ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.1
This
Arrangement Agreement
dated
March 13, 2007, between 6732097
Canada Inc.,
(“Purchaser”),
a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
Parent and 180
Connect Inc.,
a
corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Company”).
The
Purchaser and the Parent desire to acquire all of the issued and outstanding
Common Shares of the Company and to assume the obligation to issue common stock
upon exercise of the Company Options, the Company SARs and Company Warrants
(each as defined below) and conversion of the Convertible Debentures (as defined
below), in each case in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
As
a
condition of the willingness of the Company, Parent and Purchaser to enter
into
this Agreement, (i) the holders of shares of the Company set forth in
Schedule A-1 (the “Company
Affiliates”)
hereby
have entered into Voting Agreements dated as of the date hereof in the form
attached hereto as Schedule B-1 (the “Company
Voting Agreements”)
with
Parent, Purchaser and the Company which provide, among other things, that,
subject to the terms and conditions thereof, such shareholders will vote their
Common Shares (as defined below) in favor of this Agreement and the Transactions
(as defined below) and (ii) the holders of shares of Parent set forth in
Schedule A-2 hereby have entered into Voting Agreements dated as of the
date hereof in the form attached hereto as Schedule B-2 (the “Parent
Voting Agreements”
and
together with the Company Voting Agreements, the “Voting
Agreements”)
with
Parent, Purchaser and the Company which provide, among other things, that,
subject to the terms and conditions thereof, such shareholders will vote certain
of their shares of Parent Common Stock (as defined below) in favor of this
Agreement and the Transactions (as defined below).
Now,
Therefore,
intending to be legally bound and in consideration of the mutual provisions
set
forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree
as
follows:
ARTICLE
1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions. For
the
purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements:
“Acquired
Companies”
means,
collectively, the Company and its Subsidiaries, and each an “Acquired
Company.”
“Acquisition
Proposal”
means,
any proposal or offer (written or oral) relating to any Acquisition
Transaction.
“Acquisition
Transaction”
means
any merger, consolidation, combination, amalgamation, take-over bid, tender
offer, arrangement, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, share exchange,
acquisition, disposition or other transaction involving the Company or any
of
its Subsidiaries or any securities or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a person,
entity or group acquiring 10% or more of any class of the capital stock of
the
Company or 1% or more of any class of the capital stock of any of its
Subsidiaries; (ii) any sale, lease, license, disposition or acquisition of
assets (or other transaction having the same economic effect) representing
10%
or more of the assets or generating 10% or more of the revenue of the Acquired
Companies taken as a whole; or (iii) the issuance or disposition of 10% or
more
of any class of capital stock of the Company or 1% or more of any class of
the
capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries.
1.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to a specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under
common control with, the specified Person. In addition to the foregoing, if
the
specified Person is an individual, the term “Affiliate” also
includes:
(a) the
individual’s spouse;
(b) the
members of the immediate family (including parents, siblings and children)
of
the individual or of the individual’s spouse residing at the same principal
residence as the specified Person; and
(c) any
corporation, limited liability company, general or limited partnership, trust,
association or other business or investment entity that directly or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common
control with any of the foregoing individuals.
For
purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the terms
“controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the
possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction
of
the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement”
means
this Arrangement Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Ancillary
Agreements”
means
the Voting Agreements, the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement, the Voting
and
Exchange Trust Agreement and any other agreements entered into in connection
herewith.
“Arrangement”
means
an arrangement under Section 192 of the CBCA 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 Section 8.3 or Article 6 of the
Plan
of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Final
Order.
“Arrangement
Resolution”
means
the special resolution of the Company Securities Holders approving the
Arrangement to be considered at the Company Meeting substantially in the form
of
Schedule C to this Agreement.
“Articles
of Arrangement”
means
the articles of arrangement of the Company in respect of the Arrangement,
required by the CBCA to be sent to the Director after the Final Order has been
granted, giving effect to the Arrangement.
“Balance
Sheet”
is
defined in Section 3.5(a).
2.
“Business”
means
the business of providing installation, integration and fulfillment services
to
the home entertainment, communications and home integration service industries
as currently conducted by the Acquired Companies.
“Business
Day”
means
a
day of the year in which banks are not required or authorized to be closed
in
the City of Calgary, Alberta or the City of New York, New York.
“Canadian
GAAP”
is
defined in Section 3.5(b).
“Canadian Securities
Act”
means
the Securities
Act
(Alberta) and the equivalent legislation in the other provinces of Canada and
the rules, regulations and published policies made thereunder, as now in effect
and as they may be promulgated or amended from time to time prior to the
Effective Time.
“Canadian
Tax Act”
means
the Income
Tax Act
(Canada)
and the regulations thereunder, as now in effect and as they may be amended
or
promulgated from time to time prior to the Effective Time.
“Canco”
means
1305699 Alberta ULC, an unlimited liability company existing under the laws
of
Alberta and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or any other direct
or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary designated by Parent from time to time in
replacement thereof.
“CBCA”
means
the Canada
Business Corporations Act
and the
regulations made thereunder, as promulgated or amended from time to time prior
to the Effective Time.
“Circular”
means
the notice of the Company Meeting and accompanying management information
circular of the Company, including all appendices thereto, to be sent to Company
Securities Holders in connection with the Company Meeting.
“Closing”
is
defined in Section 2.4.
“Closing
Date”
is
defined in Section 2.4.
“Code”
means
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common
Shares”
means
common shares in the capital of the Company.
“Common
Shares Outstanding”
means
the aggregate number of Common Shares issued and outstanding on the Closing
Date.
“Company
Affiliates”
is
defined in the Recitals.
“Company
Contract”
means
any Contract to which any Acquired Company is a party or by which any Acquired
Company is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets is
subject.
“Company
Disclosure Schedule”
means
the disclosure letter delivered pursuant to Article 3 by the Company to Parent
and Purchaser concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
in
each case referencing the section or subsection of this Agreement in respect
of
which disclosure is being made.
“Company
Documents”
is
defined in Section 3.5(c).
“Company Financial
Advisor”
is
defined in Section 3.2(a).
3.
“Company
IP”
means
the Owned IP and the Licensed IP.
“Company
Material Adverse Effect”
means
any change, event, effect, claim, circumstance or matter relating to any of
the
Acquired Companies that (considered together with all other changes, effects,
claims, circumstances or matters) has materially and adversely affected, or
would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect: (i) the
business, financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities or results of
operations of the Acquired Companies taken as a whole, (ii) Purchaser’s right to
own, or to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to, the stock
of the Company or to operate the Acquired Companies’ businesses (other than
restrictions imposed by the Plan of Arrangement or the Ancillary Agreements),
in
each case, after completion of the Transactions as contemplated by this
Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, or (iii) the ability of the Company
to consummate the Transactions or to perform any of its obligations under this
Agreement; provided,
however,
that
none of the following (either by themselves or when aggregated with any other
changes, events, effects, claims, circumstances or matters) shall be deemed
to
constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect, or shall be taken into account
when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or
may
occur: (A) conditions generally affecting the cable and satellite installation,
home security and home networking industries in which the Acquired Companies
participate (including any changes arising out of acts of terrorism, military
actions or war, weather conditions or other force majeure events), provided
that
such change or event does not have a materially disproportionate impact on
the
Acquired Companies, taken as a whole; (B) conditions generally affecting the
general economy as a whole (including any changes arising out of acts of
terrorism, military actions or war, weather conditions or other force majeure
events), provided that such change or event does not have a materially
disproportionate impact on the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole; (C) the
taking by the Company of any action required to be taken by the Company by
this
Agreement; (D) the announcement of, and the pendency of, the Agreement and
the
Transactions; (E) a decline in the price of capital stock of the Company in
and of itself; (F) any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection
with
the Transactions, (G) any change in Laws or accounting principles or
interpretation thereof applicable to the Acquired Companies, or (H) any matter
that has been disclosed to Parent by any of the methods specified in clause
(x),
(y) or (z) of the first paragraph of Article 3 hereof, provided that the
magnitude of such matter is reasonably apparent from such disclosures as of
the
date hereof.
“Company
Meeting”
means
the annual meeting of the Common Shareholders and the special meeting of the
Company Securities Holders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof,
to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order to consider, and
if
thought fit, approve among other things the Arrangement Resolution.
“Company
Optionholders”
means
the holders of the Company Options.
“Company
Options”
means
all options to purchase Common Shares granted under the Company Stock
Plans.
“Company
Plan”
means
all health, welfare, dental, legal, disability, hospitalization or other medical
benefits, life or other insurance, supplemental unemployment benefits,
profit-sharing, pension, or retirement plan, program, agreement or arrangement,
and each other employee benefit plan, program, policy, practice, agreement
or
arrangement, (whether oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded,
insured or self-insured, registered or unregistered, contractual or statutory)
sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by
the
Acquired Companies or to which an Acquired Company is a party or by which an
Acquired Company is bound or which have any application to or are for the
benefit of any of any Acquired Company’s current or former employees, directors
or consultants including, without limitation, any employee benefit plan for
the
benefit of any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant
of
any Acquired Company, or with respect to which any Acquired Company has or
may
have any Liability, including any Pension Plan, any Multiemployer Plan and
any
other written or oral plan, Contract or arrangement involving direct or indirect
compensation or benefits, including insurance coverage, termination notice,
severance or other termination pay or benefits, change in control, retention,
performance, holiday pay, vacation pay, fringe benefits, disability benefits,
pension, retirement plans, profit sharing, deferred compensation, bonuses,
incentive compensation, stock options, share purchase, restricted share or
share
units, phantom shares, share appreciation or other forms of incentive
compensation or post-retirement compensation, maintained or contributed to
by
any Acquired Company (or that has been maintained or contributed to in the
last
six years by any Acquired Company) for the benefit of any current or former
director, officer, employee or consultant of any Acquired Company, or with
respect to which any Acquired Company has or may have any
Liability.
4.
“Company
SARs”
means
share appreciation rights granted under the Company Stock Plans.
“Company
SAR Holders”
means
the holders of Company SARs.
“Company
Securities Holders”
means
the Company Shareholders and the Company Optionholders.
“Company
Shareholders”
means
the holder of record of Common Shares.
“Company
Stock Plans”
means
the Company’s stock option plan or any other stock option, share appreciation
rights or equity related plan, program or agreement maintained by the Company
or
to which the Company is a party.
“Company
Warrants”
means
all issued and outstanding warrants to purchase Common Shares.
“Competition
Act”
means
the Competition
Act
(Canada).
“Confidential
Information”
is
defined in the Confidentiality Agreement.
“Confidentiality
Agreement”
is
defined in Section 5.9.
“Contract”
means
any contract, agreement, lease, license, commitment, understanding, franchise,
warranty, guaranty, mortgage, note, bond, option, warrant, right or other
instrument or consensual obligation, whether written or oral.
“Convertible
Debentures”
means
the Company’s 9.33% Convertible Debentures due March 22, 2011 issued
pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 21, 2006 (the
“Securities
Purchase Agreement”).
“Court”
means
the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta.
“CRA”
means
Canada Revenue Agency.
“Depositary”
means
Valiant Trust Company, or such other Person as is appointed to act as depositary
for the purposes of the Arrangement selected by the Company, acting
reasonably.
“Director”
means
the Director appointed pursuant to Section 260 of the CBCA.
“Dissent
Rights”
means
the rights of dissent in respect of the Arrangement described in
Section 3.1 of the Plan of Arrangement.
5.
“Dissenting
Shareholder”
means
a
Company Shareholder who dissents in respect of the Arrangement in compliance
with the Dissent Rights.
“Effective
Time”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Plan of Arrangement.
“Encumbrance”
means
any charge, claim, mortgage, servitude, easement, right of way, community or
other marital property interest, covenant, equitable interest, license, lease
or
other possessory interest, lien, option, pledge, security interest, preference,
priority, right of first refusal, restriction (other than any restriction on
transferability imposed by federal, provincial or state securities Laws) or
other encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether absolute or
contingent).
“Environment”
means
the natural environment (including, soil, land surface or subsurface strata,
surface waters, groundwater, sediment, ambient air (including all layers of
the
atmosphere), organic and inorganic matter, and any other environmental medium
or
natural resource.
“Environmental
Laws”
means
all applicable Laws relating to public health and safety, pollution or the
protection of the Environment or to the generation, production, installation,
use, storage, treatment, transportation, Release or threatened Release of
Hazardous Materials, and all applicable Governmental Authorizations issued
pursuant to such Laws.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange
Ratio”
shall
initially mean 0.6272, subject to adjustment pursuant to the formula set forth
on Exhibit A.
“Exchangeable
Shares”
means
the
exchangeable shares to be created in the capital of the Purchaser prior to
the
Effective Time, having substantially the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions set out in Appendix 1 of the Plan of Arrangement.
“Fairness
Opinion”
means:
(a) with
respect to the Company, a written opinion of the Company Financial Advisor
to
the Board of Directors of the Company that, as of the date of such opinion,
the
consideration to be received by the Company Shareholders under the Arrangement
is fair from a financial point of view, to the Company Shareholders;
and
(b) with
respect to Parent, a written opinion of the Parent Financial Advisor to the
Board of Directors of the Company that, as of the date of such opinion, the
Transaction is fair from a financial point of view, to the Parent
Stockholders.
“Final
Order”
means
the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement, as such order may be
amended or varied at any time prior to the Effective Time or, if appealed,
then
unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or as amended on
appeal.
“Financial
Statements”
is
defined in Section 3.5(a).
“Governmental
Authority”
means:
(a) any
multinational, federal, provincial, state, regional, municipal, local or other
government, governmental or public department, ministry, central bank, court,
tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, bureau or agency, domestic or
foreign;
6.
(b) any
subdivision, agent or authority of any of the foregoing; or
(c) any
quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission,
regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any regulatory,
expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the
foregoing.
“Governmental
Authorization”
means
any approval, consent, ratification, waiver, license, permit, registration
or
other authorization issued, granted, given or otherwise made available by or
under the authority of any Governmental Authority or pursuant to any
Law.
“Hazardous
Material”
means
any substance or material that is prohibited, controlled or regulated by any
Governmental Authority pursuant to Environmental Laws, including pollutants,
contaminants, dangerous goods or substances, toxic, deleterious or hazardous
substances or materials, wastes (including solid non hazardous wastes and
subject wastes), petroleum and its derivatives and by products and other
hydrocarbons, all as regulated under, governed by or defined in or pursuant
to
any Environmental Law.
“HSR
Act”
is
defined in Section 3.3(b).
“Intellectual
Property Rights”
means:
(a)
|
any
and all proprietary rights, in any jurisdiction worldwide, provided
under:
|
(i)
|
patent
law;
|
(ii)
|
copyright
law;
|
(iii)
|
trademark
law;
|
(iv)
|
design
patent or industrial design law;
|
(v)
|
semiconductor
chip or mask work law; or
|
(vi)
|
any
other applicable statutory provision or common law principle, including
trade secret law, that may provide a right in ideas, formulae, algorithms,
concepts, inventions (whether patentable or not), works, or know-how,
or
the expression or use thereof, and including all past, present, and
future
causes of action, rights of recovery, and claims for damage, accounting
for profits, royalties, or other relief relating, referring, or pertaining
to any of the foregoing; and
|
(b) any
and
all applications, registrations, renewals, extensions, continuations, divisions,
reissues, licenses, sublicenses, agreements, or any other evidence of a right
in
any of the foregoing.
“Interim
Order”
means
the interim order of the Court, as the same may be amended in respect of the
Arrangement, as contemplated by Section 2.2.
“Investment
Canada Act”
means
the Investment Canada Act.
“Judgment”
means
any order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, assessment or arbitration
award
of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.
7.
“Knowledge”
means,
when used in reference to any Person, the actual knowledge of any of the
directors or executive officers of such Person and after a reasonable
investigation by such individuals.
“Laws”
means
all laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations,
principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgments,
injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees or other requirements, whether
domestic or foreign, in effect as of the date in question, and the terms and
conditions of any grant of approval, permission, authority or license of any
Governmental Authority or self-regulatory authority (including the TSX), and
the
term “applicable”
with
respect to such Laws (including Environmental Laws) and in a context that refers
to one or more Parties, means such Laws as are applicable to such Party or
its
business, undertaking, property or securities and emanate from a Person having
jurisdiction over the Party or Parties or its or their business, undertaking,
property or securities.
“Liability”
includes liabilities, debts or other obligations of any nature, whether known
or
unknown, absolute, accrued, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated or otherwise,
due or to become due or otherwise, and whether or not required to be reflected
on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the case of Parent,
or in accordance with Canadian GAAP in the case of the Acquired Companies or
Purchaser.
“Licensed
IP”
means
all Technology and Intellectual Property Rights therein, other than Owned IP,
that are either used in the Business or licensed to the Acquired Companies,
including the rights to use, practice, make, repair, cure, modify, market,
distribute, transfer, assign, sell, and support such Technology.
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means
a
plan (i) to which more than one employer is required to contribute, and (ii)
which is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining or other
agreements between one or more employee organizations and more than one
employer.
“Organizational
Documents”
means,
with respect to any Person that is an entity, such Person’s certificate or
articles of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of formation, operating agreement
or comparable charter and organizational documents.
“Original
Significant Canadian Shareholder”
is
defined in Section 7.12(b).
“Original
Significant Exchangeable Shareholder”
is
defined in Section 7.12(a).
“Owned
IP”
means
all Technology, together with all Intellectual Property Rights therein, (i)
created by or on behalf of the Acquired Companies; or (ii) in which any Acquired
Company purports to have an ownership or exclusive interest of any nature
(whether exclusively, jointly with another Person, or otherwise).
“Parent
Common Stock”
means
Parent’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
“Parent
Contract”
means
any Contract to which Parent or Purchaser is a party or by which Parent or
Purchaser is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets
is
subject.
“Parent
Disclosure Schedule”
means
the disclosure letter delivered pursuant to Article 4 by the Parent to the
Company concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement in each
case referencing the section or subsection of this Agreement in respect of
which
disclosure is being made.
“Parent
Financial Advisor”
is
defined in Section 4.2.
8.
“Parent
IPO Shares”
means
the Parent Common Stock issued in connection with Parent’s initial public
offering consummated on August 31, 2005.
“Parent
Material Adverse Effect”
means
any change, event, effect, claim, circumstance or matter relating to Parent
that
(considered together with all other changes, effects, claims, circumstances
or
matters) has materially and adversely affected, or would reasonably be expected
to materially and adversely affect: (i) the business, financial condition,
properties, assets or liabilities of Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (ii) the ability of Parent to consummate the Transactions or to
perform its obligations under this Agreement or (iii) Parent’s right to
own, or to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to, the stock
of the Company (other than restrictions imposed by the Plan of Arrangement
or
the Ancillary Agreements) or the Company Shareholders’ right to own, or to
receive dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock,
in
each case, after completion of the Transactions as contemplated by this
Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement; provided,
however,
that
none of the following, either individually or in the aggregate shall be deemed
to constitute, or shall be taken into account when determining whether a Parent
Material Adverse Effect has occurred or may occur: (A) conditions generally
affecting the general economy as a whole (including any changes arising out
of
acts of terrorism, military actions or war, weather conditions or other force
majeure events), provided that such change or event does not have a materially
disproportionate impact on the Parent, taken as a whole; (B) the taking by
the Parent of any action required to be taken by the Parent by this Agreement;
(C) the announcement of, and the pendency of, the Agreement and the
Transactions; (D) a decline in the price of the units, capital stock or
warrants of the Parent in and of itself; (E) any reasonable fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Transactions, (F) any change in Laws or
accounting principles or interpretation thereof applicable to the Parent or
(G)
the exercise by holders of less than 20% in interest of the Parent IPO Shares
of
their rights to convert such shares into cash in accordance with Parent’s
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
“Parent
Meeting”
means
the special and annual meeting of Parent Stockholders, including any adjournment
or postponement thereof, to be called and held to consider the Parent
Stockholder Approval Matters and, in the case of an annual meeting, such other
matters as Parent deems appropriate for such meeting.
“Parent
SEC Reports”
is
defined in Section 4.5(c).
“Parent
Stockholders”
means
the holders of Parent Common Stock.
“Parent
Stockholder Approval Matters”
means
the following matters: (a) the adoption of this Agreement and the approval
of
the Arrangement, Plan of Arrangement and the Share Issuance, (b) an amendment
and restatement of Parent’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
substantially in the form of Schedule N pursuant to which, among other things,
(i) Parent’s name will be changed to 180 Connect Inc., (ii) certain provisions
of Article Fifth of the certificate of incorporation that are no longer
applicable following the Arrangement will be removed and (iii) the authorized
capital stock of Parent will be increased, (c) election of Parent directors
in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.14 hereof and (d) the adoption
and
approval of a long-term incentive plan, pursuant to which up to 2,000,000 shares
of Parent Common Stock will be available for delivery under awards of options,
share appreciation rights and/or restricted stock granted pursuant to the plan
(such plan to be in a form proposed by the Company and reasonably acceptable
to
Parent).
“Parties”
means
the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Purchaser, on the other hand,
and
“Party”
means
either of them.
9.
“Pension
Plan”
means
all plans, arrangements, agreements, programs, policies or practices (whether
oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or
self-insured, registered or unregistered) to which an Acquired Company is a
party or by which an Acquired Company is bound or under which an Acquired
Company has any liability or contingent liability or which have any application
to an Acquired Company’s employees (including all current, retired and former
directors, officers, employees, individuals working on contract with the
Acquired Corporation or other individuals providing services to the Acquired
Corporation of a kind normally provided by employees) or their dependants or
beneficiaries and consisting of or relating to, as the case may be, any one
or
more retirement savings or pensions, including any defined benefit pension
plan,
defined contribution pension plan, group registered retirement savings plan,
or
supplemental pension or retirement plan.
“Person”
means
any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture,
estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company, unlimited
liability company or joint stock company), firm, enterprise, association,
organization or any other entity, including a Governmental
Authority.
“Plan
of Arrangement”
means
the plan of arrangement, substantially in the form of Schedule D hereto and
any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with Section 8.3
hereof or Article 6
of the
Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Final
Order.
“Post-Signing
Returns”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 9.1(a).
“Proceeding”
means
any action, arbitration, claim, charge, audit, examination, investigation,
hearing, litigation or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial
or investigative, whether formal or informal, and whether public or private)
commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving,
any
Governmental Authority or arbitrator.
“Prospectus”
means
the prospectus contained in the Proxy and Registration Statement.
“Proxy
and Registration Statement”
means
Parent’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, and all amendments and
supplements thereto, to be filed with the SEC containing a proxy statement
meeting the requirements of Schedule 14A for the Parent Meeting and a prospectus
relating to the Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan of
Arrangement.
“Proxy
Statement”
means
the proxy statement contained in the Proxy and Registration
Statement.
“Registered
Owned IP”
is
defined in Section 3.10.
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
means
the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, substantially in the
form of Schedule M hereto, to be entered into at the Closing among the
Parent, certain stockholders of the Parent (the “Initial
Parent Stockholders”)
and
the Company Affiliates.
“Regulatory
Approvals”
means
those sanctions, rulings, consents, orders, exemptions, permits, Governmental
Authorizations and other approvals (including the lapse, without objection,
of a
prescribed time under a statute or regulation that states that a transaction
may
be implemented if a prescribed time lapses following the giving of notice
without an objection being made) of Governmental Authorities required to
consummate the Plan of Arrangement and the transactions contemplated hereby
and
thereby, including those set forth in Schedule E hereto.
“Release”
has
the
meaning prescribed in any Environmental Law and includes any sudden,
intermittent or gradual release, spill, leak, pumping, addition, pouring,
emission, emptying, discharge, migration, injection, escape, leaching, disposal,
dumping, deposit, spraying, burial, abandonment, incineration, seepage,
placement or introduction of a Hazardous Material, whether accidental or
intentional, into the environment.
10.
“Representatives”
means
with respect to Parent or the Company, as applicable, such party’s directors,
officers, agents, consultants, advisors and other representatives.
“Required
Company Vote”
is
defined in Section 2.2(b).
“Required
Parent Vote”
means,
in respect of clause (a) of the definition of Parent Stockholder Approval
Matters, (a) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
of
Parent IPO Shares voting at the Parent Meeting on such matter and (b) holders
of
less than 20% in interest of the Parent IPO Shares both vote against the
Arrangement and demand that Parent convert such shares into cash.
“Response
Period”
is
defined in Section 7.2(a)(ii).
“SAR
Exchange Agreements”
is
defined in Section 5.16(b).
“SEC”
means
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Laws”
means
the Canadian Securities Act, U.S. Securities Act, all other applicable
provincial and United States federal and state securities laws, rules and
regulations and published policies thereunder.
“Section
280G”
is
defined in Section 3.14(g).
“Share
Issuance”
means
the issuance of Parent Common Stock in accordance with the Plan of
Arrangement.
“Software”
means
any computer program, operating system, applications system, firmware, software
or rights thereto of any nature, whether operational, under development or
inactive, including all object code, source code, program files, data files,
computer related data, field and data definitions and relationships, data
definition specifications, data models, databases, program and system logic,
interfaces, program modules, routines, sub-routines, algorithms, program
architecture, design concepts, system designs, program structure, sequence
and
organization, screen displays and report layouts, technical manuals, user
manuals and other documentation, whether in machine-readable form, programming
language or any other language or symbols, and whether stored, encoded, recorded
or written on disk, tape, film, memory, device, paper or other media of any
nature.
“Source
Code”
means
the human-readable form of a computer instruction, including related system
documentation, applicable comments and procedural codes such as job
control.
“Source
Materials”
means,
in relation to items of Software, supporting materials that would enable a
reasonably skilled programmer to compile, debug and support and/or make
improvements to such Software in a commercially reasonable manner
including:
(a) any
Source Code related thereto, reasonably annotated;
(b) technical
and system documentation including detailed design, functional, operational,
and
technical documentation, flow charts, diagrams, file layouts, report layouts,
screen layouts, business rules, data and database models and structures, working
papers and reasonably related notes and memoranda in electronic or written
format, which were made or obtained in relation to the design and development
of
such Software and compilation instructions related to such
Software;
11.
(c) listing
by name, version and vendor of relevant third Persons’ compilers, utilities and
other Software that are necessary for normal operation of such Software to
which
the Source Materials related including sufficient information to procure a
license from such vendors;
(d) a
reasonably detailed listing of relevant equipment and information necessary
for
normal operation of such Software; and
(e) all
other
information reasonably necessary to rebuild, install, and otherwise implement
the Software in the context of the applicable system(s) including, without
limitation, all relevant tools, programs, files, encryptions keys, make files,
installation instructions, systems settings, and database settings.
“Subsidiary”
means,
with respect to a specified Person, any corporation or other Person of which
securities or other interests having the power to elect a majority of that
corporation’s or other Person’s board of directors or similar governing body, or
otherwise having the power to direct the business and policies of that
corporation or other Person (other than securities or other interests having
such power only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred)
are
held by the specified Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries. When used
in
this Agreement without reference to a particular Person, “Subsidiary” means a
Subsidiary of the Company.
“Superior
Proposal”
shall
mean any unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that (i) relates
to
not less than 50.01% of outstanding Common Shares or 50.01% of the assets of
the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and (ii) which the Board of
Directors of the Company determines, in its good faith judgment, after receiving
the advice of the Company Financial Advisor and after taking into account all
the terms and conditions of the Acquisition Proposal, is on terms and conditions
more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company Shareholders than
those contemplated by this Agreement (including any alterations to this
Agreement agreed to in writing by Parent in response thereto in accordance
with
Section 7.2).
“Support
Agreement”
means
an agreement to be made between Parent and Purchaser substantially in the form
of Schedule K hereto, with such changes thereto as the parties hereto may
agree.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes”
means:
(a) any
federal, provincial, state, local, foreign and other tax, charge, fee, duty
(including customs duty), levy or assessment, including any income, gross
receipts, net proceeds, alternative or add-on minimum, corporation, ad valorem,
turnover, real and personal property (tangible and intangible), sales, goods
and
services, alternative or add-on minimum taxes, use, franchise, excise, value
added, stamp, leasing, lease, user, transfer, fuel, excess profits, profits,
escheat, occupational, premium, interest equalization, windfall profits,
severance, license, registration, payroll, environmental (including taxes under
Section 59A of the Code), share capital, capital duty, disability, estimated,
gains, wealth, welfare, withholding tax (including any withholding for
employee’s income tax and other payroll deductions, and deductions and
withholdings of tax from payments to non-residents and other third parties),
Canada or Quebec Pension Plan premiums, workers compensation premiums,
employment insurance, unemployment and social security or other tax of whatever
kind (including any fee, assessment and other charges in the nature of or in
lieu of any tax) that is imposed by any Governmental Authority;
12.
(b) any
interest, fines, penalties or additions resulting from, attributable to, or
incurred in connection with any items described in this paragraph or any related
contest or dispute; and
(c) any
items
described in this paragraph that are attributable to another Person but that
any
Acquired Company is liable to pay by Law, by Contract or otherwise, whether
or
not disputed.
“Tax
Return”
means
any report, return, declaration, election, designation, claim for refund, or
information return or statement related to Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
“Technology”
means
technology and information of whatever nature or kind, in all cases whether
or
not subject to any Intellectual Property Rights and whether or not fixed in
any
medium or reduced to practice, including without limitation:
(a) Software,
Source Code and Source Materials;
(b) business
names, trade names, domain names, trading styles, logos, trade secrets,
industrial designs and copyrights;
(c) inventions
(whether patentable or not), formulae, product formulations, processes and
processing methods, technology and techniques;
(d) know-how,
trade secrets, business processes, research and technical data; and
(e) software,
studies, findings, algorithms, customer databases, instructions, guides, manuals
and designs.
“Termination
Fee”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.3.
“Transactions”
means
collectively, this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Arrangement and
the
transactions contemplated thereby.
“Transaction
Expenses”
shall
be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 and means, with respect to each
party, the sum of:
(a) the
accounting, advisory, legal, and other third party fees and expenses in
connection with the Transactions, including, but not limited to, advisory fees,
legal fees, audit fees and printing expenses; and
(b) in
the
case of the Company, the amounts payable under any change of control agreements
or arrangements, or any other similar compensation paid by Parent or the
Acquired Company or required to be assumed by the Acquired Company or the Parent
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the amounts set forth in Section 3.14(f) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule;
provided,
however,
that
(A) expenses incurred by the Company pursuant to Section 7.4(b)(i) shall not
be
counted as Transaction Expenses of the Company and shall be counted as
transaction expenses of Parent, (B) expenses incurred by the Company pursuant
to
Sections 7.4(b)(ii) and (iii), and expenses incurred by either the Company
or
the Parent from the engagement of an investor relations firm shall not be
counted as Transaction Expenses of either Parent or the Company and (C) all
expenses incurred by either the Company or Parent in procuring the consent
to
the Transactions from parties to Company Contracts (including Laurus Master
Fund, Ltd. and the holders of the Company’s Convertible Debentures) shall be
counted as transaction expenses of the Company; and provided
further,
however,
that
the foregoing shall not create an obligation on the Company to make any such
payment or to obtain such consents (other than as specifically set forth in
Sections 2.8(a)(ii)(5) and 5.5(b) of this Agreement). For clarification, the
Deferred Underwriting Fees (as defined below) shall not be Transaction Expenses.
13.
“Trustee”
means
Valiant Trust Company or any successor trustee appointed under the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement.
“TSX”
means
the Toronto Stock Exchange.
“Unaudited
Statements”
is
defined in Section 5.10.
“U.S.
GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United
States, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
“U.S.
Securities Act”
means
the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Voting
Agreements”
are
defined in the Recitals.
“Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement”
means
an agreement to be made between Parent, Purchaser and the Trustee, substantially
in the form of Schedule L hereto, with such changes thereto as the parties
hereto may agree (and consented to by the Trustee).
“WARN
Act”
shall
mean the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C.
Section 2101 et
seq.
(1988),
as amended, and any similar Law under state, provincial, or local
law.
1.2 Construction.
Any
reference in this Agreement to an “Article,” “Section,” “Exhibit” or “Schedule”
refers to the corresponding Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule of or to
this
Agreement, unless the context indicates otherwise. The table of contents and
the
headings of Articles and Sections are provided for convenience only and are
not
intended to affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. All
words used in this Agreement should be construed to be of such gender or number
as the circumstances require. Each reference to “Dollars” or “$” in this
Agreement refers to the lawful currency of the United States of America. The
term “including” means “including without limitation” and is intended by way of
example and not limitation. Any reference to a statute refers to the statute,
any amendments or successor legislation, and all regulations promulgated under
or implementing the statute, as in effect at the relevant time. Any reference
to
a Contract or other document as of a given date means the Contract or other
document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time through such
date. References to any document being “made available” by the Company to Parent
shall mean any of the following: (i) physical delivery to Parent or its
authorized representatives, (ii) inclusion of such document in the Company’s
public filings available at xxx.xxxxx.xxx (to the extent such document is
available to be downloaded from such site) and (iii) deposit on or before March
6, 2007 in the electronic data room hosted by IntraLinks, Inc. References to
any
document being “made available” by Parent to the Company shall mean each of the
following: (i) physical delivery to Parent or its authorized representatives
and
(ii) inclusion of such document in the Company’s public filings available at
xxx.xxx.xxx (to the extent such document is available to be downloaded from
such
site).
14.
