35  

SECTION 4.02

  Application of Trust Money      36  

ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES

     36  

SECTION 5.01

  Events of Default      36  

SECTION 5.02

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      37  

SECTION 5.03

  Collection of Debt and Suits for Enforcement by Trustees      38  

SECTION 5.04

  Trustees May File Proofs of Claim      39  

SECTION 5.05

  Trustees May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities      39  

SECTION 5.06

  Application of Money Collected      39  

SECTION 5.07

  Limitation on Suits      40  

SECTION 5.08

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest      40  

SECTION 5.09

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      41  

SECTION 5.10

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      41  

SECTION 5.11

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      41  

SECTION 5.12

  Control by Holders      41  

SECTION 5.13

  Waiver of Past Defaults      42  

SECTION 5.14

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      42  

SECTION 5.15

  Undertaking for Costs      42  

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEES

     42  

SECTION 6.01

  Notice of Defaults      42  

SECTION 6.02

  Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees      43  

SECTION 6.03

  Certain Rights of Trustees      44  

SECTION 6.04

  Trustees Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities      45  

SECTION 6.05

  May Hold Securities      45  

SECTION 6.06

  Money Held in Trust      46  

SECTION 6.07

  Compensation and Reimbursement      46  

SECTION 6.08

  Corporate Trustees Required; Eligibility      47  

SECTION 6.09

  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor      47  

SECTION 6.10

  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor      49  

SECTION 6.11

  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business      50  

SECTION 6.12

  Appointment of Authenticating Agent      50  

SECTION 6.13

  Joint Trustees      52  

SECTION 6.14

  Other Rights of Trustees      52  

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     53  

SECTION 7.01

  Company to Furnish Trustees Names and Addresses of Holders      53  

SECTION 7.02

  Preservation of List of Names and Addresses of Holders      53  

SECTION 7.03

  Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders      54  

 

ii


SECTION 7.04

  Reports by Trustees      54  

SECTION 7.05

  Reports by the Company      54  

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

     55  

SECTION 8.01

  Company May Consolidate, etc., only on Certain Terms      55  

SECTION 8.02

  Successor Person Substituted      56  

ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     56  

SECTION 9.01

  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders      56  

SECTION 9.02

  Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders      57  

SECTION 9.03

  Execution of Supplemental Indentures      58  

SECTION 9.04

  Effect of Supplemental Indentures      58  

SECTION 9.05

  Conformity with Trust Indenture Legislation      59  

SECTION 9.06

  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures      59  

SECTION 9.07

  Notice of Supplemental Indentures      59  

ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS

     59  

SECTION 10.01

  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest      59  

SECTION 10.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      59  

SECTION 10.03

  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust      60  

SECTION 10.04

  Statement as to Compliance      61  

SECTION 10.05

  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims      61  

SECTION 10.06

  Corporate Existence      61  

SECTION 10.07

  Waiver of Certain Covenants      62  

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     62  

SECTION 11.01

  Applicability of Article      62  

SECTION 11.02

  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustees      62  

SECTION 11.03

  Selection by Trustees of Securities to Be Redeemed      62  

SECTION 11.04

  Notice of Redemption      63  

SECTION 11.05

  Deposit of Redemption Price      63  

SECTION 11.06

  Securities Payable on Redemption Date      64  

SECTION 11.07

  Securities Redeemed in Part      64  

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS

     64  

SECTION 12.01

  Applicability of Article      64  

SECTION 12.02

  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities      65  

SECTION 12.03

  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund      65  

ARTICLE THIRTEEN REPAYMENT AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

     66  

SECTION 13.01

  Applicability of Article      66  

SECTION 13.02

  Repayment of Securities      66  

SECTION 13.03

  Exercise of Option      66  

SECTION 13.04

  When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable      67  

SECTION 13.05

  Securities Repaid in Part      67  

 

iii


ARTICLE FOURTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     67  

SECTION 14.01

  Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      67  

SECTION 14.02

  Defeasance and Discharge      67  

SECTION 14.03

  Covenant Defeasance      68  

SECTION 14.04

  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      68  

SECTION 14.05

  Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      70  

SECTION 14.06

  Reinstatement      71  

 

iv


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

  

Indenture

Section

310    (a)    6.08(1)
   (b)    6.09
   (c)    Not Applicable
311    (a)    6.05
   (b)    6.05
   (c)    Not Applicable
312    (a)    7.05
   (b)    7.03
   (c)    7.03
313    (a)    7.04
   (b)    7.04
   (c)    7.04
   (d)    7.05
314    (a)    7.05
   (a)(4)    10.04
   (b)    Not Applicable
   (c)(1)    1.01
   (c)(2)    1.01
   (d)    Not Applicable
   (e)    1.01
   (f)    Not Applicable
315    (a)    6.02
   (b)    6.01
   (c)    6.02
   (d)    6.02
   (e)    5.15
316    (a)(last sentence)    1.02 (“Outstanding”)
   (a)(1)(A)    5.12
   (a)(1)(B)    5.02, 5.13
   (a)(2)    Not Applicable
   (b)    5.08
   (c)    1.04(e)
317    (a)(1)    5.03
   (a)(2)    5.04
   (b)    10.03
318    (a)    1.16

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


This INDENTURE, dated as of ____________________, is entered into by among THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC., a corporation duly continued and existing under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019, and ______________________, a ______________________, organized under the laws of ______________________, as U.S. trustee (herein called the “U.S. Trustee”), and______________________, a ______________________, organized under the laws of ______________________, as Canadian trustee (the “Canadian Trustee” and, together with the U.S. Trustee, the “Trustees”).

RECITALS

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of Trust Indenture Legislation that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 1.01 Definitions.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

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 specified 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.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the applicable Trustee pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of such Trustee to authenticate Securities.

Base Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.

 


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

Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are permitted or required by any applicable law, regulation or executive order to close.

calculation period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11.

Canadian Trustee” means the Person named as the “Canadian Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Canadian Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Canadian Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Canadian Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Canadian Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Canadian Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer and delivered to the Trustees.

Component Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).

Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(d).

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency (other than the Euro or other Currency unit) both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institution of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions, (ii) the Euro or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the Euro for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means the principal corporate trust office of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee, as applicable, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business may be administered, such an office on the date of execution of this Indenture of the U.S. Trustee is located at _________________________, Attention: _______________________, and of the Canadian Trustee is located at ______________________, Attention: ____________________________, except that with respect to presentation of Securities for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, such term shall mean the office or agency of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee, as applicable, designated in writing to the Company at which, at any particular time, its corporate agency business shall be conducted.

covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 14.03.

 

2


Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units, including, without limitation, the Euro, issued by the government of one or more countries or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

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

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in global form, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.05 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(g).

Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(f).

Election Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).

Euro” means the single currency of the participating member states from time to time of the European Union described in legislation of the European Counsel for the operation of a single unified European currency (whether known as the Euro or otherwise).

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.04.

Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, a New York clearing house bank, designated pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.13.

Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a tested telex or a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 3.02 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate, sent (in the case of a telex) or signed (in the case of a certificate) by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Extension Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.

Extension Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.

 

3


Final Maturity” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.

First Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.15.

Foreign Currency” means any Currency other than Currency of the United States.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada in effect from time to time, unless the Person’s most recent audited or quarterly financial statements are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, in which case “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to time.

Government Obligations” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, securities which are (i) direct obligations of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the government which issued the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by such government, which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of such government payable in such Currency and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity at the rate prescribed in such Original Issue Discount Security.

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

 

4


Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, charge, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, security interest, lien (statutory or other), or preference, priority or other security or similar agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, any agreement to give or grant a Lien or any lease, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.

Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, (i) for any conversion involving a Currency unit on the one hand and Dollars or any Foreign Currency on the other, the exchange rate between the relevant Currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of the relevant series, (ii) for any conversion of Dollars into any Foreign Currency, the noon (New York City time) buying rate for such Foreign Currency for cable transfers quoted in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (iii) for any conversion of one Foreign Currency into Dollars or another Foreign Currency, the spot rate at noon local time in the relevant market at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Dollars or Foreign Currency into which conversion is being made could be purchased with the Foreign Currency from which conversion is being made from major banks located in New York City, Vancouver, London or any other principal market for Dollars or such purchased Foreign Currency, in each case determined by the Exchange Rate Agent. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, in the event of the unavailability of any of the exchange rates provided for in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Exchange Rate Agent shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations from one or more major banks in New York City, Vancouver, London or another principal market for the Currency in question, or such other quotations as the Exchange Rate Agent shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise specified by the Exchange Rate Agent, if there is more than one market for dealing in any Currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the market to be used in respect of such Currency shall be that upon which a non-resident issuer of securities designated in such Currency would purchase such Currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.

Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

Notice of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Officer” means the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Corporate Secretary of the Company or, in the event that the Company is a partnership or a limited liability company that has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the general partner, managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate, which shall comply with this Indenture, signed by an Officer and delivered to the Trustees.

 

5


Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company, including an employee of the Company, who shall be acceptable to the Trustees, which opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications as to the matters set forth therein.

Optional Reset Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.

Original Stated Maturity” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

  (i)

Securities theretofore cancelled by either Trustee or delivered to either Trustee for cancellation;

 

  (ii)

Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with either Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustees has been made;

 

  (iii)

Securities, except to the extent provided in Section 14.02 and Section 14.03, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

 

  (iv)

Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustees proof satisfactory to them that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustees, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any

 

6


Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 3.01, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustees shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustees know to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustees the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any Securities on behalf of the Company. Such Person must be capable of making payment in the Currency of the issued Security.

Person” means any individual, corporation, body corporate, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, each place where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 3.01 and 10.02.

Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

Privacy Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14.

rate(s) of exchange” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.

Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.

Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to this Indenture.

Reset Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

 

7


Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to a Trustee, means any vice president, secretary, any assistant secretary, treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any senior trust officer, any trust officer, the controller within the corporate trust administration division of a Trustee or any other officer of a Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.07.

Specified Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(h).

Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.08 (if applicable).

Subsequent Interest Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.

Trust Indenture Legislation” means, at any time, the provisions of (i) any applicable statute of Canada or any province or territory thereof and the regulations thereunder as amended or re-enacted from time to time, but only to the extent applicable, or (iii) the Trust Indenture Act and regulations thereunder, but only to the extent applicable, in each case relating to trust indentures and to the rights, duties and obligations of trustees under trust indentures and of corporations issuing debt obligations under trust indentures, to the extent that such provisions are at such time in force and applicable to this Indenture or the Company or the Trustees.

Trustee” or “Trustees” means the U.S. Trustee and the Canadian Trustee. If a Canadian Trustee is not appointed under this Indenture, or resigns or is removed and, pursuant to Section 6.09, the Company is not required to appoint a successor Trustee to the Canadian Trustee, “Trustee,” “Trustees” and any reference to “either Trustee,” “both of the Trustees” or such similar references shall mean the Person named as the U.S. Trustee or any successor thereto appointed pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture. Except to the extent otherwise indicated, “Trustees” shall refer to the Canadian Trustee (if appointed and still serving) and the U.S. Trustee, both jointly and individually.

U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Act of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time.

 

8


U.S. Trustee” means the Person named as the “U.S. Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor U.S. Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “U.S. Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a U.S. Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the U.S. Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership (including any entity treated as a corporation or as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if (A) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(c).

Writing” has the meaning specified in Section 6.13.

Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

SECTION 1.02 Rules of Construction.

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

 

  (1)

the terms defined in this Indenture have the meanings assigned to them herein and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

  (2)

all terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in TIA Section 319, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

  (3)

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;

 

  (4)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

  (5)

words implying any gender shall apply to all genders;

 

9


  (6)

the words Subsection, Section and Article refer to the Subsections, Sections and Articles, respectively, of this Indenture unless otherwise noted; and

 

  (7)

“include,” “includes” or “including” means include, includes or including, in each case, without limitation.

SECTION 1.03 Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustees to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.04) shall include:

 

  (1)

a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

  (2)

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;

 

  (3)

a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

  (4)

a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

SECTION 1.04 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustees.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons may certify or give an opinion with respect to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, a certificate of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

10


Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which such certificate or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustees shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 1.05 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustees and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustees and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05. The Trustees may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustees deem sufficient.

(c) The ownership of the Securities, including the principal amount and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding Trust Indenture Legislation, including TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

 

11


(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustees or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

SECTION 1.06 Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other documents provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

 

  (1)

the U.S. Trustee, by the Canadian Trustee, any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the U.S. Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: ________________, or

 

  (2)

the Canadian Trustee, by the U.S. Trustee, any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Canadian Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: ________________, or

 

  (3)

the Company by either Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or sent by overnight courier, to the Company at 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Corporate Secretary or such other address and/or officer as the Company may designate on written notice to the Trustees

SECTION 1.07 Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Securities by the Company or the Trustees, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register. In any case where notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to Holders of Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustees shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

12


Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustees, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

SECTION 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 1.09 Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and the Trustees shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 1.10 Severability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security 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 1.11 Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Securities Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture. Subject to Section 1.16, at all times in relation to this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder, the Company and the Trustees each shall observe and comply with Trust Indenture Legislation and the Company, the Trustees and each Holder of a Security shall be entitled to the benefits of Trust Indenture Legislation.

SECTION 1.12 Governing Law.

This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law 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 law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the exercise, performance or discharge by the Canadian Trustee of any of its rights, powers, duties or responsibilities hereunder shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of Trust Indenture Legislation that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. Each Trustee and the Company agrees to comply with all provisions of Trust Indenture Legislation applicable to or binding upon it in connection with this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder.

SECTION 1.13 Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.13), payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest (if any), need not

 

13


be made at such Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

SECTION 1.14 Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.

By the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company (i) acknowledges that it has irrevocably designated and appointed _____________________ as its authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Securities or this Indenture that may be instituted in any United States federal or New York state court located in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or brought by the Trustees (whether in their individual capacity or in their capacity as Trustees hereunder), (ii) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding, and (iii) agrees that service of process upon _____________________ and written notice of said service to the Company (mailed or delivered to the Company at 680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Corporate Secretary or such other address and/or officer as the Company may designate on written notice to the Trustees), 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, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of _____________________ in full force and effect so long as this Indenture shall be in full force and effect.

To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, the Company hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, to the extent permitted by law.

The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court or any appellate court with respect thereto. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court.

SECTION 1.15 Conversion of Judgment Currency.

(a) The Company covenants and agrees that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of Currency in the case of the Securities and this Indenture, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) If for the purposes 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 or contingently due in any other Currency under the Securities of any series and this Indenture (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 final judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).

 

14


(ii) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment referred to in (i) above 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 shall 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.

(b) In the event of the winding-up of the Company at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Securities 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 Trustees 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 the Base Currency due or contingently due under the Securities 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.

(c) The obligations contained in Subsections (a)(ii) and (b) of this Section 1.15 shall constitute separate and independent obligations of the Company from its other obligations under the Securities 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 Trustees 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 Trustees, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Company or its liquidator. In the case of Subsection (b) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be increased or reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.

The term “rate(s) of exchange” shall mean the rate of exchange quoted by a Canadian chartered bank as may be designated in writing by the Company to the Trustees from time to time, at its central foreign exchange desk in its main office in Vancouver at 12:00 noon (Vancouver time) on the relevant date for purchases of the Base Currency with the Judgment Currency and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable. The Trustees shall have no duty or liability with respect to monitoring or enforcing this Section 1.15.

SECTION 1.16 Currency Equivalent.

Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, for purposes of the construction of the terms of this Indenture or of the Securities, 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 which is required to purchase such amount in the First Currency at the Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate as reported by Telerate on screen 3194 (or such other means of reporting the Bank of Canada daily average exchange rate as may be agreed upon by each of the parties to this Indenture) on the date of determination.

 

15


SECTION 1.17 Conflict with Trust Indenture Legislation.

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any mandatory requirement of Trust Indenture Legislation, such mandatory requirement shall control. If and to the extent that any provision hereof modifies or excludes any provision of Trust Indenture Legislation that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply hereof as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 1.18 Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 1.19 Waiver of Jury Trial.

Each of the Company and the Trustees hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 1.20 Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts (either by facsimile or by original manual signature), each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

SECTION 1.21 Force Majeure.

Except for the payment obligations of the Company contained herein, neither the Company nor the Trustees shall be liable to each other, or held in breach of this Indenture, if prevented, hindered, or delayed in the performance or observance of any provision contained herein by reason of act of God, riots, terrorism, acts of war, epidemics, governmental action or judicial order, earthquakes, or any other similar causes (including, but not limited to, mechanical, electronic or communication interruptions, disruptions or failures). Performance times under this Indenture shall be extended for a period of time equivalent to the time lost because of any delay that is excusable under this Section 1.21.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 2.01 Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer executing such Securities , as evidenced by the execution of such Securities by such Officer. If the forms of Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustees at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.

 

16


Either Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two.

SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 6.12, either Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

(Certificate of Authentication may be executed by either Trustee)

Dated: ____________

_______________________, as U.S. Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

                                                                                        ,
as U.S. Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

OR

Dated: ____________

____________________, as Canadian Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

                                                                                        ,
as Canadian Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

SECTION 2.03 Securities Issuable in Global Form.

