VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.1
VOTING
AND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
(the
“Agreement”)
made
as of the 14th
day of
November, 2008.
AMONG:
GRAN
TIERRA ENERGY INC.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Nevada (hereinafter referred
to as “Acquiror”),
-
and
-
GRAN
TIERRA EXCHANGECO INC.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of Alberta (hereinafter referred to as
“ExchangeCo”),
-
and
-
COMPUTERSHARE
TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA,
a
Canadian trust company incorporated under the laws of Canada (hereinafter
referred to as the “Trustee”),
WHEREAS,
in
connection with the Arrangement Agreement, ExchangeCo may be required to issue
Exchangeable Shares to certain holders of common shares in the capital of
Target, a corporation existing under the laws of Alberta, pursuant to the Plan
of Arrangement contemplated in the Arrangement Agreement;
AND
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, Acquiror, ExchangeCo and Trustee have
agreed to execute a voting and exchange trust agreement substantially in the
form of this Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the respective covenants and agreements provided in this
Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties hereto covenant
and
agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions
In
this
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall
have
the following meanings respectively:
“ABCA”
means
the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta)
as the same has been and may hereafter from time to time be
amended;
“Acquiror
Common Shares”
means
the shares of common stock, no par value per share, in the capital of
Acquiror;
“Acquiror
Control Transaction”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Acquiror
Consent”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Acquiror
Meeting”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Acquiror
Special Voting Stock”
means
one share of preferred stock of Acquiror to which that number of voting rights
attach (each such voting right to be equal to the voting rights attached to
one
Acquiror Common Share) equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable Shares
held by Beneficiaries;
“Acquiror
Successor”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 10.1(a);
“Affiliate”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act, unless otherwise expressly
stated herein;
“Arrangement”
means
the arrangement under section 193 of the ABCA on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in the Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or
variations thereto made in accordance with Article 6 of the Plan of Arrangement
and Section 9.2 of the Arrangement Agreement or made at the direction of the
Court;
“Arrangement
Agreement”
means
the arrangement agreement made as of July 28, 2008 among Acquiror, ExchangeCo
and Target, as amended, supplemented and/or restated in accordance therewith
prior to the date hereof, providing for, among other things, the
Arrangement;
“Automatic
Exchange Rights”
means
the benefit of the obligation of Acquiror to effect the automatic exchange
of
Exchangeable Shares for Acquiror Common Shares pursuant to Section
5.12;
“Beneficiaries”
means
the registered holders from time to time of Exchangeable Shares, other than
Acquiror and its Affiliates;
“Beneficiary
Votes”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Business
Day”
means
any day on which commercial banks are generally open for business in Calgary,
Alberta, other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day observed as a holiday in
Calgary, Alberta under the laws of the Province of Alberta or the federal laws
of Canada;
“Callco”
means
Gran Tierra Callco ULC, a corporation existing under the laws of the Province
of
Alberta;
2.
“Change
of Law Call Right” has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Court”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Effective
Date”
means
the date the Arrangement is effective under the ABCA;
“Equivalent
Vote Amount”
means,
with respect to any matter, proposition or question on which holders of Acquiror
Common Shares are entitled to vote, consent or otherwise act, the number of
votes to which a holder of one Acquiror Common Share is entitled with respect
to
such matter, proposition or question;
“Exchange
Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1;
“Exchangeable
Shares”
means
the non-voting exchangeable shares in the capital of ExchangeCo, having
substantially the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in
Schedule “A” to the Plan of Arrangement;
“Exchangeable
Share Consideration”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Exchangeable
Share Price”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Exchangeable
Share Provisions”
means
the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares;
“Final
Order”
means
the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement as such order may be
amended by the Court at any time prior to the date hereof or, if appealed,
then,
unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed;
“Indemnified
Parties”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.1;
“Insolvency
Event”
means:
(i) the institution by ExchangeCo of any proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt
or insolvent or to be wound up, or the consent of ExchangeCo to the institution
of bankruptcy, insolvency or winding-up proceedings against it; or (ii) the
filing of a petition, answer or consent seeking dissolution or winding-up under
any bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, including the Companies
Creditors’ Arrangement Act
(Canada)
and the Bankruptcy
and Insolvency Act
(Canada), and the failure by ExchangeCo to contest in good faith any such
proceedings commenced in respect of ExchangeCo within 30 days of becoming aware
thereof, or the consent by ExchangeCo to the filing of any such petition or
to
the appointment of a receiver; or (iii) the making by ExchangeCo of a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission in writing by
ExchangeCo of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due;
or
(iv) ExchangeCo not being permitted, pursuant to solvency requirements of
applicable law, to redeem any Retracted Shares pursuant to Section 6.6 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions;
3.
“Liquidation
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Liquidation
Event”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 5.12(b);
“Liquidation
Event Effective Time”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Subsection 5.12(c);
“List”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.6;
“Officer’s
Certificate”
means,
with respect to Acquiror or ExchangeCo, as the case may be, a certificate signed
by any one of the authorized signatories of Acquiror or ExchangeCo, as the
case
may be;
“Person”
includes any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, venture capital
fund,
limited liability company, unlimited liability company, association, trust,
trustee, executor, administrator, legal personal representative, estate, group,
body corporate, corporation, unincorporated association or organization,
government body, syndicate or other entity, whether or not having legal
status;
“Plan
of Arrangement”
means
the plan of arrangement substantially in the form and content of Exhibit A
annexed to the Arrangement Agreement and any amendments or variations thereto
made in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Arrangement Agreement or Article
6 of
the Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Final
Order;
“Redemption
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Redemption
Date”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Retracted
Shares”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.7;
“Retraction
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities
Act
(Alberta) and the rules, regulations and policies made thereunder, as now in
effect and as they may be amended from time to time prior to the Effective
Date;
“Support
Agreement”
means
that certain support agreement made as of even date herewith among ExchangeCo,
Callco and Acquiror substantially in the form and content of Exhibit B to the
Arrangement Agreement, with such changes thereto as the parties to the
Arrangement Agreement, acting reasonably, may agree;
“Target”
means
Solana Resources Limited, a corporation existing under the laws of
Alberta;
4.
“Trust”
means
the trust created by this Agreement;
“Trust
Estate”
means
the Acquiror Special Voting Stock, any other securities, the Exchange Right,
the
Automatic Exchange Rights and any money or other property which may be held
by
the Trustee from time to time pursuant to this Agreement; and
“Voting
Rights”
means
the voting rights of the Acquiror Special Voting Stock held by the Trustee
in
respect of which the Beneficiaries are, in accordance with this Agreement,
entitled to instruct the Trustee to vote.
1.2 Interpretation
Not Affected by Headings, etc.
The
division of this Agreement into articles, sections, subsections and other
portions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only
and
should not affect the construction or interpretation hereof. Unless otherwise
indicated, all references to an “Article”, “Section” or “Subsection” followed by
a number refer to the specified Article, Section or Subsection of this
Agreement. The terms “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and
similar expressions refer to this Agreement and not to any particular Article,
Section, Subsection or other portion hereof.
1.3 Rules
of Construction
Unless
otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires: (a) all
references to “dollars” or “$” mean United States dollars; (b) words importing
the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words importing any
gender shall include all genders; and (c) “include,” “includes” and “including”
shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
1.4 Date
for any Action
In
the
event that any date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by
any
of the parties hereto is not a Business Day, such action shall be required
to be
taken on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.
1.5 Payments
All
payments to be made hereunder will be made without interest and less any tax
required by Canadian law to be deducted or withheld.
ARTICLE
2
PURPOSE
OF AGREEMENT
2.1 Establishment
of Trust
The
purpose of this Agreement is to create the Trust for the benefit of the
Beneficiaries and Acquiror, as herein provided. The Trustee will hold the
Acquiror Special Voting Stock in order to enable the Trustee to exercise the
Voting Rights and will hold the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights
in order to enable the Trustee to exercise such rights, in each case as trustee
for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries as provided in this Agreement. The
Trustee will hold the Acquiror Special Voting Stock for and on behalf of
Acquiror for all other rights associated with such Acquiror Special Voting
Stock
other than the Voting Rights.
5.
ARTICLE
3
ACQUIROR
SPECIAL VOTING STOCK
3.1 Issue
and Ownership of the Acquiror Special
Voting Stock
Acquiror
hereby agrees to issue to, and deposit with, the Trustee the Acquiror Special
Voting Stock to be hereafter held of record by the Trustee as trustee for and
on
behalf of, and for the use and benefit of, the Beneficiaries and in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement. Acquiror hereby acknowledges receipt
from
the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries of good and
valuable consideration (and the adequacy thereof) for the issuance of the
Acquiror Special Voting Stock by Acquiror to the Trustee. During the term of
the
Trust and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Trustee
shall possess and be vested with full legal ownership of such Acquiror Special
Voting Stock and shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers
of
an owner with respect to such Acquiror Special Voting Stock provided that the
Trustee shall:
(a)
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hold
such Acquiror Special Voting Stock and the legal title thereto as
trustee
solely for the use and benefit of the Beneficiaries in accordance
with the
provisions of this Agreement; and
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(b)
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except
as specifically authorized by this Agreement, have no power or authority
to sell, transfer, vote or otherwise deal in or with such Acquiror
Special
Voting Stock and such Acquiror Special Voting Stock shall not be
used or
disposed of by the Trustee for any purpose other than the purposes
for
which this Trust is created pursuant to this
Agreement.