ARTICLE
2
THE
ACQUISITION
2.1 Implementation
Steps by the Company. The
Company covenants in favor of Parent and Purchaser that the Company
shall:
(a) subject
to the terms of this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable, apply in
a
manner reasonably acceptable to Parent under Section 192 of the CBCA for the
Interim Order and thereafter proceed with and diligently seek the Interim
Order;
(b) subject
to terms of this Agreement and in accordance with the Interim Order, as soon
as
reasonably practicable, convene and hold the Company Meeting for the purpose
of
considering, among other things, the Arrangement Resolution;
(c) subject
to Section 7.2(a)(ii),
not
postpone or adjourn (other than a postponement or adjournment not exceeding
five
Business Days required to obtain the Required Company Vote) or cancel the
Company Meeting without Parent’s prior written consent except as required for
quorum purposes, to comply with requirements of applicable Law or by the
Court;
(d) use
commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from the Company Shareholders and
Company Optionholders proxies in favor of the approval of the Arrangement
Resolution, provided that the Company shall not be required to engage a proxy
solicitation agent in connection therewith;
(e) subject
to compliance with fiduciary duties and obtaining such approvals as are required
by the Interim Order, proceed with and diligently pursue the application to
the
Court for the Final Order; and
(f) subject
to obtaining the Final Order and satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in Section 6.2, and in accordance with Section 2.4,
send to
the Director, for endorsement and filing by the Director, the Articles of
Arrangement and such other documents as may be required in connection therewith
under the CBCA to give effect to the Arrangement.
2.2 Interim
Order. The
notice of petition for the application referred to in Section 2.1(a)
shall
request that the Interim Order provide:
(a) for
the
class of Persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect of the Arrangement
and the Company Meeting and for the manner in which such notice is to be
provided;
(b) that,
subject to the approval of the Court, the requisite approval for the Arrangement
Resolution shall be 66⅔% of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by
Company Shareholders and Company Optionholders voting together as a single
class, present in person or by proxy at the Company Meeting other than votes
required by applicable Laws to be excluded, provided that at least a simple
majority of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Company Shareholders
present in person or by proxy at the Company Meeting other than votes required
by applicable Laws to be excluded are in favor of the Arrangement Resolution
(such approval described in this Section 2.2(b),
the
“Required
Company Vote”);
(c) that
the
terms, restrictions and conditions of the by-laws and articles of the Company,
including quorum requirements and all other matters, shall apply in respect
of
the Company Meeting;
(d) for
the
grant of the Dissent Rights; and
(e) for
the
notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to
the
Court for a Final Order.
2.3 Implementation
Steps by Parent. Parent
covenants in favor of the Company that Parent shall:
(a) subject
to the terms of this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable, prepare
and
file with the SEC the Proxy and Registration Statement;
(b) respond
as promptly as reasonably practicable to comments from the staff of the SEC,
use
its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy and Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the SEC and to keep the Proxy and
Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the
Transactions;
(c) as
soon
as reasonably practicable after obtaining clearance from the SEC and subject
to
compliance with applicable Law and its Organizational Documents, mail the Proxy
Statement to the Parent Stockholders and convene and hold the Parent Meeting
for
the purpose of considering the Parent Stockholder Approval Matters;
15.
(d) not
postpone or adjourn (other than a postponement or adjournment required to obtain
the Required Parent Vote) or cancel the Parent Meeting without the Company’s
prior written consent except as required for quorum purposes, to comply with
the
requirements of applicable Law; and
(e) use
commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from the Parent Stockholders proxies
in favor of the Parent Stockholder Approval Matters.
2.4 Articles
of Arrangement; Closing. The
Articles of Arrangement shall implement the Plan of Arrangement. On the second
Business Day after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable Laws)
of
the conditions (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied
until the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction or, where permitted,
waiver of those conditions as of the Closing Date) set forth in Article 4,
and
unless another time or date is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto (the
“Closing
Date”),
the
Articles of Arrangement shall be filed with the Director. At the Effective
Time,
the Arrangement will be completed in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement.
The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Arrangement
will
take place in Calgary, Alberta at the offices of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx llp
on the
Closing Date (the “Closing”).
2.5 Circular.
Subject
to compliance with Section 2.6,
as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Company shall set and give notice of the record date for the
Company Meeting as required under the Articles of the Company, complete the
Circular together with any other documents required by the CBCA, Securities
Laws
or other applicable Laws in connection with the Company Meeting required to
be
prepared by the Company, and as promptly as is reasonably practicable after
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall, unless otherwise
agreed by the Parties, cause the Circular and other documentation required
in
connection with the Company Meeting to be sent to Company Securities Holders
and
filed as required by the Interim Order and applicable Laws. The Circular shall
include the recommendation of the Company’ Board of Directors that Company
Securities Holders vote in favor of the Arrangement Resolution unless such
recommendation has been withdrawn, modified or amended in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company
shall take all lawful action to solicit votes in favor of the Agreement
Resolution, provided that the Company shall not be required to engage a proxy
solicitation agent in connection therewith.
16.
2.6 Preparation
of Filings
(a) Parent
and the Company shall co-operate in the preparation of any application for
the
Regulatory Approvals and any other orders, registrations, consents, filings,
rulings, exemptions, no-action letters and approvals and the preparation of
any
documents reasonably deemed by either of the Parties to be necessary to
discharge its respective obligations or otherwise advisable under applicable
Laws in connection with the Arrangement and this Agreement as promptly as
practicable hereafter, including but not limited to any orders required from
the
applicable Governmental Authorities to permit the issuance and first resale
of
the Exchangeable Shares and the Parent Shares pursuant to the Arrangement and
the issuance and first trade of the Parent Shares to be issued from time to
time
upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares, exercise of the Company Options and
Company Warrants or the conversion of the Convertible Debentures, if
any.
(b) Parent
and the Company shall co-operate in the preparation, filing and mailing of
the
Circular. The Company shall provide Parent with a reasonable opportunity to
review and comment on the Circular prior to its mailing to Company Securities
Holders and filing in accordance with the Interim Order and applicable Laws.
Parent acknowledges that whether or not such comments are appropriate or any
revisions will be made as a result thereof to Circular will be determined solely
by the Company acting reasonably. Parent agrees to provide on a timely basis
all
information concerning Parent and Purchaser reasonably requested by the Company
for inclusion in the Circular.
(c) The
Company shall ensure that the Circular complies with the Interim Order and
all
applicable Laws in all material respects and, without limiting the generality
of
the foregoing, that the Circular does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or
necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light
of
the circumstances under which they are made (other than with respect to any
information relating to and provided by Parent).
(d) The
Company shall furnish to the Parent and Purchaser all such information
concerning it and the Company Securities Holders as may be required to carry
out
the actions described under this Agreement or to implement the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
(e) Parent
shall ensure that the information supplied by it for inclusion in the Circular
will, at the time of the mailing of the Circular, not contain any material
misstatement, untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.
(f) Parent
and the Company shall co-operate in the preparation, filing and mailing of
the
Proxy and Registration Statement. Parent shall provide the Company with a
reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy and Registration
Statement prior to its mailing to Parent Stockholders and filing with the SEC.
The Company acknowledges that whether or not such comments are appropriate
or
any revisions will be made as a result thereof to Proxy and Registration
Statement will be determined solely by Parent acting reasonably. The Company
agrees to provide on a timely basis all information concerning the Acquired
Companies reasonably requested by Parent for inclusion in the Proxy and
Registration Statement.
17.
(g) Parent
shall ensure that the Proxy and Registration Statement complies with all
applicable Laws and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that
the
Proxy and Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of
a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not false or misleading (other than
with respect to any information relating to and provided by the Acquired
Companies).
(h) The
Company shall ensure that the information supplied by the Acquired Companies
for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement will, at the time of the mailing of the Proxy
Statement, not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made,
not false or misleading.
(i) Each
of
the Company and Parent shall promptly notify the other if at any time before
the
Effective Time it becomes aware that the Circular, the Proxy and Registration
Statement, an application for a Regulatory Approval or any other order,
registration, consent, ruling, exemption, no-action letter or approval, or
any
circular or other filing under applicable Laws contains an untrue statement
of a
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or
necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light
of
the circumstances in which they are made, or that otherwise is erroneous or
requires an amendment or supplement, and the Parties shall co-operate in the
preparation of such amendment or supplement as required. The Company shall
promptly provide a copy to the Parent of any communications or notices received
from any Governmental Authority in respect of the Circular, this Agreement,
the
Plan of Arrangement or the transaction contemplated hereunder. Parent shall
promptly provide a copy to the Company of any written communications received
from the staff of the SEC relating to the Proxy and Registration Statement,
the
Prospectus or the Proxy Statement.
2.7 Securities
Holders/Stockholder Communications and Public Announcements.
The
Company and Parent agree to co-operate in the preparation of presentations,
if
any, to Company Securities Holders or Parent Stockholders regarding the
Arrangement, and no Party shall issue any press release or otherwise make public
statements with respect to the Arrangement or this Agreement without the consent
of the other Party, and the Company shall not make any filing with any
Governmental Authority with respect thereto without prior consultation with
Parent and Parent shall not make any filing with any Governmental Authority
without prior consultation with the Company; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall be subject to each Party’s overriding obligation to make any
disclosure or filing required under applicable Laws, and the Party making such
disclosure or filing shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to give
prior
oral and written notice to the other Party and reasonable opportunity to review
or comment on the disclosure or filing (other than with respect to confidential
information contained in such disclosure or filing), and if such prior notice
is
not possible, to give such notice immediately following the making of such
disclosure or filing. Parent and the Company will consult with each other
concerning the means by which the employees, customers, suppliers and others
having dealings with the Acquired Companies will be informed of the
Transactions.
2.8 Closing
Deliveries.
(a) At
the
Closing, the Company will deliver or cause to be delivered to Parent and
Purchaser:
(i) a
certificate substantially in the form of Schedule F, dated as of the
Closing Date, executed by an officer of the Company confirming the satisfaction
of the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(a)
and
6.1(b);
and
18.
(ii) a
certificate substantially in the form of Schedule G of an officer of each
Acquired Company dated as of the Closing Date and attaching with respect to
each
Acquired Company:
(1) the
Acquired Company’s Organizational Documents, and if applicable, certified by the
Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of the Acquired Company’s
organization not more than five Business Days prior to the Closing
Date;
(2) a
certificate of good standing of the Acquired Company issued not more than five
Business Days prior to the Closing Date;
(3) all
resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to the approval
of
this Agreement and the Transactions;
(4) incumbency
and signatures of the officers of the Company executing this Agreement or any
other agreement contemplated by this Agreement; and
(5) the
consents to the change of control of the Company from the other party or parties
to the Company Contracts set forth on Schedule 2.8.
(b) At
the
Closing, Parent will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company or the
Company Affiliates or to the holders of Company SARs, as
applicable:
(i) a
certificate substantially in the form of Schedule H, dated as of the
Closing Date, executed by Parent confirming the satisfaction of the conditions
specified in Sections 6.2(a)
and
6.2(b);
and
(ii) a
certificate substantially in the form of Schedule I of an officer of each
of Parent, Canco and Purchaser dated as of the Closing Date and attaching with
respect to Parent and Purchaser:
(1) Parent’s,
Canco’s and Purchaser’s Organizational Documents, and if applicable, certified
by the Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of its organization not more
than five Business Days prior to the Closing Date;
(2) a
certificate of good standing of Parent, Canco and Purchaser issued not more
than
five Business Days prior to the Closing Date;
(3) all
resolutions of the board of directors or other authorizing body (or a duly
authorized committee thereof) of Parent, Canco and Purchaser relating to this
Agreement and the Transactions;
(4) incumbency
and signatures of the officers of Parent, Canco and Purchaser executing this
Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) the
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, executed by Parent, the
Initial Parent Stockholders and the Company Affiliates; and
(iv) The
SAR
Exchange Agreements, executed by Parent.
19.
ARTICLE
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
The
Company represents and warrants to Parent and Purchaser that except as set
forth
(x) in the Company Disclosure Schedule, (y) in the Company Documents filed
with
the Canadian Securities Administrators via the SEDAR filing system prior to
the
execution of this Agreement or (z) in the Company’s registration statement on
Form 20-F filed with the SEC by way of a confidential filing on December 19,
2006, as amended and filed with the SEC by way of a confidential filing on
February 7, 2007 (the “Form
20-F”),
which
Form 20-F has previously been delivered to Parent (it being understood that
any
matter in such Company Disclosure Schedule, such Company Documents or the Form
20-F shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any section of this Article
3 to
which the matter relates, to the extent the relevance of such matter to such
section is reasonably apparent and to the extent the materiality of such matter
is reasonably apparent):
3.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
Each
Acquired Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has
all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and assets and to conduct its business as presently conducted. Each
Acquired Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and, where
applicable as a legal concept, is in good standing as a foreign corporation
in
each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties it owns, operates
or
leases or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensure
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, individually or in
the
aggregate, have not had, and may not reasonably be expected to have, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth an accurate and complete list of each Acquired Company’s jurisdiction
of incorporation and the other jurisdictions in which it is authorized to do
business and a complete and accurate list of the current directors and officers
of each Acquired Company. The Company has made available to the Parent accurate
and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Acquired Company,
as
currently in effect, and no Acquired Company is in default under or in violation
of any provision thereof.
3.2 Authority
and Enforceability.
(a) As
of the
date hereof, the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with
its
financial and legal advisors, has determined unanimously that the Arrangement
is
in the best interests of the Company and has resolved unanimously to recommend
to the Company Securities Holders that they vote their Common Shares or Company
Options in favor of the Arrangement. Subject to compliance with the CBCA, the
Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved the Arrangement
and
the execution and performance of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of
the
Company has received a Fairness Opinion from Xxxxxxx Xxxxx &
Company or
another financial advisor of national reputation (the “Company
Financial Advisor”).
Promptly following receipt of the written Fairness Opinion, the Company shall
provide a complete copy of the Fairness Opinion to Parent.
(b) The
only
vote of holders of securities of the Company necessary to approve the
Arrangement is, subject to any requirements of the Interim Order, the Required
Company Vote.
(c) The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is
a
party and to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement and each
such Ancillary Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of the Company, except for the Required Company
Vote. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may
be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws and general principles of
equity.
20.
(d) Upon
the
execution and delivery by the Company of the Ancillary Agreements to which
the
Company is a party, such Ancillary Agreements will constitute the legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the
Company
in
accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy and other similar laws and general principles of equity.
3.3 No
Conflict. Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation or
performance of the Transactions, will:
(a) directly
or indirectly (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) conflict with,
result in a breach or violation of, constitute a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation, acceleration, suspension or modification
of
any obligation or loss of any benefit) under, constitute a change in control
under, result in any payment becoming due under, result in the imposition of
any
Encumbrances on any of the Common Shares or any of the properties or assets
of
any Acquired Company under, or otherwise give rise to any right on the part
of
any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under: (i) the
Organizational Documents of any Acquired Company; (ii) any Governmental
Authorization, except as set forth in Section 3.3(b); (iii) any Material
Contract; or (iv) any Law or Judgment applicable to any Acquired Company or
any
of their respective properties or assets, except as set forth in Section 3.3(b);
or
(b) require
any Acquired Company to obtain any consent, waiver, approval, ratification,
permit, license, Governmental Authorization or other authorization of, give
any
notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority
or other Person, except
for (i) the mailing of the Circular to Company Securities Holders and filing
the
Circular according to the Interim Order, (ii) such consents, approvals, orders,
authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required
under
applicable securities laws, the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act
of
1976, as amended (the “HSR
Act”)
and
the comparable laws of any foreign country reasonably determined by the parties
to be required and (iii) such other consents, waivers, approvals, ratifications,
permits, licenses, Governmental Authorizations or other authorizations, or
notices, filings or registrations which, if not obtained or made, would not
be
material to the Company or Parent or have a material adverse effect on the
ability of the parties to consummate the Transactions.
(c) The
aggregate value of all the assets in Canada of the Acquired Companies or the
annual gross revenues from sales in and from Canada generated from all the
assets in Canada of the Acquired Companies, as determined pursuant to subsection
110(2) of the Competition Act, do not exceed, in either case, Cdn.$50 million,
and the Acquired Companies together with their Affiliates do not have assets
in
Canada that exceed Cdn.$400 million or annual gross revenues from sales in,
from
and into Canada that exceed Cdn.$400 million, in either case, as determined
pursuant to section 109 of the Competition Act.
(d) The
aggregate value of the assets of the Canadian Acquired Companies, calculated
in
the manner prescribed by the Investment Canada Act, is less than Cdn.$281
million and none of the Canadian Acquired Companies (i) engages in the
production of uranium or own an interest in a producing uranium property in
Canada, (ii) provides a financial service (as such term is defined in the
Investment Canada Act), (iii) provides any transportation service (as such
term is defined in the Investment Canada Act), or (iv) is a cultural
business (as such term is defined in the Investment Canada Act).
21.
3.4 Capitalization
and Ownership.
(a) The
authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of Common
Shares, without nominal or par value. Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth as of the date hereof:
(i) the
number of issued and outstanding Common Shares;
(ii) the
number of outstanding Company Options, warrants, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock units and other securities convertible or exchangeable for
Common Shares or settleable in Common Shares and the number of Common Shares
reserved for issuance upon exercise or conversion of all such Company Options,
warrants, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other
securities; and
(iii) all
Company Stock Plans, indicating for each Company Stock Plan, as of such date,
the number of Company Options and Company SARs issued under such Company Stock
Plan, the number of Common Shares subject to outstanding options or other
equity-based awards under such Company Stock Plan and the number of Common
Shares reserved for future issuance under such Company Stock Plan; and
(iv) all
outstanding Company Options and other equity based awards, including any stock
appreciation awards or restricted stock units, indicating with respect to each
such Company Option or other equity-based award, the name of the holder thereof,
Company Stock Plan under which it was granted, the number of Common Shares
subject to such Company Option or other equity-based award, the exercise price
(if applicable), the date of grant, and the vesting schedule, including whether
(and to what extent) the vesting will be accelerated in any way by the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by
termination of employment or change in position following consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company has made available
to
the Parent complete and accurate copies of all Company Stock Plans and the
forms
of all stock option agreements evidencing Company Options, Company SARs and
other agreements relating to other equity-based awards.
(b) Prior
to
and as of the date of this Agreement, no dividends have been declared, reserved
or set aside with respect to any Common Shares. Upon the consummation of the
Transactions, Purchaser will be the beneficial owner of the entire equity
interest in the Company, free and clear of all Encumbrances.
(c) Section 3.4
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth for each Subsidiary:
(i) its
authorized share capital; and
(ii) the
number of issued and outstanding shares of its authorized share capital and
the
record and beneficial owners thereof.
No
Acquired Company owns, controls or has any rights to acquire, directly or
indirectly, any shares or other equity interests or debt instruments of any
Person. All of the outstanding equity securities and other securities of each
Subsidiary are owned of record and beneficially by one or more of the Acquired
Companies, free and clear of all Encumbrances, in the respective amounts set
forth in Section 3.4(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
22.
(d) Except
as
set forth in this Section 3.4, (i) there are no equity securities of any class
of any Acquired Company, or any security exchangeable into or exercisable for
such equity securities, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding; and (ii)
there are no options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights or other
Company Contracts obligating any Acquired Company to issue, exchange, transfer,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, exchanged, transferred, delivered or
sold, additional shares or other equity interests of any Acquired Company or
any
security or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
such
shares or other equity interests, or obligating any Acquired Company to grant,
extend, accelerate the vesting of, otherwise modify or amend or enter into
any
such option, warrant, equity security, call, right, or Contract.
(e) There
are
no Company Contracts or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Contracts to which
any
Company Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Acquired Company or any Company
Shareholder is a party or by which any Company Shareholder or any Affiliate
of
any Acquired Company or any Company Shareholder is bound with respect to the
voting (including voting trusts or proxies), registration under the U.S.
Securities Act or
any
other Securities Laws (including the qualification of a prospectus under
Canadian Securities Law), or the sale or transfer (including Contracts imposing
transfer restrictions) of any shares or other equity interests of any Acquired
Company. No holder of indebtedness of any Acquired Company has any right to
convert or exchange such indebtedness for any equity securities or other
securities of any Acquired Company. No holders of outstanding indebtedness
of
any Acquired Company have any rights to vote for the election of directors
of
any Acquired Company or to vote on any other matter on which holders of capital
stock of any Acquired Company may vote.
(f) All
of
the Common Shares and the issued and outstanding equity securities of each
Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable,
not
subject to or issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first
refusal, pre-emptive right, subscription right or any similar right and have
been issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. No legend or other reference
to any purported Encumbrance appears on any certificate representing the Common
Shares (other than legends referring to transfers in compliance with applicable
Securities Laws) or any equity securities of any Subsidiary.
(g) There
are
no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any Acquired Company to repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any shares or other equity interests of any Acquired
Company. No Acquired Company is subject to any obligation or requirement to
provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any Subsidiary or any other Person. Except to
the
extent arising pursuant to applicable take-over or similar Laws, there is no
rights agreement, “poison pill” anti-take-over plan or other similar agreement
or understanding to which any of the Acquired Companies is a party or by which
it or they are bound with respect to any equity security of any class of any
Acquired Company.
3.5 Financial
Statements and Compliance.
(a) Attached
as Section 3.5(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule are the financial
statements (collectively, the “Financial
Statements”)
comprising the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December
31, 2005, December 25, 2004 and December 27, 2003 and the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2006 (the “Balance
Sheet”),
the
audited consolidated statements of operations and deficit, changes in
shareholders’ equity and cash flow for each of the fiscal years then ended, the
unaudited consolidated statements of operations and deficit, changes in
shareholders’ equity and cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2006,
including in each case any notes thereto, together with, in the case of the
audited financial statements, the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP,
independent chartered accountants.
23.
(b) The
Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) are consistent with the
books
and records of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted financial principles (“Canadian
GAAP”)
consistently applied throughout the periods involved. The Financial Statements
fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and the results
of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flow of the Company as
of the respective dates and for the periods indicated therein, all in accordance
with Canadian GAAP. No financial statements of any Person other than the
Acquired Companies are required by Canadian GAAP to be included in the financial
statements of the Company.
(c) The
Acquired Companies have been in compliance with all Laws applicable to them
or
by which their properties are bound or affected, other than non-compliance
that
does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or
in
the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has filed all
forms, reports and documents required to be filed by the Company with the
Canadian Securities Administrators via the SEDAR filing system since January
1,
2006, and has made available to Parent such forms, reports and documents in
the
form filed (such documents together “Company
Documents”).
All
such Company Documents are publicly and freely available on xxx.xxxxx.xxx and
the Company has not filed any confidential material change report with any
securities commission or the TSX that remains confidential as of the date
hereof. As of their respective dates, all such forms, reports and documents
of
the Company (i) were prepared in accordance with applicable Laws in all material
respects and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if amended or
superseded by a filing before the date of this Agreement, then on the date
of
such filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. No Acquired Company (other than the Company) is required
to file any forms, reports or other documents pursuant to Securities Laws with
any securities commission in Canada or with the TSX.
(d) The
Form
20-F did not at the time it was filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing
before the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing) contain
any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of
the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading in any material
respect.
(e) There
are
no amendments or modifications that have not yet been filed pursuant to
Securities Laws but that are required to be filed, to agreements, documents
or
other instruments that previously had been filed by the Company pursuant to
Securities Laws.
(f) The
Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurance that:
(i) all
transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorizations;
(ii) all
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial
statements in conformity with Canadian GAAP and to maintain proper
accountability for assets;
(iii) access
to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization; and
(iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
24.
The
Company maintains a process for internal control over financial reporting
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements of the Company
for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP and includes those
policies and procedures that (x) pertain to maintenance of records that in
reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of assets of the Company, (y) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial
statements of the Company in accordance with Canadian GAAP and that receipts
and
expenditures of the Company are made only in accordance with authorizations
of
the management of the Company and (z) provide reasonable assurance
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements of the Company.
(g) The
Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable
assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Company
under Canadian Securities Laws is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in such Laws.
3.6 No
Undisclosed Liabilities.
Except
as to Taxes, the representation and warranties of the Company as to which are
set forth in Section 3.9, there are no material liabilities or obligations
of
any Acquired Company whatsoever (whether matured or unmatured, known or unknown,
fixed or contingent or otherwise), except (i) to the extent expressly
reflected on or reserved against in, or otherwise disclosed in the notes to,
the
Balance Sheet, (ii) liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course
of business under the Company Contracts, (iii) liabilities or obligations
arising in the ordinary course of business after the date of the Balance Sheet
consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice (none of which is a material
liability or material obligation arising from any breach of contract, breach
of
warranty, tort, infringement claim, violation of Law or any suit, claim, action
or proceeding) and (iv) liabilities in respect of Transaction Expenses of the
Company.
3.7 Transactions
with Affiliates and Employees.
Except
as set forth in the Company’s reports filed pursuant to the Securities Laws,
none of the officers or directors of the Acquired Companies and, to the
knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Acquired Companies is
presently a party to any transaction with an Acquired Company (other than for
services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to
or
by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise
requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to
the
knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any
such
employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or
partner, in each case in excess of $60,000 other than (i) for payment of salary
or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses
incurred on behalf of an Acquired Company and (iii) for other employee benefits,
including stock option or share appreciation rights agreements under any stock
option plan or share appreciation rights plan of an Acquired
Company.
3.8 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
the date of the Balance Sheet, there has not been: (i) any Company Material
Adverse Effect, (ii) any change by an Acquired Company in its accounting
methods, principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes
in
Canadian GAAP or the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities
Laws, (iii) any revaluation by an Acquired Company of any of its assets,
including, without limitation, writing down the value of capitalized inventory
or writing off notes or accounts receivable other than in the ordinary course
of
business or (iv) any split, combination or reclassification of any Acquired
Company’s capital stock.
25.
3.9 Taxes.
(a) Each
Acquired Company has prepared and timely filed with the appropriate Governmental
Authority all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it and all such
Tax
Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects and have been
completed in accordance with applicable Law.
(b) Each
Acquired Company will have duly and timely paid all material Taxes it shall
have
been required to pay as of the Effective Time, including all installments on
account of any such Taxes, in respect of periods up to and including the
Effective Time. Each Acquired Company will have duly and timely withheld from
each amount paid or credited by it on or before the Effective Time the amount
of
all material Taxes and other deductions it shall have been required under any
applicable Tax Laws to have deducted or withheld therefrom as of the Effective
Time and will have set aside in trust or duly and timely remitted all such
amounts withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority within the time
prescribed under any applicable Tax Law. Without limitation, each Acquired
Company will have withheld with respect to its employees (and timely paid over
to the appropriate Taxing authority) all material Taxes required to be withheld
by it as of the Effective Time. To the extent required by applicable Law, all
such amounts shall have been remitted or paid over to the proper Governmental
Authority or, to the extent not yet due and payable, held in separate bank
accounts for such purpose and designated as such.
(c) Each
Acquired Company will have duly and timely collected all amounts on account
of
any goods, services, sales, value added, or transfer or other taxes required
by
Law to have been collected by it as of the Effective Time and shall have duly
set aside in trust or timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority
any and all such amounts required by Law to be remitted by it.
(d) No
Acquired Company has been delinquent in the payment of any material Tax, nor
has
any Acquired Company received any written notice regarding, nor does the Company
have any Knowledge of, any Tax deficiency or adjustment outstanding, assessed
or
proposed against any Acquired Company. No Acquired Company has requested,
offered to enter into, entered into, or executed, any agreement, waiver or
other
arrangement providing for any waiver of any statute of limitations or any
extension of time with respect to (i) any assessment, reassessment or collection
of Taxes, (ii) the filing of any Tax Return, (iii) the filing of any election,
designation or similar filing relating to Taxes, or (iv) the payment or
remittance of any Taxes or amounts on account of Taxes by any Acquired Company.
There are no matters that are the subject of any written agreement between
any
Acquired Company and any Governmental Authority relating to any claims for
additional Taxes, nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, are there any such matters
pertaining to possible Tax claims against any Acquired Company under discussion
with any Governmental Authority.
(e) No
Proceeding, audit or other examination, assessment, reassessment, request for
information, objection or appeal relating to any Tax Return, or otherwise
relating to Taxes of any Acquired Company is in progress, pending or threatened
nor has any Acquired Company been notified in writing of, nor does the Company
have any Knowledge of, any such Proceeding, audit, examination, assessment,
reassessment, request, objection or appeal. No adjustment relating to any Tax
Return filed by any Acquired Company has been proposed in writing by any
Governmental Authority to any Acquired Company or any representative thereof
and
no written claim has been made by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction
where an Acquired Company does not file Tax Returns that an Acquired Company
is
or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(f) Except
as
reasonably would not be likely to result in any material liability to the
Acquired Company (in any individual case or in the aggregate), no Acquired
Company had, as of September 30, 2006, any liability for unpaid Taxes, whether
asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise, that has not been accrued
or
reserved against on the Balance Sheet in accordance with Canadian GAAP. Since
September 30, 2006, no Acquired Company has incurred any liability for Taxes,
whether asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise, other than in the
ordinary course of business. Amounts of Taxes that have accrued but which are
not yet due and payable as of the Effective Time will be provided for in any
interim financial statements of the Acquired Companies if and to the extent
required under Canadian GAAP.
26.
(g) Each
Acquired Company has made available to Parent or its legal counsel or
accountants true and complete copies of all Tax Returns for (and non privileged
studies and opinions related thereto) for such Acquired Company for its last
three taxable years.
(h) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, no Acquired Company has applied to any Governmental
Authority for permission to change its taxation year end or method of computing
income or Taxes, or for any tax ruling, or technical interpretation. Except
as
disclosed to the Parent in writing prior to the Effective Time, between the
date
hereof and the Effective Time, no Acquired Company shall have made, revoked
or
rescinded any Tax election or designation, or made, revoked or rescinded any
settlement or compromise of any liability with respect to Taxes, or amended
or
refiled any Tax Return.
(i) There
are
no Liens on the assets of any Acquired Company relating to or attributable
to
Taxes, other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and for which adequate
reserves have been recorded on line items on the Balance Sheet. To the Knowledge
of the Company, no state of facts exists or has existed that would constitute
grounds for the assessment of any liability for Taxes with respect to any
taxable period not yet audited by the relevant Governmental Authority which
would result in any material Lien for Taxes on the assets of any Acquired
Company.
(j) No
Acquired Company has filed any consent agreement under Section 341(f) of the
Code or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any disposition
of
a subsection (f) asset (as defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned
by an
Acquired Company.
(k) Except
for customary agreements to indemnify lessors, licensors, lenders and debt
security holders in respect of Taxes, (a) no Acquired Company is party to or
has
any obligation under any Tax sharing, indemnity or allocation agreement or
arrangement, including any advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or
other
agreement relating to Taxes with any Governmental Authority, (b) no
Acquired Company (i) has ever been a member of an affiliated group (within
the
meaning of Code §1504(a)) filing a U.S. consolidated federal income Tax Return
(other than a group the common parent of which is a subsidiary of the Company),
or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than Company or
any
Subsidiary) under U.S. Treas. Reg. § 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of
Canadian federal, provincial, state, local or foreign law, whether as a
transferee successor or otherwise, by contract, or otherwise.
(l) No
Acquired Company has constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a
“controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for
tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code (x) in the two years prior
to
the date of this Agreement or (y) in a distribution which could otherwise
constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the
meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the
Arrangement.
(m) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, each Acquired Company is in compliance with all terms
and conditions of any Tax exemption, Tax holiday, provision relating to its
entitlement to Tax credits, or other Tax reduction agreement or order
(“Tax
Incentive”),
in
all material respects.
27.
(n) Each
Acquired Company is, and at all times has filed its Tax Returns on the basis
that it is, resident for Tax purposes in its country of incorporation or
formation and has not at any time been treated by any Governmental Authority
as
resident in any other country for any Tax purpose (including any treaty,
convention or arrangement for the avoidance of double taxation). No Acquired
Company has filed any Tax Return on the basis that it is subject to Tax in
any
jurisdiction other than its country of incorporation or formation (and political
subdivisions thereof).
(o) No
Tax
liabilities exist under or in respect of any Company Plans.
(p) No
Acquired Company has filed a statement pursuant to Section 1.6011-4 of the
Treasury Regulations pertaining to participation in any “listed transaction”
within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
(q) No
Acquired Company has made an election to be treated as a domestic corporation
pursuant to Section 897(i) of the Code.
3.10 Company
Intellectual Property.
(a) Section 3.10(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all Owned IP that has been registered
or filed with, or issued under the authority of, any government authority
(including without limitation all patents, registered copyrights, registered
trademarks, and all applications for any of the foregoing) (the “Registered
Owned IP”),
and
lists any proceedings or actions before any court, tribunal (including the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office,
or
equivalent authority anywhere in the world) related to such Intellectual
Property Rights.
(b) No
Owned
IP (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Licensed IP) is subject to any
proceeding or outstanding decree, order, judgment, contract, license, agreement,
or stipulation that (i) restricts in any material manner the use, transfer,
or licensing thereof by any Acquired Company, or (ii) may affect the
validity, use or enforceability of such Intellectual Property
Rights.
(c) All
of
the Acquired Company’s Intellectual Property Rights in the Owned IP are valid
and subsisting. With respect to Registered Owned IP, all necessary registration,
maintenance and renewal fees currently due in connection with such Intellectual
Property Rights have been made, and all necessary documents, recordations and
certificates in connection with such Intellectual Property Rights have been
filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in
the
United States or foreign jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes
of
maintaining such Intellectual Property Rights.
(d) Other
than “shrink wrap” and similar commercial mass-market Software licenses pursuant
to which a third party grants nonexclusive end-user license rights to any
Acquired Company for non-customized Software in binary code form, each of the
following parts of Section 3.10(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists
all
Company Contracts pursuant to which: (i) any Company IP was licensed or
transferred to any third party; (ii) any Company IP was placed into escrow
with
any third party; and (iii) a third party has licensed or transferred any
material Intellectual Property Rights to any Acquired Company.