If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified and contemplated by Section 3.01, then any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding

 

17


Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustees in such manner and upon instructions given by the Holder or its nominee as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.03 or 3.04. Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.03 and 3.04 (if applicable), the Trustees shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Holder or its nominee as shall be specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 3.03 or Section 3.04 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 1.03 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.07, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Holder or its nominee specified therein.

Notwithstanding Section 3.09 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustees and any agent of the Company and the Trustees shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security, the Holder of such permanent global Security.

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 3.01 Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in Dollars or any Foreign Currency. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable:

 

  (1)

the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series);

 

  (2)

the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer (including any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series) of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06, 11.07 or 13.05) and, in the event that no limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series is specified, the Company shall have the right, subject to any terms, conditions or other provisions specified pursuant to this Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of such series, to re-open such series for the issuance of additional Securities of such series from time to time;

 

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  (3)

the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of the Securities of the series will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of other liabilities and obligations of the Company, and whether the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) will be guaranteed by any other Person;

 

  (4)

the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the Securities of the series will be issued;

 

  (5)

the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the Securities of the series may be issued and the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of and premium (if any) on the Securities of the series is payable;

 

  (6)

the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, whether fixed or variable (if any), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, whether such interest shall be payable in cash or additional Securities of the same series or shall accrue and increase the aggregate principal amount outstanding of such series, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

  (7)

the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable and, if different than the location specified in Section 1.06, the place or places where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

 

  (8)

the period or periods within which, the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which, the Currency in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;

 

  (9)

the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the Currency in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

  (10)

if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

  (11)

the identity of each Security Registrar and/or Paying Agent;

 

  (12)

if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

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  (13)

if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on the Securities of the series shall be payable or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.12;

 

  (14)

whether the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

  (15)

whether the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.12;

 

  (16)

the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;

 

  (17)

the applicability, if any, of Sections 14.02 and/or 14.03 to the Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fourteen that shall be applicable to the Securities of the series;

 

  (18)

provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

  (19)

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Section 10.09) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

 

  (20)

any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Securities of the series, whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.05, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and, if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the designation of any Depositary therefor;

 

  (21)

the date as of which any temporary global Security of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

 

  (22)

the Person to whom any interest on any Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.04;

 

20


  (23)

if Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

  (24)

if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants or subscription receipts, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

 

  (25)

if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities or property of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any additions or changes to permit or facilitate such conversion or exchange;

 

  (26)

provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any rights or terms attaching to the Securities;

 

  (27)

whether the Securities will be secured or unsecured and the nature and priority of any security; and

 

  (28)

any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) relating to the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of Trust Indenture Legislation or the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 3.03) and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, such Board Resolutions shall be delivered to the Trustees at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

SECTION 3.02 Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions, the Securities of such series, other than Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by an Officer. The signature of an Officer on the Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

 

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Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, executed by the Company to the applicable Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the applicable Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustees for the issuance of such Securities and determining terms of particular Securities of such series such as interest rate, Stated Maturity, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.

In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustees shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Trust Indenture Legislation, including TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

(a) that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(c) that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the applicable Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the applicable Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms;

(d) the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities and any supplemental indenture will not contravene the articles of incorporation or continuance, or such other constating documents then in effect, if any, or the by-laws of the Company, or violate applicable laws; and

(e) that the Company has the corporate power to issue such Securities, and has duly taken all necessary corporate action with respect to such issuance.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of the preceding two paragraphs, if not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs prior to or at the time of issuance of each Security, if such documents are delivered prior to or at the time of issuance of the first Security of such series and with respect to all Securities of such series.

The Trustees shall not be required to authenticate and deliver any such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustees’ own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustees.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

22


No Security shall entitle a Holder to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the applicable Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer thereof, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustees for cancellation as provided in Section 3.10 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 1.03 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never entitle a Holder to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.04 Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Officer executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued in global form, any such temporary global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the office of the Depositary for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

Without unnecessary delay, but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustees definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary global Security shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustees, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness as the portion of such temporary global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary global Security shall be in

 

23


registered form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, upon such presentation by the Depositary, such temporary global Security is accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by the Depositary as to the portion of such temporary global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 3.01).

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs the Depositary to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to the Depositary a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 3.01), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of the Depositary, the Trustees, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not take delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of the Depositary.

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to the Depositary on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by the Depositary to the Trustees of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 3.01), for credit without further interest thereon on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to the Depositary a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth in Exhibit A-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 3.01). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 3.04 and of the third paragraph of Section 3.03 and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by the Depositary and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustees immediately prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company in accordance with Section 10.03.

 

24


SECTION 3.05 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

So long as required by Trust Indenture Legislation, the Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Offices of the applicable Trustee a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in the Corporate Trust Offices of the Trustees and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of the Holders of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times, the Security Register shall be open to inspection by the Trustees. The Trustees are hereby initially appointed as security registrar (the “Security Registrar”) for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided, however, that, no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Company and shall have accepted such appointment by the Company. In the event that the Trustees shall not be or shall cease to be the Securities Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, they shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Securities Register for such series of Securities.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness.

For Canadian Securities, the Security must be duly endorsed for transfer or in a duly endorsed transferable form as applicable and must comply with the current industry practice in accordance with the Securities Transfer Association of Canada.

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor and evidencing the same indebtedness, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this Section. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as contemplated by Section 3.01 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given to the Company, the Trustees and the Depositary, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the applicable Trustee definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent global Security shall be surrendered by the Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order

 

25


with respect thereto to the applicable Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent global Security to be exchanged. If a Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Transfers of global Securities shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. If at any time the Depositary for Securities of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualifies to continue as Depositary for Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series. If a successor to the Depositary for Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.01 shall no longer be effective with respect to the Securities for such series and the Company will execute, and the applicable Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive form, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities representing such series and evidencing the same indebtedness in exchange for such global Security or Securities.

The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such global Security or Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the applicable Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive form, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities representing such series and evidencing the same indebtedness in exchange for such global Security or Securities.

Upon the exchange of a global Security for Securities in definitive form, such global Security shall be cancelled by the applicable Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a global Security pursuant to this Section 3.05 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the applicable Trustee in writing. The applicable Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

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

 

26


Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or applicable securities transfer industry practices) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

Any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities may be subject to service charges by the Securities Registrar and the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06, 11.07 or 13.05 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series in definitive form during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of that series under Section 11.03 or 12.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security in definitive form so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security in definitive form which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

SECTION 3.06 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the applicable Trustee, the Company shall execute and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and evidencing the same indebtedness and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, or, in case any such mutilated Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, , pay such Security. If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustees (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security (or surety in the case of the Canadian Trustee) or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustees that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser , the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and evidencing the same indebtedness and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security appertaining to such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 3.06, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustees) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and the Holders of such Security shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with the Holders of any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

27


The provisions of this Section 3.06 as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities or generally are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 3.07 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

(a) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, interest (if any) on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.02; provided, however, that each installment of interest (if any) on any Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 3.09, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register, (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the Person entitled to such payment as specified in the Security Register, or (iii) as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series. Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, principal and premium (if any) paid in relation to any Security shall be paid to the Holder of such Security only upon presentation and surrender of such Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.02.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01, every permanent global Security will provide that interest (if any) payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Depositary with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by the Depositary, for the purpose of permitting the Depositary to credit the interest (if any) received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest on such defaulted interest (to the extent lawful) at the rate specified in the Securities of such series (such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) must be paid by the Company as provided for in either clause (1) or (2), at the Company’s election:

 

  (1)

The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustees in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the applicable Trustee an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustees for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustees shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than

 

28


  10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustees of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustees shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided in Section 1.07, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose name the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).

 

  (2)

The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustees of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustees.

(b) The provisions of this Section 307(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”). The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustees of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to an Optional Reset Date for such Security. Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustees shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) that is higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustees to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07, notice of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable).

The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date. In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders

 

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except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustees shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustees, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before such Optional Reset Date.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.07 and Section 3.05, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 3.08 Optional Extension of Stated Maturity.

The provisions of this Section 3.08 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 3.01 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 3.01). The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security. The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustees of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”). If the Company exercises such option, the Trustees shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate (if any) applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period. Upon the Trustees’ transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustees to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07, notice of such higher interest rate to the Holder of such Security. Such notice shall be irrevocable. All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

If the Company extends the Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date. In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity thereof, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustees shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustees revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day before the Original Stated Maturity.

SECTION 3.09 Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustees and any agent of the Company or the Trustees may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium (if any) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest (if any) on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustees or any agent of the Company or the Trustees shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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The Depositary for Securities may be treated by the Company, the Trustees, and any agent of the Company or the Trustees as the owner of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustees, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustees, or any agent of the Company or the Trustees, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such Depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.