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3.2 Legended
Share Certificates
ExchangeCo
will cause each certificate representing Exchangeable Shares to bear an
appropriate legend notifying the Beneficiaries of their right to instruct the
Trustee with respect to the exercise of the portion of the Voting Rights in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by the Beneficiaries.
3.3 Safe
Keeping of Certificate
The
physical certificates representing the Acquiror Special Voting Stock are held
by
the Trust, such certificates shall at all times be held in safe keeping by
the
Trustee or its duly authorized agent.
6.
ARTICLE
4
EXERCISE
OF VOTING RIGHTS
4.1 Voting
Rights
The
Trustee, as the holder of record of the Acquiror Special Voting Stock forming
part of the Trust Estate, shall be entitled to all of the Voting Rights,
including the right to vote in person or by proxy the Acquiror Special Voting
Stock held by the Trustee on any matter, question, proposal or proposition
whatsoever that may properly come before the shareholders of Acquiror at a
Acquiror Meeting or in connection with a Acquiror Consent. The Voting Rights
shall be and remain vested in and exercised by the Trustee. Subject to Section
6.15:
(a)
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the
Trustee shall exercise the Voting Rights only on the basis of instructions
received pursuant to this Article 4 from Beneficiaries entitled to
instruct the Trustee as to the voting thereof at the time at which
the
Acquiror Meeting is held or a Acquiror Consent is sought;
and
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(b)
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to
the extent that no instructions are received from a Beneficiary with
respect to the Voting Rights to which such Beneficiary is entitled,
the
Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of such Voting
Rights.
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4.2 Number
of Votes
With
respect to all meetings of shareholders of Acquiror at which holders of Acquiror
Common Shares are entitled to vote (each, a “Acquiror
Meeting”)
and
with respect to all written consents sought from Acquiror’s shareholders,
including the holders of Acquiror Common Shares (each, a “Acquiror
Consent”),
each
Beneficiary shall be entitled to instruct the Trustee to cast and exercise,
in
the manner instructed, a number of votes equal to the Equivalent Vote Amount
for
each Exchangeable Share owned of record by such Beneficiary on the record date
established by Acquiror or by applicable law for such Acquiror Meeting or
Acquiror Consent, as the case may be (collectively, the “Beneficiary
Votes”),
in
respect of each matter, question, proposal or proposition to be voted on at
such
Acquiror Meeting or consented to in connection with such Acquiror
Consent.
4.3 Mailings
to Shareholders
With
respect to each Acquiror Meeting and Acquiror Consent, the Trustee will use
its
reasonable commercial efforts promptly to mail or cause to be mailed (or
otherwise communicate in the same manner as Acquiror utilizes in communications
to holders of Acquiror Common Shares subject to applicable regulatory
requirements and provided such manner of communications is reasonably available
to the Trustee) to each of the Beneficiaries named in the List, such mailing
or
communication to commence on the same day as the mailing or notice (or other
communication) with respect thereto is commenced by Acquiror to its
shareholders:
(a)
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a
copy of such notice, together with any related materials, including
any
proxy or information statement, to be provided to shareholders of
Acquiror;
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7.
(b)
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a
statement that such Beneficiary is entitled to instruct the Trustee
as to
the exercise of the Beneficiary Votes with respect to such Acquiror
Meeting or Acquiror Consent or, pursuant to Section 4.7, to attend
such
Acquiror Meeting and to exercise personally thereat the Beneficiary
Votes
of such Beneficiary;
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(c)
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a
statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given
to the
Trustee, including an express indication that instructions may be
given to
the Trustee to give:
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(i)
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a
proxy to such Beneficiary or its designee to exercise personally
the
Beneficiary Votes; or
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(ii)
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a
proxy to a designated agent or other representative of the management
of
Acquiror to exercise such Beneficiary
Votes;
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(d)
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a
statement that if no such instructions are received from the Beneficiary,
the Beneficiary Votes to which such Beneficiary is entitled will
not be
exercised;
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(e)
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a
form of direction whereby the Beneficiary may so direct and instruct
the
Trustee as contemplated herein; and
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(f)
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a
statement of the time and date by which such instructions must be
received
by the Trustee in order to be binding upon it, which in the case
of a
Acquiror Meeting shall not be earlier than the close of business
on the
Business Day immediately prior to the date by which the Corporation
has
required proxies be deposited for such meeting, and of the method
for
revoking or amending such
instructions.
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For
the
purpose of determining Beneficiary Votes to which a Beneficiary is entitled
in
respect of any Acquiror Meeting or Acquiror Consent, the number of Exchangeable
Shares owned of record by the Beneficiary shall be determined at the close
of
business on the record date established by Acquiror or by applicable law for
purposes of determining shareholders entitled to vote at such Acquiror Meeting
or to give written consent in connection with such Acquiror Consent. Acquiror
will notify the Trustee of any decision of the Board of Directors of Acquiror
with respect to the calling of any Acquiror Meeting or the seeking of any
Acquiror Consent and shall provide all necessary information and materials
to
the Trustee in each case promptly and in any event in sufficient time to enable
the Trustee to perform its obligations contemplated by this Section
4.3.
The
materials referred to in this Section 4.3 are to be provided to the Trustee
by
Acquiror and the materials referred to in Subsections 4.3(c), 4.3(e) and 4.3(f)
shall be subject to reasonable comment by the Trustee in a timely manner.
Acquiror shall ensure that the materials to be provided to the Trustee are
provided in sufficient time to permit the Trustee to comment as aforesaid and
to
send all materials to each Beneficiary at the same time as such materials are
first sent to holders of Acquiror Common Shares. Acquiror agrees not to
communicate with holders of Acquiror Common Shares with respect to the materials
referred to in this Section 4.3 otherwise than by mail unless such method of
communication is also reasonably available to the Trustee for communication
with
the Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror may at its option
exercise the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies of all materials to each
Beneficiary as required by this Section 4.3 so long as in each case Acquiror
delivers a certificate to the Trustee stating that Acquiror has undertaken
to
perform the obligations of the Trustee set forth in this Section
4.3.
8.
4.4 Copies
of Shareholder Information
Acquiror
will deliver to the Trustee copies of all proxy materials (including notices
of
Acquiror Meetings but excluding proxies to vote Acquiror Common Shares, and
in
lieu of such proxies, Acquiror shall deliver to the Trustee a voting information
form in form satisfactory to the Trustee, acting reasonably), information
statements, reports (including all interim and annual financial statements)
and
other written communications that, in each case, are to be distributed from
time
to time to holders of Acquiror Common Shares in sufficient quantities and in
sufficient time so as to enable the Trustee to send those materials to each
Beneficiary, to the extent possible, at the same time as such materials are
first sent to holders of Acquiror Common Shares. The Trustee will mail or
otherwise send to each Beneficiary, at the expense of Acquiror, copies of all
such materials (and all materials specifically directed to the Beneficiaries
or
to the Trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiaries by Acquiror) received by
the
Trustee from Acquiror, to the extent possible, at the same time as such
materials are sent to holders of Acquiror Common Shares. The Trustee will make
copies of all such materials available for inspection by any Beneficiary at
the
Trustee’s principal office in Calgary, Alberta. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Acquiror at its option may exercise the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies
of all materials to each Beneficiary as required by this Section 4.4 so long
as
in each case Acquiror delivers a certificate to the Trustee stating that
Acquiror has undertaken to perform the obligations set forth in this Section
4.4.
4.5 Other
Materials
As
soon
as reasonably practicable after receipt by Acquiror or holders of Acquiror
Common Shares (if such receipt is known by Acquiror) of any material sent or
given by or on behalf of a third party to holders of Acquiror Common Shares
generally, including dissident proxy and information circulars (and related
information and material) and tender and exchange offer circulars (and related
information and material), Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain and deliver to the Trustee copies thereof in sufficient quantities so
as
to enable the Trustee to forward such material (unless the same has been
provided directly to Beneficiaries by such third party) to each Beneficiary
as
soon as possible thereafter. As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt
thereof, the Trustee will mail or otherwise send to each Beneficiary, at the
expense of Acquiror, copies of all such materials received by the Trustee from
Acquiror. The Trustee will also make available for inspection by any Beneficiary
at the Trustee’s principal office in Calgary, Alberta copies of all such
materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror at its option may exercise
the duties of the Trustee to deliver copies of all such materials to each
Beneficiary as required by this Section 4.5 so long as in each case Acquiror
delivers a certificate to the Trustee stating that Acquiror has undertaken
to
perform the obligations set forth in this Section 4.5.
9.
4.6 List
of Persons Entitled to Vote
ExchangeCo
shall: (a) prior to each annual and special Acquiror Meeting or the seeking
of
any Acquiror Consent; and (b) forthwith upon each request made at any time
by
the Trustee in writing, prepare or cause to be prepared a list (a “List”)
of the
names and addresses of the Beneficiaries arranged in alphabetical order and
showing the number of Exchangeable Shares held of record by each such
Beneficiary, in each case at the close of business on the date specified by
the
Trustee in such request or, in the case of a List prepared in connection with
a
Acquiror Meeting or a Acquiror Consent, at the close of business on the record
date established by Acquiror or pursuant to applicable law for determining
the
holders of Acquiror Common Shares entitled to receive notice of and/or to vote
at such Acquiror Meeting or to give consent in connection with such Acquiror
Consent. Each such List shall be delivered to the Trustee promptly after receipt
by ExchangeCo of such request or the record date for such meeting or seeking
of
consent, as the case may be, and in any event within sufficient time as to
permit the Trustee to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Acquiror
agrees to give ExchangeCo notice (with a copy to the Trustee) of the calling
of
any Acquiror Meeting or the seeking of any Acquiror Consent by Acquiror or
its
management, together with the record dates therefor, sufficiently prior to
the
date of the calling of such meeting or seeking of such consent so as to enable
ExchangeCo to perform its obligations under this Section 4.6.