(e) Each
of
the Acquired Companies either (i) owns and has good and exclusive title to
all
Intellectual Property Rights and other Intellectual Property used in or
necessary to the conduct of the Business; or (ii) has licensed from a third
party pursuant to a Company Contract described in Section 3.10(e)(iii) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule) all Intellectual Property Rights and other
Intellectual Property used in or necessary to the conduct of the Business in
a
manner sufficient for the conduct of its business as currently conducted and
as
presently proposed to be conducted. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) each
Acquired Company owns exclusively, and has good title to, all trademarks listed
in Section 3.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule used in connection with
the Business of such Acquired Company; and (ii) each Acquired Company owns
exclusively, and has good title to, all copyrighted works that are products
of
such Acquired Company or that such Acquired Company otherwise expressly purports
to own, including any documentation related to such products.
28.
(f) Each
Person who is or was an employee or contractor of an Acquired Company and who
is
or was involved in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property
Rights in the course of performing services for the Acquired Company has signed
a valid, enforceable agreement containing an assignment of all such Intellectual
Property Rights to the Company. No employee of an Acquired Company is (i) bound
by or otherwise subject to any Contract restricting him from performing his
duties for the Acquired Company or (ii) in breach of any Contract with any
former employer or other Person concerning Intellectual Property Rights or
confidentiality due to his activities as an employee of the Acquired
Company.
(g) Except
for Licensed IP, the Acquired Companies own and have good and exclusive title
to
all Intellectual Property Rights or other Intellectual Property used by such
Acquired Company, free and clear of any Encumbrance (other than any lien for
current taxes not yet due and payable); provided,
however,
that
claims of infringement or misappropriation of Intellectual Property Rights
shall
not be deemed Encumbrances for the purpose of this Section 3.10(g)).
(h) No
Acquired Company has (i) transferred ownership of, or granted any exclusive
license with respect to, any Intellectual Property Rights that is or was
material to the conduct of the Business to any third party, or (ii) permitted
rights in such Intellectual Property Rights owned by such Acquired Company
to
lapse or enter the public domain.
(i) All
material Company Contracts relating to Intellectual Property Rights are in
full
force and effect. No event has occurred, and no circumstance or condition exists
that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, (i) the
termination of any such Company Contract; (ii) the disclosure, delivery,
license, or release from any escrow of any Company IP. Following the Closing
Date, each Acquired Company will continue to be permitted to exercise all of
its
rights under such material Company Contracts relating to Intellectual Property
Rights (a) to the same extent such Acquired Company would have been able to
had
the Transactions not occurred, and (b) without the payment of any additional
amounts or consideration other than ongoing fees, royalties or payments which
such Acquired Company would otherwise be required to pay.
(j) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, the operation of the Business (including without
limitation the Acquired Companies’ offering, sale, license, and performance of
their products and services) has not and does not infringe or misappropriate
the
Intellectual Property Rights of any third party, or constitute unfair
competition or unfair trade practices under the Laws of any jurisdiction in
which any Acquired Company does business. To the Knowledge of the Company,
no
Person has infringed or misappropriated any Company IP.
(k) No
Acquired Company has received notice from any third party that the operation
of
the Business infringes or misappropriates the Intellectual Property Rights
of
any third party, or constitutes unfair competition or unfair trade practices
under the laws of any jurisdiction.
(l) Each
Acquired Company has taken reasonable steps to protect its rights in the
Acquired Companies’ confidential information and trade secrets and (to the
extent required under confidentiality obligations to third parties) to protect
any trade secrets or confidential information of third parties provided to
the
Acquired Companies. Without limiting the foregoing, each Acquired Company (x)
has and enforces a policy requiring each employee to execute a proprietary
information/confidentiality and invention assignment agreement substantially
in
the forms provided to Parent, and has ensured that all current and former
employees of the Acquired Companies have executed such an agreement; and (y)
has
and enforces a policy requiring each contractor or third party that receives
any
confidential information and/or trade secrets from the Acquired Companies to
execute a written agreement containing obligations of confidentiality no less
restrictive than the confidentiality obligations set forth in such Acquired
Company’s standard form of confidentiality agreement provided to Parent, and has
ensured that all such current and former contractors and third parties have
executed such an agreement.
29.
3.11 Compliance;
Permits; Restrictions.
(a) Neither
any Acquired Company nor the conduct of the Business is in conflict with, or
in
default or violation of any Laws applicable to any Acquired Company or by which
its or any of their respective businesses or properties is bound or affected,
except such conflicts, defaults or violations that do not have, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. No investigation or review by any Governmental
Authority is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against
any
Acquired Company, nor has any Governmental Authority indicated to the Company
an
intention to conduct the same. There is no agreement, judgment, injunction,
order or decree binding upon any Acquired Company which has or could reasonably
be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any
business practice of the Acquired Companies, any acquisition of material
property by any Acquired Company or the conduct of the Business.
(b) Each
Acquired Company holds all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders
and
approvals from Governmental Authorities that are material to the operation
of
its Business, including, without limitation such permits, licenses, approvals,
consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state,
local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies, except as does not have and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Acquired Company is in compliance in
all
material respects with such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other
authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign
regulatory agencies or bodies, except such non-compliance as does not have
and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a
Company Material Adverse Effect
3.12 Litigation.
There
is no suit, action, judgment, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting
any Acquired Company or any property or asset of any Acquired Company which,
individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
3.13 Investment
Banking, Brokers’ and Finders’ Fees.
Except
for fees payable to Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Company pursuant to an engagement letter
dated April 8, 2006, the Acquired Companies have not incurred, nor will any
of
them incur, directly or indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees
or agents’ commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement
or any transaction contemplated hereby.
3.14 Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) The
Company Plans covering any active employee, former employee, director or
consultant of Company, any Subsidiary or any trade or business (whether or
not
incorporated) that is an Affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Section
414 of the Code, or with respect to which Company has or may in the future
have
liability are listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
The Company has provided to Parent: (i) correct and complete copies of all
documents embodying each plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule including (without limitation) all amendments thereto,
all
related trust documents, and all material written agreements and contracts
relating to each such Plan; (ii) the three most recent annual reports (Form
Series 5500 and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto), if
any, required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, or the Code in connection with each plan listed on Section 3.14(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (iii) the most recent summary plan
description together with the summary(ies) of material modifications thereto,
if
any, required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, with respect to each plan; (iv) all Internal Revenue Service
determination, opinion, notification and advisory letters relating to any plan
listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (v) all
material correspondence to or from any governmental agency relating to any
plan
listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; (vi) all
discrimination tests for each plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, if applicable, for the most recent three plan years; and
(vii) if the Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule is funded, the most recent periodic accounting of the assets of such
plan.
30.
(b) Each
Company Plan has been maintained and administered in all material respects
in
compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all
statutes, orders, rules and regulations (foreign or domestic), including the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Code,
that
are applicable to such Company Plans. No suit, action or other litigation
(excluding claims for benefits incurred in the ordinary course of business)
has
been brought, or to the Knowledge of Company is threatened, against or with
respect to any such plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule. There are no audits, inquiries or proceedings pending or, to the
Knowledge of Company, threatened by the Internal Revenue Service or Department
of Labor with respect to any plans listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule. All contributions, reserves or premium payments required
to
be made or accrued as of the date hereof to the plans listed on Section 3.14(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule have been timely made or accrued.
Section 3.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule includes a listing of
the accrued vacation liability of Company as of January 31, 2007. Any Company
Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule intended
to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and each trust intended to
qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code (i) has either applied for or
obtained a favorable determination, notification, advisory and/or opinion
letter, as applicable, as to its qualified status from the Internal Revenue
Service or still has a remaining period of time under applicable Treasury
Regulations or Internal Revenue Service pronouncements in which to apply for
such letter and to make any amendments necessary to obtain a favorable
determination, and (ii) incorporates or has been amended to incorporate all
provisions required to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and subsequent
legislation, unless such plan still has a remaining period of time under
applicable Treasury Regulations or Internal Revenue Service pronouncements
in
which to conform to such legislation. No Acquired Company has any plan or
commitment to establish any new Company Plan similar to any plan listed on
Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, to modify any Company
Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (except
to the extent required by law or to conform any such Company Plan to the
requirements of any applicable Law, in each case as previously disclosed to
Parent in writing, or as required by this Agreement), or to enter into any
new
Company Plan similar to any Company Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule. Each Company Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule can be amended, terminated or otherwise
discontinued after the Effective Time in accordance with its terms, without
liability to Parent, any Acquired Company or any of their respective Affiliates
(other than ordinary administration expenses).
(c) Neither
the Company, any Subsidiary, nor any of their Affiliates has at any time ever
maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, or contributed to any
plan
subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as
amended, or Section 412 of the Code and at no time has Company contributed
to or
been requested to contribute to any “multiemployer plan,” as such term is
defined in Section 3(37)A of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended. Neither Company nor any Affiliate has at any time ever
maintained, established, sponsored, participated in or contributed to any
multiple employer plan, or to any plan described in Section 413 of the Code.
To
the Knowledge of the Company, neither Company, any Subsidiary, nor any officer
or director of Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any liability or penalty
under Section 4975 through 4980B of the Code or Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to any Company
Plan. To the Knowledge of the Company, no “prohibited transaction,” within the
meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 and 407 of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and not otherwise exempt
under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 408 of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, has occurred with respect to any Company
Plan.
31.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company, any Subsidiary, nor any of their
Affiliates has, before the Effective Time and in any material respect, violated
any of the health continuation requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended and as codified in Section 4980B of
the
Code and Sections 601 through 608 of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act
of 1974, as amended, the requirements of the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993,
as amended, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,
as
amended, or any similar provisions of state law applicable to Company employees.
None of the plans listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule promises or provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits
to any person except as required by applicable law, and neither Company nor
any
Subsidiary has represented, promised or contracted (whether in oral or written
form) to provide such retiree benefits to any employee, former employee,
director, consultant or other person, except to the extent required by statute.
No Company Plan listed on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule provides health benefits that are not fully insured through an
insurance contract.
(e) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, there are no pending, threatened or reasonably
anticipated claims or actions against any Acquired Company under any workers’
compensation policy or long-term disability policy.
(f) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or upon the occurrence
of
any additional or subsequent events) (i) result in any payment (including
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, forgiveness of
indebtedness, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any stockholder, director
or
employee of any Acquired Company under any Company Plan or otherwise, (ii)
materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Company Plan, or
(iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits.
(g) No
payment or benefit which will or may be made by any Acquired Company or its
Affiliates with respect to any employee or any other “disqualified individual”
(as defined in Code Section 280G and the Treasury Regulations thereunder
(“Section
280G”)
will
be characterized as a “parachute payment,” within the meaning of Code Section
280G(B)(2). In the event that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (either alone or upon
the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) results in any payment
or
benefit which will be characterized as a “parachute payment,” within the meaning
of Code Section 280G(B)(2), Section 3.14(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
shall list all persons who the Company reasonably believes are, with respect
to
Company or any Subsidiary, “disqualified individuals” (within the meaning of
Section 280G) as determined as of the date hereof. Within a reasonable period
of
time after the last business day of each month after the date hereof and on
or
about the date which is five business days prior to the expected date of the
Closing, the Company shall, as and to the extent necessary, deliver to Parent
a
revised Schedule 3.14(g) which sets forth any additional information which
Company reasonably believes would affect the determination of the persons who
are, with respect to Company or any Subsidiary, deemed to be “disqualified
individuals” (within the meaning of Section 280G) as of the date of each such
revised Schedule 3.14(g).
32.
(h) Each
Company Plan that has been adopted or maintained by Company or its Affiliates,
whether informally or formally, for the benefit of employees located outside
the
United States is specifically set forth in Section 3.14(h) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
(i) There
is
no Company Contract covering any employee or former employee of any Acquired
Company that, individually or collectively, would reasonably be expected to
give
rise to the payment of any amount in excess of $100,000 that would not be
deductible pursuant to Sections 404 or 162(m) of the Code. There is no Company
Contract requiring an Acquired Company to compensate any individual for excise
taxes paid pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code.
3.15 Absence
of Liens and Encumbrances.
Each
Acquired Company has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased
properties, valid leasehold interests in, all of its tangible properties and
assets, real, personal and mixed, used in its business, free and clear of any
Encumbrances except as reflected in the Financial Statements and except for
liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such imperfections of title and
Encumbrances, if any, which do not have, and would not reasonably be expected
to
have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
3.16 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Hazardous
Material.
To the
Knowledge of the Company, except as does not have, and would not reasonably
be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect, no underground storage tanks and no amount of any substance that has
been designated by any Governmental Authority or by applicable federal, state
or
local law to be a Hazardous Material, are present, as a result of the actions
of
any Acquired Company or any Affiliate of the Acquired Companies, or, as a result
of any actions of any third party or otherwise, in, on or under any property,
including the land and the improvements, ground water and surface water thereof,
that any Acquired Company has at any time owned, operated, occupied or
leased.
(b) Hazardous
Materials Activities.
Except
as does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or
in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Acquired Company
has
transported, stored, used, manufactured, disposed of, released or exposed its
employees or others to Hazardous Materials in violation of any law in effect
on
or before the Closing Date, and (ii) no Acquired Company has disposed of,
transported, sold, used, released, exposed its employees or others to or
manufactured any product containing a Hazardous Material in violation of any
law, rule, regulation, treaty or statute promulgated by any Governmental
Authority in effect on or prior to the Closing Date to prohibit, regulate or
control Hazardous Materials or the handling or transportation of Hazardous
Materials or in a manner that would reasonably be expected to result in material
liability to the Acquired Companies.
(c) Permits.
Each
Acquired Company currently holds all environmental approvals, permits, licenses,
clearances and consents necessary for the conduct of such Acquired Company’s
business, except where the failure to hold such permits does not have, and
would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Environmental
Liabilities.
Except
as does not have, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or
in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, no action, proceeding,
revocation proceeding, amendment procedure, writ, injunction or claim is
pending, or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened concerning any permit covered
by Section 3.16(c) above, Hazardous Material or the handling or transportation
of any Hazardous Material by any Acquired Company.
33.
3.17 Agreements,
Contracts and Commitments.
Section
3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each of the following Company
Contracts (such Company Contracts, the “Material
Contracts”):
(a) any
employment or consulting agreement, contract or commitment with any director
or
officer or member of Company’s Board of Directors, other than those that are
terminable by any Acquired Company on no more than 30 days’ notice without
liability or financial obligation to the Acquired Companies;
(b) any
agreement or plan, including, without limitation, any stock option plan, stock
appreciation right plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which
will be increased, or the vesting of benefits of which will be accelerated,
by
the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
the
value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) any
agreement of indemnification or any guaranty, other than agreements with
Acquired Company customers entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
(d) any
agreement, contract or commitment containing any covenant limiting in any
respect the right of any Acquired Company to engage in any line of business
or
to compete with any person or granting any exclusive distribution
rights;
(e) any
agreement, contract or commitment currently in force relating to the disposition
or acquisition by any Acquired Company after the date of this Agreement of
assets in excess of $500,000 not in the ordinary course of business or pursuant
to which any Acquired Company has any material ownership interest in any
corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business enterprise other
than
any Subsidiary;
(f) any
dealer, distributor, joint marketing, alliance, development or other agreement
currently in force under which any Acquired Company have continuing material
obligations to jointly market any product, technology or service, or any
material agreement pursuant to which any Acquired Company has continuing
material obligations to jointly develop any Intellectual Property Rights that
will not be owned, in whole or in part, by such Acquired Company;
(g) any
material agreement, contract or commitment currently in force pursuant to which
(i) an Acquired Company licenses any third party to manufacture or reproduce
any
Acquired Company product, service or technology; (ii) a third party resells,
distributes, or acts as a sales representative for any Acquired Company products
or service, excluding agreements with distributors or sales representatives
in
the normal course of business that are cancelable without penalty upon notice
of
90 days or less, and substantially in the form previously provided to Parent;
and (iii) an Acquired Company engages any third party to supply any products
or
perform any services material to the conduct of the Business, including without
limitation any long-term supply agreements, installation service subcontracts,
and repair service provider agreements, in each case to the extent such Contract
is (x) reasonably likely to involve consideration of more than $500,000 during
any fiscal year of the Acquired Companies and (y) is not cancelable without
penalty upon notice of 90 days or less;
34.
(h) any
agreement, contract or commitment currently in force to provide source code
to
any third party, including any escrow agent, for any product or technology
that
is material to Company and each Subsidiary taken as a whole;
(i) any
mortgages, indentures, guarantees, loans or credit agreements, security
agreements or other agreements or instruments relating to the borrowing of
money
or extension of credit with a value in excess of $250,000;
(j) all
material real property leases and subleases, occupancy licenses and other
occupancy agreements entered into by Company and any brokerage agreement and
construction contract with respect to the same;
(k) any
settlement agreement entered into within five years prior to the date of this
Agreement involving consideration of more than $1,000,000; or
(l) any
other
agreement, contract or commitment (i) in connection with or pursuant to which
any Acquired Company expects to spend or receive (or are expected to spend
or
receive), in the aggregate, more than $500,000 during the current fiscal year
or
during the next fiscal year, or (ii) that is a material contract (as defined
in
Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC rules).
No
Acquired Company, nor to the Company’s Knowledge, any other party to a Material
Contract, is in material breach, violation or default under, and neither Company
nor any Subsidiary has received written notice that it has breached, violated
or
defaulted under, any of the material terms or conditions of any Material
Contract in such a manner as would permit any other party to cancel or terminate
any such Material Contract, or would permit any other party to seek material
damages or other remedies (for any or all of such breaches, violations or
defaults, in the aggregate). Each Material Contract is valid, has not been
terminated as of the date of this Agreement and, except as permitted under
Section 5.2 will not be terminated prior to the Effective Date, and is
enforceable against the applicable Acquired Company and, to the Knowledge of
the
Company, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar laws and general
principles of equity.
3.18 Company
Properties.
Each
Acquired Company has good and defensible title to, or in the case of leased
properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, all of their material
properties and assets, free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances
except liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such liens or other
imperfections of title, if any, as do not materially detract from the value
of
or materially interfere with the present use of the property affected thereby.
All the plants, structures, facilities, properties, leased premises and
equipment of the Acquired Companies, except such as may be under construction
as
set forth in Section 3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, are in good
operating condition and repair, except as does not have, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect. There is no person in possession of any of Company
real
property (including leased property) other than the Company or its Affiliates.
All improvements constructed by the Company or any Acquired Company within
its
real property (including leased property) were constructed in material
compliance with all building codes, zoning ordinances and all other applicable
laws.
3.19 Takeover
Statutes.
The
Board of Directors of the Company has approved this Agreement, the Ancillary
Agreements and the Arrangement Resolution and the other transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and the Company has statutory or discretionary
exemption that would apply to the Agreement and the proposed transaction
contemplated hereunder. Other than Part 1, Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7,
Part 7 and Part 8 under the Ontario Securities Commission Rule 61-501, no other
takeover statute or similar statute or regulation applies to or purports to
apply to the Arrangement Resolution, this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements
or
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
35.
3.20 Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act. To
the
Company’s Knowledge, neither any Acquired Company, nor any officer, director,
employee or agent thereof or any stockholder thereof acting on behalf of any
Acquired Company, has done any act or authorized, directed or participated
in
any act in violation of any provision of the United States Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended, applied to such entity or
person.
3.21 Labor
Matters.
(a) No
Acquired Company is a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement
or other Contract with a labor organization, trade or labor union, employees’
association or similar organization representing any of its employees, nor
is
any such agreement presently being negotiated, nor is there any duty on the
part
of any Acquired Company to bargain with any labor organization or
representative, and there are no labor organizations representing, purporting
to
represent or, to the knowledge of the Company, seeking to represent any
employees of an Acquired Company.
(b) Since
January 1, 2004, no Acquired Company has had any strike, slowdown, work
stoppage, boycott, picketing, lockout, job action, labor dispute or threat
of
any of the foregoing, or union organizing activity (of unrepresented employees)
or question concerning representation, by or with respect to any of its
employees. To the Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred, and no condition
or circumstance exists, that might directly or indirectly give rise to or
provide a basis for the commencement of any such strike, slowdown, work
stoppage, boycott, picketing, lockout, job action, labor dispute, union
organizing activity (of unrepresented employees), question concerning
representation, or any similar activity or dispute.
(c) Subject
to compliance with applicable Laws, the employment of each employee of an
Acquired Company is terminable by the applicable Acquired Company at will,
without payment of severance or other compensation or consideration. The Company
has delivered to Parent accurate and complete copies of all employee manuals
and
handbooks, disclosure materials, policy statements and other materials relating
to the employment of the current and former employees of each Acquired
Company.
(d) To
the
Company’s Knowledge, no employee of any Acquired Company is a party to or is
bound by any confidentiality agreement, noncompetition agreement or other
Contract (with any Person) that may result in a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(e) For
the
last three years, no Acquired Company has effectuated a “mass layoff,” “plant
closing,” partial “plant closing,” “relocation” or “termination” each as defined
in the WARN Act, or any similar legal requirement, affecting any site of
employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any site of
employment or facility of an Acquired Company.
(f) There
is
no Judgment, claim, labor dispute, collective
bargaining,
or
grievance pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or reasonably
anticipated, either
by
or against any Acquired Company, relating
to any employment contract, collective bargaining obligation or agreement,
wages
and hours, leave of absence, plant closing notification, employment statute
or
regulation, privacy right, labor dispute, workers’ compensation policy,
long-term disability policy, safety, retaliation, immigration or discrimination
matter involving any Company employee, including charges of unfair labor
practices or harassment complaints. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Acquired
Company has engaged in any unfair labor practice within the meaning of the
National Labor Relations Act. To the Company’s Knowledge, there are no facts
indicating that (i) the consummation of the Arrangement will have a material
adverse effect on the labor relations of an Acquired Company, or (ii) any of
the
employees of an Acquired Company intends to terminate his or her employment
with
the Acquired Company with which such employee is employed.
36.
(g) To
the
Knowledge of the Company, no current or former independent contractor of an
Acquired Company could reasonably be deemed to be a misclassified employee.
No
independent contractor (i) has provided services to an Acquired Company for
a
period of six consecutive months or longer or (ii) is eligible to participate
in
any Company Plan. No Acquired Company has ever had any temporary or leased
employees that were not treated and accounted for in all respects as employees
of such Acquired Company.
(h) Section
3.20(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule accurately identifies each former
employee of an Acquired Company who is receiving or is scheduled to receive
(or
whose spouse or other dependent is receiving or is scheduled to receive) any
benefits (whether from an Acquired Company or otherwise) relating to such former
employee’s employment with an Acquired Company; and Section 3.21(h) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely describes such
benefits.
(i) Section
3.20(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule accurately identifies each employee
of an Acquired Company who is not fully available to perform work because of
disability or other leave and sets forth the basis of such disability or leave
and the anticipated date of return to full service.
3.22 Insurance.
The
Company maintains insurance policies covering the assets, business, equipment,
properties, operations, employees, officers and directors of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Insurance
Policies”)
which
are of the type and in amounts which it believes are reasonably appropriate
to
conduct its business. To the Company’s knowledge, there is no material claim by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending under any of the material
Insurance Policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed
by the underwriters of such policies or bonds.
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF
PARENT
AND PURCHASER
Parent
represents and warrants to the Company that, except as set forth on the Parent
Disclosure Schedule:
4.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
Each of
Parent and Purchaser is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and
in
good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has
all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and assets and to conduct its business as presently conducted. Each
of Parent and Purchaser is duly qualified or licensed to do business and, where
applicable as a legal concept, is in good standing as a foreign corporation
in
each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties it owns, operates
or
leases or the nature of its activities makes such qualification or licensure
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified, individually or in
the
aggregate, have not had, and may not reasonably be expected to have, a Parent
Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.1 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets
forth an accurate and complete list of each of Parent’s and Purchaser’s
jurisdiction of incorporation and the other jurisdictions in which it is
authorized to do business and a complete and accurate list of the current
directors and officers of Parent and Purchaser. Parent and Purchaser have made
available to the Company accurate and complete copies of the Organizational
Documents of each of Parent and Purchaser, as currently in effect, and neither
Parent nor Purchaser is in default under or in violation of any provision of
their Organizational Documents.
37.
4.2 Authority
and Enforceability.
(a) As
of the
date hereof, the Board of Directors of Parent, after consultation with its
financial and legal advisors, has determined unanimously that the Arrangement
is
fair to the Parent Stockholders and is in the best interests of Parent and
that
the fair market value of Company is equal to at least 80% of Parent’s net assets
and has resolved unanimously to recommend to the Parent Stockholders that they
vote their Parent Common Stock in favor of the Arrangement. The Board of
Directors of Parent has unanimously approved the Arrangement and the execution
and performance of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of Parent has received
a Fairness Opinion from New
Century Capital Partners, LLC or another financial advisor of national
reputation (the “Parent
Financial Advisor”).
Promptly following receipt of the written Fairness Opinion, Parent shall provide
a complete copy of the Fairness Opinion to the Company.
(b) The
only
vote of holders of securities of Parent necessary to approve the Arrangement
is
the Required Parent Vote.
(c) Each
of
Parent and Purchaser has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements to which it
is a
party and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and each such
Ancillary Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements have been duly authorized by all necessary action
on the part of each of Parent and the Purchaser. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by each of Parent and the Purchaser and constitutes
the
legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and the Purchaser,
enforceable against each of Parent and the Purchaser in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other similar
laws and general principles of equity.
(d) Upon
the
execution and delivery by each of Parent and the Purchaser of the Ancillary
Agreements to which it is a party, such Ancillary Agreements will constitute
the
legal, valid and binding obligations of it, enforceable against it in accordance
with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and
other similar laws and general principles of equity.
4.3 No
Conflict. Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements,
nor the consummation or performance of the Transactions, will:
(a) directly
or indirectly (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) conflict with,
result in a breach or violation of, constitute a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation, acceleration, suspension or modification
of
any obligation or loss of any benefit) under, constitute a change in control
under, result in any payment becoming due under, result in the imposition of
any
Encumbrances on any of the Parent Common Stock or any of the properties or
assets of Parent or Purchaser under, or otherwise give rise to any right on
the
part of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under: (i) the
Organizational Documents of Parent or Purchaser; (ii) except as set forth in
Section 4.3(b) any Governmental Authorization; (iii) any Parent Contract; or
(iv) except as set forth in Section 4.3(b), any Law or Judgment applicable
to
Parent or Purchaser or any of their respective properties or assets; or
(b) require
Parent or Purchaser to obtain any consent, waiver, approval, ratification,
permit, license, Governmental Authorization or other authorization of, give
any
notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority
or other Person, except for (i) the filing of the Proxy and Registration
Statement with the SEC and the mailing of the Proxy Statement to the Parent
Stockholders, (ii) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable
securities laws, HSR Act and the comparable laws of any foreign country
reasonably determined by the parties to be required and (iii) such other
consents, waivers, approvals, ratifications, permits, licenses, Governmental
Authorizations or other authorizations, or notices, filings or registrations
which, if not obtained or made, would not be material to the Company or Parent
or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the parties to consummate
the Transactions.
38.
4.4 Capitalization
and Ownership.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of Parent consists of (i) 50,000,000 shares of Parent
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of the date hereof, 11,249,997
shares of Parent Common Stock were issued and outstanding. As of the date
hereof, no shares of Parent Preferred Stock were issued or outstanding. Parent
has reserved 18,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock for issuance upon exercise
of outstanding warrants held by Parent’s public stockholders, and 1,350,000
shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon exercise of unit purchase options
issued by Parent on August 31, 2005 in connection with its initial public
offering (and warrants issuable upon exercise thereof) to Wedbush Xxxxxx
Securities Inc. and Maxim Partners LLC.
(b) Prior
to
and as of the date of this Agreement, no dividends have been declared, reserved
or set aside with respect to any Parent Common Stock.
(c) Section 4.4
of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth for Purchaser:
(i) its
authorized share capital; and
(ii) the
number of issued and outstanding shares of its authorized share capital and
the
record and beneficial owners thereof.
All
of
the issued and outstanding equity securities of the Purchaser are owned of
record and beneficially by the Persons specified in Section 4.4 of the Parent
Disclosure Schedule and, to the Parent’s knowledge, free and clear of all
Encumbrances, in the respective amounts set forth in the Parent Disclosure
Schedule.
(d) Other
than Purchaser, Parent has no Subsidiaries.
(e) Except
as
set forth in this Section 4.4 or as contemplated by this Agreement:
(i) there
are
no equity securities of any class of either Parent or the Purchaser, or any
security exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity securities, issued,
reserved for issuance or outstanding; and
(ii) there
are
no options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights or other Parent Contracts
obligating Parent or Purchaser to issue, exchange, transfer, deliver or sell,
or
cause to be issued, exchanged, transferred, delivered or sold, additional shares
or other equity interests of Parent or Purchaser or any security or rights
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such shares or other
equity interests, or obligating Parent or Purchaser to grant, extend, accelerate
the vesting of, otherwise modify or amend or enter into any such option,
warrant, equity security, call, right, or Contract.
39.
(f) Except
as
filed as an exhibit to Parent’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
No. 333-124141) (the “Parent
IPO Registration Statement”),
there
are no Parent Contracts or, to the Knowledge of Parent, Contracts to which
any
Parent Stockholder or any Affiliate of Parent or any Parent Stockholder is
a
party or by which any Parent Stockholder or any Affiliate of Parent or any
Parent Stockholder is bound with respect to the voting (including voting trusts
or proxies), registration under the U.S. Securities Act or
any
other Securities Laws (including the qualification of a prospectus under
Canadian securities Law), or the sale or transfer (including Parent Contracts
imposing transfer restrictions) of any shares or other equity interests of
Parent or Purchaser. Parent does not have any outstanding share appreciation
rights, phantom shares, performance based rights or similar rights or
obligations. No holder of indebtedness of Parent or Purchaser has any right
to
convert or exchange such indebtedness for any equity securities or other
securities of Parent or Purchaser. No holders of outstanding indebtedness of
Parent or Purchaser have any rights to vote for the election of directors of
Parent or Purchaser or to vote on any other matter.
(g) All
of
the Parent Common Stock and the issued and outstanding equity securities of
Purchaser are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable,
not
subject to or issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first
refusal, pre-emptive right, subscription right or any similar right and have
been issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. Other than legends required
by applicable blue sky laws, no legend or other reference to any purported
Encumbrance will appear on any certificate representing the Parent Common Stock
or the Exchangeable Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement.
(h) There
are
no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of Parent or Purchaser to repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any of their shares or other equity interests.
Neither Parent nor Purchaser is subject to any obligation or requirement to
provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any other Person. Except to the extent arising
pursuant to applicable take-over or similar Laws, there is no rights agreement,
“poison pill” anti-take-over plan or other similar agreement or understanding to
which Parent or Purchaser is a party or by they are bound with respect to any
equity security of any class of Parent or Purchaser.
4.5 Financial
Statements and Compliance.
(a) Attached
as Section 4.5 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule are the financial
statements (collectively, the “Parent Financial
Statements”)
comprising the audited balance sheet of Parent as of December 31, 2005 and
the
unaudited balance sheet of Parent as of September 30, 2006 (together, the
“Parent
Balance Sheet”),
the
audited statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flow for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the unaudited statements of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2006,
including in each case any notes thereto, together with, in the case of the
audited financial statements, the report thereon of Xxxxxx LLP, independent
certified public accountants.
(b) The
Parent Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) are correct and
complete, are consistent with the books and records of Parent and have been
prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied throughout the
periods involved. The Parent Financial Statements fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in
shareholders’ equity and cash flow of Parent as of the respective dates and for
the periods indicated therein, all in accordance with U.S. GAAP. No financial
statements of any Person other than Parent are required by U.S. GAAP to be
included in the financial statements of Parent.
(c) Parent
has been in compliance with all Laws applicable to it or by which its properties
are bound or affected, other than non-compliance that does not have, and would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent
Material Adverse Effect. Parent has filed all forms, reports and documents
required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Laws or other
applicable Laws since August 31, 2005 (the “Parent
SEC Reports”),
and
has made available to the Company such forms, reports and documents in the
form
filed. As of their respective dates, all such forms, reports and documents
of
Parent (i) were prepared in accordance with applicable Laws and (ii) did not
at
the time they were filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing before the
date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
Purchaser is not required to file any forms, reports or other documents pursuant
to Securities Laws.
40.
(d) There
are
no amendments or modifications that have not yet been filed pursuant to
Securities Laws but that are required to be filed, to agreements, documents
or
other instruments that previously had been filed by Parent pursuant to
Securities Laws.
(e) Parent
maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurance that:
(i) all
transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorizations;
(ii) all
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial
statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP and to maintain proper accountability
for assets;
(iii) access
to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization; and
(iv) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
Parent
maintains a process for internal control over financial reporting sufficient
to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
in
the preparation of financial statements of Parent in accordance with U.S. GAAP
and includes those policies and procedures that (x) pertain to the maintenance
of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of Parent, (y) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of
the financial statements of Parent in accordance with U.S. GAAP and that
receipts and expenditures of Parent are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of the management of Parent and (z) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,
use or disposition of Parent’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements of Parent.
(f) Parent
maintains disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance
that material information required to be disclosed by Parent under applicable
Securities Laws is made known to Parent’s principal executive officer and
principal financial officer by others within Parent.
4.6 No
Undisclosed Liabilities.