SECTION 3.10 Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any current or future sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than a Trustee, be delivered to either Trustee. All Securities so delivered to either Trustee shall be promptly cancelled by such Trustee. The Company may at any time deliver to a Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to either Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to such Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by such Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to either Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 3.10, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by either Trustee shall be disposed of by such Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures and certification of their disposal delivered to the Company unless by Company Order the Company shall direct that cancelled Securities be returned to it.

SECTION 3.11 Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any Securities, interest (if any) on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. For the purposes of disclosure under the Interest Act (Canada), the yearly rate of interest to which interest calculated under a Security for any period in any calendar year (the “calculation period”) is equivalent, is the rate payable under a Security in respect of the calculation period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the actual number of days in such calendar year and the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the calculation period.

SECTION 3.12 Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities.

(a) With respect to Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Security is payable. The provisions of this Section 3.12 may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01.

 

31


(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on such Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustees a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustees (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Fourteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustees not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 3.12(a). The Trustees shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Securities for which Holders have made such written election.

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying, in the Currency in which Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on the Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Securities as to which the Holders of Securities of such series shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustees for such series of Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the third Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the Currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustees and by the Trustees or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.

 

32


(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the Holder of a Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) above.

(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.

(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.

(h) For purposes of this Section 3.12 the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A “Component Currency” shall mean any Currency which, on the Conversion Date, was a component currency of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the Euro.

A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the Euro, on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent value of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, including, but not limited to, the Euro, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.

Election Date” shall mean the date for any series of Securities as specified pursuant to clause (15) of Section 3.01 by which the written election referred to in paragraph (b) above may be made.

 

33


All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustees and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustees of any such decision or determination.

In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and the Trustees will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 1.07 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to the Euro or any other Currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and the Trustees will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 1.07 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date and the Specified Amount of each Component Currency on the Conversion Date. In the event the Company determines in good faith that any subsequent change in any Component Currency as set forth in the definition of Specified Amount above has occurred, the Company will similarly give written notice to the Trustees and the Exchange Rate Agent.

The Trustees shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.

SECTION 3.13 Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.

(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) pursuant to Section 3.12.

(b) The Company shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Exchange Rate Agent for any series of Securities. No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section 3.13 shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustees.

(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).

 

34


ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 4.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and the rights of Holders of such series of Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 4.01, payments in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities when such payments are due and except as provided in the last paragraph of this Section 4.01) and the Trustees, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

 

  (1)

either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with either Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to either Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to either Trustee for cancellation

 

  (i)

have become due and payable, or

 

  (ii)

will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

  (iii)

if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustees for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustees in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with either Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to such Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

  (2)

the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

 

  (3)

the Company has delivered to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustees under Section 6.07, the obligations of the Trustees to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustees pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 4.01, the obligations of the Trustees under Section 4.02, Section 6.07(3) and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive.

 

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SECTION 4.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money deposited with the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustees may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustees; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

SECTION 5.01 Events of Default.

Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to a supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate establishing the terms of such series pursuant to Section 3.01 of this Indenture:

 

  (1)

default in the payment of any interest due on any Security of that series, when such interest becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

 

  (2)

default in the payment of the principal or premium (if any) in respect of any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

 

  (3)

default in the deposit of any sinking fund, amortization or analogous payment when due by the terms of any Security of that series and Article Twelve; or

 

  (4)

default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture which affects or is applicable to the Securities of that series (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 5.01 specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given (and 120 days with respect to a default or breach under Section 7.05), by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustees or to the Company and the Trustees by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

 

  (5)

the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under or subject to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, provincial, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, or the issuance of a sequestration order or the (appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or in receipt of any substantial part of the property of the Company, and any such decree, order or appointment continues unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

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  (6)

the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under or subject to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, provincial, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or the taking by it of corporate action in furtherance of any of the aforesaid purposes; or

 

  (7)

any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

SECTION 5.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01 with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, either Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities of that series and all interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustees if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified portion thereof) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01 occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustees or any Holder.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series (or of all series, as the case may be) has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by either Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article Five, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), by written notice to the Company and the Trustees, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

  (1)

the Company has paid or deposited with either Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)),

 

  (a)

all overdue interest (if any) on all Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be),

 

  (b)

all unpaid principal of and premium (if any) on any Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest on such unpaid principal and premium (if any) at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,

 

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  (c)

to the extent that payment of such interest is legally enforceable, interest on overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and

 

  (d)

all sums paid or advanced by the Trustees hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustees, their agents and counsel; and

 

  (2)

all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), other than the non-payment of amounts of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.03 Collection of Debt and Suits for Enforcement by Trustees.

The Company covenants that if

 

  (1)

default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

  (2)

default is made in the payment of the principal of or premium (if any) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustees, pay to the applicable Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities , the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) and interest on any overdue principal, overdue premium (if any) and, to the extent lawful, overdue interest (if any), at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, 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 Trustees, their agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustees, in their own names as trustees of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series (or of all series, as the case may be) occurs and is continuing, either Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series (or of all series, as the case may be) by such appropriate judicial proceedings as such Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

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SECTION 5.04 Trustees May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, each Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether either Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium (if any) or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

  (i)

to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and premium (if any), or such portion of the principal amount of any series of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities as may be specified in the terms of such series, and interest (if any) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of such Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

  (ii)

to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to such Trustee and, in the event that such Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to such Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due to such Trustee under Section 6.07.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustees to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustees to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 5.05 Trustees May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture, the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustees without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by either Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 5.06 Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by either Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustees and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) upon presentation of the Securities, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

First: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustees under Section 6.07;

Second: to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any), on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any), respectively; and

 

39


Third: the balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.

SECTION 5.07 Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

 

  (1)

such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustees of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

 

  (2)

the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, or, in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities, shall have made written request to the Trustees to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in their own names as Trustees hereunder;

 

  (3)

such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustees reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

  (4)

the Trustees for 60 days after their receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity have failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

  (5)

no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustees during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority or more in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, or in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01, by the Holders of a majority or more in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of the same series, in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, or of Holders of all Securities in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of Securities of the same series, in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, or of Holders of all Securities in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01.

SECTION 5.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article Fourteen) and in such Security, of the principal of and premium (if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest (if any) on, such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder as contemplated by Article Twelve, on the Repayment Date) and subject to the limitations on a Holder’s ability to institute suit contained Section 5.07, to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

40


SECTION 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If either Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to such Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustees and the Holders of Securities shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustees and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 5.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustees or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 5.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustees or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustees or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustees or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 5.12 Control by Holders.

With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustees, relating to or arising under clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, and, with respect to all Securities, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustees, not relating to or arising under clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01, provided that in each case

 

  (1)

such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

 

  (2)

the Trustees may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustees which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

 

  (3)

the Trustees need not take any action which might involve them in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.

 

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SECTION 5.13 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Subject to Section 5.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past Default described in clause (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) of Section 5.01 (or, in the case of a Default described in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities may waive any such past Default), and its consequences, except a default

 

  (1)

in respect of the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any Security, or

 

  (2)

in respect of a covenant or provision herein which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, any such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 5.14 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which 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 will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustees, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 5.15 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against either Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Legislation; provided, however, that neither this Section 5.15 nor the provisions of TIA Section 315(e) shall apply to any suit instituted by either Trustee or by any Holder or group of Holders holding more than 10% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities or by any Holder of any Security on any suit for the enforcement of the right to receive the principal of and interest on any such Securities.

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEES

SECTION 6.01 Notice of Defaults.

Each Trustee shall promptly give the other Trustee notice of any Default or Event of Default known to it. Within a reasonable time, but no more than 30 days after either Trustee has knowledge of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, one or both of the Trustees shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Legislation, including TIA Section 313(c), notice to the Holders of such Default hereunder known to either Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived (and, in the case where such Default shall have been cured, the Trustees shall notify the Holders

 

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in writing of such cure in writing within a reasonable time, but not exceeding 30 days, after the Trustees have become aware that the Default has been cured); provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustees shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of each Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; provided further that in the case of any Default of the character specified in clause (4) of Section 5.01 with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.

SECTION 6.02 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees.

(a) The Trustees, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of any series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustees.

(b) In all instances, in the exercise of the powers, rights, duties and discharge of obligations prescribed or conferred by the terms of this Indenture, each Trustee shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Holders and exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent trustee in respect of indentures for the purpose of issuing corporate debt obligations would exercise in comparable circumstances.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve each Trustee from liability for its own actions or failure to act in accordance with Subsection 6.02(b), except that:

 

  (i)

prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:

 

  (A)

the duties and obligations of each Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustees shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustees; and

 

  (B)

in the absence of bad faith on the part of either Trustee, such Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustees and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture and Trust Indenture Legislation; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustees, the Trustees shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, the Canadian Trustee shall not be required to determine whether the certificates or opinions presented to it conform to the Trust Indenture Act and the U.S. Trustee shall not be required to determine whether the certificates or opinions presented to it conform to Canadian Trust Indenture Legislation.