4.7 Entitlement
to Direct Votes
Any
Beneficiary named in a List prepared in connection with any Acquiror Meeting
or
Acquiror Consent will be entitled: (a) to instruct the Trustee in the manner
described in Section 4.3 with respect to the exercise of the Beneficiary Votes
to which such Beneficiary is entitled; or (b) to attend such meeting and
personally exercise thereat (or to personally exercise with respect to any
Acquiror Consent), as the proxy of the Trustee, the Beneficiary Votes to which
such Beneficiary is entitled.
4.8 Voting
by Trustee and Attendance of Trustee Representative at
Meeting
(a)
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In
connection with each Acquiror Meeting and Acquiror Consent, the Trustee
shall exercise, either in person or by proxy, in accordance with
the
instructions received from a Beneficiary pursuant to Section 4.3,
the
Beneficiary Votes as to which such Beneficiary is entitled to direct
the
vote (or any lesser number thereof as may be set forth in the
instructions); provided, however, that such written instructions
are
received by the Trustee from the Beneficiary prior to the time and
date
fixed by the Trustee for receipt of such instruction in the notice
given
by the Trustee to the Beneficiary pursuant to Section
4.3.
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(b)
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The
Trustee shall cause a representative who is empowered by it to sign
and
deliver, on behalf of the Trustee, proxies for Voting Rights to attend
each Acquiror Meeting. Upon submission by a Beneficiary (or its designee)
of identification satisfactory to the Trustee’s representative, and at the
Beneficiary’s request, such representative shall sign and deliver to such
Beneficiary (or its designee) a proxy to exercise personally the
Beneficiary Votes as to which such Beneficiary is otherwise entitled
hereunder to direct the vote, if such Beneficiary either: (i) has
not
previously given the Trustee instructions pursuant to Section 4.3
in
respect of such meeting; or (ii) submits to such representative written
revocation of any such previous instructions. At such meeting, upon
receipt of a proxy from the Trustee’s representative, the Beneficiary
exercising such Beneficiary Votes shall have the same rights as the
Trustee to speak at the meeting in respect of any matter, question,
proposal or proposition, to vote by way of ballot at the meeting
in
respect of any matter, question, proposal or proposition, and to
vote at
such meeting by way of a show of hands in respect of any matter,
question
or proposition.
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10.
4.9 Distribution
of Written Materials
Any
written materials distributed by or on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to this
Agreement shall be sent by mail (or otherwise communicated in the same manner
as
Acquiror utilizes in communications to holders of Acquiror Common Shares,
subject to applicable regulatory requirements and provided such manner of
communications is reasonably available to the Trustee) to each Beneficiary
at
its address as shown on the books of ExchangeCo. Acquiror agrees not to
communicate with holders of Acquiror Common Shares with respect to such written
material otherwise than by mail unless such method of communication is also
reasonably available to the Trustee for communication with the Beneficiaries.
ExchangeCo shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee for purposes
of
communication, on a timely basis and without charge or other
expense:
(a)
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a
current List; and
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(b)
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upon
the request of the Trustee, mailing labels to enable the Trustee
to carry
out its duties under this
Agreement.
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ExchangeCo’s
obligations under this Section 4.9 shall be deemed satisfied to the extent
Acquiror exercises its option to perform the duties of the Trustee to deliver
copies of materials to each Beneficiary and ExchangeCo provides the required
information and materials to Acquiror.
4.10 Termination
of Voting Rights
Except
as
otherwise provided herein or in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, all of the
rights of a Beneficiary with respect to the Beneficiary Votes exercisable in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary, including the
right
to instruct the Trustee as to the voting of or to vote personally such
Beneficiary Votes, shall be deemed to be surrendered by the Beneficiary to
Acquiror or Callco, as the case may be, and such Beneficiary Votes and the
Voting Rights represented thereby shall cease and be terminated immediately,
upon the delivery by such Beneficiary to the Trustee of the certificates
representing such Exchangeable Shares in connection with the exercise by the
Beneficiary of the Exchange Right or upon the occurrence of the automatic
exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Acquiror Common Shares, as specified in
Article 5 (unless, in either case, Acquiror shall not have delivered the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in exchange therefor to the Trustee
for delivery to the Beneficiaries), or upon the redemption of Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to Article 6 or Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions,
or upon the effective date of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
ExchangeCo pursuant to Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or the
purchase of Exchangeable Shares from the holder thereof by Callco pursuant
to
the exercise by Callco of the Retraction Call Right, the Redemption Call Right
or the Liquidation Call Right, or upon the purchase of Exchangeable Shares
from
the holders thereof by Acquiror or Callco pursuant to the exercise by Acquiror
or Callco of the Change of Law Call Right.
11.
ARTICLE
5
EXCHANGE
RIGHT AND AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
5.1 Grant
and Ownership of the Exchange Right
Acquiror
hereby grants to the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of, and for the use
and benefit of, the Beneficiaries the right (the “Exchange
Right”),
upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to require
Acquiror to purchase from each or any Beneficiary all or any part of the
Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary and the Automatic Exchange Rights,
all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Acquiror hereby
acknowledges receipt from the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of the
Beneficiaries of good and valuable consideration (and the adequacy thereof)
for
the grant of the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights by Acquiror
to
the Trustee. During the term of the Trust and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Trustee shall possess and be vested with
full
legal ownership of the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights and
shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with
respect to the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights, provided that
the Trustee shall:
(a)
|
hold
the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights and the legal
title
thereto as trustee solely for the use and benefit of the Beneficiaries
in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
and
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(b)
|
except
as specifically authorized by this Agreement, have no power or authority
to exercise or otherwise deal in or with the Exchange Right or the
Automatic Exchange Rights, and the Trustee shall not exercise any
such
rights for any purpose other than the purposes for which the Trust
is
created pursuant to this Agreement.
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5.2 Legended
Share Certificates
ExchangeCo
will cause each certificate representing Exchangeable Shares to bear an
appropriate legend notifying the Beneficiaries of:
(a)
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their
right to instruct the Trustee with respect to the exercise of the
Exchange
Right in respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by a Beneficiary;
and
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(b)
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the
Automatic Exchange Rights.
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12.
5.3 General
Exercise of Exchange Right
The
Exchange Right shall be and remain vested in and exercisable by the Trustee.
Subject to Section 6.15,
the
Trustee shall exercise the Exchange Right only on the basis of instructions
received pursuant to this Article
5
from
Beneficiaries entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the exercise thereof.
To
the extent that no instructions are received from a Beneficiary with respect
to
the Exchange Right, the Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of
the
Exchange Right.
5.4 Purchase
Price
The
purchase price payable by Acquiror for each Exchangeable Share to be purchased
by Acquiror under the Exchange Right shall be an amount per share equal to
the
Exchangeable Share Price on the last Business Day prior to the day of closing
of
the purchase and sale of such Exchangeable Share under the Exchange Right.
In
connection with each exercise of the Exchange Right, Acquiror shall provide
to
the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the calculation of the
Exchangeable Share Price for each Exchangeable Share. The Exchangeable Share
Price for each such Exchangeable Share so purchased may be satisfied only by
Acquiror delivering or causing to be delivered to the Trustee, on behalf of
the
relevant Beneficiary, the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the
total Exchangeable Share Price. Upon payment by Acquiror of such purchase price
to the Trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiary, the relevant Beneficiary
shall cease to have any right to be paid any amount in respect of declared
and
unpaid dividends on each such Exchangeable Share by ExchangeCo.
5.5 Exercise
Instructions
Subject
to the terms and conditions herein set forth, a Beneficiary shall be entitled,
upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Insolvency Event, to
instruct the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right with respect to all or
any
part of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such Beneficiary
on
the books of ExchangeCo. To cause the exercise of the Exchange Right by the
Trustee, the Beneficiary shall deliver to the Trustee, in person or by certified
or registered mail, at its principal office in Calgary, Alberta or at such
other
places as the Trustee may from time to time designate by written notice to
the
Beneficiaries, the certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares which
such
Beneficiary desires Acquiror to purchase, duly endorsed in blank for transfer,
and accompanied by such other documents and instruments as may be required
to
effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the ABCA and the by-laws of
ExchangeCo and such additional documents and instruments as the Trustee,
ExchangeCo and Acquiror may reasonably require together with: (a) a duly
completed form of notice of exercise of the Exchange Right, contained on the
reverse of or attached to the Exchangeable Share certificates, stating: (i)
that
the Beneficiary thereby instructs the Trustee to exercise the Exchange Right
so
as to require Acquiror to purchase from the Beneficiary the number of
Exchangeable Shares specified therein: (ii) that such Beneficiary has good
title
to and owns all such Exchangeable Shares to be acquired by Acquiror free and
clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances; (iii) the
names
in which the certificates representing Acquiror Common Shares issuable in
connection with the exercise of the Exchange Right are to be issued; and (iv)
the names and addresses of the persons to whom such new certificates should
be
delivered; and (b) payment (or evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, ExchangeCo
and Acquiror of payment) of the taxes (if any) payable as contemplated by
Section 5.8
of this
Agreement. If only a part of the Exchangeable Shares represented by any
certificate or certificates delivered to the Trustee are to be purchased by
Acquiror under the Exchange Right, a new certificate for the balance of such
Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the holder at the expense of
ExchangeCo.