There
are no liabilities or obligations of Parent or Purchaser whatsoever (whether
matured or unmatured, known or unknown, fixed or contingent or otherwise),
except (i) to the extent expressly reflected on or reserved against in, or
otherwise disclosed in the notes to, the Parent Balance Sheet,
(ii) liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business
under the Contracts to which Parent is a party, (iii) liabilities or
obligations arising in the ordinary course of business after the date of the
Parent Balance Sheet consistent (in amount and kind) with past practice (none
of
which is a material liability or material obligation arising from any breach
of
contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement claim, violation of Law or
any
suit, claim, action or proceeding), and (iv) liabilities in respect of
Transaction Expenses of the Parent.
41.
4.7 Transactions
with Affiliates and Employees.
Except
as set forth in the Parent SEC Reports, none of the officers or directors of
Parent or Purchaser is presently a party to any transaction with Parent or
Purchaser, including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing
for
the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer
or
director or, to the knowledge of Parent or Purchaser, any entity in which any
officer or director has a substantial interest or is an officer, director,
trustee or partner, in each case in excess of $60,000 other than for
reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of Parent or
Purchaser.
4.8 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
the date of the Parent Balance Sheet, there has not been: (i) any Parent
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any change by Parent in its accounting methods,
principles or practices, except as required by concurrent changes in U.S. GAAP
or the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, (iii) any revaluation
by
Parent of any of its assets, including, without limitation, writing down the
value of capitalized inventory or writing off notes or accounts receivable
other
than in the ordinary course of business or (iv) any split, combination or
reclassification of any of Parent’s capital stock.
4.9 Taxes.
(a) Parent
and Purchaser have timely filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed
by
them with all applicable Governmental Authorities. Such Tax Returns are true,
correct and complete in all material respects and have been completed in
accordance with applicable Law. Parent and Purchaser have paid, collected,
withheld and remitted all material Taxes required to be paid, collected,
withheld and remitted by them (whether or not shown on any such Tax
Return).
(b) Parent
and Purchaser have timely paid all material Taxes and there is no Tax deficiency
or adjustment outstanding, proposed or assessed against Parent or Purchaser,
nor
has Parent or Purchaser executed any unexpired waiver of any statute of
limitations on, or extended the period for the assessment or collection of,
any
Tax.
(c) No
audit
or other examination of any Tax Return of Parent or Purchaser by any
Governmental Authority is presently in progress, nor has Parent or Purchaser
been notified in writing of any request for such an audit or other
examination.
(d) As
of
December 31, 2006, neither Parent nor Purchaser had any liability for any
material unpaid Taxes that had not been accrued for or reserved against
(excluding deferred Taxes and similar items) on the Parent Balance Sheet in
accordance with U.S. GAAP, whether asserted or unasserted, contingent or
otherwise. Since December 31, 2006, neither Parent nor Purchaser has incurred
any liability for any Taxes other than in the ordinary course of
business.
(e) Parent
has made available to the Company or its legal counsel or accountants true
and
complete copies of the Tax Returns of Parent, Purchaser and any other Subsidiary
of Parent for the last three taxable years.
4.10 Parent
Intellectual Property.
Neither
Parent nor Purchaser owns, licenses or otherwise has any right, title or
interest in any Intellectual Property Rights other than its rights, if any,
to
the name Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
42.
4.11 Compliance;
Permits; Restrictions.
(a) Neither
Parent nor Purchaser nor the conduct of their respective businesses is, in
any
material respect, in conflict with, or in default or violation of any Law
applicable to Parent or Purchaser or by which its or any of their respective
businesses or properties is bound or affected. No investigation or review by
any
Governmental Authority is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened
against Parent or Purchaser, nor has any Governmental Authority indicated to
Parent or Purchaser an intention to conduct the same. There is no agreement,
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Parent or Purchaser which
has
or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially
impairing any business practice of Parent or Purchaser, any acquisition of
material property by Parent or Purchaser or the conduct of their
businesses.
(b) Each
of
Parent and Purchaser holds all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders
and approvals from Governmental Authorities that are material to the operation
of their businesses, including, without limitation such permits, licenses,
approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal,
state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies. Each of Parent and
Purchaser is in compliance in all material respects with such permits, licenses,
approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal,
state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies.
4.12 Litigation.
There
is no suit, action, judgment, proceeding, claim, arbitration or investigation
pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, against or affecting Parent,
Purchaser or any of their respective properties or assets which, individually
or
in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect, or which in any manner seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.13 Brokers’
and Finders’ Fees.
Except
for fees payable to New Century Capital Partners LLC pursuant to an engagement
letter dated March 2, 2007, and except for the deferred underwriting fees
relating to Parent’s initial public offering payable upon the consummation of
the Arrangement (the “Deferred
Underwriting Fees”),
neither Parent nor Purchaser has incurred, nor will it incur, directly or
indirectly, any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions
or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement or the
Transactions.
4.14 Employee
Benefit Plans.
Neither
Parent nor Purchaser maintains or has liability under any employee compensation,
severance, termination pay, deferred compensation, stock or stock related
awards, incentive, fringe or benefit plans, programs, policies, commitments
or
other arrangements (whether or not set forth in a written document and
including, without limitation, all “employee benefit plans” within the meaning
of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended), and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any
payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute,
bonus
or otherwise) becoming due to any stockholder, director or employee of Parent
or
Purchaser; or (ii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such benefits. Neither Parent nor Purchaser have any
employees.
4.15 Absence
of Liens and Encumbrances.
Each of
Parent and Purchaser has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased
properties, valid leasehold interests in, all of its tangible properties and
assets, real, personal and mixed, used in its business, free and clear of any
liens or encumbrances except as reflected in the Parent Financials and except
for liens for taxes not yet due and payable and such imperfections of title
and
encumbrances, if any, which would not be material to Parent on a consolidated
basis.
43.
4.16 Agreements,
Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Except
as
set forth in the Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement,
there are no Parent Contracts, which either (i) create or impose a liability
greater than $10,000, or (ii) may not be cancelled by Parent on less than
30 days’ prior notice.
(b) Each
Parent Contact was entered into at arms’ length and in the ordinary course, is
in full force and effect and is valid and binding upon and enforceable against
each of the parties thereto. True, correct and complete copies of all Parent
Contracts have been made available to Company.
(c) Neither
Parent nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto is in breach
of
or in default under, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of
time or both would become a breach of or default under, any Parent Contract,
and
no party to any Parent Contract has given any written notice of any claim of
such breach, default or event. Each Parent Contract is in full force and
effect.
4.17 Parent
Properties.
Neither
Parent nor Purchaser owns any real property or holds any material tangible
assets. The Parent leases its offices on a month to month basis pursuant to
an
oral lease agreement.
4.18 Trust
Account.
As of
the date hereof and at the Closing Date, Parent has and will have no less than
$52,247,606 in a trust account administered by Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company (the “Trust
Account”),
less
such amounts, if any, as Parent is required to pay to stockholders who elect
to
have their shares converted to cash in accordance with Parent’s certificate of
incorporation and the Deferred Underwriting Fees.
4.19 Over-The-Counter
Bulletin Board Quotation.
Parent’s Common Stock and warrants are quoted on the OTC BB. There is no action
or proceeding pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened against Parent by
NASDAQ or NASD, Inc. with respect to any intention by such entities to prohibit
or terminate the quotation of any such securities on the OTC BB.
4.20 State
Takeover Statutes.
The
Board of Directors of Parent has approved this Agreement, the Ancillary
Agreements and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and
such
approval is sufficient to render inapplicable the restrictions contained in
Section 203 of the Delaware Law, to the extent, if any, such restrictions would
otherwise be applicable to the Arrangement, this Agreement, the Ancillary
Agreements and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. No other
state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation applies or purports
to
apply to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
4.21 Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act.
Neither
Parent nor any officer, director, employee or agent thereof or any stockholder
thereof acting on behalf of Parent or any Subsidiary, has done any act or
authorized, directed or participated in any act, in violation of any provision
of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, applied
to such entity or person.
4.22 Canco
and Purchaser Status.
(a) Other
than in connection with the Arrangement or the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement, Parent, directly or indirectly, has no plan or intention to: (i)
cause the liquidation of Purchaser or Canco (for U.S. federal income tax
purposes or otherwise), (ii) cause the reorganization, merger or amalgamation
of
Purchaser or Canco with any Person (provided that the foregoing shall not
prevent transfers of assets to and from Purchaser), (iii) cause the sale,
distribution or other disposition of the stock of Purchaser or Canco by the
owner thereof (other than a transfer to one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries
of
Parent), or (iv) cause Purchaser to issue any shares of voting stock of
Purchaser.
44.
(b) At
the
Effective Time, except as contemplated by the Arrangement, Parent or one or
more
wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Parent will own all of the outstanding capital
stock of Purchaser other than the Exchangeable Shares to be issued in the
Arrangement or in connection with the Arrangement.
(c) Purchaser
and Canco were formed for the sole purpose of engaging in the Transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Neither Canco nor Purchaser has or will have
incurred, directly or indirectly, any obligations or liabilities or engaged
in
any business or activities or entered into any agreements or arrangements with
any Person, except for obligations and liabilities incurred in connection with
their incorporation or organization and the transactions contemplated hereby
and
in the Plan of Arrangement. At no time prior to the Effective Time will Canco
or
Purchaser own any material assets other than an amount of cash necessary to
incorporate Canco or Purchaser, as applicable, and to pay the expenses of the
transactions contemplated hereby attributable to it if the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated.
4.23 Business
Combinations.
Parent
is not party to any Contract (including, without limitation, letters of intent,
memorandums of understanding and the like) which contemplates the consummation
of a Business Combination (as defined in Parent’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation) other than (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements and (ii) any such Contract that has been terminated or expired by
its
terms, in each case on or prior to the date hereof.
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
5.1 Access
and Investigation. From
the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time and upon reasonable advance
notice each party will, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) afford
the other party and its Representatives full access during normal business
hours
to all of its properties, books, Contracts, personnel and records as such party
may reasonably request; and
(b) furnish
promptly to the other party and its Representatives all other information
concerning its business, properties, assets and personnel as such party may
reasonably request.
5.2 Operation
of the Businesses of the Acquired Companies.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, during the period from the date of this
Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time, the Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) conduct
its business only in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to preserve and protect its business
organization, assets, employment relationships, and relationships with
customers, strategic partners, suppliers, distributors, landlords and others
doing business with it;
45.
(iii) pay
its
debts and Taxes when due, subject to good faith disputes over such obligations;
and
(iv) deliver
to Parent (A) the monthly board book that is disseminated to the Board of
Directors of the Company and (B) the Company’s weekly operational
reports.
(b) Without
limiting the generality of Section 5.2(a) and except as set forth in Section
5.2
of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise expressly permitted or
contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, the Company will
not, and will not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to (unless Parent
shall otherwise approve in writing, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed):
(i) declare,
set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities
or other property) in respect of its capital stock (other than dividends and
distributions by a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company
to
its parent);
(ii) split,
combine or reclassify its capital or issue or authorize the issuance of any
other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for its shares
or
any of its other securities;
(iii) purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares or any other securities or any
options, warrants or other rights to acquire any such shares or
securities;
(iv) enter
into any material partnership arrangements, joint development agreement or
strategic alliances, other than in the ordinary course of business;
(v) transfer
a license to any Person, or otherwise extend, amend or modify any material
Intellectual Property Rights;
(vi) cause,
permit or propose any amendments to its Organizational Documents;
(vii) acquire
or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing any
equity interest in or a material portion or the assets of, or by any other
manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other
business organization or division thereof having a value in excess of $250,000,
or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets having a value in excess
of
$250,000;
(viii) except
as
required to ensure that any Company Plan is not then out of compliance with
applicable Law or to comply with the requirements of any Company Plan, adopt,
amend or terminate any Company Plan;
(ix) make
any
individual or series of related payments outside of the ordinary course of
business in excess of $100,000;
(x) except
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, modify, amend
or
terminate any Material Contract or waive, delay the exercise of, release or
assign any material rights or claims thereunder;
(xi) except
as
required by applicable Law, enter into any closing agreement in respect of
material Taxes, settle any claim or assessment in respect of any material Taxes,
or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to
any
claim or assessment in respect of any material Taxes;
46.
(xii) incur
or
enter into any agreement or commitment in excess of $250,000 individually or
incur any indebtedness (including capital leases or deferred purchase price
obligations) other than (x) under the Security and Purchase Agreement, dated
July 31, 2006 among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries and Laurus Master
Fund, Ltd, as amended, or (y) in respect of professional fees and expenses
relating to this Agreement and the Transactions;
(xiii) (A)
hire
any employee or consultant with an annual compensation level in excess of
$150,000 or who is eligible to earn or is paid a bonus in excess of $50,000,
(B)
enter into or amend any Contract with any director, officer or employee of
the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries the benefits of which are contingent upon
the
occurrence of the Transactions or (C) enter into any compensation agreement
with
any current officer or director;
(xiv) pay,
discharge or satisfy any claim, liability or obligation (absolute, accrued,
asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise) for an amount in excess of
$250,000 other than (A) ordinary course workers’ compensation claims or (B)
pursuant to agreements contemplating such payment, discharge or satisfaction
entered into prior to the date hereof;
(xv) except
as
required by applicable Law, make or change any material Tax election, change
any
method of accounting resulting in a material amount of additional Tax or file
any material amended Tax Return;
(xvi) otherwise
engage in any practice, take any action, or enter into any transaction of the
type described in Section 3.7 or Section 3.8;
(xvii) purchase
any insurance in excess of such insurance policies held by the Acquired
Companies on the date hereof, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit
the
Company from extending the term of existing insurance policies or replacing
existing insurance policies with comparable policies;
(xviii) agree
in
writing or otherwise take any of the actions described in Section 5.2(b)(i)
through (xvii) above; or
(xix) other
than upon the exercise of outstanding Company Options, Company SARs, Company
Warrants or Convertible Debentures, issue any Common Shares.
5.3 Conduct
of Business By Parent.
During
the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier
of
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time,
Parent agrees, and shall cause Purchaser to, except (i) as specifically provided
in this Agreement or (ii) to the extent that the Company shall otherwise consent
in writing (the provision of a response to any request for such consent not
to
be unreasonably delayed), to carry on its business in the ordinary course,
in
substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted and in compliance with
all
applicable Laws, to pay its debts and taxes when due subject to good faith
disputes over such debts or taxes, to pay or perform other material obligations
when due, subject to good faith disputes over such obligations and use its
commercially reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and policies
to
preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services
of its present officers and preserve its business relationships. In addition,
except (x) as specifically provided in this Agreement or (y) to the extent
that the Company shall otherwise consent in writing (the provision of a response
to any request for such consent not to be unreasonably delayed), Parent and
its
Subsidiaries shall not take any actions other than those necessary or
appropriate to consummate the Transactions and those necessary to permit the
continued operation of Parent’s business.
47.
5.4 Consents
and Filings; Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
Without
limiting the obligations of the Parties under other sections of this Agreement,
each of the Parties will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use their
respective commercially reasonable efforts:
(a) to
take
promptly, or cause to be taken (including actions after the Closing), all
actions, and to do promptly, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper
or advisable to consummate and make effective the Transactions; and
(b) as
promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, to obtain all
Governmental Authorizations from, give all notices to, and make all filings
with, all Governmental Authorities, and to obtain all other consents, waivers,
approvals and other authorizations from, and give all other notices to, all
other third parties, that are necessary or advisable in connection with the
authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including those disclosed
or
required to be disclosed as exceptions to Section 3.3 on the Company Disclosure
Schedule and Section 4.3 on the Parent Disclosure Schedule.
5.5 Covenants
of the Company Regarding the Arrangement. The
Company shall and shall cause its Subsidiaries to perform all obligations
required or desirable to be performed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
under this Agreement, co-operate with Parent in connection therewith, and do
all
such other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable in order to
consummate and make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable, the
Transactions and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
shall and, where appropriate, shall cause its Subsidiaries to:
(a) use
all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Required Company Vote, provided
that the Company shall not be required to engage a proxy solicitation agent
in
connection therewith;
(b) use
all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consents set forth in Section
3.3
of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in
this Agreement, in connection with obtaining any approval or consent from any
Person (other than a Governmental Authority) with respect to any transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, (i) without the prior written consent of Parent
(not to be unreasonably withheld) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
shall pay or commit to pay to such Person whose approval or consent is being
solicited any cash or other consideration, make any commitment or incur any
liability or other obligation due to such Person and (ii) none of Parent or
its
respective Affiliates shall be required to pay or commit to pay to such Person
whose approval or consent is being solicited any cash or other consideration,
make any commitment or to incur any liability or other obligation;
(c) use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to effect all necessary registrations, filings
and submissions of information required by Governmental Authorities from the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Arrangement;
(d) apply
for
and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Regulatory Approvals
relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which are typically applied
for in a transaction of this nature or are necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable Law or required to be taken by any Governmental Authority and, in
doing so, keep Parent reasonably informed as to the nature of any application
or
submission proposed to be made and the status of the proceedings related to
obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, including providing Parent with copies
of
all related applications and notifications (other than confidential information
contained in such applications and notifications), in draft form, in order
for
Parent to provide its reasonable comments thereon; and
48.
(e) defend
all Proceedings against the Company challenging or affecting this Agreement
or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, provided however
that
the Company shall not enter into any settlement, or consent to any Judgment
thereon without the prior written consent of the Parent (such consent not to
be
unreasonably withheld).
5.6 Covenants
of Parent Regarding the Performance of Obligations. Parent
shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, perform all obligations required
or
desirable to be performed by Parent or any of Parent’s Subsidiaries under this
Agreement, co-operate with the Company in connection therewith, and do all
such
other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable in order to consummate
and make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable, the Transactions and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent shall and where
appropriate shall cause its Subsidiaries to:
(a) use
all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Required Parent Vote;
(b) apply
for
and use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Regulatory Approvals
relating to Parent or any of Parent’s Subsidiaries and relating to the Company
or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries which are typically applied for by an
offeror or are necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law or required
to be taken by any Governmental Authority and, in doing so, keep the Company
reasonably informed as to the status of the Proceedings related to obtaining
the
Regulatory Approvals, including providing the Company with copies of all related
applications and notifications in draft form (other than confidential
information contained in such applications and notifications), in order for
the
Company to provide its reasonable comments thereon;
(c) use
its
commercially reasonable efforts to effect all necessary registrations, filings
and submissions of information required by Governmental Authorities from the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Arrangement; and
(d) defend
all Proceedings against Parent challenging or affecting this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
5.7 Mutual
Covenants. Each
of
the Parties covenants and agrees that, except as otherwise contemplated in
this
Agreement, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier
of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in
accordance with its terms:
(a) it
shall,
and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to
satisfy (or cause the satisfaction of) the conditions precedent to its
obligations hereunder as set forth in Article 6 to the extent the same is within
its control and to take, or cause to be taken, all other action and to do,
or
cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable under all
applicable Laws to consummate the Arrangement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to:
(i)
obtain all Regulatory Approvals required to be obtained by it; (ii) effect
all
necessary registrations, filings and submissions of information requested by
Governmental Authorities required to be effected by it in connection with the
Arrangement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; (iii) oppose,
lift or rescind any injunction or restraining order against it or other order
or
action against it seeking to stop, or otherwise adversely affecting its ability
to make and complete, the Arrangement; and (iv) co-operate with the other Party
in connection with the performance by it and its Subsidiaries of their
obligations hereunder. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided,
none
of the Parties shall knowingly take or cause to be taken any action which would
reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or materially change the business operations
or
financial condition of the Company or the Parent; and
49.
(b) it
shall
not take any action, refrain from taking any commercially reasonable action,
or
permit any action to be taken or not taken, which is inconsistent with this
Agreement or which would reasonably be expected to significantly impede the
consummation of the Arrangement except as permitted by this
Agreement.
5.8 Notification.
From
the
date of this Agreement until the Closing, each of the parties will give prompt
notice to the other parties of:
(a) the
occurrence, or non-occurrence, of any event, the occurrence or non-occurrence
of
which would reasonably be expected to cause any representation or warranty
of
such party contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate, in each
case
at any time from and after the date of this Agreement until the Closing;
and
(b) any
failure to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by such party under this Agreement.
No
notification pursuant to this Section 5.9
will be
deemed to amend or supplement the Company Disclosure Schedule or Parent
Disclosure Schedule, as the case may be, prevent or cure any misrepresentation,
breach of warranty or breach of covenant, or limit or otherwise affect any
rights or remedies available to the party receiving notice, including pursuant
to Section 8.2.
5.9 Confidentiality. From
the
date of this Agreement until the Closing, the parties agree to be bound by
and
comply with the provisions set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement between
the Company and the Parent dated December 29, 2006 (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”),
provided that each party hereby consents to the disclosure of Confidential
Information provided by such party for purposes of inclusion in the Circular,
the Proxy and Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Proxy Statement or
pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, as applicable. From and after the Closing,
the
confidentiality obligations of Parent and Purchaser under the Confidentiality
Agreement will terminate with respect to all Information.
5.10 Unaudited
Monthly and Quarterly Statements; Audited Annual Statements; Pro Forma Financial
Statements.
(a) Until
the
Effective Time, the Company will cause to be prepared (and furnish to the
Parent) as promptly as possible (and in any event, no later than the earlier
of
(i) the time such information is provided to the Company’s Board of
Directors and (ii) 30 days after the end of a month or 45 days after the
end of a fiscal quarter, as applicable (other than the fiscal quarter ended
December 31, 2006)) on a monthly and quarterly basis unaudited consolidated
balance sheets as of the end of such calendar month or fiscal quarter, and
the
related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, statements of
stockholders’ equity and statements of cash flows and, solely with respect to
the quarterly statements, a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP for the respective
periods (such balance sheets, and related statements being collectively referred
to in this Agreement as the “Unaudited
Statements”).
The
Unaudited Statements will be prepared from the books and records of the Company
and will and fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the respective time
periods in accordance with internal Company accounting methods and standards
currently used.
50.
(b) The
Company shall cause to be prepared (and furnish to the Parent) as promptly
as
possible after the execution of this Agreement (and in any event no later than
March 31, 2007) the audited consolidated balance sheet, and related audited
consolidated statement of operations, statement of stockholders’ equity,
statements of cash flows, notes thereto and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP for
the year ended December 31, 2006 (such balance sheet and related statements
of
operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows, related notes and the
reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, the “Audited
2006 Statements”).
The
Audited 2006 Statements will be prepared from the books and records of the
Company and will and fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and changes in cash flows of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the respective time
periods in accordance with internal Company accounting methods and standards
currently used.
(c) The
Company shall prepare such pro forma financial statements and notes thereto
as
reasonably required by Parent for inclusion in the Proxy and Registration
Statement, the Prospectus or the Proxy Statement and provide such assistance
as
reasonably requested by Parent in the preparation of the Proxy and Registration
Statement.
5.11 Dissenting
Shareholders. The
Company shall give the Parent prompt notice of any written notice exercising
Dissent Rights, withdrawals of the exercise of such rights, and any other
instruments served pursuant to the Arrangement Resolution, the Plan of
Arrangement, the Interim Order and the Final Order, and shall consult Parent
in
respect of negotiations and proceedings with respect to the exercise of such
Dissent Rights. Without the prior written consent of the Parent, except as
required by applicable Law, the Company shall not, prior to the Effective Time,
make any payment with respect to any such rights or offer to settle or settle
any such rights.
5.12 Structure
Changes. In
the
event that the Court or any Governmental Authority issues any order, ruling,
decision or decree, or takes any action of any kind whatsoever, or refuses
to
take any action which is contemplated by this Agreement to be taken by it in
connection with the implementation of the Transactions, which in each case
is
materially inconsistent with the structure of the Transactions contemplated
hereby, the Parties, each acting in good faith, will cooperate with each other
to devise, consider and implement an alternative structure for the Transactions
which will result in the Parent and the Company Shareholders being, as nearly
as
practicable, in the same economic positions as they would have been if the
structure provided herein for the Transactions had been implemented (provided
that (i) such alternative structure shall not be detrimental to the Company
or
the Company Shareholders and (ii) the Company and Parent shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain revised Fairness Opinions with respect to the
alternative structure from the Company Financial Advisor and the Parent
Financial Advisor, respectively), and the Parties shall amend this Agreement
and
the Plan of Arrangement to the extent necessary to reflect such changes in
the
proposed structure, and to implement the Transactions as so
amended.
5.13 Further
Actions. Subject
to the other express provisions of this Agreement, upon the request of any
party
to this Agreement, the other parties will:
(a) furnish
to the requesting party any additional information;
(b) execute
and deliver, at their own expense, any other documents; and
(c) take
any
other actions,
as
may be
necessary or as the requesting party may reasonably require to more effectively
carry out the intent of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement.
51.
5.14 Parent
Board Composition and Executive Officers.
(a) The
Board
of Directors of Parent shall take all actions necessary such that effective
as
of the Effective Time:
(i) The
Board
of Directors shall be comprised of 9 directors and shall be divided into three
classes, Class A, Class B and Class C, with 3 directors in each class. The
directors in Class A shall be elected for a term expiring at the first annual
meeting of Parent’s stockholders following the Effective Time, the directors in
Class B shall be elected for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of
Parent’s stockholders following the Effective Time and the directors in Class C
shall be elected for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of Parent’s
stockholders following the Effective Time.
(ii) The
Class
C directors of Parent shall initially be M. Xxxxx XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
and
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx.
(iii) The
Class
B directors of Parent shall initially be Xxxxx Xxxxxxx (so long as he qualifies
as an “independent director” as defined in Rule 4200(15) of the NASDAQ
Marketplace Rules (an “Independent
Director”)),
Xxxx
Xxxxxx and one other person selected by the Company’s Board of Directors who is
not currently a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and who qualifies as
an Independent Director.
(iv) The
Class
A directors of Parent shall initially be Xxxxx Xxxxx (so long as he qualifies
as
an Independent Director), Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (so long as he qualifies as
an
Independent Director) and one other person selected by mutual agreement of
the
Company and Parent who qualifies as an Independent Director.
(b) Subject
to the general oversight and authority of the Board of Directors of Parent
under
applicable law, the Board of Directors of Parent shall take all actions
necessary to establish, empower and maintain as of the Effective Time (i) an
audit committee, which shall consist solely of Independent Directors, (ii)
a
compensation committee, which shall consist solely of Independent Directors
and
which shall initially be co-chaired by Xxxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
and (iii) a governance committee which shall consist solely of Independent
Directors and which shall initially be chaired by Xxxxx Xxxxx.
(c) The
Board
of Directors of Parent will take all actions necessary such that effective
as of
the Effective Time, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officers shall become the Parent’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officers, respectively, in each case to hold such office from and after the
Effective Time until his successor is duly appointed and qualified in the manner
provided in the Organizational Documents of Parent or as otherwise provided
by
Law or his earlier resignation or removal.
5.15 Company
Registration.
The
Company shall not take any action to cause its registration statement on the
Form 20-F to be declared effective by the SEC, provided that the Company may
address comments received from the SEC with respect thereto.
5.16 Treatment
of Company Options, SARs, Warrants and Convertible Debentures.
(a) At
the
Effective Time, each of the Company Options which are outstanding and
unexercised immediately prior thereto shall, pursuant to the terms of the Plan
of Arrangement cease to represent a right to acquire Common Shares of the
Company and shall be exchanged for an option of Parent, in accordance with
the
terms of the Plan of Arrangement and the Parent shall also take all necessary
action to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common
Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Company Options and Parent shall
register all shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the
Company Options on Form S-8 under the U.S. Securities Act once Parent becomes
eligible to use Form S-8.
52.
(b) At
the
Effective Time, each of the Company SARs which are outstanding and unexercised
immediately prior thereto shall, pursuant to the terms of an SAR Exchange
Agreement between Parent and each holder of Company SARs (the “SAR Exchange
Agreements”), cease to represent a right to acquire Common Shares of the Company
and shall be converted automatically into share appreciation rights of Parent
Common Stock, pursuant to which each Company SAR shall entitle the holder to
receive such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as the holder of such
Company SAR would have been entitled to receive pursuant to the Arrangement
had
such holder been able to exercise such Company SAR in full immediately prior
to
the Effective Time, with appropriate adjustments made to the exercise price
applicable to such Company SAR and the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
acquired upon exercise), determined in accordance with the applicable SAR
Exchange Agreement. Except for the foregoing adjustments, each such Company
SAR
so converted pursuant to a SAR Exchange Agreement shall continue to have, and
be
subject to, the same terms and conditions (including the vesting and exercise
arrangements and other terms and conditions set forth in the Company Stock
Plans
and the applicable stock appreciation right agreement evidencing each such
Company SAR) as are in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time. Parent
shall take all necessary action to reserve for issuance a sufficient number
of
shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Company SARs
and
Parent shall register all shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Company SARs on Form S-8 under the U.S. Securities Act once
Parent becomes eligible to use Form S-8.
(c) At
the
Effective Time, each of the Company Warrants which is outstanding and
unexercised immediately prior thereto shall, pursuant to the terms of such
Company Warrant, cease to represent a right to acquire Common Shares of the
Company and shall instead represent a right to purchase such number of shares
of
Parent Common Stock as the holder of such Company Warrant would have been
entitled to receive pursuant to the Arrangement had such holder exercised such
warrant in full immediately prior to the Effective Time, at a price per share
equal to (y) the aggregate exercise price for the Common Shares of the Company
otherwise purchasable pursuant to such Company Warrant divided by (z) the number
of full shares of Parent Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such
Company Warrants, and subject to further adjustments in accordance with the
terms of such Company Warrant (the “New
Warrants”).
To
the extent necessary to give effect to this Section 5.16(c), Parent shall issue
to the holder of Company Warrants a new warrant evidencing the right represented
in the New Warrants. Parent shall take all necessary action to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery
upon
conversion of the Company Warrants and Parent and the Company shall take all
necessary action to cause the registration of the resale of such shares of
Parent Common Stock under the U.S. Securities Act effective as of the Effective
Time. In the event that Parent enters into a transaction analogous to the
Arrangement following the Effective Time, Parent shall ensure that the New
Warrants are treated in a manner similar to how the Company Warrants are treated
in this Section 5.16(c).
(d) All
Convertible Debentures that are outstanding as of the Effective Time shall
remain outstanding after the Effective Time in accordance with their respective
terms and provisions. After the Effective Time, Parent will become jointly
and
severally liable with the Company with respect to the payment and performance
by
the Company of all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities Purchase
Agreement and the Convertible Debentures. Following the Effective Time, each
holder of Convertible Debentures will have the right to convert such Convertible
Debentures into the number of shares of Parent Common Stock which would be
receivable at the Effective Time by a holder of the Company Common Shares
deliverable upon conversion of such Convertible Debentures immediately prior
to
the Effective Time, and subject to future adjustments of the conversion price
of
the Convertible Debentures as are provided for in the terms of the Convertible
Debentures (the “New
Convertible Debentures”).
To the
extent necessary to give effect to this Section 5.16(d), Parent shall issue
to
the holder of Convertible Debentures a new debenture evidencing the right
represented in the New Convertible Debenture. Parent shall take all necessary
action to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common
Stock for delivery upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures and Parent
and
the Company shall take all necessary action to cause the registration of the
resale of such shares of Parent Common Stock under the U.S. Securities Act
effective as of the Effective Time. In the event that Parent enters into a
transaction analogous to the Arrangement following the Effective Time, Parent
shall ensure that the Convertible Debentures are treated in a similar manner
to
this Section 5.16(d).
53.
ARTICLE
6
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
6.1 Conditions
to the Obligation of the Parent. The
obligation of the Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Effective Time,
of
each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Parent,
in
whole or in part):
(a) The
Company’s representations and warranties (i) set forth in
Section 3.4
of this
Agreement must have been true and correct in all material respects on and as
of
the date of this Agreement and must be true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (or, in the
case of those representations and warranties in Section 3.4 that are made as
of
a particular date or period, at and as of such date or period), and (ii)
otherwise set forth in this Agreement must have been true and correct as of
the
date of this Agreement and must be true and correct in all respects as of the
Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (or, in the case of those
representations and warranties that are made as of a particular date or period,
at and as of such date or period) except for inaccuracies in such representation
or warranties the circumstances giving rise to which, individually or in the
aggregate, do not have and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company
Material Adverse Effect (disregarding any materiality or Company Material
Adverse Effect qualification contained in any such representation or
warranty);
(b) all
of
the covenants and obligations that the Acquired Companies are required to
perform or comply with under this Agreement on or before the Closing Date must
have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects (with
materiality being measured individually and on an aggregate basis with respect
to all breaches of covenants and obligations);
(c) each
of
the Governmental Authorizations, including all exemption orders from securities
commissions under Canadian Securities Laws, and consents identified in Section
3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and Section 4.3 of Parent Disclosure
Schedule as a Governmental Authorization or consent that is required to be
obtained as a condition to Closing must have been obtained and must be in full
force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods (and any extensions
thereof) under the HSR Act and the Competition Act must have expired or
otherwise been terminated;
(d) there
must not be in effect any Law or Judgment which makes illegal or enjoins or
prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or
any of the Ancillary Agreements;
54.
(e) since
the
date of this Agreement, there must not have been any change, occurrence or
event
that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(f) the
Company must have delivered or caused to be delivered each document that
Section 2.8(a)
requires
it to deliver;
(g) the
Arrangement shall have been approved at the Company Meeting by not less than
the
Required Company Vote and at the Parent Meeting by not less than the Required
Parent Vote;
(h) the
Interim Order and the Final Order shall each have been obtained in form and
on
terms reasonably satisfactory to each of the Company and Parent, and shall
not
have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to such parties, acting
reasonably, on appeal or otherwise; and
(i) Dissenting
Shareholders hold no more than 7% of the Common Shares.