 

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  (ii)

the Trustees shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by them in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustees under this Indenture;

 

  (iii)

none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require either Trustee to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur personal or any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers; and

 

  (iv)

whether or not therein expressly so provided, except to the extent expressly provided herein to the contrary, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or effecting the liability or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 6.02.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.02 or any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities, the Trustees will not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Event of Default or any other fact that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustees, or the taking of any other action by the Trustees, unless and until the Trustees have received written notice thereof from the Company or any Holder.

SECTION 6.03 Certain Rights of Trustees.

Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):

 

  (1)

the Trustees may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

  (2)

any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

 

  (3)

whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustees shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, each Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

 

  (4)

the Trustees may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by them hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

  (5)

the Trustees 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 of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustees reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by them in compliance with such request or direction;

 

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  (6)

the Trustees shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustees, in their discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as they may see fit, and, if the Trustees shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, they shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

  (7)

in an Event of Default, the Trustees’ powers shall not be infringed upon so long as they act in accordance with Section 6.02(b);

 

  (8)

the Trustees 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 Trustees shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by them hereunder; and

 

  (9)

the Trustees shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by them in good faith and believed by them to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon them by this Indenture, so long as they act in accordance with this Section 6.02(b).

SECTION 6.04 Trustees Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except for a Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities , except that the Trustees represent that they are duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform their obligations hereunder and that the statements made by the U.S. Trustee in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. Nothing herein contained will impose on either Trustee any obligation to see to, or to require evidence of, the registration or filing (or renewal thereof) of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture. The Trustees shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution hereof.

SECTION 6.05 May Hold Securities.

The Trustees, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or of the Trustees, in their individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company, including, without limitation, as a creditor of the Company, with the same rights they would have if they were not Trustees, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. A Trustee that has resigned or is removed shall remain subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent provided therein.

 

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SECTION 6.06 Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustees in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustees shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by them hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 6.07 Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Company agrees:

 

  (1)

to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

  (2)

except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon their request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the U.S. Trustee’s gross negligence or bad faith or the Canadian Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, respectively; and

 

  (3)

to indemnify the Trustees for, and to hold them and their directors, officers, agents, representatives, successors, assigns and employees harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or bad faith on the part of the U.S. Trustee, or gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Canadian Trustee, respectively, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.

The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.07 to compensate the Trustees, to pay or reimburse the Trustees for expenses, disbursements and advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustees shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. As security for the performance of such obligations of the Company, the Trustees shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustees as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on particular Securities.

When the Trustees incur expenses or render services in connection with an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 5.01, the expenses (including reasonable charges and expense of its counsel) of and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable United States or Canadian federal, state or provincial bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section 6.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 6.08 Corporate Trustees Required; Eligibility.

 

  (1)

There shall be at all times a U.S. Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and, together with its immediate parent, shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If the U.S. Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of United States federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.08, the combined capital and surplus of U.S. Trustee shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the U.S. Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.08, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

 

  (2)

For so long as required by Trust Indenture Legislation, there shall be a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture. The Canadian Trustee shall at all times be a resident or authorized to do business in the Province of British Columbia and any other province in Canada where Holders may be resident from time to time. The Canadian Trustee represents and warrants that no material conflict of interest exists in the Canadian Trustee’s role as a fiduciary hereunder and agrees that in the event of a material conflict of interest arising hereafter it will, within 30 days after ascertaining that it has such material conflict of interest, either eliminate the same or resign its trust hereunder. If any such material conflict of interests exists or hereafter shall exist, the validity and enforceability of this Indenture shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason thereof.

 

  (3)

The Trustees will not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers set out in this Indenture or otherwise in respect of the premises.

 

  (4)

Neither Trustee nor any Affiliate of either Trustee shall be appointed a receiver or receiver and manager or liquidator of all or any part of the assets or undertaking of the Company.

SECTION 6.09 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

  (1)

No resignation or removal of either Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article Six shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.10.

 

  (2)

Either Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.10 shall not have been delivered to such Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

  (3)

Either Trustee may be removed following 30 days notice at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to such Trustee and to the Company.

 

  (4)

If at any time:

 

  (i)

either Trustee shall acquire any conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b) and fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b)(i), or

 

  (ii)

either Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

47


  (iii)

either Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

  (iv)

either Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of such Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of such Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove such Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of such Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

  (5)

If either Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series) provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to appoint a successor Trustee to the Canadian Trustee if the Canadian Trustee resigns or is removed and a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture is no longer required under Trust Indenture Legislation. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

  (6)

The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided for in Section 1.07. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

  (7)

If a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture is no longer required by Trust Indenture Legislation, then the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Canadian Trustee.

 

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SECTION 6.10 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

  (1)

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

  (2)

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of Securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definitions of those terms in Section 1.01 which contemplate such situation.

 

  (3)

Upon reasonable request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section 6.10, as the case may be.

 

  (4)

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article Six.

 

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SECTION 6.11 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any corporation into which either Trustee or its corporate trust business may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which either Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of either Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by a Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any successor Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee. In all such cases such certificates shall have the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of such Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

SECTION 6.12 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

At any time when any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Trustees may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents, with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustees to authenticate Securities of such series and the Trustees shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the applicable Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustees, and a copy of such instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustees or either Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustees by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustees by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or the laws of Canada or any province thereof, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by United States federal or state or Canadian federal or provincial authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 6.12, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.12, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 6.12.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section 6.12, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustees or the Authenticating Agent.

 

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An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Company. The Trustees may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.12, the Trustees may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 6.12.

The Trustees agree to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.12, and the Trustees shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.07.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.12, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to either Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

(Certificate of Authentication may be executed by either Trustee)

_____________________, as U.S. Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated: ____________

 

______________________________________,
as U.S. Trustee
By:  

 

  As Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

_____________________, as Canadian Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated: ____________

 

_____________________________________,
as Canadian Trustee
By:  

 

  As Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

 

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SECTION 6.13 Joint Trustees.

The rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred and imposed upon the Trustees are conferred and imposed upon and shall be exercised and performed by the U.S. Trustee and the Canadian Trustee individually, except to the extent the Trustees are required under Trust Indenture Legislation to perform such acts jointly, and neither Trustee shall be liable or responsible for the acts or omissions of the other Trustee. If the U.S. Trustee and Canadian Trustee are unable to agree jointly to act or refrain from acting, the applicable Trustee shall make the decision in accordance with its applicable legislation. Unless the context implies or requires otherwise, any written notice, request, direction, certificate, instruction, opinion or other document (each such document, a “Writing”) delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture to any of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee shall be deemed for all purposes of this Indenture as delivery of such Writing to the Trustee. Each such Trustee in receipt of such Writing shall notify such other Trustee of its receipt of such Writing within two Business Days of such receipt provided, however, that any failure of such trustee in receipt of such Writing to so notify such other Trustee shall not be deemed as a deficiency in the delivery of such Writing to the Trustee.

SECTION 6.14 Other Rights of Trustees.

Each Trustee shall retain the right not to act and shall not be liable for refusing to act if, due to a lack of information or for any other reason whatsoever, either Trustee, in its sole judgment, determines that such act might cause it to be in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline. Further, should either Trustee, in its sole judgment, determine at any time that its acting under this Indenture has resulted in its being in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline, then it shall have the right to resign on 10 days written notice to all parties provided (i) that such Trustee’s written notice shall describe the circumstances of such non-compliance; and (ii) that if such circumstances are rectified to such Trustee’s satisfaction within such 10 day period, then such resignation shall not be effective.

The parties hereto acknowledge that Canadian federal and provincial legislation addressing the protection of individuals’ personal information (collectively, “Privacy Laws”) applies to obligations and activities under this Indenture. Despite any other provision of this Indenture, neither party shall take or direct any action that would contravene, or cause the other to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws. The Company, prior to transferring, or causing to be transferred, personal information to the Canadian Trustee, shall obtain and retain required consents of the relevant individuals to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, or shall have determined that such consents either have been previously given and can be relied on or are not required under Privacy Laws. The Canadian Trustee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its services hereunder comply with Privacy Laws. Specifically, the Trustee agrees to (i) have designated a chief privacy officer; (ii) maintain policies and procedures to protect personal information and to receive and respond to any privacy complaint or inquiry; (iii) use personal information solely for the purposes of providing its services under or ancillary to this Indenture and not to use it for any other purpose except with the consent and direction of the Company; (iv) not sell or otherwise improperly disclose personal information to any third party; and (v) use employee administrative, physical and technological safeguards to reasonably secure and protect personal information against loss, theft or unauthorized access, use or modification.