13.
5.6 Delivery
of Acquiror Common Shares; Effect of Exercise
Promptly
after the receipt by the Trustee of the certificates representing the
Exchangeable Shares which the Beneficiary desires Acquiror to purchase under
the
Exchange Right, together with such documents and instruments of transfer and
a
duly completed form of notice of exercise of the Exchange Right (and payment
of
taxes, if any payable as contemplated by Section 5.8
or
evidence thereof), duly endorsed for transfer to Acquiror, the Trustee shall
notify Acquiror and ExchangeCo of its receipt of the same, which notice to
Acquiror and ExchangeCo shall constitute exercise of the Exchange Right by
the
Trustee on behalf of the Beneficiary in respect of such Exchangeable Shares,
and
Acquiror shall promptly thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Trustee, for delivery to the Beneficiary in respect of such Exchangeable Shares
(or to such other persons, if any, properly designated by such Beneficiary)
the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in connection with the exercise
of
the Exchange Right; provided, however, that no such delivery shall be made
unless and until the Beneficiary requesting the same shall have paid (or
provided evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, ExchangeCo and Acquiror of the
payment of) the taxes (if any) payable as contemplated by Section 5.8
of this
Agreement. Immediately upon the giving of notice by the Trustee to Acquiror
and
ExchangeCo of the exercise of the Exchange Right, as provided in this Section
5.6,
the
closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the Exchange
Right shall be deemed to have occurred, and the Beneficiary of such Exchangeable
Shares shall be deemed to have transferred to Acquiror all of such Beneficiary’s
right, title and interest in and to such Exchangeable Shares and in the related
interest in the Trust Estate and shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable
Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder
in
respect thereof, other than the right to receive his proportionate part of
the
total purchase price therefor, unless such Exchangeable Share Consideration
is
not delivered by Acquiror to the Trustee for delivery to such Beneficiary (or
to
such other person, if any, properly designated by such Beneficiary) within
five
Business Days of the date of the giving of such notice by the Trustee, in which
case the rights of the Beneficiary shall remain unaffected until such
Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered by Acquiror and any cheque
included therein is paid. Upon delivery of such Exchangeable Share Consideration
by Acquiror to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver such Exchangeable Share
Consideration to such Beneficiary (or to such other person, if any, properly
designated by such Beneficiary). Concurrently with such Beneficiary ceasing
to
be a holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Beneficiary shall be considered and
deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the Acquiror Common Shares delivered
to it pursuant to the Exchange Right.
5.7 Exercise
of Exchange Right Subsequent to Retraction
In
the
event that a Beneficiary has exercised its right under Article 6 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions to require ExchangeCo to redeem any or all of
the
Exchangeable Shares held by the Beneficiary (the “Retracted
Shares”)
and is
notified by ExchangeCo pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions that ExchangeCo will not be permitted as a result of solvency
requirements of applicable law to redeem all such Retracted Shares, and provided
that Callco shall not have exercised the Retraction Call Right with respect
to
the Retracted Shares and that the Beneficiary has not revoked the retraction
request delivered by the Beneficiary to ExchangeCo pursuant to Section 6.7
of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions, and provided further that the Trustee has
received written notice of same from ExchangeCo or Acquiror, the retraction
request will constitute and will be deemed to constitute notice from the
Beneficiary to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to exercise the Exchange
Right with respect to those Retracted Shares that ExchangeCo is unable to
redeem. In any such event, ExchangeCo hereby agrees with the Trustee and in
favour of the Beneficiary promptly to forward or cause to be forwarded to the
Trustee all relevant materials delivered by the Beneficiary to ExchangeCo or
to
the transfer agent of the Exchangeable Shares (including a copy of the
retraction request delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions) in connection with such proposed redemption of the Retracted Shares
and the Trustee will thereupon exercise the Exchange Right with respect to
the
Retracted Shares that ExchangeCo is not permitted to redeem and will require
Acquiror to purchase such shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Article
5.
14.
5.8 Stamp
or Other Transfer Taxes
Upon
any
sale of Exchangeable Shares to Acquiror pursuant to the Exchange Right or the
Automatic Exchange Rights, the share certificate or certificates representing
Acquiror Common Shares to be delivered in connection with the payment of the
purchase price therefor shall be issued in the name of the Beneficiary in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares so sold or in such names as such Beneficiary
may otherwise direct in writing without charge to the holder of the Exchangeable
Shares so sold; provided, however, that such Beneficiary shall pay (and none
of
Acquiror, ExchangeCo or the Trustee shall be required to pay) any documentary,
stamp, transfer or other taxes that may be payable in respect of any transfer
involved in the issuance or delivery of such shares to a person other than
such
Beneficiary.
5.9 Notice
of Insolvency Event
As
soon
as practicable following the occurrence of an Insolvency Event or any event
that
with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would be an Insolvency
Event, ExchangeCo and Acquiror shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee.
As soon as practicable following the receipt of notice from ExchangeCo and
Acquiror of the occurrence of an Insolvency Event, or upon the Trustee becoming
aware of an Insolvency Event, the Trustee will mail to each Beneficiary, at
the
expense of Acquiror (such funds to be received in advance), a notice of such
Insolvency Event in the form provided by Acquiror, which notice shall contain
a
brief statement of the rights of the Beneficiaries with respect to the Exchange
Right.
5.10 Qualification
of Acquiror Common Shares
Acquiror
covenants that if any Acquiror Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Exchange
Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights require registration or qualification
with or approval of or the filing of any document, including any prospectus
or
similar document, or the taking of any proceeding with or the obtaining of
any
order, ruling or consent from any governmental or regulatory authority under
any
Canadian or United States federal, provincial, territorial or state law or
regulation or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any regulatory authority
or the fulfillment of any other Canadian or United States federal, provincial,
territorial or state legal requirement before such shares may be issued and
delivered by Acquiror to the initial holder thereof or in order that such shares
may be freely traded thereafter (other than any restrictions of general
application on transfer by reason of a holder being a “control person” of
Acquiror for purposes of Canadian provincial securities law or an “affiliate” of
Acquiror for purposes of United States federal or state securities law),
Acquiror will in good faith take all such actions and do all such things as
are
necessary or desirable to cause such Acquiror Common Shares to be and remain
duly registered, qualified or approved under United States and/or Canadian
law,
as the case may be, to the extent expressly provided in the Arrangement
Agreement. Acquiror will use its reasonable best efforts and in good faith
expeditiously take all such actions and do all such things as are reasonably
necessary or desirable to cause all Acquiror Common Shares to be delivered
pursuant to the Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights to be listed,
quoted or posted for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on
which outstanding Acquiror Common Shares are listed, quoted or posted for
trading at such time.
15.
5.11 Acquiror
Common Shares
Acquiror
hereby represents, warrants and covenants that the Acquiror Common Shares
issuable to Beneficiaries as described herein will be duly authorized and
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of
any
lien, claim or encumbrance.
5.12 Automatic
Exchange on Liquidation of Acquiror
(a)
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Acquiror
will give the Trustee written notice of each of the following events
at
the time set forth below:
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(i)
|
in
the event of any determination by the Board of Directors of Acquiror
to
institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings
with respect to Acquiror or to effect any other distribution of assets
of
Acquiror among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs,
at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up or other distribution;
and
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(ii)
|
promptly
following the earlier of: (A) receipt by Acquiror of notice of; and
(B)
Acquiror otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted
claim,
suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Acquiror or to effect any
other
distribution of assets of Acquiror among its shareholders for the
purpose
of winding-up its affairs, in each case where Acquiror has failed
to
contest in good faith any such proceeding commenced in respect of
Acquiror
within 30 days of becoming aware thereof.
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(b)
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Promptly
following receipt by the Trustee from Acquiror of notice of any event
(a
“Liquidation
Event”)
contemplated by Subsection 5.12(a),
the Trustee will give notice or cause such notice to be given thereof
to
the Beneficiaries. Such notice shall be provided to the Trustee by
Acquiror and shall include a brief description of rights of the
Beneficiaries with respect to the Automatic Exchange Rights provided
for
in Subsection 5.12(c).
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(c)
|
In
order that the Beneficiaries will be able to participate on a pro
rata
basis with the holders of Acquiror Common Shares in the distribution
of
assets of Acquiror in connection with a Liquidation Event, immediately
prior to the effective time (the “Liquidation
Event Effective Time”)
of a Liquidation Event all of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares
shall be automatically exchanged for Acquiror Common Shares. To effect
such automatic exchange, Acquiror shall purchase each Exchangeable
Share
outstanding immediately prior to the Liquidation Event Effective
Time and
held by Beneficiaries, and each Beneficiary shall sell the Exchangeable
Shares held by such Beneficiary at such time, for a purchase price
per
share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable at that time.
Acquiror shall provide the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate in
connection with any automatic exchange setting forth the calculation
of
the Exchangeable Share Price for each Exchangeable
Share.
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16.