6.2 Conditions
to the Obligation of the Company. The
obligation of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Effective Time,
of
each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Company,
in
whole or in part):
(a) the
Parent’s representations and warranties (i) set forth in Section 4.4 of this
Agreement must have been true and correct in all material respects on and as
of
the date of this Agreement and must be true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (or, in the
case of those representations and warranties in Section 4.4 that are made as
of
a particular date or period, at and as of such date or period), and (ii)
otherwise set forth in this Agreement must have been true and correct in all
respects as of the date of this Agreement and must be true and correct in all
material respects as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date
(or,
in the case of those representations and warranties that are made as of a
particular date or period, at and as of such date or period) except for
inaccuracies in such representations or warranties the circumstances giving
rise
to which, individually or in the aggregate, do not have and would not reasonably
be expected to have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect (disregarding any
materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect qualification contained in any
such representation or warranty);
(b) all
of
the covenants and obligations that the Parent or the Purchaser is required
to
perform or comply with under this Agreement on or before the Closing Date must
have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects (with
materiality being measured individually and on an aggregate basis with respect
to all breaches of covenants and obligations);
(c) each
of
the Governmental Authorizations and consents identified in Section 3.3 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and Section 4.3 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule
as
a Governmental Authorization or consent that is required to be obtained as
a
condition to Closing must have been obtained and must be in full force and
effect, and all applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under
the HSR Act must have expired or otherwise been terminated;
(d) there
must not be in effect any Law or Judgment which makes illegal or enjoins or
prevents the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or
any of the Ancillary Agreements;
55.
(e) since
the
date of this Agreement, there must not have been any change, occurrence or
event
that has had or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(f) the
Parent must have delivered or caused to be delivered each document that
Section 2.8(b) requires it to deliver;
(g) the
Arrangement shall have been approved at the Company Meeting by not less than
the
Required Company Vote and at the Parent Meeting by no less than the Required
Parent Vote;
(h) the
Interim Order and the Final Order shall each have been obtained in form and
on
terms reasonably satisfactory to each of the Company and Parent, and shall
not
have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to such parties, acting
reasonably, on appeal or otherwise;
(i) The
Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement
are in full force and effect unamended and are valid and binding obligations
of
the parties thereto. Each of the parties thereto has performed in all material
respects the obligations required to be performed by it under the Exchangeable
Share Support Agreement and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and is
entitled to all benefits thereunder. None of the parties thereto has violated
or
breached, in any material respect, any of the terms or conditions of the
Exchangeable Share Support Agreement or the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement
and there exists no default or event of default or event, occurrence, condition
or act which, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening
of
any other event or condition, would become a default or event of default by
any
of the parties under the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement; and
(j) Parent
will have no less than $38,684,000, before Parent’s Transaction Expenses, in the
Trust Account.
ARTICLE
7
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
7.1 Non-Solicitation.
(a) Except
as
otherwise provided in Article 7, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly,
and shall not authorize, permit or condone any officer, director, employee,
representative or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries directly
or
indirectly to (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage
(including by way of furnishing information or entering into any form of
agreement, arrangement or understanding) the initiation of any inquiries or
making of any proposals or announcements regarding an Acquisition Proposal,
(ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other
than Parent and its affiliates) regarding an Acquisition Proposal, (iii)
withdraw, amend or modify in a manner adverse to Parent, the approval of the
Board of Directors of the Company of the Arrangement, (iv) approve, endorse
or
recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition
Proposal, or (v) accept or enter into any agreement, understanding, arrangement
or Contract in respect of an Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality
agreement permitted by Section 7.1(d)); provided,
however,
that
prior to the date the Required Company Vote is obtained, nothing contained
in
this Agreement shall prevent the Board of Directors of the Company from entering
into an agreement (subject to compliance with Section 8.2(d)(i))
or
engaging in discussions or negotiations or furnishing information to (subject
to
compliance with Section 7.1(d)) with any Person who has made (and not withdrawn)
an unsolicited bona fide, written Acquisition Proposal to the Company
that:
56.
(i) did
not
result from a breach of this Section 7.1;
(ii) involves
the acquisition of not less than 50.01% of the outstanding Common Shares
(excluding any Common Shares held by such Person or its Affiliates) or 50.01%
of
the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole;
(iii) in
respect of which the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith
after receiving written opinions from the Company Financial Advisor and its
outside counsel (copies of which have been provided to the Parent) that the
Acquisition Proposal would, if consummated, result in a Superior Proposal and
that the Board of Directors of the Company is required to withdraw or modify
its
recommendation with respect to the transaction in order to comply with their
fiduciary duties to the Company’s shareholders under applicable
Laws;
(b) The
Company shall, and shall cause the officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents of the Company and its Subsidiaries to, immediately
terminate any existing solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any
Person (other than Parent) that has made, indicated any interest to make or
may
reasonably be expected to make, an Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall
promptly request the return or destruction of all information provided to any
third party which has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company
relating to a potential Acquisition Proposal to the extent that such information
has not previously been returned or destroyed, and shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that such requests are honored in accordance with
the terms of such agreement.
(c) The
Company shall promptly (and in any event within 48 hours of receipt by the
Company) notify Parent, immediately orally and thereafter in writing, of any
Acquisition Proposal or inquiry received after the date hereof (whether or
not
relating to any Acquisition Proposal or inquiry received prior to the date
hereof) that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal,
in
each case received after the date hereof, of which any of its directors,
officers, Company Financial Advisor or other agents are or become aware, or
any
amendments to the foregoing, or any request for non-public information relating
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition
Proposal and a description of the material terms and conditions of any such
Acquisition Proposal or inquiry. The Company shall keep Parent informed of
any
change to the material terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.
Promptly upon request, the Company shall provide Parent with copies of all
correspondence in respect of any such Acquisition Proposal, inquiries or request
for information.
(d) If
the
Company receives a request for material non-public information from a Person
who
proposes an unsolicited bona fide Acquisition Proposal where the Company is
not
in breach of Section 7.1(a) and the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith after receiving written opinions from the Company
Financial Advisor and its outside counsel that such proposal would, if
consummated, lead to a Superior Proposal, then, and only in such case, the
Board
of Directors of the Company may, subject to the execution by such Person of
a
confidentiality agreement, provide such Person with access to information
regarding the Company, provided that Parent is promptly provided with a list
and
copies of all information provided to such Person not previously provided to
Parent and is promptly provided with access to information similar to that
which
was provided to such Person.
(e) In
the
event that the Board of Directors of the Company shall have failed to make,
withdrawn, amended or modified in a manner adverse to Parent its approval or
recommendation of the Arrangement, the Company shall remain obligated to give
notice of, convene and hold the Company Meeting, unless the Company exercises
its right to terminate this Agreement (i) in connection with a Superior Proposal
as permitted by Section 7.1(a) hereof or (ii) as otherwise permitted by this
Agreement.
57.
7.2 Right
to Match.
(a) Subject
to Section 7.2(b),
the
Company covenants that it will not accept, approve, recommend or enter into
any
agreement, understanding, arrangement or Contract in respect of a Superior
Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement permitted by
Section 7.1(d)) unless:
(i) the
Company has complied with its obligations under Section 7.1 and the other
provisions of this Article 7 and has provided Parent with a copy of the Superior
Proposal; and
(ii) a
period
(the “Response
Period”)
of
three Business Days shall have elapsed from the date on which Parent received
written notice from the Board of Directors of the Company that the Board of
Directors of the Company determined, subject only to compliance with this
Section 7.2,
to
accept, approve, recommend or enter into a binding agreement to proceed with
the
Superior Proposal. In the event that the Company provides Parent with the notice
contemplated in this Section on a date that is less than five Business Days
prior to the Company Meeting, the Company shall be entitled to require that
the
Company Meeting be adjourned to a date that is not more than 5 Business Days
after the date of such notice.
(b) During
the Response Period, Parent will have the right, but not the obligation, to
offer to amend the terms of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of the
Company will review any such proposal by Parent to amend the terms of this
Agreement, including an increase in, or modification of, the consideration
to be
received by the holders of Common Shares, to determine whether the Acquisition
Proposal to which Parent is responding would be a Superior Proposal when
assessed against the Arrangement as it is proposed by Parent to be amended.
If
the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the Acquisition Proposal
would no longer be a Superior Proposal if the Arrangement was so amended and
the
Parent delivers to the Company during the Response Period a firm written offer
to amend this Agreement in a manner which is consistent with such proposal,
the
Board of Directors of the Company will promptly publicly reaffirm its
recommendation of the Arrangement. If the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith after receiving a written opinion from the Company
Financial Advisor that such Acquisition Proposal to which Parent is responding
would be a Superior Proposal when assessed against the Arrangement as it is
proposed by Parent to be amended, the Company may, subject to Section 7.3,
terminate this Agreement and approve, recommend, accept or enter into an
agreement, understanding or arrangement to proceed with the Superior
Proposal.
(c) Each
successive amendment to any Acquisition Proposal that results in an increase
in,
or modification of, the consideration (or value of such consideration) to be
received by the holders of Common Shares shall constitute a new Acquisition
Proposal for the purposes of this Section 7.2
and
Parent shall be afforded a new Response Period in respect of each such
Acquisition Proposal.
7.3 Agreement
as to Damages.
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision relating to the payment of fees or expenses, including
the
payment of brokerage fees, the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Parent
by wire transfer of immediately available funds an amount equal to $5,800,000
(the “Termination
Fee”):
(i) if
the
Company shall have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2(e)(i),
in which case payment shall be made before or concurrently with such termination
and shall be a condition to the effectiveness of such termination;
or
58.
(ii) if
Parent
shall have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2(d)(i)(C), in which
case payment shall be made within two Business Days of such
termination.
(b) Notwithstanding
any other provision relating to the payment of fees or expenses, including
the
payment of brokerage fees, the Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Parent
by wire transfer of immediately available funds an amount equal to Parent’s
Transaction Expenses not to exceed $3,000,000 (the “Termination
Expenses”),
if
(i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have withdrawn, amended or
modified in a manner adverse to Parent (including as a result of any public
announcements referenced in Section 8.2(d)(i)(D)) its approval or recommendation
of the Arrangement (provided that the Company has not terminated this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.2(e)(i) or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement and
Parent has not terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2(d)(i)(C) or
as
otherwise permitted by this Agreement) and (ii) thereafter the Company Required
Vote is not obtained at the Company Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
(c)
For the
avoidance of doubt, in no event shall both the Termination Fee and the
Termination Expenses be payable under this Agreement and in no event shall
more
than one Termination Fee or one reimbursement of Termination Expenses be payable
under this Agreement.
7.4 Transaction
Expenses.
(a) Not
less
than 3 Business Days prior to the Company applying for the Interim Order, each
party shall prepare and deliver to the other party a good faith written estimate
of the Transaction Expenses to be incurred by such party as of the Closing
Date
indicating for each cost or expense itemized therein the payee thereof (the
“Transaction
Expense Statement”).
The
Parent and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to settle any dispute
with
respect to the Transaction Expense Statement. The Transaction Expense Statement,
as revised by mutual agreement of Parent and the Company shall be the final
statement of the Parties’ Transaction Expenses and shall be used to calculate
the adjustment, if any, to the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the formula set forth
on Exhibit
A.
(b) Subject
to the proviso in the definition of “Transaction Expenses” in Section 1.1
hereof, the Company agrees to pay (i) the fees associated with the filing by
Parent of the premerger notification and report forms relating to the
Arrangement under the HSR Act, (ii) the fees associated with listing the
Exchangeable Shares on the TSX or other Canadian stock exchange, and (iii)
any
listing fees associated with Parent’s obligations pursuant to Section
7.8.
(c) Parent
shall be responsible for and shall pay the Transaction Expenses of the parties
hereto following the consummation of the Arrangement.
7.5 Liquidated
Damages, Injunctive Relief and No Liability of Others. Parent
acknowledges that all of the payment amounts set out in Section 7.3 are payments
of liquidated damages which are a genuine pre-estimate of the damages Parent
will suffer or incur as a result of the event giving rise to such payment and
the resultant termination of this Agreement and are not penalties. The Company
irrevocably waives any right it may have to raise as a defense that any such
liquidated damages are excessive or punitive. For greater certainty, the Parties
agree that, subject to Section 7.3, payment of the amount determined pursuant
to
this Article in the manner provided in respect thereof is the sole monetary
remedy of the Party receiving such payment. Nothing contained herein shall
preclude a Party from seeking injunctive relief to restrain any breach or
threatened breach of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement
or
the Confidentiality Agreement or otherwise to obtain specific performance of
any
of such acts, covenants or agreements, without the necessity of posting a bond
or security in connection therewith.
59.
7.6 Resignations.
Subject
to Section 5.15, the Company shall obtain and deliver to Parent at the Effective
Time evidence reasonably satisfactory to Parent of the resignation effective
as
of the Effective Time, of those directors of the Company designated by Parent
to
the Company in writing at least five calendar days prior to the Effective
Time.
7.7 No
Claim Against Trust Account. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Company has read a copy of Parent’s
prospectus dated August 25, 2005 and filed with the SEC (the “IPO
Prospectus”).
The
Company understands that Parent is a special purpose acquisition company formed
for the purpose of consummating a business combination (as described in the
IPO
Prospectus), must complete such business combination within 18 months (or 24
months if a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement
has
been executed within 18 months), has established the a trust account at Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as
trustee, initially in an amount of $50,380,000 for the benefit of its public
stockholders (the “Trust
Account”),
and
does not have access to the funds in such Trust Account except under the
circumstances set forth in the IPO Prospectus. On behalf of itself and its
Subsidiaries, the Company: (i) agrees that neither it nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to (a)
any assets in the Trust Account, (b) assets of Parent to the extent such right,
title, interest or claim would impair the amounts in the Trust Account or (c)
assets distributed from the Trust Account to Parent’s public stockholders (each
such right, title, interest or claim a “Claim”);
(ii)
unless and until Parent completes another business combination, hereby waives
any Claim that it or any of its Subsidiaries may have in the future as a result
of, or arising out of, this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that neither it nor
any
of its subsidiaries will seek recourse against the Trust Account or Parent’s
public stockholders (in their capacity as stockholders of Parent or as
recipients of liquidating distributions from Parent) for any reason
whatsoever.
7.8 Parent
Common Stock Listing.
(a) Parent
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to authorize for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market
the Parent Common Stock, including the Parent Common Stock issuable pursuant
to
the Plan of Arrangement, on or prior to the Effective Time.
(b) Parent
shall use reasonable best efforts to, and shall use its reasonable efforts
to
cause Purchaser to:
(i) cause
the
Exchangeable Shares to be listed for trading on the TSX (or such other exchange
as may be a prescribed stock exchange for the purposes of the Canadian Tax
Act)
by the Effective Time; and
(ii) to
enter
into elections under subsections 85(1) or 85(2) of the Canadian Tax Act (and
any
equivalent provincial legislation) with those holders of Company Shares who
receive Exchangeable Shares under the Arrangement and who deliver such an
election to the Purchaser for execution pursuant to the terms of the
Arrangement.
7.9 Company
Affiliates; Restrictive Legend; Section 16 Matters.
(a) The
Company has delivered or caused to be delivered to Parent, on or prior to the
date hereof, from each Company Affiliate, an executed affiliate agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule J (the “Company
Affiliate Agreement”),
each
of which will be in full force and effect as of the Effective Time. In the
event
that any other person becomes an affiliate of the Company for purposes of Rule
145 promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act following the date of this
Agreement, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver
or
cause to be delivered to Parent an executed Company Affiliate Agreement with
respect to such person as soon as possible. Parent will be entitled to place
appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing any Parent Common Stock
to be
received by a Company Affiliate pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and
to
issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for the
Parent Common Stock, consistent with the terms of the Company Affiliate
Agreement.
60.
(b) Prior
to
the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of each of Parent and the Company
shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretative guidance of the
SEC
so that (i) the assumption of Company Options held by Company Insiders (as
defined below) pursuant to the Arrangement and the assumption of Company SARs
held by Company Insiders (as defined below) pursuant to this Agreement and
(ii)
the receipt by Company Insiders of Parent Common Stock in exchange for Common
Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, shall be exempt transactions for purposes
of
Section 16 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the
“U.S.
Exchange Act”),
by
any officer or director of Company who may become a covered person for purposes
of Section 16 of the U.S. Exchange Act (a “Company
Insider”).
7.10 Form
S-8. Parent
agrees to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 for the shares
of Parent Common Stock issuable with respect to the automatic exchange of the
Company Options pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement and the exchange of the
Company SARs to the extent Form S-8 is available for such Company Options and
Company SARs as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Effective Time
and
shall maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement thereafter
for
so long as any of such options or other rights remain outstanding.
7.11 Post-Effective
Time Covenants.
Following the Effective Time and while any Exchangeable Shares (other than
any
Exchangeable Shares owned by the Parent or any of its Affiliates) are
outstanding, the Parent will use its best efforts to ensure that the Purchaser
(or any successor thereto as the issuer of the Exchangeable Shares) will
continue to be a “taxable Canadian corporation” and a “public corporation”
within the meaning of the Canadian Tax Act (as of the Effective Time and any
modifications of such definitions which are consistent with the general
principle thereof.
7.12 Tax-Deferred
Transaction.
(a) Neither
the Parent nor the Purchaser shall take any action that could reasonably be
expected to prevent from being treated as a tax deferred transaction, for
purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, the exchange of Common Shares for
consideration that includes Exchangeable Shares under the Arrangement by the
validly-electing Canadian resident holders of Common Shares who make and file
a
valid tax election under subsection 85(1) or (2) of the Canadian Tax Act as
described and on the terms set forth in the Plan of Arrangement if such holders
are otherwise eligible for such treatment.
(b) The
Parent covenants that, so long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares or Company
Shares are owned by an Original Significant Canadian Shareholder, it will take
all commercially reasonable and necessary steps within its control so that
it
will not become a “foreign investment entity” within the meaning of the Canadian
Tax Act (as of the Effective Time (assuming the enactment into law and the
proclamation into force of proposed sections 94.1 to 94.4 and related provisions
as contained in the Notice of Ways and Means Motion issued by the Department
of
Finance (Canada) on November 9, 2006) and any modifications of such definition
which are consistent with the general principle thereof). This covenant shall
survive the Effective Time. This covenant will not prevent the Parent or any
of
its Affiliates from undertaking any business or activity where each Original
Significant Canadian Shareholder consents in writing to such business or
activity. For purposes of the foregoing, an “Original Significant Canadian
Shareholder” is a shareholder who (i) pursuant to the Arrangement, received, and
(ii) at any subsequent time when its status as an Original Significant Canadian
Shareholder is being determined, holds, more than 10% of the Exchangeable Shares
or Parent Common Stock (including for this purpose any shares held by a Person
with whom the shareholder does not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act (as of the Effective Time and any modifications of such
definition which are consistent with the general principle
thereof)).
61.
(c) For
United States federal income tax purposes it is intended that the Transactions
when taken together will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code and that this Agreement will be, and is hereby,
adopted as a plan of reorganization for purposes of Section 368(a) of the
Code.
7.13 Withholding
Taxes.
Purchaser shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any dividends paid
on
the Exchangeable Shares any withholding taxes imposed, directly or indirectly,
in respect of such dividends. Any amounts so withheld shall be treated for
all
purposes hereof as having been paid to the holder of the Exchangeable Shares
in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made, provided that such
withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate taxing authority.
The
Purchaser is authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of such portion of the
consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to the Purchaser
or
the Transfer Agent, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with such
deduction or withholding requirement and the Purchaser or the Transfer Agent
shall notify the holder thereof and remit any unapplied balance of the net
proceeds of such sale.
7.14 Issuer
Tax. Purchaser
shall elect under section 191.2 of the Canadian Tax Act in respect of the
Exchangeable Shares. This covenant shall survive the Effective
Time.
7.15 Actions
Affecting Exchangeable Shares. Subject
to the Voting and Exchange Agreement, the Support Agreement and the provisions
of the Exchangeable Shares, so long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares
are
owned by any Person other than the Parent or any of its Affiliates, the Parent
shall not, and agrees to cause its Affiliates to not, take any action relating
to a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, merger, consolidation, continuation, change of residence,
amalgamation, restructuring, recapitalization or other material reorganization
of Purchaser or its successors that results, prior to a redemption date, in
(i)
the recognition under the Canadian Tax Act (or the provincial equivalent) of
any
accrued gain on a holder’s Exchangeable Shares, recognition of which was
deferred on a consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
or (ii) dividends on the Exchangeable Shares being subject to withholding tax
(other than withholding tax imposed under the laws of Canada or the United
States or a state, province, territory or other political subdivision
thereof).
7.16 Solvency
of Purchaser. The
Parent covenants and agrees in favor of Purchaser that, prior to the Effective
Time and thereafter for so long as any Exchangeable Shares are owned by any
Person other than the Parent or its Affiliates, the Parent shall give due regard
to taking such commercially reasonable action within its control (including
taking into account the interests of the holders of Exchangeable Shares) to
ensure that at all times during such period Purchaser shall meet the solvency
tests under the CBCA prescribed in respect of the declaration or payment of
dividends and the redemption of its shares (provided the Parent meets any such
comparable tests at such time).
ARTICLE
8
TERM,
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
8.1 Term.
This
Agreement shall be effective from the date hereof until the earlier of the
Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms.
62.
8.2 Termination.
(a) Termination
By Mutual Consent.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by mutual
written consent of Parent and the Company.
(b) Automatic
Termination.
This
Agreement will automatically terminate if (i) the Arrangement shall not have
been consummated by August 31, 2007 or (ii) the Proxy Statement shall not
have been mailed to the Parent Stockholders by August 6, 2007, in each case,
unless the Parties otherwise agree in writing (such earlier date, the
“Outside
Date”).
(c) Termination
By Either Parent or the Company.
This
Agreement may be terminated by either Parent or the Company at any time prior
to
the Effective Time:
(i) if
the
Required Company Vote is not obtained at the Company Meeting (or any adjournment
or postponement thereof);
(ii) if
the
Required Parent Vote is not obtained at the Parent Meeting (or any adjournment
or postponement thereof);
(iii) if
any
Law makes the consummation of the Arrangement or the Transactions illegal or
otherwise prohibited, and such Law has become final and nonappealable;
or
(iv) if
any
condition to the obligation of such party to consummate the Arrangement as
set
forth in Section 6.1 (in the case of Parent) or Section 6.2 (in the case of
the
Company) becomes incapable of satisfaction prior to the Outside Date unless
the
failure to consummate the Arrangement is the result of a breach of this
Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements by the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement; provided,
however,
that
the refusal by a holder of Company SARs to enter into a SAR Exchange Agreement
pursuant to Section 5.16(b) shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement
by
Parent.
(d) Termination
By Parent.
This
Agreement may be terminated by Parent at any time prior to the Effective
Time:
(i) if
(A)
the Board of Directors of the Company shall have withdrawn, amended or modified
in a manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Arrangement,
(B) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have approved or recommended
an
Acquisition Proposal, (C) the Company shall have entered into a binding written
agreement in respect of an Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality
agreement permitted by Section 7.1(d)) or (D) the Company or the Board of
Directors of the Company publicly announces its intention to do any of the
foregoing;
or
(ii) if
Parent
is not in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and the
Company breaches any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of
a
condition set forth in Section 6.1(a) or Section 6.1(b); provided that if such
breach is curable by the Company through the exercise of its commercially
reasonable efforts, then this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this
Section 8.2(d)(ii) as a result of such particular breach until the earlier
of
(i) the expiration of a 30-day period commencing upon delivery of written notice
from Parent to the Company of such breach and (ii) the Company ceasing to
exercise commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach; or
63.
(iii) if
there
has been any Company Material Adverse Effect since the date of execution of
this
Agreement; or
(iv) if
the
Company Meeting is cancelled, adjourned or postponed except as expressly
permitted by this Agreement or agreed to by Parent in writing.
(e) Termination
By the Company.
This
Agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time prior to the Effective
Time:
(i) if
the
Board of Directors of the Company approves, and authorizes the Company to enter
into, an agreement providing for the implementation of a Superior Proposal,
but
only so long as:
(1) the
Required Company Vote has not yet been obtained;
(2) the
Company has not breached any of its obligations under Section 7.1
or
7.2
with
respect to the Superior Proposal or any proposal by the Person making such
Superior Proposal;
(3) the
Board
of Directors of the Company has determined in good faith, after receiving a
written opinion from the Company Financial Advisor (a copy of which has been
provided to the Parent), that such agreement constitutes a Superior Proposal;
and
(4) the
Company pays to Parent the Termination Fee in accordance with Section 7.3
simultaneously with such termination (any purported termination pursuant to
this
Section 8.2(e)(i) being void and of no force or effect unless the Company shall
have made such payment); or
(ii) if
the
Company is not in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and
Parent breaches any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of
a
condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b); provided that if such
breach is curable by Parent through the exercise of its commercially reasonable
efforts, then this Agreement shall not terminate pursuant to this Section
8.2(e)(i) as a result of such particular breach until the earlier of (i) the
expiration of a 30-day period commencing upon delivery of written notice from
the Company to Parent of such breach and (ii) Parent ceasing to exercise
commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach;
(f) Effect
of Termination.
If this
Agreement is terminated in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this
Section, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and of no further force
or
effect and no Party shall have any further obligations hereunder except as
provided in this Section 8.2(f), Article 10 and the Confidentiality
Agreement and as otherwise expressly contemplated hereby, and provided that
neither the termination of this Agreement nor anything contained in this
Section 8.2 shall relieve any Party from any liability for any willful
breach by it of this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by a party
because of the breach of this Agreement by another party or because one or
more
of the conditions to the terminating party’s obligations under this Agreement is
not satisfied as a result of the other party’s failure to comply with its
obligations under this Agreement, the terminating party’s right to pursue all
legal remedies will survive such termination unimpaired.
64.
8.3 Amendment.
This
Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement may, at any time and from time to time
before or after the holding of the Company Meeting but not later than the
Effective Time, be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties, and
any
such amendment may, subject to the Interim Order and Final Order and applicable
Laws, without limitation:
(a) change
the time for performance of any of the obligations or acts of the
Parties;
(b) waive
any
inaccuracies or modify any representation or warranty contained herein or in
any
document delivered pursuant hereto;
(c) waive
compliance with or modify any of the covenants herein contained and waive or
modify performance of any of the obligations of the Parties; and/or
(d) waive
compliance with or modify any conditions precedent herein
contained.
8.4 Waiver.
Any
Party
may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts
of
the other Party, (ii) waive compliance, except as provided herein, with any
of
the other Party’s agreements or the fulfillment of any conditions to its own
obligations contained herein, or (iii) waive inaccuracies in any of the
other Party’s representations or warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered by the other Party; provided,
however,
that
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument
in writing signed on behalf of such Party and, unless otherwise provided in
the
written waiver, will be limited to the specific breach or condition
waived.
ARTICLE
9
CERTAIN
TAX MATTERS
9.1 Tax
Matters. During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company
and its Subsidiaries shall:
(a) prepare
and timely file all Tax Returns required to be filed by them on or before the
Effective Time (“Post-Signing
Returns”)
in a
manner consistent, in all material respects, with past practice, except as
otherwise required by applicable Laws;
(b) provide
true and complete copies of all Post-Signing Income and Franchise Tax Returns
to
the Parent for review prior to filing any such Return;
(c) fully
and
timely pay all Taxes due and payable in respect of such Post-Signing Returns
that are so filed; and
(d) properly
reserve (and reflect such reserve in their books and records and financial
statements) or pay any installment or deposit required for all Taxes payable
by
them before the Effective Time for which no Post-Signing Return is applicable
in
a manner consistent with past practice.
9.2 Post-Closing
Filings. For
greater certainty, no Tax Return for any Acquired Company for any period,
including any period ending on or before the Effective Time, which is not
required to be filed until after the Effective Time will be prepared or filed
prior to the Effective Time without the prior written approval of the Parent
(which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
9.3 Transfer
Taxes and Withholding Taxes. Parent
shall be responsible for the payment and remittal of all Transfer Taxes (other
than any Transfer Taxes that are solely the liability of a Company Securities
Holder) imposed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; it being understood that the foregoing is without derogation to
the
entitlement of Parent, the Company, the Purchaser and the Depository to deduct
and withhold Withholding Taxes from any consideration payable under this
Agreement. For purposes of this Section 9.3, (i) Transfer Taxes shall mean
all
real property transfer and transfer gains, sales, use, transfer, value added,
stock transfer and stamp taxes or any similar Taxes that become payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii)
Withholding Taxes shall mean Taxes for which any of Parent, the Company, the
Purchaser and the Depository has a responsibility to withhold, deduct, remit
and
pay solely in its capacity as a withholding agent (such as taxes required to
be
withheld under section 1441 et seq. of the Code and similar provisions of the
Canadian Tax Act and other non-U.S. laws and wage withholding taxes). To the
extent that amounts of Withholding Taxes are so withheld, such withheld amounts
shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Company Securities
Holders in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made, provided
that such withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate taxing
authority.
65.
ARTICLE
10
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
10.1 Nonsurvival
of Representation and Warranties. None
of
the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This
Section 10.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which
by
its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
10.2 Notices.
All
notices and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and
are
deemed duly delivered when (1) delivered if delivered personally or by
nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid), (2) sent by
facsimile with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment (or,
the first Business Day following such transmission if the date of transmission
is not a Business Day) or (3) received or rejected by the addressee, if sent
by
certified mail, return receipt requested; in each case to the following
addresses or facsimile numbers and marked to the attention of the individual
(by
name or title) designated below (or to such other address, facsimile number
or
individual as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):
If
to the
Company:
180
Connect Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Gigcalone
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
XxXxxxxxx
Will & Xxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
66.
And
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx LLP
3700
Canterra Tower
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxxxx,
XX X0X 0X0
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
If
to the
Parent or Purchaser:
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx
Godward Kronish llp
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx-Xxxxxxx a Marca, Esq.
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
10.3 Governing
Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
This
Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and in all respects shall be
interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, and any disputes
arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be interpreted, construed
and
governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except
to
the extent mandatorily governed by the laws of Canada or the laws of the
province of Alberta or the State of Delaware, as applicable. Except with respect
to the Interim Order or Final Order or any other matter relating thereto over
which a court has jurisdiction, the parties hereby irrevocably submit to the
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York solely in respect of the
interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement and of the
documents referred to in this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and hereby waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense
in
any action for the interpretation or enforcement hereof or of any such document,
that it is not subject thereto or that such action may not be brought or is
not
maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate
or
that this Agreement or any such document may not be enforced in or by such
courts, and the parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims with respect
to
such actions shall be heard and determined in such New York court. The parties
hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction over the person of
such
parties and over the subject matter of such dispute and agree that mailing
of
process or other papers in connection with any such action in the manner
permitted by law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof. EACH
PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE)
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION,
PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
67.
10.4 Injunctive
Relief. The
Parties agree that irreparable harm would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached for which money damages would not
be
an adequate remedy at law. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall
be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable relief to prevent
breaches of this Agreement, any requirement for the securing or posting of
any
bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable
relief hereby being waived.
10.5 Entire
Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment. Parent
may assign all or any part of its rights under this Agreement to, and its
obligations under this Agreement may be assumed by, a subsidiary of Parent,
provided that if such assignment and/or assumption takes place, Parent shall
continue to be liable jointly and severally with such subsidiary for all of
its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to
the
benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Except
as
expressly permitted by the terms hereof, neither this Agreement nor any of
the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned by either of the
Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party.
This
Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and the documents and
instruments referred to in this Agreement that are to be delivered at the
Closing) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and supersedes
any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties,
or
any of them, written or oral, with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Confidentiality Agreement will
remain in effect in accordance with its terms as modified pursuant to Section
5.9.
10.6 Severability.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement are not affected or impaired in any way and the parties agree to
negotiate in good faith to replace such invalid, illegal and unenforceable
provision with a valid, legal and enforceable provision that achieves, to the
greatest lawful extent under this Agreement, the economic, business and other
purposes of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.
10.7 Exhibits
and Schedules. The
Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference
and made a part of this Agreement. The Company Disclosure Schedule and the
Parent Disclosure Schedule are arranged in sections and paragraphs corresponding
to the numbered and lettered sections and paragraphs of Article 3 and Article
4,
as applicable.
10.8 No
Third Party Beneficiaries. Except
for the rights of the Company Shareholders and holders of Company Options,
Company SARs, Convertible Debentures or Company Warrants to receive the
consideration for their Common Shares, Company Options, Company SARs,
Convertible Debentures or Company Warrants, as applicable, following the
Effective Time pursuant to the Arrangement, this Agreement is not intended
to
confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties to this
Agreement.
10.9 Interpretation.
The
language used in this Agreement is the language chosen by the parties to express
their mutual intent, and no provision of this Agreement will be interpreted
for
or against any party because that party or its attorney drafted the
provision.
10.10 Counterparts.
The
parties may execute this Agreement in multiple counterparts, each of which
constitutes an original as against the party that signed it, and all of which
together constitute one agreement. This Agreement is effective upon delivery
of
one executed counterpart from each party to the other parties. The signatures
of
all parties need not appear on the same counterpart. The delivery of signed
counterparts by facsimile or email transmission that includes a copy of the
sending party’s signature is as effective as signing and delivering the
counterpart in person.
68.
[Signature
Page Follows]
69.
In
Witness Whereof
Parent,
Purchaser and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the
date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
President
6732097
Canada Inc.
By:
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and President
180
Connect Inc.
By:
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
By:
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
70.
Schedule
A-1
PERSONS
PARTY TO THE COMPANY VOTING AGREEMENTS
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx
M.