It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the Canadian Trustee may, in the course of providing services hereunder, collect or receive, use and disclose financial and other personal information about such parties and/or their representatives, as individuals, or about other individuals related to the subject matter hereof, and use such information for the following purposes:

 

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  (i)

to provide the services required under this Indenture and other services that may be requested from time to time;

 

  (ii)

to help the Canadian Trustee manage its servicing relationships with such individuals;

 

  (iii)

to meet the Canadian Trustee’s legal and regulatory requirements; and

 

  (iv)

if social insurance numbers are collected by the Canadian Trustee, to perform tax reporting and to assist in verification of an individual’s identity for security purposes.

Further, each party agrees that it shall not provide or cause to be provided to the Canadian Trustee any personal information relating to an individual who is not a party to this Indenture unless that party has assured itself that such individual understands and has consented to the aforementioned uses and disclosures. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company and the Trustees may, without liability, disclose information about the Holders and beneficial owners or potential Holders or potential beneficial owners of the Securities pursuant to subpoena or other order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or when otherwise required by applicable law.

Each Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided for and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights, privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in trust for the various persons who shall from time to time be holders, subject to all the terms and conditions herein set forth.

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 7.01 Company to Furnish Trustees Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustees (1) not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date, or such lesser time as required by the Trustees, a list, in such form as the Trustees may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of such Regular Record Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustees by the Company or at such times as either Trustee is acting as Security Registrar for the applicable series of Securities and (2) at such other times as the Trustees may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished.

SECTION 7.02 Preservation of List of Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Trustees shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to them as provided in Section 7.01 and as to the names and addresses of Holders received by either Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar for the applicable series of Securities (if acting in such capacity).

 

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The Trustees may destroy any list furnished as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

Holders may communicate as provided in TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities.

SECTION 7.03 Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

Every Holder of Securities , by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustees that none of the Company or the Trustees or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustees shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

SECTION 7.04 Reports by Trustees.

 

  (1)

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first year after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the U.S. Trustee shall transmit to the Holders of Securities, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), a brief report dated as of such reporting date, if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

  (2)

The U.S. Trustee shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c).

 

  (3)

A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to the Holders, be filed by the U.S. Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any of the Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustees when the Securities become listed on any securities exchange.

SECTION 7.05 Reports by the Company.

 

  (1)

The Company will file with the Trustees, within 20 days after filing with or furnishing to the Commission, copies of its annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file or furnish with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustees and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations; provided that any such reports, information or documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system shall be deemed filed with the Trustees.

 

  (2)

The Company will transmit to all Holders, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustees, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section 7.05 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

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  (3)

If at any time the Securities are guaranteed by a direct or indirect parent of the Company, and such parent has furnished the reports required by this Section 7.05 with respect to parent as required by this Section 7.05 as if parent were the Company (including any financial information required hereby), the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 7.05.

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 8.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

The Company shall not amalgamate or consolidate with or merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other Person, or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

 

  (1)

the Person formed by or continuing from such amalgamation or consolidation or into which the Company is merged or with which it enters into such statutory arrangement or the Person which acquires by operation of law or by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or, if such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, statutory arrangement or other transaction would not impair the rights of Holders, any other country, and, unless the Company is the continuing corporation, shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustees, in form satisfactory to the Trustees, the Company’s obligation for the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on all the Securities and the performance and observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

  (2)

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing; and

 

  (3)

the Company or such Person shall have delivered to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, statutory arrangement or other transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the above, the Company may consolidate with, amalgamate with, undergo an arrangement with, merge with or into an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in a state of the United States or the District of Columbia or in another province or territory of Canada.

This Section 8.01 shall only apply to a merger, consolidation or amalgamation in which the Company is not the surviving Person and to conveyances, leases and transfers by the Company as transferor or lessor.

 

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SECTION 8.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any amalgamation or consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other corporation or a statutory arrangement or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to any Person in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person formed by such amalgamation or consolidation or into which the Company is merged or statutory arrangement, or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor Person which shall theretofore become such in the manner described in Section 8.01), except in the case of a lease, shall be discharged of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02, without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustees, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustees, for any of the following purposes:

 

  (1)

to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

 

  (2)

to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

 

  (3)

to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

 

  (4)

to delete or modify any Events of Default with respect to a series of the Securities, the form and terms of which are being established pursuant to such supplemental indenture as permitted in Section 3.01 (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are being included solely for the benefit of such series, and to specify the rights and remedies of the Trustees and the Holders of such Securities in connection therewith); or

 

  (5)

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

  (6)

to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01; or

 

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  (7)

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.10; or

 

  (8)

to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

 

  (9)

to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the terms hereof, as amended and supplemented, that are applicable to the Securities of any series to the description of the terms of such Securities in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Securities at the time of initial sale thereof; or

 

  (10)

to make any change in any series of Securities that does not adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Holders of such Securities; or

 

  (11)

to add to or change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act; or

 

  (12)

to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 4.01, 14.02 and 14.03; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

  (13)

to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualifications of this Indenture under any applicable law of the United States and Canada or of any province or territory thereof to the extent they do not conflict with the applicable law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted.

SECTION 9.02 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustees, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustees may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture which affect such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series,

 

  (1)

change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, premium (if any) or any installment of interest (if any) on any Security of such series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, premium (if any) or the rate of interest (if any) thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security of such series that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04, or adversely affect

 

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  any right of repayment at the option of any Holder of any Security of such series, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security of such series or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 herein, or

 

  (2)

reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture which affect such series or certain defaults applicable to such series hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture, or

 

  (3)

modify any of the provisions of this 9.02 Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.09, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture which affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. Any such supplemental indenture adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series, shall not affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this 9.02 Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustees shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. Each Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects such Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 9.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

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SECTION 9.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Legislation.

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of Trust Indenture Legislation as then in effect.

SECTION 9.06 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustees, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustees as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustees and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustees in exchange for outstanding Securities of such series.

SECTION 9.07 Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustees of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 1.07, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

SECTION 10.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any), on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 10.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

  (1)

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served .

 

  (2)

The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustees 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 Trustees with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Offices of the Trustees.

 

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  (3)

 

  (4)

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustees of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby initially appoints the U.S. Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

  (5)

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.

SECTION 10.03 Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities , it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustees of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to or on each due date of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal, premium (if any) or interest (if any) so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is a Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustees of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustees) for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustees an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustees, subject to the provisions of this 10.03 Section, that such Paying Agent will:

 

  (1)

hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

  (2)

give the Trustees notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on the Securities of such series; and

 

  (3)

at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustees, forthwith pay to the Trustees all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustees all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustees upon the same trusts as those upon which sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustees, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

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Except as provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustees or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any Security of any series, and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustees or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 10.04 Statement as to Compliance.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustees, on or before 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer, that the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or propose to take with respect thereto). The Company shall deliver to the Trustees upon demand evidence in such form as the Trustees may require as to compliance by the Company with any condition or covenant of the Company set out herein relating to any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company under this Indenture or as a result of any obligation imposed by this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 10.04, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

SECTION 10.05 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or property of the Company, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon any property or assets of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 10.06 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.

 

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SECTION 10.07 Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Company may, with respect to any series of Securities, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition which affects such series set forth in Sections 10.06 and 10.07, or, as specified pursuant to Section 3.01(19) for Securities of such series, in any covenants of the Company added to this Article Ten pursuant to Section 3.01(19) in connection with Securities of such series, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of any series, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustees to Holders of Securities of such series in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 11.01 Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.

SECTION 11.02 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustees.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustees), notify the Trustees of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the case of certificated Securities, shall deliver to the Trustees such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustees to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.03. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 11.03 Selection by Trustees of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustees, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, in the case of certificated Securities, by such method as the Trustees shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Securities of such series, or in the case of Securities in global form in accordance with the policies and procedures of the applicable Depositary; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01.

The Trustees shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

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For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 11.04 Notice of Redemption.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in Section 1.07 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.07 to the Holder of any Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

  (1)

the Redemption Date,

 

  (2)

the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06, if any,

 

  (3)

if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

 

  (4)

in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

  (5)

that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest (if any) to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

  (6)

the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest (if any),

 

  (7)

that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case, and

 

  (8)

if applicable, any condition to such redemption.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustees in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 11.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with a Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest (if any) on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

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SECTION 11.06 Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) (together with accrued interest (if any) to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest (if any)) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest (if any), to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and premium (if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

SECTION 11.07 Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eleven or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustees so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustees duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 12.01 Applicability of Article.