(d)
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The
closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the
automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Acquiror Common Shares
shall
be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the Liquidation Event
Effective Time, and each Beneficiary shall be deemed to have transferred
to Acquiror all of the Beneficiary’s right, title and interest in and to
such Beneficiary’s Exchangeable Shares and the related interest in the
Trust Estate. Any right of each such Beneficiary to receive declared
and
unpaid dividends from ExchangeCo shall be deemed to be satisfied
and
discharged and each such Beneficiary shall cease to be a holder of
such
Exchangeable Shares and Acquiror shall deliver to the Beneficiary
the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable upon the automatic exchange
of Exchangeable Shares. Concurrently with such Beneficiary ceasing
to be a
holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Beneficiary shall be considered
and
deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the Acquiror Common Shares
issued pursuant to the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares
for
Acquiror Common Shares and the certificates held by the Beneficiary
previously representing the Exchangeable Shares exchanged by the
Beneficiary with Acquiror pursuant to such automatic exchange shall
thereafter be deemed to represent Acquiror Common Shares issued to
the
Beneficiary by Acquiror pursuant to such automatic exchange. Upon
the
request of a Beneficiary and the surrender by the Beneficiary of
Exchangeable Share certificates deemed to represent Acquiror Common
Shares, duly endorsed in blank and accompanied by such instruments
of
transfer as Acquiror may reasonably require, Acquiror shall deliver
or
cause to be delivered to the Beneficiary certificates representing
Acquiror Common Shares of which the Beneficiary is the
holder.
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5.13 Withholding
Rights
Acquiror,
ExchangeCo and the Trustee shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any
consideration otherwise payable under this Agreement to any holder of
Exchangeable Shares or Acquiror Common Shares such amounts as Acquiror,
ExchangeCo or the Trustee is required to deduct and withhold with respect to
such payment under the Income
Tax Act
(Canada), the United
States Internal Revenue Code of 1986
or any
provision of federal, provincial, state, local or foreign tax law, in each
case
as amended or succeeded. The Trustee may act on the advice of counsel with
respect to such matters. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the
holder of the shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was
made, provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted to the
appropriate taxing authority. To the extent that the amount so required to
be
deducted or withheld from any payment to a holder exceeds the cash portion
of
the consideration otherwise payable to the holder, Acquiror, ExchangeCo and
the
Trustee are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of such portion
of
the consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to Acquiror,
ExchangeCo or the Trustee, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with
such
deduction or withholding requirement and Acquiror, ExchangeCo or the Trustee
shall notify the holder thereof and remit to such holder any unapplied balance
of the net proceeds of such sale.
17.
ARTICLE
6
CONCERNING
THE TRUSTEE
6.1 Powers
and Duties of the Trustee
The
rights, powers, duties and authorities of the Trustee under this Agreement,
in
its capacity as trustee of the Trust, shall include:
(a)
|
receipt
and deposit of Acquiror Special Voting Stock from Acquiror as trustee
for
and on behalf of the Beneficiaries and Acquiror in accordance with
the
provisions of this Agreement;
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(b)
|
granting
proxies and distributing materials to Beneficiaries as provided in
this
Agreement;
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(c)
|
casting
and exercising the Beneficiary Votes in accordance with the provisions
of
this Agreement;
|
(d)
|
receiving
the grant of the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights
from
Acquiror as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries in accordance
with the provisions of this
Agreement;
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(e)
|
exercising
the Exchange Right and enforcing the benefit of the Automatic Exchange
Rights, in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
and in connection therewith receiving from Beneficiaries Exchangeable
Shares and other requisite documents and distributing to such
Beneficiaries Acquiror Common Shares and cheques, if any, to which
such
Beneficiaries are entitled upon the exercise of the Exchange Right
or
pursuant to the Automatic Exchange Rights, as the case may
be;
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(f)
|
holding
title to the Trust Estate;
|
(g)
|
investing
any moneys forming, from time to time, a part of the Trust Estate
as
provided in this Agreement;
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(h)
|
taking
action on its own initiative or at the direction of a Beneficiary
or
Beneficiaries to enforce the obligations of Acquiror and ExchangeCo
under
this Agreement; and
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18.
(i)
|
taking
such other actions and doing such other things as are specifically
provided in this Agreement.
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In
the
exercise of such rights, powers, duties and authorities, the Trustee shall
have
(and is granted) such incidental and additional rights, powers, duties and
authority not in conflict with any of the provisions of this Agreement as the
Trustee, acting in good faith and in the reasonable exercise of its discretion,
may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the purpose of the Trust.
Any exercise of such discretionary rights, powers, duties and authorities by
the
Trustee shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons.
The
Trustee in exercising its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder
shall
act honestly and in good faith and with a view to the best interests of the
Beneficiaries and shall exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably
prudent trustee would exercise in comparable circumstances.
The
Trustee shall not be bound to give notice or do or take any act, action or
proceeding by virtue of the powers conferred on it hereby unless and until
it
shall be specifically required to do so under the terms hereof, nor shall the
Trustee be required to take any notice of, or to do, or to take any act, action
or proceeding as a result of any default or breach of any provision hereunder,
unless and until notified in writing of such default or breach, which notices
shall distinctly specify the default or breach desired to be brought to the
attention of the Trustee, and in the absence of such notice the Trustee may
for
all purposes of this Agreement conclusively assume that no default or breach
has
been made in the observance or performance of any of the representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained herein.
6.2 No
Conflict of Interest
The
Trustee represents to Acquiror and ExchangeCo that at the date of execution
and
delivery of this Agreement there exists no material conflict of interest in
the
role of the Trustee as a fiduciary hereunder and the role of the Trustee in
any
other capacity. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after it becomes aware that
such material conflict of interest exists, either eliminate such material
conflict of interest or resign in the manner and with the effect specified
in
Article
9.
If,
notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2,
the
Trustee has such a material conflict of interest, the validity and
enforceability of this Agreement shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever
by reason only of the existence of such material conflict of interest. If the
Trustee contravenes the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2,
any
interested party may apply to the Court for an order that the Trustee be
replaced as trustee hereunder.
6.3 Dealings
with Transfer Agents, Registrars, etc.
Acquiror
and ExchangeCo irrevocably authorize the Trustee, from time to time,
to:
(a)
|
consult,
communicate and otherwise deal with the respective registrars and
transfer
agents, and with any such subsequent registrar or transfer agent,
of the
Exchangeable Shares and Acquiror Common Shares;
and
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19.
(b)
|
requisition,
from time to time: (i) from any such registrar or transfer agent
any
information readily available from the records maintained by it which
the
Trustee may reasonably require for the discharge of its duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement; and (ii) from the transfer
agent of
Acquiror Common Shares, and any subsequent transfer agent of such
shares,
the share certificates issuable upon the exercise from time to time
of the
Exchange Right and pursuant to the Automatic Exchange
Rights.
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Acquiror
and ExchangeCo shall irrevocably authorize their respective registrars and
transfer agents to comply with all such requests and confirm to the Trustee
that
such irrevocable authorization has been given. Acquiror covenants that it will
supply, in a timely manner, its transfer agents with duly executed share
certificates for the purpose of completing the exercise from time to time of
the
Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights.
6.4 Books
and Records
The
Trustee shall keep available for inspection by Acquiror and ExchangeCo at the
Trustee’s principal office in Calgary, Alberta correct and complete books and
records of account relating to the Trust created by this Agreement, including
all relevant data relating to mailings and instructions to and from
Beneficiaries and all transactions pursuant to the Exchange Right and the
Automatic Exchange Rights. On or before January 31 in every year, so long as
any
Acquiror Common Shares are on deposit with the Trustee, the Trustee shall
transmit to Acquiror and ExchangeCo a brief report, dated as of the preceding
December 31, with respect to:
(a)
|
the
property and funds comprising the Trust Estate as of that
date;
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(b)
|
the
number of exercises of the Exchange Right, if any, and the aggregate
number of Exchangeable Shares received by the Trustee on behalf of
Beneficiaries in consideration of the issuance by Acquiror of Acquiror
Common Shares and any other Exchangeable Share Consideration in connection
with the Exchange Right, during the calendar year ended on such December
31; and
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(c)
|
any
action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under
this
Agreement which it had not previously reported and which, in the
Trustee’s
opinion, materially affects the Trust
Estate.
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6.5 Income
Tax Returns and Reports
The
Trustee shall, to the extent necessary, prepare and file on behalf of the Trust
appropriate United States and Canadian income tax returns and any other returns
or reports as may be required by applicable law or pursuant to the rules and
regulations of any securities exchange or other trading system through which
the
Exchangeable Shares are traded; provided that, the Trustee will not be
responsible for preparing United States tax returns unless specifically directed
by Acquiror and Acquiror will indemnify the Trustee for any costs or damages
to
the Trustee as a result of Acquiror failing to so direct the preparation of
a
United States tax return. In connection therewith, the Trustee may obtain the
advice and assistance of such experts or advisors as the Trustee reasonably
considers necessary or advisable (who may be experts or advisors to Acquiror
or
ExchangeCo). If requested by the Trustee, Acquiror or ExchangeCo shall retain,
at their expense, qualified experts or advisors for the purpose of providing
such tax advice or assistance.
20.
6.6 Indemnification
Prior to Certain Actions by Trustee
The
Trustee shall exercise any or all of the rights, duties, powers or authorities
vested in it by this Agreement at the request, order or direction of any
Beneficiary upon such Beneficiary furnishing to the Trustee reasonable funding,
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may
be
incurred by the Trustee therein or thereby, provided that no Beneficiary shall
be obligated to furnish to the Trustee any such security or indemnity in
connection with the exercise by the Trustee of any of its rights, duties, powers
and authorities with respect to the Acquiror Common Shares held by the Trustee
pursuant to Article
4,
subject
to Section 6.15,
with
respect to the Exchange Right pursuant to Article
5,
subject
to Section 6.15,
and
with respect to the Automatic Exchange Rights pursuant to Article
5,
subject
to Section 6.15.