Xxxxx
XxXxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Schedule
A-2
PERSONS
PARTY TO THE PARENT VOTING AGREEMENTS
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
Xx.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Schedule
B-1
FORM
OF COMPANY VOTING AGREEMENT
VOTING
AGREEMENT
This
Voting Agreement (“Agreement”)
is
entered into as of March 13, 2007, by and between Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
and
____________________
(“Shareholder”).
Recitals
A. Shareholder
is the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of certain shares in the capital of 180
Connect Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “Company”).
B. Parent,
6732097
Canada Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of
Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
the Company are entering into an Arrangement Agreement of even date herewith
(the “Arrangement
Agreement”)
which
provides that Purchaser and Parent shall acquire all of the issued and
outstanding Common Shares of the Company and assume the obligation to issue
common stock upon exercise of the Company Options and Company Warrants and
conversion of the Convertible Debentures, in each case in accordance with the
Arrangement Agreement (collectively, the “Arrangement”).
Terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Arrangement Agreement.
C. In
order
to induce Parent to enter into the Arrangement Agreement, Shareholder is
entering into this Agreement.
Agreement
NOW
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
payment of the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) by Parent to Shareholder and other
good
and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged), the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
Section
1. Certain
Definitions
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Shareholder
shall be deemed to “Own”
or
to
have acquired “Ownership”
of
a
security if Shareholder: (i) is the record owner of such security or (ii) is
the
“beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of such security.
(b) “Subject
Securities”
shall
mean: (i) all securities of the Company (including all Common Shares and all
options, warrants and other rights to acquire Common Shares) Owned by
Shareholder as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) all additional securities
of the Company (including all additional Common Shares and all additional
options, warrants and other rights to acquire Common Shares) of which
Shareholder acquires Ownership during the period from the date of this Agreement
through the Voting Covenant Expiration Date.
(c) A
Person
shall be deemed to have effected a “Transfer”
of
a
security if such Person directly or indirectly: (i) sells, pledges, gifts,
assigns, encumbers, grants an option with respect to, transfers or disposes
of
such security or any interest in such security to any Person other than Parent;
(ii) enters into an agreement or commitment contemplating the possible sale
of,
pledge of, assignment of, encumbrance of, grant of an option with respect to,
transfer of or disposition of such security or any interest therein to any
Person other than Parent or (iii) reduces such Person’s beneficial ownership of,
interest in or risk relating to such security; provided however no Transfer
shall be deemed to have been effected in connection with the exercise or
conversion of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Common Shares
to
the extent that the Common Shares so acquired continue to be Owned by such
Person.
(d) “Voting
Covenant Expiration Date”
shall
mean the earliest of (i) the date upon which the Arrangement Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms, (ii) the Effective Time, (iii) upon
written notice of termination provided by Parent to Shareholder, (iv) if the
Proxy Statement shall not have been mailed to Parent Stockholders by August
6,
2007; or (v) August 31, 2007.
Section
2. Transfer
of Subject Securities and Voting Rights
2.1 Restriction
on Transfer of Subject Securities. Subject
to Section 2.3, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Shareholder shall not, directly or indirectly,
cause or permit any Transfer of any of the Subject Securities to be
effected.
2.2 Restriction
on Transfer of Voting Rights.
Subject
to Section 4.1, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Shareholder shall ensure that: (a) none of
the
Subject Securities is deposited into a voting trust and (b) no proxy or power
of
attorney is granted, and no voting agreement or similar agreement is entered
into, with respect to any of the Subject Securities.
2.3 Permitted
Transfers. Section
2.1 shall not prohibit a transfer of the Subject Securities by Shareholder
(i)
to any member of Shareholder’s immediate family, or to a trust for the benefit
of Shareholder or any member of Shareholder’s immediate family, (ii) upon the
death of Shareholder or (iii) if Shareholder is a partnership, limited liability
company or other body corporate, to one or more partners or members of
Shareholder or to an affiliated corporation under common control with
Shareholder; provided,
however,
that a
transfer referred to in this sentence shall be permitted only if, as a
precondition to such transfer, the transferee agrees in writing, reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to Parent, to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement.
Section
3. Term
This
Agreement shall endure for the period (the “Term”)
commencing on the date hereof and terminating on the Voting Covenant Expiration
Date. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect any other agreement
of
like effect entered into with any other holder of securities of the Company
or
prejudice the right of any party hereto in respect of any breach hereof by
the
other party hereto.
Section
4. Voting
of Shares
4.1 Voting
Covenant. Shareholder
hereby agrees that, prior to the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, at any meeting
of the shareholders of the Company, however called, and in any written action
by
consent of shareholders of the Company, unless otherwise directed in writing
by
Parent, Shareholder shall cause the Subject Securities to be voted:
(a) in
favor
of the approval of the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (as
the
same may be amended in accordance with their terms), the approval of the
Arrangement and any matter that could reasonably be expected to facilitate
the
Arrangement;
(b) against
any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or obligation of the Company under the Arrangement Agreement
or the Plan of Arrangement; and
(c) against
any of the following actions (other than in furtherance of the Arrangement
and
the transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement and except as
otherwise agreed to or directed by Parent in writing): (A) any extraordinary
corporate transaction or fundamental change, such as a merger, consolidation
or
other arrangement or business combination involving the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company; (B) any sale, lease or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company;
(C) any reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (D) any change in a majority of the
board of directors of the Company; (E) any change in the authorized capital
of
the Company or any amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation or
bylaws; (F) any material change in the capitalization of the Company or the
Company’s corporate structure and (G) any other action which is intended, or
could reasonably be expected, to impede, interfere with, delay, prevent,
postpone, discourage or adversely affect the Arrangement or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement or this
Agreement.
Prior
to
the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Shareholder shall not enter into any
agreement or understanding with any Person to vote or give instructions in
any
manner inconsistent with clause “(a)”, “(b)”, or “(c)” of the preceding
sentence. If requested by Parent, Shareholder will execute such documents as
may
be reasonably required to give effect to the provisions of this Section upon
Shareholder having received reasonable opportunity to consult with legal
counsel. Shareholder further agrees that, during the Term, it shall not enter
into any agreement or understanding with any person, whether or not in writing,
directly or indirectly the effect of which would be inconsistent or contrary
to
the provisions and agreements contained herein.
4.2 No
Limit on Fiduciary Duty.
Nothing
contained in this Agreement will (a) restrict, limit, prohibit or preclude
the
Shareholder from exercising his fiduciary duties under applicable law, or (b)
require the Shareholder to take any action in contravention of, or omit to
take
any action pursuant to, or otherwise take or refrain from taking any actions
which are inconsistent with the instructions or directions of the Company’s
board of directors undertaken in the exercise of their fiduciary
duties.
Section
5. Covenant
Regarding Notice of Objection
Shareholder
hereby acknowledges that pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement
it has a right to dissent in accordance with Section 190 of the CBCA and hereby
covenants and agrees that, prior to the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, it
shall not directly or indirectly cause to be delivered to the Company a written
objection to the resolution relating to the Arrangement or take any other action
which is intended, or could reasonable by expected, to impede, delay or prevent
the consummation of the Arrangement.
Section
6. Non-Solicitation
Subject
to Section 4.2, Shareholder agrees that, during the period from the date of
this
Agreement through the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Shareholder shall not,
directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, induce, facilitate or encourage
(including by way of furnishing information or entering into any form of
agreement, arrangement or understanding) the initiation of any inquiries or
making of any proposals or announcements regarding an Acquisition Proposal;
(ii)
engage or participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other
than Parent and its affiliates) regarding an Acquisition Proposal; (iii)
approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or
recommend, any Acquisition Proposal; (iv) accept or enter into any agreement,
understanding, arrangement or Contract in respect of an Acquisition Proposal;
or
(v) withdraw, amend or modify in a manner adverse to Parent Shareholder’s
agreement to vote in favor of the Arrangement. Shareholder shall immediately
terminate any existing solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any
Person (other than Parent) that has made, indicated any interest to make or
may
reasonably be expected to make, an Acquisition Proposal. Shareholder shall
promptly notify Parent, immediately orally and thereafter in writing, of any
Acquisition Proposal or inquiry received after the date hereof (whether or
not
relating to any Acquisition Proposal or inquiry received prior to the date
hereof) that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal,
in
each case received after the date hereof, or any amendments to the foregoing,
or
any request for non-public information relating to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Proposal and a description of
the
material terms and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry.
Shareholder shall keep Parent informed of any change to the material terms
of
any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry. Promptly upon request, Shareholder
shall provide Parent with copies of all correspondence in respect of any such
Acquisition Proposal, inquiries or request for information.
Section
7. Representations
and Warranties of Shareholder
Shareholder
hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:
7.1 Authorization,
Etc. Shareholder
has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority and capacity to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his or its obligations
hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by
Shareholder and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Shareholder, enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with their terms,
subject to (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency
and the relief of debtors and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. If Shareholder is a general
or
limited partnership, then Shareholder is a partnership duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it
was
organized. If Shareholder is a limited liability company or other body
corporate, then Shareholder is a limited liability company or body corporate
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it was organized.
7.2 No
Conflicts or Consents.
(a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does not, and the
performance of this Agreement by Shareholder will not: (i) conflict with or
violate any law, rule, regulation, order, decree or judgment applicable to
Shareholder or by which he or it or any of his or its properties is or may
be
bound or affected or (ii) result in or constitute (with or without notice or
lapse of time) any breach of or default under, or give to any other Person
(with
or without notice or lapse of time) any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result (with or without notice or lapse
of
time) in the creation of any encumbrance or restriction on any of the Subject
Securities pursuant to, any contract to which Shareholder is a party or by
which
Shareholder or any of his or its affiliates or properties is or may be bound
or
affected.
(b) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder do not, and the
performance of this Agreement by Shareholder will not, require any consent
or
approval of any Person.
7.3 Title
to Securities.
As of
the date of this Agreement: (a) Shareholder holds of record (free and clear
of
any encumbrances or restrictions) the number of outstanding Common Shares set
forth under the heading “Shares Held of Record” on the signature page hereof;
(b) Shareholder holds (free and clear of any encumbrances or restrictions)
the
options, warrants and other rights to acquire Common Shares set forth under
the
heading “Options and Other Rights” on the signature page hereof; (c) Shareholder
Owns the additional securities of the Company set forth under the heading
“Additional Securities Beneficially Owned” on the signature page hereof; (d)
Shareholder does not directly or indirectly Own any shares of capital stock
or
other securities of the Company, or any option, warrant or other right to
acquire (by purchase, conversion or otherwise) any shares of capital stock
or
other securities of the Company, other than the shares and options, warrants
and
other rights set forth on the signature page hereof and (e) except as
contemplated hereby, none of the Subject Securities are subject to any voting
trust, proxy, power of attorney or other agreement or arrangement with respect
to the voting or disposition of the Subject Securities, and Shareholder is
not a
party to any agreement relating to the Subject Securities, including but not
limited to any voting agreement, option agreement, purchase or sale agreement,
shareholder’s agreement or partnership agreement.
7.4 Accuracy
of Representations.
The
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are accurate in
all
respects as of the date of this Agreement, will be accurate in all respects
at
all times through the Voting Covenant Expiration Date and will be accurate
in
all respects as of the date of the consummation of the Arrangement as if made
on
that date.
Section
8. Additional
Covenants of Shareholder
8.1 Assistance
with Arrangement. Subject
to Section 4.2, until the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Shareholder agrees
to
(i) cooperate with Parent in obtaining all governmental, regulatory and other
approvals, including the Interim Order and the Final Order (the “Required
Approvals”),
required to permit Parent, Purchaser and the Company to complete the
transactions provided for therein, (ii) if the Company fails to convene and
hold
a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of considering the Arrangement
Resolution in accordance with Section 2.1(c) of the Arrangement Agreement,
to
the extent permissible under applicable law, cause the directors of the Company
to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of considering the Arrangement
Resolution, and (iii) not directly or indirectly: (A) take any actions that
could have the result of delaying or impeding the ability of Parent, Purchaser
or the Company to obtain any of the Required Approvals or causing the Court
to
amend the Interim Order or the Final Order or the terms and conditions of the
Arrangement Agreement and/or Plan of Arrangement, other than as requested by
Parent or Company, (B) take any action or fail to take any action that would
reasonably be expected to result in the postponement, adjournment or
cancellation of a shareholder’s meeting convened to consider the Arrangement
without prior consent of Parent and (C) take any action that would make any
representation or warranty of Shareholder contained in the Agreement untrue
or
that would otherwise undermine the effect and the intent of the
Agreement.
8.2 Further
Assurances.
From
time to time and without additional consideration, Shareholder shall (at
Shareholder’s sole expense) execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
delivered, such additional transfers, assignments, endorsements, proxies,
consents and other instruments, and shall (at Shareholder’s sole expense) take
such further actions, as Parent may request for the purpose of carrying out
and
furthering the intent of this Agreement.
Section
9. Miscellaneous
9.1 Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.
All
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by Shareholder in
this Agreement shall survive (i) the consummation of the Arrangement, (ii)
any
termination of the Arrangement Agreement and (iii) the Voting Covenant
Expiration Date.
9.2 Expenses.
All
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and
expenses.
9.3 Notices.
Any
notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered to either
party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly
delivered, given and received when delivered (by hand, by registered mail,
by
courier or express delivery service or by facsimile) to the address or facsimile
telephone number set forth beneath the name of such party below (or to such
other address or facsimile telephone number as such party shall have specified
in a written notice given to the other party):
if
to
Shareholder:
at
the
address set forth on the signature page hereof; and
if
to
Parent:
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
9.4 Severability.
Any
term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any
situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of
the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability
of
the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other
jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the
parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the
power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases,
or to
replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision
that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention
of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall
be
enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power
granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such
invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term
or
provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business
and
other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.
9.5 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, and any other documents delivered by the parties in connection
herewith constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
the
subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect thereto. No addition to or
modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding upon either
party unless made in writing and signed by both parties.
9.6 Assignment;
Binding Effect.
Except
as provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the interests or
obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Shareholder, and any
attempted or purported assignment or delegation of any of such interests or
obligations shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
shall be binding upon Shareholder and his heirs, estate, executors and personal
representatives and his or its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of Parent and its successors and assigns. Without limiting any of the
restrictions set forth in Section 2 or Section 8.2 or elsewhere in this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon any Person to whom any Subject
Securities are transferred. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer
on
any Person (other than Parent and its successors and assigns) any rights or
remedies of any nature.
9.7 Specific
Performance. The
parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of
the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific
terms or were otherwise breached. Shareholder agrees that, in the event of
any
breach or threatened breach by Shareholder of any covenant or obligation
contained in this Agreement, Parent shall be entitled (in addition to any other
remedy that may be available to it, including monetary damages) to seek and
obtain (a) a decree or order of specific performance to enforce the observance
and performance of such covenant or obligation, and (b) an injunction
restraining such breach or threatened breach. Shareholder further agrees that
neither Parent nor any other Person shall be required to obtain, furnish or
post
any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining
any remedy referred to in this Section 9.7, and Shareholder irrevocably waives
any right he or it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting
of
any such bond or similar instrument.
9.8 Non-Exclusivity.
The
rights and remedies of Parent under this Agreement are not exclusive of or
limited by any other rights or remedies which it may have, whether at law,
in
equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which shall be cumulative (and not
alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights
and
remedies of Parent under this Agreement, and the obligations and liabilities of
Shareholder under this Agreement, are in addition to their respective rights,
remedies, obligations and liabilities under common law requirements and under
all applicable statutes, rules and regulations. Nothing in this Agreement shall
limit any of Shareholder’s obligations, or the rights or remedies of Parent,
under any Affiliate Agreement between Parent and Shareholder; and nothing in
any
such Affiliate Agreement shall limit any of Shareholder’s obligations, or any of
the rights or remedies of Parent, under this Agreement.
9.9 Governing
Law; Venue.
(a) This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed in all respects
by, the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to principles
of
conflicts of laws).
(b) Any
legal
action or other legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement
of any provision of this Agreement may be brought or otherwise commenced in
any
state or federal court located in the State of New York. Shareholder agrees
that
service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. mail addressed
to
him or it at the address set forth on the signature page hereof shall constitute
effective service of such process, summons, notice or document for purposes
of
any such legal proceeding.
(c) SHAREHOLDER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY PROVISION OF
THIS AGREEMENT.
9.10 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A signed counterpart
provided by way of facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as
binding upon parties as an originally signed counterpart.
9.11 Captions.
The
captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only,
shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred
to
in connection with the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
9.12 Attorneys’
Fees.
If any
legal action or other legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or the
enforcement of any provision of this Agreement is brought against Shareholder,
the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees,
costs and disbursements (in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing
party may be entitled).
9.13 Waiver.
No
failure on the part of Parent to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy
under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of Parent in exercising any
power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall operate as a
waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single or partial
exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege or remedy.
Parent shall not be deemed to have waived any claim available to Parent arising
out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy of Parent under
this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege or
remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and
delivered on behalf of Parent; and any such waiver shall not be applicable
or
have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is
given.
9.14 Construction.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number
shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include
the
feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine
and
neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine
genders.
(b) The
parties agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities
are
to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) As
used
in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof,
shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to
be
followed by the words “without limitation.”
(d) Except
as
otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections” and
“Exhibits” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Exhibits to
this Agreement.
9.15 Independent
Legal Advice.
Each of
the parties acknowledge that they have been advised to and have obtained
independent legal advice (or declined doing so, despite having the opportunity
to do so) with respect to this Agreement prior to their execution hereof and
that they have read and understand the terms of their rights and obligations
hereunder.
[Signature
Page Follows]
Parent
and Shareholder have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first
written above.
AD.VENTURE PARTNERS, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
SHAREHOLDER | ||
Name: |
||
Address: ________________________ | ||
________________________ | ||
Facsimile:________________________ | ||
Shares Held of Record Options and Other Rights | Additional Securities Beneficially | |
Owned
|
1
Schedule
B-2
FORM
OF PARENT VOTING AGREEMENT
2
VOTING
AGREEMENT
This
Voting Agreement (“Agreement”)
is
entered into as of March 13, 2007, by and between 180
Connect Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “Company”),
and
____________________
(“Stockholder”).
Recitals
A. Stockholder
is a holder of record and the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule
13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of certain shares of common
stock of Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”).
B. Parent,
6732097
Canada Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of
Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
the Company are entering into an Arrangement Agreement of even date herewith
(the “Arrangement
Agreement”)
which
provides that Purchaser and Parent shall acquire all of the issued and
outstanding Common Shares of the Company and assume the obligation to issue
common stock upon exercise of the Company Warrants and conversion of the
Convertible Debentures and the obligations under the Company SARs in accordance
with the Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement”).
Terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Arrangement Agreement.
The
Purchaser and the Parent desire to acquire all of the issued and outstanding
Common Shares of the Company and to assume the obligation to issue common stock
upon exercise of the Company Warrants and conversion of the Convertible
Debentures (each as defined below) and the obligations under the Company SARs,
in each case in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement
C. In
order
to induce the Company to enter into the Arrangement Agreement, Stockholder
is
entering into this Agreement.
Agreement
NOW
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
payment of the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) by Target to Stockholder and other
good
and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged), the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
Section
1. Certain
Definitions
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Additional
Securities”
shall
mean all additional securities of Parent (including all units and warrants
to
acquire shares of Parent Common Stock) of which Stockholder acquires Ownership
during the period from the date of the consummation of Parent’s initial public
offering through the Voting Covenant Expiration Date.
(b) “Founder
Securities”
shall
mean all securities of Parent (including all units and warrants to acquire
shares of Parent Common Stock) Owned by Stockholder as of the date of this
Agreement.
3
(c) Stockholder
shall be deemed to “Own”
or
to
have acquired “Ownership”
of
a
security if Stockholder: (i) is the record owner of such security or (ii) is
the
“beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of such security.
(d) “Subject
Securities”
shall
mean Founder Securities and Additional Securities, collectively.
(e) A
Person
shall be deemed to have a effected a “Transfer”
of
a
security if such Person directly or indirectly: (i) sells, pledges, gifts,
assigns, encumbers, grants an option with respect to, transfers or disposes
of
such security or any interest in such security to any Person other than the
Company; (ii) enters into an agreement or commitment contemplating the possible
sale of, pledge of, assignment of, encumbrance of, grant of an option with
respect to, transfer of or disposition of such security or any interest therein
to any Person other than the Company or (iii) reduces such Person’s beneficial
ownership of, interest in or risk relating to such security; provided however
no
Transfer shall be deemed to have been effected in connection with the exercise
or conversion of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Parent Common
Stock to the extent that the Parent Common Stock so acquired continues to be
Owned by such Person.
(f) “Voting
Covenant Expiration Date”
shall
mean the earliest of (i) the date upon which the Arrangement Agreement is
terminated in accordance with its terms, (ii) the Effective Time, (iii) upon
written notice of termination provided by the Company to the Stockholder, (iv)
if the Proxy Statement shall not have been mailed to Parent Stockholders by
August 6, 2007 or (v) August 31, 2007.
Section
2. Transfer
of Subject Securities and Voting Rights
2.1 Restriction
on Transfer of Subject Securities. Subject
to Section 2.3, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly,
cause or permit any Transfer of any of the Subject Securities to be
effected.
2.2 Restriction
on Transfer of Voting Rights.
Subject
to Section 4.1, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Stockholder shall ensure that: (a) none of
the
Subject Securities is deposited into a voting trust and (b) no proxy or power
of
attorney is granted, and no voting agreement or similar agreement is entered
into, with respect to any of the Subject Securities.
2.3 Permitted
Transfers. Section
2.1 shall not prohibit a transfer of the Subject Securities by Stockholder
(i)
to any member of Stockholder’s immediate family, or to a trust for the benefit
of Stockholder or any member of Stockholder’s immediate family, (ii) upon the
death of Stockholder or (iii) if Stockholder is a partnership, limited liability
company or other body corporate, to one or more partners or members of
Stockholder or to an affiliated corporation under common control with
Stockholder; provided,
however,
that a
transfer referred to in this sentence shall be permitted only if, as a
precondition to such transfer, the transferee agrees in a writing, reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, to be bound by the terms
of
this Agreement and, in effecting the transfer, Stockholder complies with any
other agreements to which Stockholder is party.
Section
3. Term
This
Agreement shall endure for the period (the “Term”)
commencing on the date hereof and terminating on the Voting Covenant Expiration
Date. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect any other agreement
of
like effect entered into with any other holder of securities of the Company
or
prejudice the right of any party hereto in respect of any breach hereof by
the
other party hereto.
4
Section
4. Voting
of Shares
4.1 Voting
Covenant With Respect to Subject Securities Prior to Termination of Arrangement
Agreement. Stockholder
hereby agrees that, prior to the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, at any meeting
of the stockholders of Parent, however called, unless otherwise directed in
writing by the Company, Stockholder shall cause the Subject Securities to be
voted:
(a) in
favor
of the
change of the name of Parent to 180 Connect Inc.;
(b) in
favor
of an amendment to remove, from and after the Closing, those provisions of
Article Fifth of Parent’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that
will no longer be applicable following the Arrangement;
(c) in
favor
of an increase in the authorized capital stock of Parent; and
(d) in
favor
of the election of (A) M. Xxxxx XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
as
Class C directors of Parent, (B) Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx and such person
selected by the Company’s Board of Directors who qualifies as an “independent
director” (as that term is defined in Rule 4200(15) of the NASDAQ Marketplace
Rules (an “Independent Director”) as Class B directors of Parent and (C) Xxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and such person selected by mutual agreement of
the
Company and Parent who qualifies as an Independent Director as Class A directors
of Parent.
Prior
to
the earlier to occur of the valid termination of the Arrangement Agreement
or
the consummation of the Arrangement, Stockholder shall not enter into any new
agreement or understanding with any Person to vote or give instructions in
any
manner inconsistent with clause “(a),” “(b),” “(c)” or “(d)” of the preceding
sentence.
4.2 Voting
Covenant With Respect to Additional Securities Prior to Termination of
Arrangement Agreement. Stockholder
hereby agrees that, prior to the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, at any meeting
of the stockholders of Parent, however called, unless otherwise directed in
writing by the Company, Stockholder shall cause the Additional Securities to
be
voted:
(a) in
favor
of the adoption of the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (as
the
same may be amended in accordance with their terms), the approval of the
Arrangement, the Share Issuance and any matter that could reasonably be expected
to facilitate the Arrangement;
(b) against
any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or obligation of Parent under the Arrangement Agreement
or
the Plan of Arrangement; and
(c) against
any of the following actions (other than in furtherance of the Arrangement
and
the transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement and except as
otherwise agreed to or directed by the Company in writing): (A) any
extraordinary corporate transaction or fundamental change, such as a merger,
consolidation or other arrangement or business combination involving Parent
or
any subsidiary of Parent; (B) any sale, lease or transfer of a material amount
of assets of Parent or any subsidiary of Parent; (C) any reorganization,
recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation of Parent or any subsidiary of
Parent; (D) any change in a majority of the board of directors of Parent or
change in the management of Parent; (E) any change in the authorized capital
of
the Company or any amendment to Parent’s articles of incorporation or bylaws;
(F) any material change in the capitalization of Parent or Parent’s corporate
structure and (G) any other action which is intended, or could reasonably be
expected, to impede, interfere with, delay, prevent, postpone, discourage or
adversely affect the Arrangement or any of the other transactions contemplated
by the Arrangement Agreement or this Agreement.
5
Prior
to
the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Stockholder shall not enter into any
agreement or understanding with any Person to vote or give instructions in
any
manner inconsistent with clause “(a)”, “(b)”, or “(c)” of the preceding
sentence. If requested by the Company, Stockholder will execute a written
resolution or any other documents as may be reasonably required to give effect
to the provisions of this Section upon Stockholder having received reasonable
opportunity to consult with legal counsel. Stockholder further agrees that,
during the Term, it shall not enter into any agreement or understanding with
any
person, whether or not in writing, directly or indirectly the effect of which
would be inconsistent or contrary to the provisions and agreements contained
herein.
4.3 Proxy;
Further Assurances.
(a) Contemporaneously
with the execution of this Agreement: (i) Stockholder shall deliver to the
Company a proxy in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, which
shall
be irrevocable to the fullest extent permitted by law (at all times prior to
the
Voting Covenant Expiration Date) with respect to the shares referred to therein
(the “Proxy”)
and
(ii) Stockholder shall cause to be delivered to the Company an additional proxy
(in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A) executed on behalf of the record
owner of any outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock that are owned
beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934), but not of record, by Stockholder. Stockholder hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Company the true and lawful agent, attorney and
attorney in fact of Stockholder with respect to the Subject Securities, with
full power of substitution (such power of attorney, being coupled with an
interest, being irrevocable) to, at any time during the Term, execute and
deliver such additional instruments of proxy, authorizations or consents, and
to
exercise such other similar rights of Stockholder, in respect of the Subject
Securities at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of stockholders of
Parent, and in any written consent in lieu of any such meeting, as may be
necessary or desirable to give effect to the terms and intent of this
Agreement.
(b) Stockholder
shall, at his or its own expense, perform such further acts and execute such
further proxies and other documents and instruments as may reasonably be
required to vest in the Company the power to carry out and give effect to the
provisions of this Agreement.
Section
5. Representations
and Warranties of Stockholder
Stockholder
hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
5.1 Authorization,
etc. Stockholder
has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority and capacity to
execute and deliver this Agreement and the Proxy and to perform his or its
obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement and the Proxy have been
duly executed and delivered by Stockholder and constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of Stockholder, enforceable against Stockholder in
accordance with their terms, subject to (i) laws of general application relating
to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and (ii) rules of law
governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies.
If Stockholder is a general or limited partnership, then Stockholder is a
partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws
of the jurisdiction in which it was organized. If Stockholder is a limited
liability company or other body corporate, then Stockholder is a limited
liability company or body corporate duly organized, validly existing and in
good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was
organized.
6
5.2 No
Conflicts or Consents.
(a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Proxy by Stockholder do not,
and the performance of this Agreement and the Proxy by Stockholder will not:
(i)
conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, decree or judgment
applicable to Stockholder or by which he or it or any of his or its properties
is or may be bound or affected or (ii) result in or constitute (with or without
notice or lapse of time) any breach of or default under, or give to any other
Person (with or without notice or lapse of time) any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result (with or without notice
or
lapse of time) in the creation of any encumbrance or restriction on any of
the
Subject Securities pursuant to, any contract to which Stockholder is a party
or
by which Stockholder or any of his or its affiliates or properties is or may
be
bound or affected.
(b) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Proxy by Stockholder do not,
and the performance of this Agreement and the Proxy by Stockholder will not,
require any consent or approval of any Person.
5.3 Title
to Securities.
As of
the date of this Agreement: (a) Stockholder holds of record (free and clear
of
any encumbrances or restrictions) the number of outstanding shares of Parent
Common Stock set forth under the heading “Shares Held of Record” on the
signature page hereof; (b) Stockholder holds (free and clear of any encumbrances
or restrictions) the units and warrants to acquire shares of Parent Common
Stock
set forth under the heading “Other Rights” on the signature page hereof; (c)
Stockholder Owns the additional securities of Parent set forth under the heading
“Additional Securities Beneficially Owned” on the signature page hereof and (d)
Stockholder does not directly or indirectly Own any shares of capital stock
or
other securities of Parent, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire
(by
purchase, conversion or otherwise) any shares of capital stock or other
securities of Parent, other than the units and warrants set forth on the
signature page hereof.
5.4 Accuracy
of Representations.
The
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are accurate in
all
respects as of the date of this Agreement, will be accurate in all respects
at
all times through the Voting Covenant Expiration Date and will be accurate
in
all respects as of the date of the consummation of the Arrangement as if made
on
that date.
Section
6. Additional
Covenants of Stockholder.
6.1 Assistance
with Arrangement. Subject
to Section 4.2, until the Voting Covenant Expiration Date, Stockholder agrees
to
(i) cooperate with the Company in obtaining all governmental, regulatory and
other approvals, including the Interim Order and the Final Order (the
“Required
Approvals”),
required to permit Parent, Purchaser and the Company to complete the
transactions provided for therein, (ii) if Parent fails to convene and hold
a
meeting of stockholders for the purpose of considering the Arrangement
Resolution in accordance with Section 2.1(c) of the Arrangement Agreement,
to
the extent permissible under applicable law, cause the directors of Parent
to
call a meeting of stockholders for the purpose of considering the Arrangement
Resolution, and (iii) not directly or indirectly: (A) take any actions that
could have the result of delaying or impeding the ability of Parent, Purchaser
or the Company to obtain any of the Required Approvals or causing the Court
to
amend the Interim Order or the Final Order or the terms and conditions of the
Arrangement Agreement and/or Plan of Arrangement, other than as requested by
Parent or Company, (B) take any action or fail to take any action that would
reasonably be expected to result in the postponement, adjournment or
cancellation of a shareholder’s meeting convened to consider the Arrangement
without prior consent of the Company and (C) take any action that would make
any
representation or warranty of Stockholder contained in the Agreement untrue
or
that would otherwise undermine the effect and the intent of the
Agreement.
7
6.2 Further
Assurances.
From
time to time and without additional consideration, Stockholder shall (at
Stockholder’s sole expense) execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and
delivered, such additional transfers, assignments, endorsements, proxies,
consents and other instruments, and shall (at Stockholder’s sole expense) take
such further actions, as the Company may request for the purpose of carrying
out
and furthering the intent of this Agreement.
Section
7. Miscellaneous
7.1 Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Agreements.
All
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by Stockholder in
this Agreement shall survive (i) the consummation of the Arrangement, (ii)
any
termination of the Arrangement Agreement and (iii) the Voting Covenant
Expiration Date.
7.2 Expenses.
All
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and
expenses.
7.3 Notices.
Any
notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered to either
party under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly
delivered, given and received when delivered (by hand, by registered mail,
by
courier or express delivery service or by facsimile) to the address or facsimile
telephone number set forth beneath the name of such party below (or to such
other address or facsimile telephone number as such party shall have specified
in a written notice given to the other party):
if
to
Stockholder:
at
the
address set forth on the signature page hereof; and
if
to the
Company:
180
Connect Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Chief Executive Officer
Fax: (000)
000-0000
7.4 Severability.
Any
term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any
situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of
the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability
of
the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other
jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the
parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the
power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases,
or to
replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision
that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention
of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall
be
enforceable as so modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power
granted to it in the prior sentence, the parties hereto agree to replace such
invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term
or
provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business
and
other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.
7.5 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Proxy and any other documents delivered by the parties in
connection herewith constitute the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties with respect thereto. No
addition to or modification of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding
upon either party unless made in writing and signed by both parties.
8
7.6 Assignment;
Binding Effect.
Except
as provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any of the interests or
obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Stockholder, and any
attempted or purported assignment or delegation of any of such interests or
obligations shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
shall be binding upon Stockholder and his heirs, estate, executors and personal
representatives and his or its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Without limiting any
of
the restrictions set forth in Section 2 or Section 6 or elsewhere in this
Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon any Person to whom any Subject
Securities are transferred. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer
on
any Person (other than the Company and its successors and assigns) any rights
or
remedies of any nature.
7.7 Indemnification.
Stockholder
shall hold harmless and indemnify the Company and the Company’s affiliates from
and against, and shall compensate and reimburse the Company and the Company’s
affiliates for, any loss, damage, claim, liability, fee (including attorneys’
fees), demand, cost or expense (regardless of whether or not such loss, damage,
claim, liability, fee, demand, cost or expense relates to a third-party claim)
that is directly or indirectly suffered or incurred by the Company or any of
the
Company’s affiliates, or to which the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates
otherwise becomes subject, and that arises directly or indirectly from, or
relates directly or indirectly to, (a) any inaccuracy in or breach of any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or (b) any failure on
the
part of Stockholder to observe, perform or abide by, or any other breach of,
any
restriction, covenant, obligation or other provision contained in this Agreement
or in the Proxy.