Retirements of Securities of any series pursuant to any sinking fund shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Twelve.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 12.02 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

Subject to Section 12.03, in lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (1) deliver to the Trustees Outstanding Securities of a such series (other than any previously called for redemption) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company, and/or (2) receive credit for the principal amount of Securities of such series which have been previously delivered to the Trustees by the Company or redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of the same series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided, however, that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustees at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 12.03 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering or crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.02 (which Securities will, if not previously delivered, accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make a permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series.

Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Company shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. In the case of the failure of the Company to deliver such certificate, the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Securities as provided in Section 12.02 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

Not more than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustees shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.06 and 11.07.

Prior to any sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustees or a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) in cash a sum equal to any interest that will accrue to the date fixed for redemption of Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this 12.03 Section.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a sinking fund for any series of Securities, if at any time the amount of cash to be paid into such sinking fund on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date, together with any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payment or payments for such series, does not exceed in the aggregate $100,000, the Trustees, unless requested by the Company, shall not give the next succeeding notice of the redemption of Securities of such series through the operation of the sinking fund. Any such unused balance of moneys deposited in such sinking fund shall be added to the sinking fund payment for such series to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date or, at the request of the Company, shall be applied at any time or from time to time to the purchase of Securities of such series, by public or private purchase, in the open market or otherwise, at a purchase price for such Securities (excluding accrued interest and brokerage commissions, for which the Trustees or any Paying Agent will be reimbursed by the Company) not in excess of the principal amount thereof.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

REPAYMENT AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 13.01 Applicability of Article.

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Thirteen.

SECTION 13.02 Repayment of Securities.

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest (if any) thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that, with respect to such Securities, on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with a Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.12(b), 3.12(d) and 3.12(e)) sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest (if any) on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

SECTION 13.03 Exercise of Option.

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

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SECTION 13.04 When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article Thirteen and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest- bearing, cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest (if any) to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that, in the case of Securities, installments of interest (if any) whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.

If any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof for repayment, the principal amount and premium (if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

SECTION 13.05 Securities Repaid in Part.

Upon surrender of any Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the applicable Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 14.01 Companys Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, the provisions of this Article Fourteen shall apply to each series of Securities, and the Company may, at its option, effect defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 14.02, or covenant defeasance of or within a series under Section 14.03 in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article Fourteen.

SECTION 14.02 Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 14.02 with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities on the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 14.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such

 

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Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustees, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 14.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustees hereunder and (D) this Article Fourteen. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 14.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 14.03 with respect to such Securities.

SECTION 14.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 14.03 with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 10.05 and 10.06, and, if specified pursuant to Section 3.01, its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 14.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed not to be “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. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, 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 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 clauses (4) or (7) of Section 5.01 or otherwise but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 14.04 Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 14.02 or Section 14.03 to any Securities of or within a series:

 

  (1)

The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with either Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.08 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (A) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (B) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of and premium (if any) and interest (if any) under such Securities, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustees, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustees (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.08 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities on the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable) of such principal of, premium (if any) or installment of

 

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  interest (if any), (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities, and (iii) all amounts due the Trustees under Section 6.07; provided that the Trustees shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities. Before such a deposit, the Company may give to the Trustees, in accordance with Section 11.02, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of such Securities and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.

 

  (2)

No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (5) and (6) of Section 5.01 are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

  (3)

Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default or an Event of Default under, this Indenture or any default under any material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

  (4)

In the case of an election under Section 14.02, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in the United States stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

  (5)

In the case of an election under Section 14.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income 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.

 

  (6)

The Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax or other tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, not occurred (and for the purposes of such opinion, such Canadian counsel shall assume that Holders of such Securities include Holders who are not resident in Canada).

 

  (7)

The Company is not an “insolvent person” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) on the date of such deposit or at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

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  (8)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 14.04, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.01.

 

  (9)

The Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for, relating to either the defeasance under Section 14.02 or the covenant defeasance under Section 14.03 (as the case may be), have been complied with.

SECTION 14.05 Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with a Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.08 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen) pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of such Securities shall be held in trust and applied by such Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Securities but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 3.01, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 14.04(1) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.12(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04(1) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 3.12(d) or 3.12(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 14.04(1) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest (if any) on such Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the third Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify such Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 14.04 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 such Securities.

Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, such Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 14.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to such Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article Fourteen.

 

70


SECTION 14.06 Reinstatement.

If a Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 14.05 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 such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 14.02 or 14.03, as the case may be, until such time as such Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 14.05; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest (if any) on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by such Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

71


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

____________________________,
as U.S. Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

____________________________,
as Canadian Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title: Authorized Signing Officer
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title: Authorized Signing Officer

 

72


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY

PERSON ENTITLED TO OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR

TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.

_____% Notes due _________________

This is to certify that as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by any person(s) that is not a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or partnership (including any entity treated as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia unless, in the case of a partnership, United States Treasury Regulations provide otherwise; any estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust if (A) a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person (“United States persons(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States. United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(iv) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We undertake to advise you promptly in writing on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your operating procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

This certificate excepts and does not relate to U.S. $__________ of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a permanent global security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

 

A-1-1


We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:__________________
[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[Name of Person Making Certification]
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

A-1-2


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY THE DEPOSITARY

IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF A PORTION OF A

TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

THE CANNABIST COMPANY HOLDINGS INC.

_____% Notes due _________________

This is to certify that based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, U.S. $__________ principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by any person(s) that is not a citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation or partnership (including any entity treated as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia unless, in the case of a partnership, United States Treasury Regulations provide otherwise; any estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or a trust if (A) a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(iv) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)) and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

 

A-2-1


We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

 

Dated:_____________
[To be dated as of (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[INSERT NAME OF DEPOSITARY]
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

A-2-2

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

November 30, 2023

     File No.: 145868.1019

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

666 Burrard Sreet, Suite 1700

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8    

 

Re:

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”)

We have acted as Canadian counsel to The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), a corporation existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the registration by the Company, under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the: (i) common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”); (ii) proportionate voting shares of the Company (the “Proportionate Voting Shares”); (iii) preferred shares of the Company (the “Preferred Shares” and together with Common Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares, the “Shares”); (iv) senior and subordinated unsecured debt securities of the Company (collectively, the “Debt Securities”), including debt securities convertible or exchangeable into other securities of the Corporation; (v) subscription receipts of the Company (the “Subscription Receipts”); (vi) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares or Debt Securities of the Company (the “Warrants”); and (vii) units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus (the “Units”, and collectively with the Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts and Warrants, the “Securities”), which Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”).

We have examined the Registration Statement and have reviewed such questions of law as we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinion set forth below. In rendering our opinion set forth below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or electronic transmissions. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that such agreements or instruments are the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials. We have not undertaken any independent investigation to verify the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing assumptions.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have also assumed that (a) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective and such effectiveness will not have been terminated or rescinded, (b) a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission describing the Securities offered


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thereby, (c) all Securities will be offered, issued and sold in compliance with applicable United States federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate Prospectus Supplement, (d) any definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered, will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (e) any securities issuable upon exercise of any Securities being offered will have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such exercise, (f) at the time of any offering or sale of any Shares, Warrants, Debt Securities convertible into Shares, Units comprised of, in whole or in part, Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription Rights for, in whole or in part, Shares, and as of the date of the issuance of any Shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants or Subscription Rights there will be sufficient Shares authorized and unissued under the Company’s then operative notice of articles (the “Notice”) and articles (together with the Notice, the “Charter Documents”) and not otherwise reserved for issuance, (g) at the time of issuance of the Securities, the Company validly exists and is duly qualified and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and has the necessary corporate power for such issuance, (h) at the time of issuance of the Securities, the Charter Documents are in full force and effect and have not been amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise altered, and there has been no authorization of any such amendment, restatement, supplement or other alteration, in either case since the date hereof, (i) any Warrant Indenture (defined below), Subscription Receipt Agreement (defined below), Trust Indenture (defined below) or Unit Agreement (defined below) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the Company) and constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto (other than the Company), enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, (j) the Warrant Indenture, Subscription Receipt Agreement, Trust Indenture and Unit Agreement will be governed by British Columbia law, and (k) that the terms, execution and delivery of the Securities (i) do not result in breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments to which the Company is bound or violations of applicable statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, and (ii) comply with any applicable requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company. We have not undertaken any independent investigation to verify the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing assumptions.

Based upon the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1.