None
of
the provisions contained in this Agreement shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the exercise
of
any of its rights, powers, duties, or authorities unless funded, given security
or indemnified as aforesaid.
6.7 Action
of Beneficiaries
No
Beneficiary shall have the right to institute any action, suit or proceeding
or
to exercise any other remedy authorized by this Agreement for the purpose of
enforcing any of its rights or for the execution of any trust or power hereunder
unless the Beneficiary has requested the Trustee to take or institute such
action, suit or proceeding and furnished the Trustee with the funding, security
or indemnity referred to in Section 6.6
and the
Trustee shall have failed to act within a reasonable time thereafter. In such
case, but not otherwise, the Beneficiary shall be entitled to take proceedings
in any court of competent jurisdiction such as the Trustee might have taken;
it
being understood and intended that no one or more Beneficiaries shall have
any
right in any manner whatsoever to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights hereby
created by any such action, or to enforce any right hereunder or the Voting
Rights, the Exchange Rights or the Automatic Exchange Rights except subject
to
the conditions and in the manner herein provided, and that all powers and trusts
hereunder shall be exercised and all proceedings at law shall be instituted,
had
and maintained by the Trustee, except only as herein provided, and in any event
for the equal benefit of all Beneficiaries.
6.8 Reliance
Upon Declarations
The
Trustee shall not be considered to be in contravention of any of its rights,
powers, duties and authorities hereunder if, when required, it acts and relies
in good faith upon statutory declarations, certificates, opinions, Lists,
reports or other papers or documents furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof
or required by the Trustee to be furnished to it in the exercise of its rights,
powers, duties and authorities hereunder if such statutory declarations,
certificates, opinions, Lists, reports or other papers or documents comply
with
the provisions of Section 6.9,
if
applicable, and with any other applicable provisions of this
Agreement.
6.9 Evidence
and Authority to Trustee
Acquiror
and/or ExchangeCo shall furnish to the Trustee evidence of compliance with
the
conditions provided for in this Agreement relating to any action or step
required or permitted to be taken by Acquiror and/or ExchangeCo or the Trustee
under this Agreement or as a result of any obligation imposed under this
Agreement, including in respect of the Voting Rights or the Exchange Right
or
the Automatic Exchange Rights and the taking of any other action to be taken
by
the Trustee at the request of or on the application of Acquiror and/or
ExchangeCo promptly if and when:
21.
(a)
|
such
evidence is required by any other section of this Agreement to be
furnished to the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Section
6.9;
or
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(b)
|
the
Trustee, in the exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities
under this Agreement, gives Acquiror and/or ExchangeCo written notice
requiring it to furnish such evidence in relation to any particular
action
or obligation specified in such
notice.
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Such
evidence shall consist of an Officer’s Certificate of Acquiror and/or ExchangeCo
or a statutory declaration or a certificate made by persons entitled to sign
an
Officer’s Certificate stating that any such condition has been complied with in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Whenever
such evidence relates to a matter other than the Voting Rights or the Exchange
Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights or the taking of any other action to
be
taken by the Trustee at the request or on the application of Acquiror and/or
ExchangeCo, and except as otherwise specifically provided herein, such evidence
may consist of a report or opinion of any solicitor, attorney, auditor,
accountant, appraiser, valuer, engineer or other expert or any other person
whose qualifications give authority to a statement made by him, provided that
if
such report or opinion is furnished by a director, officer or employee of
Acquiror and/or ExchangeCo it shall be in the form of an Officer’s Certificate
or a statutory declaration.
Each
statutory declaration, Officer’s Certificate, opinion or report furnished to the
Trustee as evidence of compliance with a condition provided for in this
Agreement shall include a statement by the person giving the
evidence:
(c)
|
declaring
that such person has read and understands the provisions of this
Agreement
relating to the condition in
question;
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(d)
|
describing
the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which
such
person based the statutory declaration, certificate, statement or
opinion;
and
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(e)
|
declaring
that such person has made such examination or investigation as such
person
believes is necessary to enable such person to make the statements
or give
the opinions contained or expressed
therein.
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6.10 Experts,
Advisers and Agents
The
Trustee may:
(a)
|
in
relation to these presents act and rely on the opinion or advice
of or
information obtained from any solicitor, attorney, auditor, accountant,
appraiser, valuer, engineer or other expert, whether retained by
the
Trustee or by Acquiror and/or ExchangeCo or otherwise, and may retain
or
employ such assistants as may be necessary to the proper discharge
of its
powers and duties and determination of its rights hereunder and may
pay
proper and reasonable compensation for all such legal and other advice
or
assistance as aforesaid; and
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22.
(b)
|
employ
such agents and other assistants as it may reasonably require for
the
proper determination and discharge of its powers and duties hereunder,
and
may pay reasonable remuneration for all services performed for it
(and
shall be entitled to receive reasonable remuneration for all services
performed by it) in the discharge of the trusts hereof and compensation
for all disbursements, costs and expenses made or incurred by it
in the
discharge of its duties hereunder and in the management of the
Trust.
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6.11 Investment
of Moneys Held by Trustee
Unless
otherwise provided in this Agreement, any moneys held by or on behalf of the
Trustee which under the terms of this Agreement may or ought to be invested
or
which may be on deposit with the Trustee or which may be in the hands of the
Trustee may be invested and reinvested in the name or under the control of
the
Trustee, in trust for Acquiror, in securities in which, under the laws of the
Province of Alberta, trustees are authorized to invest trust moneys, provided
that such securities are stated to mature within two years after their purchase
by the Trustee, and the Trustee shall so invest such moneys on the written
direction of ExchangeCo. Pending the investment of any moneys as hereinbefore
provided, such moneys may be deposited in the name of the Trustee in any
chartered bank in Canada or, with the consent of ExchangeCo, in the deposit
department of the Trustee or any other loan or trust company authorized to
accept deposits under the laws of Canada or any province thereof at the rate
of
interest then current on similar deposits.
6.12 Trustee
Not Required to Give Security
The
Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the
execution of the trusts, rights, duties, powers and authorities of this
Agreement or otherwise in respect of the premises.
6.13 Trustee
Not Bound to Act on Request
Except
as
in this Agreement otherwise specifically provided, the Trustee shall not be
bound to act in accordance with any direction or request of Acquiror and/or
ExchangeCo or of the directors thereof until a duly authenticated copy of the
instrument or resolution containing such direction or request shall have been
delivered to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be empowered to act and rely
upon any such copy purporting to be authenticated and believed by the Trustee
to
be genuine. The 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, the 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 the
Trustee, in its sole judgment, determine at any time that its acting under
this
Agreement 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 ten days written notice to the other
parties to this Agreement, provided that: (a) the Trustee’s written notice shall
describe the circumstances of such non-compliance; and (b) if such circumstances
are rectified to the Trustee’s satisfaction within such 10 day period, then such
resignation shall not be effective.
23.
6.14 Authority
to Carry on Business
The
Trustee represents to Acquiror and ExchangeCo that at the date of execution
and
delivery by it of this Agreement it is authorized to carry on the business
of a
trust company in each of the Provinces of Canada but if, notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 6.14,
it
ceases to be so authorized to carry on business, the validity and enforceability
of this Agreement and the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right and the Automatic
Exchange Rights shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only
of
such event but the Trustee shall, within 90 days after ceasing to be authorized
to carry on the business of a trust company in any province of Canada, either
become so authorized or resign in the manner and with the effect specified
in
Article
9.
6.15 Conflicting
Claims
If
conflicting claims or demands are made or asserted with respect to any interest
of any Beneficiary in any Exchangeable Shares, including any disagreement
between the heirs, representatives, successors or assigns succeeding to all
or
any part of the interest of any Beneficiary in any Exchangeable Shares,
resulting in conflicting claims or demands being made in connection with such
interest, then the Trustee shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to refuse
to recognize or to comply with any such claims or demands. In so refusing,
the
Trustee may elect not to exercise any Voting Rights, Exchange Right or Automatic
Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands and, in so doing,
the Trustee shall not be or become liable to any person on account of such
election or its failure or refusal to comply with any such conflicting claims
or
demands. The Trustee shall be entitled to continue to refrain from acting and
to
refuse to act until:
(a)
|
the
rights of all adverse claimants with respect to the Voting Rights,
Exchange Right or Automatic Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting
claims or demands have been adjudicated by a final judgment of a
court of
competent jurisdiction and all rights of appeal have expired;
or
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(b)
|
all
differences with respect to the Voting Rights, Exchange Right or
Automatic
Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting claims or demands have
been
conclusively settled by a valid written agreement binding on all
such
adverse claimants, and the Trustee shall have been furnished with
an
executed copy of such agreement certified to be in full force and
effect.
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If
the
Trustee elects to recognize any claim or comply with any demand made by any
such
adverse claimant, it may in its discretion require such claimant to furnish
such
surety bond or other security satisfactory to the Trustee as it shall deem
appropriate to fully indemnify it as between all conflicting claims or
demands.
24.
6.16 Acceptance
of Trust
The
Trustee hereby accepts the Trust created and provided for by and in this
Agreement 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
Beneficiaries, subject to all the terms and conditions herein set
forth.