7.8 Specific
Performance. The
parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of
the
provisions of this Agreement or the Proxy were not performed in accordance
with
its specific terms or were otherwise breached. Stockholder agrees that, in
the
event of any breach or threatened breach by Stockholder of any covenant or
obligation contained in this Agreement or in the Proxy, the Company shall be
entitled (in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it, including
monetary damages) to seek and obtain (a) a decree or order of specific
performance to enforce the observance and performance of such covenant or
obligation and (b) an injunction restraining such breach or threatened breach.
Stockholder further agrees that neither the Company nor any other Person shall
be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in
connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this
Section 7.8, and Stockholder irrevocably waives any right he or it may have
to
require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar
instrument.
7.9 Non-Exclusivity.
The
rights and remedies of the Company under this Agreement are not exclusive of
or
limited by any other rights or remedies which it may have, whether at law,
in
equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which shall be cumulative (and not
alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights
and
remedies of the Company under this Agreement, and the obligations and
liabilities of Stockholder under this Agreement, are in addition to their
respective rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities under common law
requirements and under all applicable statutes, rules and regulations. Nothing
in this Agreement shall limit any of Stockholder’s obligations, or the rights or
remedies of the Company, under this Agreement.
7.10 Governing
Law; Venue.
(a) This
Agreement and the Proxy shall be construed in accordance with, and governed
in
all respects by, the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to
principles of conflicts of laws).
9
(b) Any
legal
action or other legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Proxy or
the
enforcement of any provision of this Agreement or the Proxy may be brought
or
otherwise commenced in any state or federal court located in the State of New
York. Stockholder agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or
document by U.S. mail addressed to him or it at the address set forth on the
signature page hereof shall constitute effective service of such process,
summons, notice or document for purposes of any such legal
proceeding.
(c) STOCKHOLDER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PROXY OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PROXY.
7.11 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument. A signed counterpart provided
by way of facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as binding upon
parties as an originally signed counterpart.
7.12 Captions.
The
captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only,
shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement and shall not be referred
to
in connection with the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
7.13 Attorneys’
Fees.
If any
legal action or other legal proceeding relating to this Agreement or the
enforcement of any provision of this Agreement is brought against Stockholder,
the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees,
costs and disbursements (in addition to any other relief to which the prevailing
party may be entitled).
7.14 Waiver.
No
failure on the part of the Company to exercise any power, right, privilege
or
remedy under this Agreement, and no delay on the part of the Company in
exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Agreement, shall
operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single
or
partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege
or
remedy. The Company shall not be deemed to have waived any claim available
to
the Company arising out of this Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or
remedy of the Company under this Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim,
power, right, privilege or remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument
duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company; and any such waiver shall
not be applicable or have any effect except in the specific instance in which
it
is given.
7.15 Construction.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, whenever the context requires: the singular number
shall include the plural, and vice versa; the masculine gender shall include
the
feminine and neuter genders; the feminine gender shall include the masculine
and
neuter genders; and the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine
genders.
(b) The
parties agree that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities
are
to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied in the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(c) As
used
in this Agreement, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof,
shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to
be
followed by the words “without limitation.”
10
(d) Except
as
otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to “Sections” and
“Exhibits” are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Exhibits to
this Agreement.
7.16 Independent
Legal Advice.
Each of
the parties acknowledge that they have been advised to and have obtained
independent legal advice (or declined doing so, despite having the opportunity
to do so) with respect to this Agreement prior to their execution hereof and
that they have read and understand the terms of their rights and obligations
hereunder.
11
Target
and Stockholder have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first
written above.
180 CONNECT INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
SHAREHOLDER | ||
Name: |
||
Address: ________________________ | ||
________________________ | ||
Facsimile:________________________ | ||
Shares Held of Record Options and Other Rights | Additional Securities Beneficially | |
Owned
|
12
Exhibit
A
FORM
OF IRREVOCABLE PROXY
The
undersigned stockholder (the “Stockholder”)
of
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
hereby irrevocably (to the fullest extent permitted by law) appoints and
constitutes Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx and
180
Connect Inc., a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “Company”),
and
each of them, the attorneys and proxies of the Stockholder with full power
of
substitution and resubstitution, to the full extent of the Stockholder’s rights
with respect to (i) the outstanding shares of capital stock of Parent owned
of
record by the Stockholder as of March 13, 2007 and (ii) the outstanding shares
of capital stock of Parent Stockholder acquired after March 13, 2007 through
the
date of this proxy and any and all other shares of capital stock of the Company
which the Stockholder may acquire on or after the date hereof (the “Additional
Shares”).
(The
shares of the capital stock of Parent referred to in clauses “(i)” and “(ii)” of
the immediately preceding sentence are collectively referred to as the
“Shares.”
Upon
the execution hereof, all prior proxies given by the Stockholder with respect
to
any of the Shares are hereby revoked, and the Stockholder agrees that no
subsequent proxies will be given with respect to any of the Shares.
This
proxy is irrevocable, is coupled with an interest and is granted in connection
with the Voting Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company
and
the Stockholder (the “Voting
Agreement”),
and
is granted in consideration of the Company entering into the Arrangement
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Parent, 6732097 Canada Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of
Parent and the Company (the “Arrangement
Agreement”).
This
proxy will terminate on the Voting Covenant Expiration Date (as defined in
the
Voting Agreement).
The
attorneys and proxies named above will be empowered, and may exercise this
proxy, to vote the Shares at any time until the earlier to occur of the valid
termination of the Arrangement Agreement or the effective time of the
transactions contemplated thereby (the “Arrangement”)
at any
meeting of the stockholders of Parent, however called:
(a) in
favor
of the
change of the name of Parent to 180 Connect Inc.;
(b) in
favor
of an amendment to remove, from and after the Closing, those provisions of
Article Fifth of Parent’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that
will no longer be applicable following the Arrangement;
(c) in
favor
of an increase in the authorized capital stock of Parent; and
(d) in
favor
of the election of (A) M. Xxxxx XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
as
Class C directors of Parent, (B) Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx and such person
selected by the Company’s Board of Directors who qualifies as an “independent
director” (as that term is defined in Rule 4200(15) of the NASDAQ Marketplace
Rules (an “Independent Director”) as Class B directors of Parent and (C) Xxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and such person selected by mutual agreement of
the
Company and Parent who qualifies as an Independent Director as Class A directors
of Parent.
In
addition, the attorneys and proxies named above will be empowered, and may
exercise this proxy, to vote the Additional Shares at any time until the earlier
to occur of the valid termination of the Arrangement Agreement or the effective
time of the Arrangement at any meeting of the stockholders of Parent, however
called:
(a) in
favor
of the adoption of the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (as
the
same may be amended in accordance with their terms), the approval of the
Arrangement, the Share Issuance and any matter that could reasonably be expected
to facilitate the Arrangement;
(b) against
any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or obligation of Parent under the Arrangement Agreement
or
the Plan of Arrangement; and
(c) against
any of the following actions (other than in furtherance of the Arrangement
and
the transactions contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement and except as
otherwise agreed to or directed by the Company in writing): (A) any
extraordinary corporate transaction or fundamental change, such as a merger,
consolidation or other arrangement or business combination involving Parent
or
any subsidiary of Parent; (B) any sale, lease or transfer of a material amount
of assets of Parent or any subsidiary of Parent; (C) any reorganization,
recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation of Parent or any subsidiary of
Parent; (D) any change in a majority of the board of directors of Parent or
change in the management of Parent; (E) any change in the authorized capital
of
the Company or any amendment to Parent’s articles of incorporation or bylaws;
(F) any material change in the capitalization of Parent or Parent’s corporate
structure and (G) any other action which is intended, or could reasonably be
expected, to impede, interfere with, delay, prevent, postpone, discourage or
adversely affect the Arrangement or any of the other transactions contemplated
by the Arrangement Agreement or this Agreement.
The
Stockholder may vote the Shares on all other matters not referred to in this
proxy, and the attorneys and proxies named above may not exercise this proxy
with respect to such other matters.
This
proxy shall be binding upon the heirs, estate, executors, personal
representatives, successors and assigns of the Stockholder (including any
transferee of any of the Shares).
Any
term
or provision of this proxy that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation
in
any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of
the
offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any
term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the Stockholder agrees
that the court making such determination shall have the power to limit the
term
or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid
or
unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and
enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid
or
unenforceable term or provision, and this proxy shall be enforceable as so
modified. In the event such court does not exercise the power granted to it
in
the prior sentence, the Stockholder agrees to replace such invalid or
unenforceable term or provision with a valid and enforceable term or provision
that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other
purposes of such invalid or unenforceable term.
[Signature
Page Follows]
Dated:
March __, 2007
Name | |
Number of shares of common stock of Parent owned of record as of the date of this proxy: | |
Number
of shares of common stock of Parent acquired between March __, 2007
and
the date of this proxy and owned of record as of the date of this
proxy: |
Schedule
C
SPECIAL
RESOLUTION OF THE COMPANY SECURITIES HOLDERS
Be
It Resolved That:
The
arrangement (the “Arrangement”)
under
Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”)
involving 180 Connect Inc. (the “Company”),
as
more particularly described and set forth in the Management Information Circular
(the “Circular”)
of the
Company accompanying the notice of this meeting (as the Arrangement may be
modified or amended), is hereby authorized, approved and adopted.
The
plan
of arrangement, as it may be or have been amended, (the “Plan
of Arrangement”)
involving the Company, the full text of which is set out in Schedule A to the
Arrangement Agreement dated as of March 13, 2007, among Parent, Purchaser and
the Company (the “Arrangement
Agreement”),
is
hereby approved and adopted.
The
Arrangement Agreement and all transactions contemplated thereby, the actions
of
the directors of the Company in approving the Arrangement and the actions of
the
officers of the Company in executing and delivering the Arrangement Agreement
and any amendments thereto are each hereby ratified and approved.
Notwithstanding
that this resolution has been passed (and the Arrangement adopted) by the
shareholders of the Company or that the Arrangement has been approved by the
Court of Queens Bench of Alberta, the directors of the Company are hereby
authorized and empowered (i) to amend the Arrangement Agreement, or the Plan
Arrangement to the extent permitted by the Arrangement Agreement, and (ii)
subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, not to proceed with the
Arrangement.
Any
officer or director of the Company is hereby authorized and directed for and
on
behalf of the Company to execute and deliver articles of arrangement and such
other documents as are necessary or desirable to the Director under the CBCA
in
accordance with the Arrangement Agreement.
Any
officer or director of the Company is hereby authorized and directed for and
on
behalf of the Company to execute or cause to be executed and to deliver or
cause
to be delivered, all such other documents and instruments and to perform or
cause to be performed all such other acts and things as in such Person’s opinion
may be necessary or desirable to give full effect to the foregoing resolution
and the matters authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively
evidenced by the execution and delivery of such document, agreement or
instrument or the doing of any such act or thing.
Schedule
D
PLAN
OF ARRANGEMENT
PLAN
OF ARRANGEMENT
UNDER
SECTION 192
OF
THE CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
INVOLVING
AND AFFECTING
180
CONNECT INC. AND
ITS
SECURITYHOLDERS
ARTICLE
1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 Definitions.
In
this
Plan of Arrangement, unless there is something in the subject matter or context
inconsistent therewith, the following terms shall have the respective meanings
set out below (and grammatical variations of such terms shall have corresponding
meanings):
“Affiliate”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the CBCA;
“Ancillary
Rights”
means
the interest of a holder of Exchangeable Shares as a beneficiary of the trust
created under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
“Arrangement”
means
the arrangement under Section 192 of the CBCA on the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in this Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments
thereto made (i) in accordance with Section 8.3 of the Arrangement Agreement;
(ii) in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof, or (iii) at the direction of
the Court in the Final Order;
“Arrangement
Agreement”
means
the arrangement agreement by and among Parent, the Company and the Purchaser
dated March 13, 2007, as amended and restated from time to time, providing
for,
among other things, this Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement;
“Arrangement
Resolution”
means
the special resolution passed by the Company Shareholders at the Company
Shareholder Meeting, such resolution to be substantially in the form and content
of Schedule A to the Arrangement Agreement;
“Articles
of Arrangement”
means
the articles of arrangement in respect of the Arrangement required under
Subsection 192(6) of the CBCA to be sent to the Director after the Final Order
has been granted;
“Business
Day”
means
a
day of the year in which banks are not required or authorized to be closed
in
the City of Calgary, Alberta or the City of New York, New York;
“Canadian
Tax Act”
means
the Income
Tax Act
(Canada)
and the regulations thereunder, as now in effect and as they may be amended
or
promulgated from time to time prior to the Effective Time;
“Canadian
Resident”
means
a
resident of Canada for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and includes a
partnership any member of which is a resident of Canada for purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act;
“Canco”
means
1305699 Alberta ULC, an unlimited liability corporation existing under the
laws
of Alberta and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or any other direct
or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary designated by Parent from time to time in
replacement thereof;
1.
“CBCA”
means
the Canada Business Corporations Act, as the same has been and may hereafter
from time to time be amended;
“Certificate”
means
the certificate to be issued by the Director pursuant to Subsection 192(7)
of
the CBCA giving effect to the Arrangement, after the Articles of Arrangement
have been filed;
“CRA”
means
the Canada Revenue Agency;
“Change
of Law”
means
any amendment to the Canadian Tax Act and other applicable provincial income
tax
laws that permits holders of Exchangeable Shares who are resident in Canada,
hold the Exchangeable Shares as capital property and deal at arm’s length with
Parent and Purchaser (all for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and other
applicable provincial income tax laws) to exchange their Exchangeable Shares
for
Parent Shares on a basis that will not require such holders to recognize any
gain or loss or any actual or deemed dividend in respect of such exchange for
the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act or applicable provincial income tax
laws;
“Change
of Law Call Date”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.3(b);
“Change
of Law Call Purchase Price”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.3(a);
“Change
of Law Call Right”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.3(a);
“Code”
means
the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
“Common
Shares”
means
the common shares in the capital of the Company;
“Company”
means
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of
Canada;
“Company
Shareholders”
means
holders of Common Shares from time to time;
“Company
Shareholder Meeting”
means
the special meeting of the Company Shareholders to be held to consider this
Plan
of Arrangement and any adjournments thereof;
“Court”
means
the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta;
“Depositary”
means
the duly appointed depositary in respect of the Arrangement at its principal
transfer offices in Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx;
“Director”
means
the Director appointed pursuant to Section 260 of the CBCA;
“Dissent
Rights”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 3.1;
“Effective
Date”
means
the effective date of the Arrangement, being the date shown on the
Certificate;
“Effective
Time”
means
12:01 am on the Effective Date or the time specified in writing by the Company
in a notice delivered to parties to the Arrangement Agreement;
“Election
Deadline”
means
2:00 pm (Calgary time) at the place of deposit on the date which is 3 Business
Days before the Meeting Date;
2.
“Equivalent
Vote Amount”
means,
with respect to any matter, proposition or question on which holders of Parent
Shares are entitled to vote, consent or otherwise act, the number of votes
to
which a holder of one Parent Share is entitled with respect to such matter,
proposition or question;
“Exchange
Ratio”
means,
subject to adjustment, if any, as provided in Section 2.4, [•];
“Exchangeable
Elected Shares”
means
any Common Shares (other than a Common Share held by Parent or an Affiliate
thereof) that the holder thereof shall have elected in accordance with
Section 2.3(a), in a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form
deposited with the Depositary no later than the Election Deadline, to transfer
to Purchaser under the Arrangement for Exchangeable Shares and Ancillary
Rights;
“Exchangeable
Share Consideration”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Exchangeable
Share Price”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Exchangeable
Share Provisions”
means
the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares, as set out in Appendix I hereto;
“Exchangeable
Shares”
means
the exchangeable shares in the capital of Purchaser governed by the Exchangeable
Share Provisions;
“Final
Order”
means
the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement under Section 192 of
the
CBCA, as such order may be amended or modified by the Court at any time and
from
time to time prior to the Effective Time or, if appealed, unless such appeal
is
withdrawn, abandoned or denied, as affirmed or amended on appeal;
“Interim
Order”
means
the interim order of the Court in relation to the Arrangement and the holding
of
the Company Shareholder Meeting, as such order may be amended, modified,
supplemented or varied by the Court at any time and from time to
time;
“Letter
of Transmittal and Election Form”
means
the letter of transmittal and election form provided for use by holders of
Common Shares in connection with the Arrangement;
“Liquidation
Amount”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Liquidation
Call Purchase Price”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.1(a);
“Liquidation
Call Right”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.1(a);
“Liquidation
Date”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Meeting
Date”
means
the date of the Company Shareholder Meeting;
“Parent”
means
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a company formed under the laws of
Delaware;
“Parent
Control Transaction”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Person”
means
any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture,
estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company, unlimited
liability company or joint stock company), firm, enterprise, association,
organization or any other entity, including a governmental
authority;
3.
“Parent
Shares”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions and any other securities
into which such shares may be changed, exchanged or converted;
“Parent
Special Voting Share”
means
one share of preferred stock of Parent to which that number of voting rights
attach equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable Shares held by
Beneficiaries multiplied by the Equivalent Vote Amount;
“Purchaser”
means
6732097 Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of
Canada;
“Redemption
Call Purchase Price”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.2(a);
“Redemption
Call Right”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.2(a);
“Redemption
Date”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Redemption
Price”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Registered
or Beneficial Canadian Resident”
means
a
holder of Common Shares that is either (i) a Canadian Resident who holds such
shares on its own behalf, or (ii) a Person who holds such shares on behalf
of
one or more Canadian Residents;
“Support
Agreement”
means
the agreement so entitled among Parent, Canco and Purchaser dated as of the
Effective Time;
“Transfer
Agent”
means
the duly appointed transfer agent for the time being of the Exchangeable Shares,
and, if there is more than one such transfer agent, then the principal Canadian
transfer agent;
“Trustee”
means
Valiant Trust Company; and
“Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement”
means
the agreement so entitled among Parent, Purchaser and the Trustee, dated as
of
the Effective Time.
1.2 Sections
and Headings. The
division of this Plan of Arrangement into sections and the insertion of headings
are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the interpretation of
this
Plan of Arrangement. Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Plan
of
Arrangement to a Section refers to the specified Section of this Plan of
Arrangement.
1.3 Number,
Gender and Persons. In
this
Plan of Arrangement, unless the context otherwise requires, words importing
the
singular number include the plural and vice versa, words importing any gender
include all genders and words importing persons include individuals, bodies
corporate, partnerships, associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations,
governmental bodies and other legal or business entities of any
kind.
1.4 Date
for any Action. In
the
event that any date on or by which any action is required or permitted to be
taken hereunder is not a Business Day, such action shall be required or
permitted to be taken on or by the next succeeding day which is a Business
Day.
1.5 Currency.
Unless
otherwise expressly stated herein, all references to currency and payments
in
cash or money in this Plan of Arrangement are to Canadian dollars.
4.
1.6 Statutory
References. Any
reference in this Plan of Arrangement to a statute includes such statute as
amended, consolidated or re-enacted from time to time, all regulations made
thereunder, all amendments to such regulations from time to time, and any
statute or regulation which supersedes such statute or regulations.
ARTICLE
2
ARRANGEMENT
2.1 Binding
Effect. This
Plan
of Arrangement will become effective at, and be binding at and after, the
Effective Time on (i) Parent, Purchaser and Canco; (ii) the Company; and (iii)
all holders and all beneficial owners of Common Shares.
The
Articles of Arrangement and Certificate shall be held and issued, respectively,
with respect to the Arrangement in its entirety. The Certificate shall be
conclusive evidence that the Arrangement has become effective at the Effective
Time and that each of the transactions set forth in Section 2.2 has become
effective in the sequence and at the times set out therein.
2.2 Arrangement.
At
the
Effective Time, the following transactions shall occur and shall be deemed
to
occur in the following order (except that the issuance of Exchangeable Shares
pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and the entering into of the Support Agreement and
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement pursuant to Section 2.2(e) shall occur
and
be deemed to occur simultaneously at the time of the issuance of Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to Section 2.2(b)) without any further act or
formality:
(a) the
issued and outstanding Common Shares held by each holder of Common Shares other
than:
(i) the
Exchangeable Elected Shares;
(ii) Common
Shares held by a holder who has exercised its Dissent Rights and is ultimately
entitled to be paid the fair value of its Common Shares (as determined in
accordance with Section 3.1); and
(iii) Common
Shares held by Parent or any Affiliate thereof,
shall
be
transferred by the holder thereof to Purchaser, without any further act or
formality on the part of the holder of such Common Shares and free and clear
of
all liens, claims and encumbrances, in exchange for a number of fully paid
and
non-assessable Parent Shares equal to the product of the total number of Common
Shares held by that holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.
(b) each
Exchangeable Elected Share shall be transferred by the holder thereof to
Purchaser, without any further act or formality on its part and free and clear
of all liens, claims and encumbrances, in exchange for a number of Exchangeable
Shares (and certain Ancillary Rights) equal to the product of the total number
of Common Shares held by that holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, as set
forth in the validly completed and delivered Letter of Transmittal and Election
Form of the holder of such Exchangeable Elected Share;
(c) the
names
of the holders of the Common Shares transferred to Purchaser in exchange for
Parent Shares pursuant to Section 2.2(a) shall be removed from the applicable
register of holders of Common Shares and added to the applicable register of
holders of Parent Shares, and Purchaser shall be recorded as the registered
holder of the Common Shares so exchanged and shall be deemed to be the legal
and
beneficial owner thereof;
5.
(d) the
names
of the holders of the Exchangeable Elected Shares transferred to Purchaser
in
exchange for Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Section 2.2(b) shall be removed
from the applicable register of holders of Common Shares and added to the
applicable register of holders of Exchangeable Shares, and Purchaser shall
be
recorded as the registered holder of the Exchangeable Elected Shares so
exchanged and shall be deemed to be the legal and beneficial owner
thereof;
(e) coincident
with the share exchanges set out in Section 2.2(b), Parent, Purchaser and Canco
shall execute the Support Agreement and Parent, Purchaser and the Trustee shall
execute the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and Parent shall issue to and
deposit with the Trustee the Parent Special Voting Share, in consideration
of
the payment to Parent of $1.00, to be thereafter held of record by the Trustee
as trustee for and on behalf of, and for the use and benefit of, the holders
of
the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement. All rights of holders of Exchangeable Shares under the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement shall be received by them as part of the property
receivable by them under Section 2.2(b) in exchange for the Exchangeable Elected
Shares for which they were exchanged; and
(f) each
Common Share in respect of which a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and
Election Form has not been deposited with the Depositary on or prior to the
Election Deadline will be transferred to, and acquired by, Purchaser, without
any further act or formality on the part of the holder of such Common Shares
and
free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, in exchange for Parent
Shares in accordance with Section 2.2(a) and the holder thereof shall be deemed
not to have elected to receive Exchangeable Shares of Purchaser.
2.3 Elections.
(a) Each
holder of Common Shares who, at or prior to the Election Deadline, is a
Registered or Beneficial Canadian Resident that is not exempt from tax under
Part I of the Canadian Tax Act will be entitled, with respect to all or a
portion of such holder’s Common Shares, to make or deliver an election (in the
form of a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form delivered
to
the Depositary at or prior to the Election Deadline) to receive Exchangeable
Shares (and certain Ancillary Rights) in exchange for such holder’s Common
Shares on the basis set forth herein and in the Letter of Transmittal and
Election Form.
(b) Holders
of Common Shares who are Canadian Residents, other than any such holders who
are
exempt from tax under Part I of the Canadian Tax Act, and who have elected
to
receive Exchangeable Shares (and the Ancillary Rights) shall be entitled to
make
an income tax election pursuant to subsection 85(1) of the Canadian Tax Act
or,
if the holder is a partnership, subsection 85(2) of the Canadian Tax Act (and
in
each case, where applicable, the analogous provisions of provincial income
tax
law) with respect to the transfer of their Common Shares to Purchaser by
providing two signed copies of the necessary prescribed election forms to the
Depositary within 90 days following the Effective Date, duly completed with
the
details of the number of Common Shares transferred and the applicable agreed
amounts for the purposes of such elections (which cannot be less than the fair
market value of the Ancillary Rights at the time of the transfer). Thereafter,
subject to the election forms being correct and complete and complying with
the
provisions of the Canadian Tax Act (or any applicable provincial income tax
law), the forms will be signed by Purchaser and returned to such holders within
90 days after the receipt thereof by the Depositary for filing with CRA (or
the
applicable provincial taxing authority). Purchaser will not be responsible
for
the proper or accurate completion of any election form or to check or verify
the
content of any election form and, except for Purchaser’s obligation to return
duly completed election forms which are received by the Depositary within 90
days following the Effective Date, within 90 days after the receipt thereof
by
the Depositary, Purchaser will not be responsible for any taxes, interest,
penalties or any other costs or damages resulting from the failure by a holder
of Common Shares to properly or accurately complete or file the election forms
in the form and manner and within the time prescribed by the Canadian Tax Act
(or any applicable provincial income tax law). In its sole discretion, Purchaser
may choose to sign and return an election form received more than 90 days
following the Effective Date, but Purchaser will have no obligation to do
so.
6.
2.4 Adjustments
To Exchange Ratio. The
Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately and appropriately adjusted to reflect
fully the effect of (a) any stock split, reverse split, stock dividend
(including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Parent
Shares or Common Shares), reorganization, recapitalization or other like change
with respect to Parent Shares or Common Shares, and (b) any extraordinary
dividend or distribution with respect to Parent Shares (other than a dividend
or
distribution referenced in clause (a)); provided that the foregoing adjustments
shall only be made if the record date for the stock split, reverse split, stock
dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or other like change or extraordinary
dividend or distribution referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above occurs after
the date of the Arrangement Agreement and prior to the Effective
Time.
ARTICLE
3
RIGHTS
OF DISSENT
3.1 Rights
of Dissent. Holders
of Common Shares may exercise rights of dissent with respect to such Common
Shares, pursuant to and in the manner set forth in Section 190 of the CBCA
as
modified by the Interim Order and this Section 3.1 in connection with the
Arrangement (the “Dissent Rights”); provided that, notwithstanding subsection
190(5) of the CBCA, the written objection to the Arrangement Resolution referred
to in subsection 190(5) of the CBCA must be received by the Company not later
than 2:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on the Business Day preceding the Company
Shareholder Meeting. Holders of Common Shares who duly exercise such rights
of
dissent and who:
(a) are
ultimately determined to be entitled to be paid fair value for their Common
Shares shall be deemed to have transferred such Common Shares as of the
Effective Time, without any further act or formality and free and clear of
all
liens, claims and encumbrances, to the Company, in consideration for a payment
of cash from the Company equal to such fair value and such Common Shares shall
be cancelled as of the Effective Time; or
(b) are
ultimately determined not to be entitled, for any reason, to be paid fair value
for their Common Shares shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement,
as of the Effective Time, on the same basis as a non-dissenting holder of Common
Shares who did not make a valid election to receive Exchangeable Shares and
shall receive Parent Shares on the basis determined in accordance with Section
2.2,
but
in no
case shall Parent, the Company, Purchaser, Canco or any other Person be required
to recognize any holder of Common Shares who exercises rights of dissent as
a
holder of Common Shares after the Effective Time and the names of each such
holder shall be deleted from the register of holders of Common Shares at the
Effective Time.
7.
ARTICLE
4
CERTIFICATES
AND FRACTIONAL SHARES
4.1 Issuance
of Certificates Representing Exchangeable Shares. At
or
promptly after the Effective Time, Purchaser shall deposit with the Depositary,
for the benefit of the holders of Exchangeable Elected Shares who will receive
Exchangeable Shares (and the Ancillary Rights) in connection with the
Arrangement, certificates representing the number of Exchangeable Shares
sufficient to satisfy all of the Exchangeable Share payment obligations to
Company Shareholders in connection with the acquisition of Exchangeable Elected
Shares pursuant to the Arrangement. Upon surrender to the Depositary for
transfer to Purchaser of a certificate which immediately prior to or upon the
Effective Time represented Common Shares in respect of which the holder is
entitled to receive Exchangeable Shares under the Arrangement, together with
(i)
a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form (ii) such other
documents and instruments as would have been required to effect the transfer
of
the Common Shares formerly represented by such certificate under the CBCA and
the by-laws of the Company, and (iii) such additional documents and instruments
as the Depositary may reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered
certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and after the
Effective Time the Depositary shall deliver to such holder, a certificate
representing that number (rounded up or down to the nearest whole number in
accordance with Section 4.4) of Exchangeable Shares which such holder has the
right to receive (together with any unpaid dividends or distributions declared
on the surrendered Common Shares prior to the Effective Time), and any
certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be transferred to Purchaser. No
interest shall be paid or accrued on unpaid dividends and distributions, if
any,
payable to holders of certificates that formerly represented Common Shares.
In
the event of a transfer of ownership of Common Shares that was not registered
in
the securities register of the Company, a certificate representing the proper
number of Exchangeable Shares (together with any unpaid dividends or
distributions payable pursuant to Section 4.3) may be issued to the
transferee if the certificate representing such Common Shares is presented
to
the Depositary as provided above, accompanied by all documents required to
evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock
transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section
4.1, each certificate which immediately prior to or upon the Effective Time
represented one or more Common Shares that, under the Arrangement, were
exchanged or were deemed to be exchanged for Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
Section 2.2 shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time, but subject
to Section 4.3, to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender
a
certificate representing that number of Exchangeable Shares (together with
any
unpaid dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 4.3) which such
holder has the right to receive.
4.2 Issuance
of Certificates Representing Parent Shares . At
or
promptly after the Effective Time, Purchaser shall deposit with the Depositary,
for the benefit of the holders of Common Shares who will receive Parent Shares
in connection with the Arrangement, certificates representing the number of
Parent Shares sufficient to satisfy all of the Parent Share payment obligations
to Company Shareholders in connection with the acquisition of Common Shares
pursuant to the Arrangement. Upon surrender to the Depositary for transfer
to
Purchaser of a certificate which immediately prior to or upon the Effective
Time
represented Common Shares in respect of which the holder is entitled to receive
Parent Shares under the Arrangement, together with (i) such other documents
and
instruments as would have been required to effect the transfer of the Common
Shares formerly represented by such certificate under the CBCA and the by-laws
of the Company, and (ii) such additional documents and instruments as the
Depositary may reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered certificate
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and after the Effective
Time
the Depositary shall deliver to such holder, a certificate representing that
number (rounded up or down to the nearest whole number in accordance with
Section 4.4) of Parent Shares which such holder has the right to receive
(together with any unpaid dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section
4.3), and any certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be transferred to
Purchaser. No interest shall be paid or accrued on unpaid dividends and
distributions, if any, payable to holders of certificates that formerly
represented Common Shares. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Common
Shares that was not registered in the securities register of the Company, a
certificate representing the proper number of Parent Shares (together with
any
unpaid dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 4.3) may be issued
to the transferee if the certificate representing such Common Shares is
presented to the Depositary as provided above, accompanied by all documents
required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any
applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 4.2, each certificate which immediately prior
to or
upon the Effective Time represented one or more Common Shares that, under the
Arrangement, were exchanged or were deemed to be exchanged for Parent Shares
pursuant to Section 2.2 shall be deemed at all times after the Effective Time,
but subject to Section 4.3, to represent only the right to receive upon such
surrender a certificate representing that number of Parent Shares (together
with
any unpaid dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 4.3)
which such holder has the right to receive.
8.
4.3 Distributions
With Respect To Unsurrendered Certificates. No
dividends or other distributions paid, declared or made with respect to
Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares, in each case with a record date after
the
Effective Time, shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate
which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Common
Shares that were exchanged for Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares pursuant
to
Section 2.2 unless and until the holder of such certificate shall comply with
the provisions of Sections 4.1 or 4.2. Subject to applicable law, at the time
such holder shall have complied with the provisions of Section 4.1 or 4.2 (or,
in the case of clause (ii) below, at the appropriate payment date), there shall
be paid to the holder of the certificates formerly representing Common Shares,
without interest, (i) the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time paid with respect to the Exchangeable
Shares or Parent Shares, respectively, to which such holder is entitled pursuant
hereto, and (ii) on the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends
or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior
to
the date of compliance by such holder with the provisions of Section 4.1 or
4.2 and a payment date subsequent to the date of such compliance and payable
with respect to such Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares,
respectively.
4.4 Fractions.
Notwithstanding
anything herein contained, Purchaser and Parent shall not be required, upon
exchange of the Common Shares for Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares pursuant
to the Arrangement, to issue fractions of Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares
or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional Exchangeable Shares
or
Parent Shares or make any cash payment as compensation for such fractions of
an
Exchangeable Share or Parent Share. Upon application of the Exchange Ratio,
all
fractional Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares, respectively, that would
otherwise be issuable and which are less than 0.50 shall be rounded down to
the
next whole number of Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares, respectively, and
all
fractional Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares that would otherwise be issuable
and which are greater than or equal to 0.50 shall be rounded up to the next
whole number of Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares.