With respect to Shares offered under the Registration Statement when (a) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the issuance thereof and related matters, and (b) certificates representing the Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations have been made in the share register of the Company, in each case in accordance with the Charter Documents, either (i) against payment therefor in an amount not less than such consideration determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and permitted under the laws of British Columbia then in effect and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, if any, approved by the Company or (ii) upon exercise or conversion of any other Security in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security as approved by the Company, for the consideration approved by the Company (in an amount not less than such consideration determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and permitted under the laws of the British Columbia then in effect), the Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

  2.

With respect to Warrants offered under the Registration Statement, when (a) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) a warrant indenture in respect thereof (a “Warrant Indenture”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with applicable law and (c) the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the


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  Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement (assuming the Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action and in accordance with applicable law), the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

  3.

With respect to Subscription Rights offered under the Registration Statement, when (a) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Subscription Rights, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) a subscription right agreement in respect thereof (a “Subscription Receipt Agreement”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with applicable law and (c) the Subscription Rights have been duly executed and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Receipt Agreement and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement (assuming the Securities issuable upon exercise of the Subscription Rights have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action and in accordance with applicable law), the Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

  4.

With respect to Debt Securities offered under the Registration Statement, when (a) the Company has taken all necessary action to authorize and approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (b) a trust indenture in respect thereof (a “Trust Indenture”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with applicable law and (c) the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Indenture and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement (assuming the Debt Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action and in accordance with applicable law), the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

  5.

With respect to Units, assuming that (a) any Warrants that form a part of such Units constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms, as contemplated in numbered paragraph 2 above, (b) any Subscription Rights that form a part of such Units constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms, as contemplated in numbered paragraph 3 above, (c) any Debt Securities that form a part of such Units constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms, as contemplated in numbered paragraph 4 above, and (d) any Shares that form a part of such Units are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, when (i) the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Units (including the Securities which comprise such Units), the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, (ii) any applicable unit agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with applicable law (a “Unit Agreement”), and (iii) the Units or certificates representing the Units or the Securities comprising the Units, as the case may be, have been delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Unit Agreement or purchase or similar agreement approved by the Company and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.


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The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein on the date of this opinion, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign. We have no responsibility or obligation to: (i) update this opinion, (ii) take into account or inform the addressee or any other person of any changes in law, facts or other developments subsequent to the date hereof that do or may affect the opinion we express, or (iii) advise the addressee or any other person of any other change in any matter addressed in this opinion. Nor do we have any responsibility or obligation to consider the applicability or correctness of this opinion to any person other than the addressee.

This opinion is addressed to the Company in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and may not be relied upon by any other person without our prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Base Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters”. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Yours very truly,

/s/ Stikeman Elliott LLP

EX-5.2

Exhibit 5.2

 

LOGO

November 30, 2023

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

680 Fifth Ave., 24th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as United States counsel to The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offer and sale by the Company from time to time of up to [$250,000,000] aggregate offering price of (a) common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”), (b) proportionate voting shares of the Company (the “Proportionate Voting Shares”), (c) preferred shares of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”), (d) subscription receipts (“Subscription Receipts”) exchangeable for Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company, (e) warrants (“Warrants”) exercisable to acquire Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company, (f) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”) which may be issued in one or more series under an indenture proposed to be entered into by the Company and the trustee to be named therein (the “Trustee”), the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”) and (g) units comprising one or more Common Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Subscription Receipts, Warrants and/or Debt Securities in any combination (the “Units”). The Common Shares, Proportionate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Subscription Receipts, Warrants, Debt Securities and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”. As used herein, “Transaction Agreements” means the Indenture and any officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the Debt Securities. This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

In rendering the opinion stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and the Indenture. We have also examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of our opinion set forth below. In rendering our opinion set forth below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or instruments relevant hereto, that such parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform such agreements and


The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

November 30, 2023

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instruments, that such agreements and instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and, except to the extent expressly stated in the opinion contained herein, that such agreements and instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of officers and other representatives of the Company and of public officials.

Based on the foregoing, and assuming that (i) the Registration Statement and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective under the Securities Act and will continue to be so effective, (ii) a prospectus supplement to the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, describing the Debt Securities offered thereby, will have been prepared and filed with the Commission under the Securities Act, (iii) all Debt Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement, (iv) the Company is duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (v) none of the terms of any Debt Security to be established subsequent to the date hereof, nor the issuance, sale or delivery of such Debt Security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Debt Security, (a) will violate (1) any applicable law or (2) the organizational documents of the Company or (b) will result in a violation or breach of (1) any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company or any of its assets or (2) any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets, (vi) any applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and any other applicable agreement with respect to any Debt Securities offered or sold, will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, (viii) the Transaction Agreements will be governed by the laws of the State of New York and (ix) any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of any Debt Securities being offered or sold will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement, we are of the opinion that: with respect to any Debt Securities to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement when (a) the Trustee has been qualified to act as trustee under the Indenture, (b) the Indenture and any officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, (c) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (d) the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the terms of the Debt Securities and their issuance and sale in conformity with the Indenture and any officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture and (e) the Debt Securities have been issued, executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and any officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement of any other security, in accordance with the terms of such security or the

 

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The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

November 30, 2023

Page 3

 

instrument governing such security providing for such conversion, exchange, exercise or settlement as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, then the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinion set forth above is subject to the following qualifications and exceptions:

 

  (a)

Our opinion set forth above is subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, fraudulent conveyance laws).

 

  (b)

Our opinion set forth above is subject to the effect of general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

  (c)

We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations.

 

  (d)

We express no opinion as to the enforceability of (i) provisions that relate to choice of law, forum selection or submission to jurisdiction (including, without limitation, any express or implied waiver of any objection to venue in any court or of any objection that a court is an inconvenient forum), (ii) waivers by the Company of any statutory or constitutional rights or remedies, (iii) terms which excuse any person or entity from liability for, or require the Company to indemnify such person or entity against, such person’s or entity’s negligence or willful misconduct or (iv) obligations to pay any prepayment premium, default interest rate, early termination fee or other form of liquidated damages, if the payment of such premium, interest rate, fee or damages may be construed as unreasonable in relation to actual damages or disproportionate to actual damages suffered as a result of such prepayment, default or termination.

 

  (e)

We draw your attention to the fact that, under certain circumstances, the enforceability of terms to the effect that provisions may not be waived or modified except in writing may be limited.

 

  (f)

We have assumed that any agent of service will have accepted appointment as agent to receive service of process and call to your attention that we do not express any opinion if and to the extent such agent shall resign such appointment. Further, we do not express any opinion with respect to the irrevocability of the designation of such agent to receive service of process.

 

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The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

November 30, 2023

Page 4

 

  (g)

We note that, as of the date of this opinion, a judgment for money in an action based on a Security denominated in a foreign currency or currency unit in a federal or state court in the United States ordinarily would be enforced in the United States only in United States dollars. The date used to determine the rate of conversion of the foreign currency or currency unit in which a particular Security is denominated into United States dollars will depend upon various factors, including which court renders the judgment. Under Section 27 of the New York Judiciary Law, a state court in the State of New York rendering a judgment on a Security would be required to render that judgment in the foreign currency or currency unit in which the Security is denominated, and the judgment would be converted into United States dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment.

 

  (h)

We call to your attention that the opinion stated herein is subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or laws of jurisdictions other than those with respect to which we express our opinion.

Our opinion expressed above is limited to the laws of the State of New York. The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

 

4

EX-23.3

Exhibit 23.3

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. (formerly Columbia Care Inc.) (the “Company”) of our report dated March 29, 2023 relating to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

   /s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP
Vancouver, Canada    Chartered Professional Accountants
November 30, 2023   
EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

Form S-3

(Form Type)

The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

                 
    

Security

Type

 

Security

Class

Title(1)

 

Fee

Calculation

or Carry

Forward

Rule

 

Amount

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering

Price Per

Unit

 

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering

Price(2)

 

Fee

Rate

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee

                 

Fees to Be 

Paid

 

Unallocated

(Universal) Shelf

 

Common Shares

Proportionate Voting Shares

Preferred Shares

Debt Securities

Subscription Receipts

Warrants

Units

  Rule 457(o)   $250,000,000(1)   (1)   $250,000,000(1)(2)   $0.000147600   $36,900.00
                 

Fees

Previously 

Paid

               
           
    Total Offering Amounts     $250,000,000     $36,900.00
           
    Total Fees Previously Paid        
           
    Total Fee Offsets        
           
    Net Fee Due               $36,900.00

 

(1)

There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate number of common shares, proportionate voting shares, preferred shares, debt securities, subscription receipts, warrants and units of the Registrant, and a combination of such securities, as may be sold by the Registrant from time to time, which collectively shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $250,000,000. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of each class of identified securities as may be issued upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any other securities that provide for such conversion into, exercise for or exchange into such securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities under this Registration Statement.

 

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act.