6.17 Maintenance
of Office or Agency
Acquiror
will maintain in Calgary, Alberta an office or agency where certificates
representing Exchangeable Shares may be presented or surrendered for exchange
by
Beneficiaries and where notices and demands to or upon Acquiror or ExchangeCo
in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares may be served. Acquiror will give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location,
of such office or agency. If at any time Acquiror shall fail to maintain any
such office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address
thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be served
at
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and Acquiror and ExchangeCo hereby
appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands. Furthermore, copies of all Acquiror proxy
materials will be made available for inspection by any Beneficiary at such
office or agency.
6.18 Third
Party Interests
Each
party to this Agreement hereby represents to the Trustee that any account to
be
opened by, or interest to held by the Trustee in connection with this Agreement,
for or to the credit of such party, either (i) is not intended to be used by
or
on behalf of any third party; or (ii) is intended to be used by or on behalf
of
a third party, in which case such party hereto agrees to complete and execute
forthwith a declaration in the Trustee’s prescribed form as to the particulars
of such third party.
6.19 Privacy
The
parties acknowledge that Canadian federal and/or provincial legislation that
addresses the protection of individuals’ personal information (collectively,
“Privacy
Laws”)
applies to obligations and activities under this Agreement. Despite any other
provision of this Agreement, no party shall take or direct any action that
would
contravene, or cause the others to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws. The
parties shall, prior to transferring or causing to be transferred personal
information to the Trustee, 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 previously been given
upon which the parties can rely or are not required under the Privacy Laws.
The
Trustee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its services
hereunder comply with Privacy Laws. Specifically, the Trustee agrees: (a) to
have a designated chief privacy officer; (b) to maintain policies and procedures
to protect personal information and to receive and respond to any privacy
complaint or inquiry; (c) to use personal information solely for the purposes
of
providing its services under or ancillary to this Agreement and not to use
it
for any other purpose except with the consent of or direction from the other
parties or the individual involved; (d) not to sell or otherwise improperly
disclose personal information to any third party; and (e) to employ
administrative, physical and technological safeguards to reasonably secure
and
protect personal information against loss, theft, or unauthorized access, use
or
modification.
25.
ARTICLE
7
COMPENSATION
7.1 Fees
and Expenses of the Trustee
Acquiror
and ExchangeCo jointly and severally agree to pay the Trustee reasonable
compensation for all of the services rendered by it under this Agreement and
will reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses (including taxes other
than taxes based on the net income of the Trustee, fees paid to legal counsel
and other experts and advisors and travel expenses) and disbursements, including
the cost and expense of any suit or litigation of any character and any
proceedings before any governmental agency reasonably incurred by the Trustee
in
connection with its duties under this Agreement; provided that Acquiror and
ExchangeCo shall have no obligation to reimburse the Trustee for any expenses
or
disbursements paid, incurred or suffered by the Trustee in any suit or
litigation in which the Trustee is determined to have acted in bad faith or
with
gross negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct.
ARTICLE
8
INDEMNIFICATION
AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
8.1 Indemnification
of the Trustee
Acquiror
and ExchangeCo jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the
Trustee and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents appointed
and
acting in accordance with this Agreement (collectively, the “Indemnified
Parties”)
against all claims, losses, damages, reasonable costs, penalties, fines and
reasonable expenses (including reasonable expenses of the Trustee’s legal
counsel) which, without fraud, gross negligence, recklessness, willful
misconduct or bad faith on the part of such Indemnified Party, may be paid,
incurred or suffered by the Indemnified Party by reason or as a result of the
Trustee’s acceptance or administration of the Trust, its compliance with its
duties set forth in this Agreement, or any written or oral instruction delivered
to the Trustee by Acquiror or ExchangeCo pursuant hereto.
In
no
case shall Acquiror or ExchangeCo be liable under this indemnity for any claim
against any of the Indemnified Parties unless Acquiror and ExchangeCo shall
be
notified by the Trustee of the written assertion of a claim or of any action
commenced against the Indemnified Parties, promptly after any of the Indemnified
Parties shall have received any such written assertion of a claim or shall
have
been served with a summons or other first legal process giving information
as to
the nature and basis of the claim. Subject to (ii) below, Acquiror and
ExchangeCo shall be entitled to participate at their own expense in the defense
and, if Acquiror and ExchangeCo so elect at any time after receipt of such
notice, either of them may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce
any
such claim. The Trustee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in
any
such suit and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the Trustee unless: (i) the employment
of such counsel has been authorized by Acquiror or ExchangeCo; or (ii) the
named
parties to any such suit include both the Trustee and Acquiror or ExchangeCo
and
the Trustee shall have been advised by counsel acceptable to Acquiror or
ExchangeCo that there may be one or more legal defenses available to the Trustee
that are different from or in addition to those available to Acquiror or
ExchangeCo and that, in the judgment of such counsel, would present a conflict
of interest were a joint representation to be undertaken (in which case Acquiror
and ExchangeCo shall not have the right to assume the defense of such suit
on
behalf of the Trustee but shall be liable to pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel for the Trustee). This indemnity shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the
Trustee.
26.
8.2 Limitation
of Liability
The
Trustee shall not be held liable for any loss which may occur by reason of
depreciation of the value of any part of the Trust Estate or any loss incurred
on any investment of funds pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent
that
such loss is attributable to the fraud, gross negligence, recklessness, willful
misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee.
ARTICLE
9
CHANGE
OF TRUSTEE
9.1 Resignation
The
Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving
written notice of such resignation to Acquiror and ExchangeCo specifying the
date on which it desires to resign, provided that such notice shall not be
given
less than 30 days before such desired resignation date unless Acquiror and
ExchangeCo otherwise agree and provided further that such resignation shall
not
take effect until the date of the appointment of a successor trustee and the
acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee. Upon receiving such
notice of resignation, Acquiror and ExchangeCo shall promptly appoint a
successor trustee, which shall be a corporation organized and existing under
the
laws of Canada or any Province thereof, by written instrument in duplicate,
one
copy of which shall be delivered to the resigning trustee and one copy to the
successor trustee. Failing the appointment and acceptance of a successor
trustee, a successor trustee may be appointed by order of a court of competent
jurisdiction upon application of one or more of the parties to this Agreement.
If the retiring trustee is the party initiating an application for the
appointment of a successor trustee by order of a court of competent
jurisdiction, Acquiror and ExchangeCo shall be jointly and severally liable
to
reimburse the retiring trustee for its legal costs and expenses in connection
with same.
9.2 Removal
The
Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may (provided a successor trustee
is appointed) be removed at any time on not less than 30 days’ prior notice by
written instrument executed by Acquiror and ExchangeCo, in duplicate, one copy
of which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one copy to the
successor trustee.
27.
9.3 Successor
Trustee
Any
successor trustee appointed as provided under this Agreement shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Acquiror and ExchangeCo and to its predecessor
trustee an instrument accepting such appointment. Thereupon the resignation
or
removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor
trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor under this
Agreement, with the like effect as if originally named as trustee in this
Agreement. However, on the written request of Acquiror and ExchangeCo or of
the
successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts
then due it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, execute and deliver
an
instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers
of
the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon the request of any such successor trustee,
Acquiror, ExchangeCo and such predecessor trustee shall execute any and all
instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to
such successor trustee all such rights and powers.
9.4 Notice
of Successor Trustee
Upon
acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided herein, Acquiror
and ExchangeCo shall cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee
hereunder to each Beneficiary specified in a List. If Acquiror or ExchangeCo
shall fail to cause such notice to be mailed within ten days after acceptance
of
appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such
notice to be mailed at the expense of Acquiror and ExchangeCo.
ARTICLE
10
ACQUIROR
SUCCESSORS
10.1 Certain
Requirements in Respect of Combination, etc.
Acquiror
shall not consummate any transaction (whether by way of reconstruction,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, transfer, sale, lease or otherwise)
whereby all or substantially all of its undertaking, property and assets would
become the property of any other person or, in the case of a merger, of the
continuing corporation resulting therefrom unless, but may do so if:
(a)
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such
other person or continuing corporation (herein called the “Acquiror Successor”),
by operation of law, becomes, without more, bound by the terms and
provisions of this Agreement or, if not so bound, executes, prior
to or
contemporaneously with the consummation of such transaction, a trust
agreement supplemental hereto and such other instruments (if any)
as are
satisfactory to the Trustee, acting reasonably, and in the opinion
of
legal counsel to the Trustee are reasonably necessary or advisable
to
evidence the assumption by the Acquiror Successor of liability for
all
moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder and the covenant
of such
Acquiror Successor to pay and deliver or cause to be delivered the
same
and its agreement to observe and perform all the covenants and obligations
of Acquiror under this Agreement;
and
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(b)
|
such
transaction shall be upon such terms and conditions as substantially
to
preserve and not to impair in any material respect any of the rights,
duties, powers and authorities of the Trustee or of the Beneficiaries
hereunder.
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28.
10.2 Vesting
of Powers in Successor
Whenever
the conditions of Section 10.1
have
been duly observed and performed, the Trustee, Acquiror Successor and ExchangeCo
shall, if required by Section 10.1,
execute
and deliver the supplemental trust agreement provided for in Article
11
and
thereupon Acquiror Successor shall possess and from time to time may exercise
each and every right and power of Acquiror under this Agreement in the name
of
Acquiror or otherwise and any act or proceeding by any provision of this
Agreement required to be done or performed by the Board of Directors of Acquiror
or any officers of Acquiror may be done and performed with like force and effect
by the directors or officers of such Acquiror Successor.
10.3 Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries
Nothing
herein shall be construed as preventing the amalgamation or merger of any
wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Acquiror with or into Acquiror
or
the winding-up, liquidation or dissolution of any wholly-owned subsidiary of
Acquiror provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary are transferred
to
Acquiror or another wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Acquiror
and
any such transactions are expressly permitted by this Article
10.
10.4 Successor
Transaction
Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Article 10, in the event of an Acquiror Control
Transaction:
(a)
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in
which Acquiror merges or amalgamates with, or in which all or
substantially all of the then outstanding Acquiror Common Shares
are
acquired by, one or more other corporations to which Acquiror is,
immediately before such merger, amalgamation or acquisition, “related’’
within the meaning of the Income
Tax Act
(Canada) (otherwise than by virtue of a right referred to in paragraph
251(5)(b) thereof);
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(b)
|
which
does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in accordance
with paragraph (b) of that definition; and
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(c)
|
in
which all or substantially all of the then outstanding Acquiror Common
Shares are converted into or exchanged for shares or rights to receive
such shares (the “Other
Shares”)
of another corporation (the “Other
Corporation”)
that, immediately after such Acquiror Control Transaction, owns or
controls, directly or indirectly,
Acquiror,
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then:
(i)
all references herein to “Acquiror” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be
references to “Other Corporation’’ and all references herein to “Acquiror
Shares’’ shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references to “Other Shares’’
(with appropriate adjustments, if any, as are required to result in a holder
of
Exchangeable Shares on the exchange, redemption or retraction of such shares
pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or Article 8 of the Plan of
Arrangement or exchange of such shares pursuant to this Agreement immediately
subsequent to the Acquiror Control Transaction being entitled to receive that
number of Other Shares equal to the number of Other Shares such holder of
Exchangeable Shares would have received if the exchange, redemption or
retraction of such shares pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions or
Article 8 of the Plan of Arrangement, or exchange of such shares pursuant to
this Agreement had occurred immediately prior to the Acquiror Control
Transaction and the Acquiror Control Transaction was completed) without any
need
to amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement and without any further
action required; and (ii) Acquiror shall cause the Other Corporation to deposit
one or more voting securities of such Other Corporation to allow Beneficiaries
to exercise voting rights in respect of the Other Corporation substantially
similar to those provided for in this Agreement.
29.
ARTICLE
11
AMENDMENTS
AND SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST AGREEMENTS
11.1 Amendments,
Modifications, etc.
This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing
executed by Acquiror, ExchangeCo and the Trustee and approved by the
Beneficiaries in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions.
11.2 Ministerial
Amendments
Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 11.1,
the
parties to this Agreement may in writing, at any time and from time to time,
without the approval of the Beneficiaries, amend or modify this Agreement for
the purposes of
(a)
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adding
to the covenants of any or all parties hereto for the protection
of the
Beneficiaries hereunder provided that the Board of Directors of each
of
ExchangeCo and Acquiror shall be of the good faith opinion that such
additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the
Beneficiaries;
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(b)
|
making
such amendments or modifications not inconsistent with this Agreement
as
may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions
which,
in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of each of Acquiror
and ExchangeCo and in the opinion of the Trustee, having in mind
the best
interests of the Beneficiaries it may be expedient to make, provided
that
such Boards of Directors and the Trustee, acting on the advice of
counsel,
shall be of the opinion that such amendments and modifications will
not be
prejudicial to the interests of the Beneficiaries;
or
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(c)
|
making
such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to Acquiror,
ExchangeCo and the Trustee, are required for the purpose of curing
or
correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision or clerical
omission or mistake or manifest error, provided that the Trustee,
acting
on the advice of counsel, and the Board of Directors of each of Acquiror
and ExchangeCo shall be of the opinion that such changes or corrections
will not be prejudicial to the rights and interests of the
Beneficiaries.
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30.
11.3 Meeting
to Consider Amendments
ExchangeCo,
at the request of Acquiror, shall call a meeting or meetings of the
Beneficiaries for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or
modification requiring approval pursuant hereto. Any such meeting or meetings
shall be called and held in accordance with the by-laws of ExchangeCo, the
Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable laws; provided that any such
meeting shall only be called for a bona fide business purpose and not for the
principle purpose of causing a Redemption Date (as defined in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions) to occur or transpire.
11.4 Changes
in Capital of Acquiror and ExchangeCo
At
all
times after the occurrence of any event contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.7
or
2.8 of the Support Agreement or otherwise, as a result of which either Acquiror
Common Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way changed, this
Agreement shall forthwith be deemed amended and modified as necessary in order
that it shall apply with full force and effect, mutatis
mutandis,
to all
new securities into which Acquiror Common Shares or the Exchangeable Shares
or
both are so changed.
11.5 Execution
of Supplemental Trust Agreements
No
amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement otherwise permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in
writing and signed by all of the parties hereto. From time to time ExchangeCo,
Acquiror and the Trustee may, subject to the provisions of these presents,
and
they shall, when so directed by these presents, execute and deliver by their
proper officers, trust agreements or other instruments supplemental hereto,
which thereafter shall form part hereof, for any one or more of the following
purposes:
(a)
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evidencing
the succession of Acquiror Successors and the covenants of and obligations
assumed by each such Acquiror Successor in accordance with the provisions
of Article
10
and the successors of any successor trustee in accordance with the
provisions of Article
9;
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(b)
|
making
any additions to, deletions from or alterations of the provisions
of this
Agreement or the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the Automatic
Exchange Rights which, in the opinion of the Trustee, will not be
prejudicial to the interests of the Beneficiaries or are, in the
opinion
of counsel to the Trustee, necessary or advisable in order to incorporate,
reflect or comply with any legislation the provisions of which apply
to
Acquiror, ExchangeCo, the Trustee or this Agreement;
and
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(c)
|
for
any other purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement,
including to make or evidence any amendment or modification to this
Agreement as contemplated hereby, provided that, in the opinion of
the
Trustee, the rights of the Trustee and Beneficiaries will not be
prejudiced thereby.
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31.
ARTICLE
12
TERMINATION
12.1 Term
The
Trust
created by this Agreement shall continue until the earliest to occur of the
following events:
(a)
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no
outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by a
Beneficiary;
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(b)
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each
of Acquiror and ExchangeCo elects in writing to terminate the Trust
and
such termination is approved by the Beneficiaries in accordance with
Section 10.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
and
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(c)
|
21
years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of
His
Majesty King Xxxxxx VI of Canada and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain
and Northern Ireland living on the date of the creation of the
Trust.
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12.2 Survival
of Agreement
This
Agreement shall survive any termination of the Trust and shall continue until
there are no Exchangeable Shares outstanding held by a Beneficiary; provided,
however, that the provisions of Article
7
and
Article
8
shall
survive any such termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
13
GENERAL
13.1 Severability
If
any
term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of
being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon
such
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify
this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely
as
possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated
hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
13.2 Assignment
No
party
hereto may assign this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations
under this Agreement (whether by operation of law or otherwise) except that
ExchangeCo may assign in its sole discretion, any or all of its rights,
interests and obligations hereunder to any wholly-owned subsidiary of
Acquiror.
32.
13.3 Binding
Effect
Subject
to Section 13.2,
this
Agreement and the Arrangement shall be binding upon, enure to the benefit of
and
be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns
and to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.
13.4 Notices
to Parties
All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given when delivered personally, telecopied (which is confirmed) or
dispatched (postage prepaid) to a nationally recognized overnight courier
service with overnight delivery instructions, in each case addressed to the
particular party at:
(a)
|
if
to Acquiror or ExchangeCo, at:
|
Gran
Tierra Energy Inc.
#000,
000 – 00xx
Xxxxxx
X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile
Number: (000)
000-0000
(b)
|
if
to the Trustee, at:
|
Computershare
Trust Company of Canada
#000,
000
– 0xx
Xxxxxx
X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention:
Manager,
Corporate Trusts
Facsimile
Number: (000)
000-0000
or
at
such other address of which any party may, from time to time, advise the other
parties by notice in writing given in accordance with the
foregoing.
13.5 Notice
to Beneficiaries
Any
and
all notices to be given and any documents to be sent to any Beneficiaries may
be
given or sent to the address of such Beneficiary shown on the register of
holders of Exchangeable Shares in any manner permitted by the by-laws of
ExchangeCo from time to time in force in respect of notices to shareholders
and
shall be deemed to be received (if given or sent in such manner) at the time
specified in such by-laws, the provisions of which by-laws shall apply
mutatis
mutandis
to
notices or documents as aforesaid sent to such Beneficiaries.
13.6 Counterparts
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
33.
13.7 Governing
Laws; Consent to Jurisdiction
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
Alberta. Each party hereby irrevocably attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts
of Alberta in respect of all matters arising under or in relation to this
Agreement.
13.8 United
States Tax Characterization
The
parties hereto recognize and intend that, for United States federal, state
and
local income, franchise and similar tax purposes, the Trust will be disregarded
as an entity separate from Acquiror pursuant to Treas. Reg. 301.7701-3(b),
and
no party shall take any position on any tax return or otherwise that is
inconsistent with such treatment.
34.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF
the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date
first above written.
GRAN
TIERRA ENERGY INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Ph.D.
|
|
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
GRAN
TIERRA EXCHANGECO INC.
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
Name: Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Ph.D.
|
|
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
COMPUTERSHARE
TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxx Xxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Professional, Corporate Trust
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Manager, Corporate Trust
|
35.