4.5 Lost
Certificates. In
the
event any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
one or more outstanding Common Shares that were exchanged pursuant to Section
2.2 shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit
of that fact by the holder of Common Shares claiming such certificate to be
lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in exchange for such lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate, one or more certificates representing one
or
more Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares pursuant to Sections 4.2 or 4.3 (and
any dividends or distributions with respect thereto) in each case deliverable
in
accordance with Section 2.2. When authorizing such payment in exchange for
any
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the holder to whom certificates
representing Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares are to be issued shall, as
a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, give a bond satisfactory to Parent
or Purchaser, as applicable, and their respective transfer agents in such sum
as
they may direct or otherwise indemnify Parent or Purchaser, as applicable,
in a
manner satisfactory to the Parent against any claim that may be made against
Parent or Purchaser, as applicable, with respect to the certificate alleged
to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed. If
any
provisions of this Section 4.7 are inconsistent with Section 9.3 of the
Arrangement Agreement, Section 9.3 of the Arrangement Agreement shall
govern.
9.
4.6 Extinguishment
Of Rights. Any
certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
outstanding Common Shares that are not held by a Company Shareholder who has
exercised its right to dissent in accordance with Article 3 hereof and who
is
ultimately entitled to be paid fair value of the Common Shares held by such
Company Shareholder but was exchanged or was deemed to have been exchanged
pursuant to Section 2.2, that has not been deposited with all other instruments
required by Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, on or prior to the sixth anniversary
of
the Effective Date shall cease to represent a claim or interest of any kind
or
nature as a holder of Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares. On such date, the
Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares (and any dividends or distributions with
respect thereto) to which the former holder of the certificate referred to
in
the preceding sentence was ultimately entitled shall be deemed to have been
surrendered for no consideration to Purchaser together with all entitlements
to
dividends, distributions, cash and interest in respect thereof held for such
former holder. None of Parent, the Company, Purchaser, Canco or the Depositary
shall be liable to any Person in respect of the Exchangeable Shares or Parent
Shares (or dividends or distributions) delivered to a public official pursuant
to and in compliance with any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
law.
4.7 Withholding
Rights. Parent,
Company, Purchaser, Canco and the Depositary shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from any dividend, price or consideration otherwise payable to any
holder of Common Shares, Exchangeable Shares or Parent Shares such amounts
as
the Company, Purchaser, Canco, Parent or the Depositary is required to deduct
and withhold with respect to such payment under the Canadian Tax Act, the Code
or any provision of federal, provincial, territorial, state, local or foreign
tax law, in each case, as amended. To the extent that amounts are so withheld,
such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes hereof 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. The Company, Purchaser, Canco, Parent
and
the Depositary are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of such
portion of the consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to
the
Company, Purchaser, Canco, Parent or the Depositary, as the case may be, to
enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement and the
Corporation, Purchaser, Canco, Parent or the Depositary shall notify the holder
thereof and remit any unapplied balance of the net proceeds of such sale. If
any
provisions of this Section 4.7 are inconsistent with Section 9.3 of the
Arrangement Agreement, Section 9.3 of the Arrangement Agreement shall
govern.
ARTICLE
5
CERTAIN
RIGHTS OF CANCO TO ACQUIRE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
5.1 Canco
Liquidation Call Right. Canco
shall have the overriding right (the “Liquidation Call Right”), in the event of
and notwithstanding the proposed liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
Purchaser or any other distribution of the assets of Purchaser among its
shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, pursuant to Article
5 of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase from all but not less than all
of
the holders of Exchangeable Shares (other than any holder of Exchangeable Shares
which is an Affiliate of Parent) on the Liquidation Date all but not less than
all of the Exchangeable Shares held by each such holder upon payment by Canco
to
each such holder of the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business
Day prior to the Liquidation Date (the “Liquidation Call Purchase Price”) in
accordance with Section 5.1(c). In the event of the exercise of the Liquidation
Call Right by Canco, each holder shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable
Shares held by such holder to Canco on the Liquidation Date upon payment by
Canco to such holder of the Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such
Exchangeable Share, whereupon Purchaser shall have no obligation to pay any
Liquidation Amount to the holders of such shares so purchased by
Canco.
10.
(a) To
exercise the Liquidation Call Right, Canco must notify Purchaser and the
Transfer Agent of Canco’s intention to exercise such right at least 45 days
before the Liquidation Date, in the case of a voluntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up of Purchaser or any other voluntary distribution of the assets
of
Purchaser among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs,
and
at least [five]
Business
Days before the Liquidation Date, in the case of an involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Purchaser or any other involuntary distribution
of
the assets of Purchaser among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up
its
affairs. The Transfer Agent will notify the holders of Exchangeable Shares
as to
whether Canco has exercised the Liquidation Call Right forthwith after the
expiry of the period during which the same may be exercised by Canco. If Canco
exercises the Liquidation Call Right, then on the Liquidation Date, Canco will
purchase and the holders of Exchangeable Shares will sell all of the
Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for a price per share equal to the
Liquidation Call Purchase Price.
(b) For
the
purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
the
Liquidation Call Right, Canco shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the
Transfer Agent, on or before the Liquidation Date, the Exchangeable Share
Consideration representing the total Liquidation Call Purchase Price. Provided
that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the
Transfer Agent, on and after the Liquidation Date, the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be holders of the Exchangeable Shares and
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect
thereof (including any rights under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement),
other than the right to receive their proportionate part of the total
Liquidation Call Purchase Price payable by Canco, without interest, upon
presentation and surrender by the holder of certificates representing the
Exchangeable Shares held by such holder and the holder shall on and after the
Liquidation Date be considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder
of
Parent Shares to which such holder is entitled. Upon surrender to the Transfer
Agent of a certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable Shares,
together with such other documents and instruments as may be required to effect
a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the by-laws of Purchaser
and such additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent may
reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on
behalf of Canco shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable Share
Consideration to which such holder is entitled. If Canco does not exercise
the
Liquidation Call Right in the manner described above, on the Liquidation Date
the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor the Liquidation Amount otherwise payable by Purchaser in connection
with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Purchaser pursuant to Article
5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
5.2 Canco
Redemption Call Right. In
addition to Canco’s rights contained in the Exchangeable Share Provisions,
including the Retraction Call Right (as defined in the Exchangeable Share
Provisions), Canco shall have the following rights in respect of the
Exchangeable Shares:
(a) Canco
shall have the overriding right (the “Redemption Call Right”), in the event of
and notwithstanding the proposed redemption of the Exchangeable Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to
purchase from all but not less than all of the holders of Exchangeable Shares
(other than any holder of Exchangeable Shares which is an Affiliate of Parent)
on the Redemption Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares
held
by each such holder upon payment by Canco to each such holder of the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the
Redemption Date (the “Redemption Call Purchase Price”) in accordance with
Section 5.2(c). In the event of the exercise of the Redemption Call Right
by Canco, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated to sell all
the
Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to Canco on the Redemption Date upon
payment by Canco to such holder of the Redemption Call Purchase Price for each
such Exchangeable Share, whereupon Purchaser shall have no obligation to redeem,
or to pay the Redemption Price in respect of, such shares so purchased by
Canco.
11.
(b) To
exercise the Redemption Call Right, Canco must notify the Transfer Agent of
Canco’s intention to exercise such right at least 30 days before the Redemption
Date, except in the case of a redemption occurring as a result of an Parent
Control Transaction, a Exchangeable Share Voting Event or an Exempt Exchangeable
Share Voting Event (each as defined in the Exchangeable Share Provisions),
in
which case Canco shall so notify the Transfer Agent and Purchaser on or before
the Redemption Date. The Transfer Agent will notify the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares as to whether Canco has exercised the Redemption Call Right
forthwith after the expiry of the period during which the same may be exercised
by Canco. If Canco exercises the Redemption Call Right, then, on the Redemption
Date, Canco will purchase and the holders of Exchangeable Shares will sell
all
of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for a price per share equal to
the
Redemption Call Purchase Price.
(c) For
the
purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
the
exercise of the Redemption Call Right, Canco shall deposit or cause to be
deposited with the Transfer Agent, on or before the Redemption Date, the
Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Call Purchase
Price. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited
with the Transfer Agent, on and after the Redemption Date the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be holders of the Exchangeable Shares and
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect
thereof (including any rights under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement),
other than the right to receive their proportionate part of the total Redemption
Call Purchase Price payable by Canco, without interest, upon presentation and
surrender by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares
held by such holder and the holder shall on and after the Redemption Date be
considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder of Parent Shares to
which such holder is entitled. Upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of a
certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable Shares, together with
such
other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the by-laws of Purchaser and such
additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent may reasonably
require, the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on behalf
of
Canco shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable Share Consideration to
which such holder is entitled. If Canco does not exercise the Redemption Call
Right in the manner described above, on the Redemption Date the holders of
the
Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the
Redemption Price otherwise payable by Purchaser in connection with the
redemption of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
5.3 Change
of Law Call Right. Parent
shall have the overriding right (the “Change of Law Call Right”), in the event
of a Change of Law, to purchase (or to cause Canco to purchase) from all but
not
less than all of the holders of Exchangeable Shares (other than any holder
of
Exchangeable Shares which is an Affiliate of Parent) all but not less than
all
of the Exchangeable Shares held by each such holder upon payment by Parent
or
Canco, as the case may be, of an amount per share (the “Change of Law Call
Purchase Price”) equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last
Business Day prior to the Change of Law Call Date, in accordance with Section
5.3(c). In the event of the exercise of the Change of Law Call Right by Parent
or Canco, as the case may be, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be
obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to Parent
or
Canco, as the case may be, on the Change of Law Call Date upon payment by Parent
or Canco, as the case may be, to such holder of the Change of Law Call Purchase
Price for each such Exchangeable Share.
12.
(a) To
exercise the Change of Law Call Right, Parent or Canco must notify the Transfer
Agent of its intention to exercise such right at least 45 days before the date
on which Parent or Canco intends to acquire the Exchangeable Shares (the “Change
of Law Call Date”). If Parent or Canco exercises the Change of Law Call Right,
then, on the Change of Law Call Date, Parent or Canco, as the case may be,
will
purchase and the holders of Exchangeable Shares will sell all of the
Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for a price per share equal to the Change
of Law Call Purchase Price.
(b) For
the
purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
the
exercise of the Change of Law Call Right, Parent or Canco, as the case may
be,
shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Transfer Agent, on or before
the
Change of Law Call Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing
the
Change of Law Call Purchase Price. Provided that such Exchangeable Share
Consideration has been so deposited with the Transfer Agent, on and after the
Change of Law Call Date the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall cease
to be
holders of the Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise any
of
the rights of holders in respect thereof (including any rights under the Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement), other than the right to receive their
proportionate part of the total Change of Law Purchase Price payable by Parent
or Canco, as the case may be, without interest, upon presentation and surrender
by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares held by
such
holder and the holder shall on and after the Change of Law Call Date be
considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder of Parent Shares to
which such holder is entitled. Upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of a
certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable Shares, together with
such
other documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the by-laws of Purchaser and such
additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent may reasonably
require, the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on behalf
of
Parent or Canco, as the case may be, shall deliver to such holder, the
Exchangeable Share Consideration to which such holder is entitled.
ARTICLE
6
AMENDMENT
6.1 Plan
of Arrangement Amendment. The
Company and Parent reserve the right to amend, modify and/or supplement this
Plan of Arrangement from time to time at any time prior to the Effective Time
provided that any such amendment, modification or supplement must be contained
in a written document that is (a) agreed to by Parent, (b) filed with the Court
and, if made following the Company Shareholder Meeting, approved by the Court,
and (c) communicated to Company Shareholders in the manner required by the
Court
(if so required).
Any
amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be
proposed by the Company at any time prior to or at the Company Shareholder
Meeting (provided that Parent shall have consented thereto) with or without
any
other prior notice or communication, and if so proposed and accepted by the
Persons voting at the Company Shareholder Meeting (other than as may be required
under the Interim Order), shall become part of this Plan of Arrangement for
all
purposes.
Any
amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement which is
approved or directed by the Court following the Company Shareholder Meeting
shall be effective only if it is consented to by each of the Company and Parent,
and if required by the Court or applicable law, it is consented to by the
Company Shareholders voting in the manner directed by the Court.
Subject
to applicable law, any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of
Arrangement may be made following the Effective Time unilaterally by Parent;
provided that it concerns a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of Parent,
is of an administrative nature required to better give effect to the
implementation of this Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the financial
or economic interests of any Company Shareholders.
13.
ARTICLE
7
FURTHER
ASSURANCES
Notwithstanding
that the transactions and events set out herein will occur and be deemed to
occur at the times and in the order set out in this Plan of Arrangement, within
the meaning of Section 192 of the CBCA and, in particular, that the share
exchanges, within the meaning of Subsection 192(1)(f) of the CBCA, will become
effective in accordance with Section 192(8) of the CBCA, without any further
act
or formality, each of the parties to the Arrangement Agreement will make, do
and
execute, or cause to be made, done and executed, all such further acts, deeds,
agreements, transfers, assurances, instruments or documents as may reasonably
be
required by any of them in order further to document or evidence any of the
transactions or events set out herein.
14.
APPENDIX
I
6732097
CANADA INC.
(hereinafter
referred to as the "Purchaser")
PROVISIONS
ATTACHING TO
THE
EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
The
Exchangeable Shares in the capital of the Purchaser shall have the following
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1
|
For
the purposes of these share
provisions:
|
"Affiliate"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act, unless otherwise expressly
stated herein;
"Arrangement
Agreement"
means
the Arrangement Agreement by and between Parent, 180 Connect, Inc. and
the
Purchaser dated as of March 13, 2007, as amended and restated from time
to time,
providing for, among other things, the Arrangement resulting in the first
issuance of Exchangeable Shares;
"Board
of Directors"
means
the board of directors of the Purchaser;
"Business
Day"
means a
day of the year in which banks are not required or authorized to be closed
in
the City of Calgary, Alberta, or the City of New York, New York;
"Canadian
Tax Act"
means
the Income
Tax Act
(Canada)
and the regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time;
"Canco"
means
1305699 Alberta ULC, an unlimited liability corporation existing under
the laws
of Alberta and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent or any other direct
or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary designated by Parent from time to time
in
replacement thereof;
"Canco
Call Notice"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3
of these
share provisions;
"Canadian
Dollar Equivalent"
means
in respect of an amount expressed in a currency other than Canadian dollars
(the
"Foreign Currency Amount") at any date the product obtained by
multiplying:
(a)
|
the
Foreign Currency Amount, by
|
(b)
|
the
noon spot exchange rate on such date for such foreign currency
expressed
in Canadian dollars as reported by the Bank of Canada or, in
the event
such spot exchange rate is not available, such spot exchange
rate on such
date for such foreign currency expressed in Canadian dollars
as may be
deemed by the Board of Directors to be appropriate for such
purpose;
|
"CBCA"
means
the Canada
Business Corporations Act,
as
amended from time to time prior to the Effective Time;
"Change
of Law"
means
any amendment to the Canadian Tax Act and other applicable provincial income tax
laws that permits holders of Exchangeable Shares who are resident in Canada,
hold the Exchangeable Shares as capital property and deal at arm's length
with
Parent and the Purchaser (all for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act
and other
applicable provincial income tax laws) to exchange their Exchangeable Shares
for
Parent Shares on a basis that will not require such holders to recognize
any
gain or loss or any actual or deemed dividend in respect of such exchange
for
the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act or applicable provincial income tax
laws;
"Change
of Law Call Date"
has the
meaning provided in Section 10.2 of these share provisions;
"Change
of Law Call Purchase Price"
has
the meaning provided in Section 10.1 of these share provisions;
"Change
of Law Call Right"
has the
meaning provided in Section 10.1 of these share provisions;
"Common
Shares"
means
the common shares in the capital of the Purchaser;
"Current
Market Price"
means,
in respect of a Parent Share on any date, the Canadian Dollar Equivalent
of the
average of the closing bid and asked prices of Parent Shares during a period
of
20 consecutive trading days ending not more than three trading days before
such date on the NASDAQ, or, if the Parent Shares are not then listed on
the
NASDAQ, on such other stock exchange or automated quotation system on which
the
Parent Shares are listed or quoted, as the case may be, as may be selected
by
the Board of Directors for such purpose; provided, however, that if in
the
opinion of the Board of Directors the public distribution or trading activity
of
Parent Shares during such period does not create a market which reflects
the
fair market value of a Parent Share, then the Current Market Price of a
Parent
Share shall be determined by the Board of Directors, in good faith and
in its
sole discretion, and provided further that any such selection, opinion
or
determination by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive and
binding;
"Effective
Time"
has the
meaning given to that term in the Plan of Arrangement;
-2-
"Exchangeable
Shares"
mean
the non-voting exchangeable shares in the capital of the Purchaser, having
the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein;
"Exchangeable
Share Consideration"
means,
with respect to each Exchangeable Share, for any acquisition of, redemption
of
or distribution of assets of the Purchaser in respect of, or purchase pursuant
to, these share provisions, the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement, the
Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement:
(a)
|
the
Current Market Price of one Parent Share deliverable in connection
with
such action; plus
|
(b)
|
a
cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of the bankers
of the payor
in the amount of all declared, payable and unpaid, and all undeclared
but
payable, cash dividends deliverable in connection with such action;
plus
|
(c)
|
such
stock or other property constituting any declared and unpaid
non-cash
dividends deliverable in connection with such
action,
|
provided
that (i) the part of the consideration which represents (a) above
shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery of one Parent Share,
such
share to be duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) the part of
the consideration which represents (c) above shall be fully paid and
satisfied by delivery of such non-cash items, (iii) any such consideration
shall be delivered free and clear of any lien, claim, encumbrance, security
interest or adverse claim or interest and (iv) any such consideration shall
be paid less any tax required to be deducted and withheld therefrom and
without
interest;
"Exchangeable
Share Price"
means,
for each Exchangeable Share, an amount equal to the aggregate of:
(a)
|
the
Current Market Price of one Parent Share;
plus
|
(b)
|
an
additional amount equal to the full amount of all cash dividends
declared,
payable and unpaid, on such Exchangeable Share; plus
|
(c)
|
an
additional amount representing the full amount of all non-cash
dividends
declared, payable and unpaid, on such Exchangeable Share;
plus
|
(d)
|
an
additional amount equal to the full amount of all dividends declared
and
payable or paid on Parent Shares which have not been declared
or paid on
Exchangeable Shares in accordance
herewith;
|
"Exchangeable
Share Support Agreement"
means
the agreement made between Parent, Canco and the Purchaser substantially
in the
form and content of Schedule K
annexed
to the Arrangement Agreement, with such changes thereto as the parties
to the
Arrangement Agreement, acting reasonably, may agree;
-3-
"Exchangeable
Share Voting Event"
means
any matter in respect of which holders of Exchangeable Shares are entitled
to
vote as shareholders of the Purchaser in order to approve or disapprove,
as
applicable, any change to, or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable
Shares, where the approval or disapproval, as applicable, of such change
would
be required to maintain the equivalence of the Exchangeable Shares and
the
Parent Shares;
"Governmental
Authority"
means
any (a) multinational, federal, provincial, territorial, state, regional,
municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department,
central
bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, bureau or agency,
domestic or foreign, (b) subdivision, agent, including any tribunal,
commission, regulatory agency or self regulatory organization or authority
of
any of the foregoing, or (c) quasi-governmental or private body exercising
any regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account
of
any of the foregoing;
"Holder"
means,
when used with reference to the Exchangeable Shares, the holders of Exchangeable
Shares shown from time to time in the register maintained by or on behalf
of the
Purchaser in respect of the Exchangeable Shares;
"Liquidation
Amount"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of these share
provisions;
"Liquidation
Call Right"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.1 of these share provisions;
"Liquidation
Date"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1 of these share
provisions;
"Parent"
means
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of
Delaware;
"Parent
Control Transaction"
means
any merger, amalgamation, tender offer, material sale of shares or rights
or
interests therein or thereto or similar transactions involving Parent,
or any
proposal to carry out the same;
"Parent
Dividend Declaration Date"
means
the date on which the board of directors of Parent declares any dividend
on the
Parent Shares;
"Parent
Shares"
means
the shares in the common stock of Parent and any other securities into
which
such shares may be changed, exchanged or converted;
"Person"
includes any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation),
general partnership, limited partnership, firm, joint venture, estate,
trust
company (including any limited liability company, unlimited liability company,
joint stock company, firm, enterprise, association) or organization or
other
entity including a Governmental Authority, syndicate or other entity, whether
or
not having legal status;
-4-
"Plan
of Arrangement"
means
the Arrangement contemplated by the Arrangement Agreement;
"Purchase
Price"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3
of these
share provisions;
"Purchaser"
means
6732097Canada Inc., a corporation existing under the CBCA;
"Redemption
Call Purchase Price"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 9.1(a) of these share
provisions;
"Redemption
Call Right"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 9.1(a) of these share
provisions;
"Redemption
Date"
means
the second anniversary of the Effective Time, or, in the event that any
of the
circumstances in items (a), (b) or (c) arise, such earlier date established
by
the Board of Directors for the redemption by the Purchaser of all but not
less
than all of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7
of these
share provisions:
(a)
|
the
number of Exchangeable Shares outstanding (other than Exchangeable
Shares
held by Parent and its Affiliates) is less than twenty percent
of the
number Exchangeable Shares outstanding as of the Effective
Time;
|
(b)
|
a
Parent Control Transaction occurs, in which case, provided that
the Board
of Directors determines, in good faith and in its sole discretion,
that it
is not reasonably practicable to enable Holders to participate
in such
transaction to the same extent as, and on a basis that is equivalent
(economically and otherwise) to the basis on which, the holders
of Parent
Shares participate, without discrimination, then the Board of
Directors
shall accelerate such redemption date to such date prior to the
second
anniversary of the Effective Time as it may determine, upon such
number of
days' prior written notice to the registered holders of the Exchangeable
Shares and the Trustee as the Board of Directors may determine
to be
reasonably practicable in such circumstances to enable Holders
to
participate in the Parent Control Transaction as holders of Parent
Shares;
or
|
(c)
|
an
Exchangeable Share Voting Event is proposed and the holders of
the
Exchangeable Shares fail to take the necessary action at a meeting
or
other vote of holders of Exchangeable Shares, to approve or disapprove,
as
applicable, the Exchangeable Share Voting Event, in which case
the
redemption date shall be the Business Day following the day on
which the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares failed to take such action,
|
provided,
however, that the accidental failure or omission to give any notice of
redemption under clauses (a) or (b) above to any of such holders of Exchangeable
Shares shall not affect the validity of any such redemption;
-5-
"Redemption
Price"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.1
of these
share provisions;
"Retracted
Shares"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(a)
of these
share provisions;
"Retraction
Call Right"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(c)
of these
share provisions;
"Retraction
Date"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1(b)
of these
share provisions;
"Retraction
Price"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1
of these
share provisions;
"Retraction
Request"
has the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1
of these
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
Time;
"Transfer
Agent"
means
Valiant Trust Company or such other Person as may from time to time be
appointed
by the Purchaser as the registrar and transfer agent for the Exchangeable
Shares;
"Trustee"
means
Valiant Trust Company or
such
other trustee as is chosen by Parent and the Purchaser, acting reasonably,
to
act as trustee under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, being a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of Alberta, and any successor
trustee appointed under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement;
and
"Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement"
means
the agreement made among Parent, the Purchaser and the Trustee substantially
in
the form and content of Schedule L annexed to the Arrangement Agreement
with such changes thereto as the parties to the Arrangement Agreement,
acting
reasonably, may agree.
ARTICLE 2
RANKING
OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
2.1
|
The
Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled to a preference over the
Common
Shares and any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable
Shares with
respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
in the
event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Purchaser,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of
the assets
of the Purchaser, among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up
its
affairs.
|
-6-
ARTICLE 3
DIVIDENDS
3.1
|
A
holder of an Exchangeable Share shall be entitled to receive
and the Board
of Directors shall, subject to applicable law, on each Parent
Dividend
Declaration Date, declare a dividend on each Exchangeable
Share:
|
(a)
|
in
the case of a cash dividend declared on the Parent Shares, in
an amount in
cash for each Exchangeable Share in U.S. dollars on the Parent
Dividend
Declaration Date, in each case, corresponding to the cash dividend
declared on each Parent Share;
|
(b)
|
in
the case of a stock dividend declared on the Parent Shares, to
be paid in
Parent Shares, by the issue or transfer by the Purchaser of such
number of
Exchangeable Shares for each Exchangeable Share as is equal to
the number
of Parent Shares to be paid on each Parent Share; and
|
(c)
|
in
the case of a dividend declared on the Parent Shares in property
other
than cash or Parent Shares, in such type and amount of property
for each
Exchangeable Share as is the same as or economically equivalent
to (to be
determined by the Board of Directors as contemplated by Section 3.5)
the type and amount of property declared as a dividend on each
Parent
Share.
|
Such
dividends shall be paid out of money, assets or property of the Purchaser
properly applicable to the payment of dividends, or out of authorized but
unissued shares of the Purchaser, as applicable.
3.2
|
Cheques
of the Purchaser payable at par at any branch of the bankers
of the
Purchaser shall be issued in respect of any cash dividends contemplated
by
Section 3.1(a)
and the sending of such a cheque to each holder of an Exchangeable
Share
shall satisfy the cash dividend represented thereby unless the
cheque is
not paid on presentation. Subject to applicable law, certificates
registered in the name of the registered holder of Exchangeable
Shares
shall be issued or transferred in respect of any stock dividends
contemplated by Section 3.1(b)
and the sending of such a certificate to each holder of an Exchangeable
Share shall satisfy the stock dividend represented thereby. Such
other
type and amount of property in respect of any dividends contemplated
by
Section 3.1(c)
shall be issued, distributed or transferred by the Purchaser
in such
manner as it shall determine and the issuance, distribution or
transfer
thereof by the Purchaser to each holder of an Exchangeable Share
shall
satisfy the dividend represented thereby. No holder of an Exchangeable
Share shall be entitled to recover by action or other legal process
against the Purchaser any dividend that is represented by a cheque
that
has not been duly presented to the Purchaser's bankers for payment
or that
otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of six years from the
date on
which such dividend was first
payable.
|
3.3
|
The
record date for the determination of the holders of Exchangeable
Shares
entitled to receive payment of, and the payment date for, any
dividend
declared on the Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1
shall be the same dates as the record date and payment date,
respectively,
for the corresponding dividend declared on the Parent
Shares.
|
-7-
3.4
|
If
on any payment date for any dividends declared on the Exchangeable
Shares
under Section 3.1
the dividends are not paid in full on all of the Exchangeable
Shares then
outstanding, any such dividends that remain unpaid shall be paid
on the
earliest subsequent date or dates determined by the Board of
Directors on
which the Purchaser shall have sufficient moneys, assets or property
properly applicable to the payment of such
dividends.
|
3.5
|
The
Board of Directors shall determine, in good faith and in its
sole
discretion, economic equivalence for the purposes of
Section 3.1
and Article 14, and each such determination shall be conclusive
and
binding on the Purchaser and its shareholders. In making each
such
determination, the following factors shall, without excluding
other
factors determined by the Board of Directors to be relevant,
be considered
by the Board of Directors:
|
(a)
|
in
the case of any stock dividend or other distribution payable
in Parent
Shares, the number of such shares issued in proportion to the
number of
Parent Shares previously outstanding;
|
(b)
|
in
the case of the issuance or distribution of any rights, options
or
warrants to subscribe for or purchase Parent Shares (or securities
exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire
Parent
Shares), the relationship between the exercise price of each
such right,
option or warrant and the Current Market Price, the volatility
of the
Parent Shares and the term of any such
instrument;
|
(c)
|
in
the case of the issuance or distribution of any other form of
property
(including any shares or securities of Parent of any class other
than
Parent Shares, any rights, options or warrants other than those
referred
to in Section 3.5(b)
above, any evidences of indebtedness of Parent or any assets
of Parent)
the relationship between the fair market value (as determined
by the Board
of Directors in the manner above contemplated) of such property
to be
issued or distributed with respect to each outstanding Parent
Share and
the Current Market Price; and
|
(d)
|
in
all such cases, the general taxation consequences of the relevant
event to
holders of Exchangeable Shares to the extent that such consequences
may
differ from the taxation consequences to holders of Parent Shares
as a
result of differences between taxation laws of Canada and the
United
States (except for any differing consequences arising as a result
of
differing withholding taxes and marginal taxation rates and without
regard
to the individual circumstances of holders of Exchangeable
Shares).
|
-8-
3.6
|
Except
as provided in this Article 3,
the holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled to receive
dividends in respect thereof.
|
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS
4.1
|
So
long as any of the Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, the Purchaser
shall not at any time without, but may at any time with, the
approval of
the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given as specified in
Section 13.2 of these share
provisions:
|
(a)
|
pay
any dividends on the Common Shares or any other shares ranking
junior to
the Exchangeable Shares with respect to the payment of dividends,
other
than stock dividends payable in Common Shares or any such other
shares
ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, as the case may
be;
|
(b)
|
redeem
or purchase or make any capital distribution in respect of Common
Shares
or any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares
with respect
to the payment of dividends or on any liquidation, dissolution
or
winding-up of the Purchaser or any other distribution of the
assets of the
Purchaser;
|
(c)
|
redeem
or purchase or make any capital distribution in respect of any
other
shares of the Purchaser ranking equally with the Exchangeable
Shares with
respect to the payment of dividends or on any liquidation, dissolution
or
winding-up of the Purchaser or any other distribution of the
assets of the
Purchaser; or
|
(d)
|
issue
any Exchangeable Shares or any other shares of the Purchaser
ranking
equally with, or superior to, the Exchangeable Shares other than
by way of
stock dividends to the holders of such Exchangeable
Shares;
|
provided
that the restrictions in Sections 4.1(a),
(b),
(c)
and (d)
shall
not apply if all dividends on the outstanding Exchangeable Shares corresponding
to dividends declared and paid to date on the Parent Shares shall have
been
declared and paid on the Exchangeable Shares.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION
ON LIQUIDATION
5.1
|
In
the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Purchaser
or any other distribution of the assets of the Purchaser among
its
shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, a holder
of
Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled, subject to applicable
law and to
the exercise by Canco of the Liquidation Call Right, to receive
from the
assets of the Purchaser in respect of each Exchangeable Share
held by such
holder on the effective date (the "Liquidation Date") of such
liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up or distribution of assets, before any
distribution
of any part of the assets of the Purchaser among the holders
of the Common
Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable
Shares, an
amount per share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable
on the
last Business Day prior to the Liquidation Date (the "Liquidation
Amount").
|
-9-
5.2
|
On
or promptly after the Liquidation Date, and subject to the exercise
by
Canco of the Liquidation Call Right, the Purchaser shall cause
to be
delivered to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the Liquidation
Amount
for each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender
of the
certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together
with such
other documents and instruments as may be required to effect
a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the articles and by-laws
of the
Purchaser and such additional documents and instruments as the
Transfer
Agent and the Purchaser may reasonably require, at the registered
office
of the Purchaser or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may
be
specified by the Purchaser by notice to the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares. Payment of the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable
Shares shall be made by delivery to each Holder, at the address
of the
Holder recorded in the register of the Purchaser for the Exchangeable
Shares or by holding for pick-up by the Holder at the registered
office of
the Purchaser or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be
specified
by the Purchaser by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares,
on
behalf of the Purchaser of the Exchangeable Share Consideration
representing the total Liquidation Amount. On and after the Liquidation
Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be
holders of
such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise
any of the
rights of Holders in respect thereof (including any rights under
the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement), other than the right to
receive
their proportionate part of the total Liquidation Amount, unless
payment
of the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares
shall not be
made upon presentation and surrender of share certificates in
accordance
with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the
holders
shall remain unaffected until the total Liquidation Amount to
which such
holders are entitled shall have been paid to such holders in
the manner
hereinbefore provided. The Purchaser shall have the right at
any time on
or before the Liquidation Date to deposit or cause to be deposited
the
Exchangeable Share Consideration in respect of the Exchangeable
Shares
represented by certificates that have not at the Liquidation
Date been
surrendered by the holders thereof in a custodial account with
any
chartered bank or trust company in Canada. Upon such deposit
being made,
the rights of the holders of Exchangeable Shares, after such
deposit,
shall be limited to receiving their proportionate part of the
total
Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares so deposited,
against
presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them,
respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Upon
such
payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share Consideration,
the holders
of the Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and
deemed for
all purposes to be holders of the Parent Shares delivered to
them or the
custodian on their behalf.
|
5.3
|
After
the Purchaser has satisfied its obligations to pay the holders
of the
Exchangeable Shares the Liquidation Amount per Exchangeable Share
pursuant
to Section 5.1
of
these share provisions, such holders shall not be entitled to
share in any
further distribution of the assets of the
Purchaser.
|
-10-
ARTICLE 6
RETRACTION
OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY HOLDER
6.1
|
A
holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled at any time,
subject to
the exercise by Canco of the Retraction Call Right and otherwise
upon
compliance with the provisions of this Article 6,
to require the Purchaser to redeem any or all of the Exchangeable
Shares
registered in the name of such holder for an amount per share
equal to the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day
prior to the
Retraction Date (the "Retraction Price"), which shall be satisfied
in full
by the Purchaser causing to be delivered to such holder the Exchangeable
Share Consideration representing the Retraction Price. To effect
such
redemption, the Holder shall present and surrender at the registered
office of the Purchaser or at any office of the Transfer Agent
as may be
specified by the Purchaser by notice to the holders of Exchangeable
Shares, the certificate or certificates representing the Exchangeable
Shares which the Holder desires to have the Purchaser redeem,
together
with such other documents and instruments as may be required
to effect a
transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the articles
and bylaws
of the Purchaser and such additional documents and instruments
as the
Transfer Agent and the Purchaser may reasonably require, and
together with
a duly executed statement (the "Retraction Request") in the form
of
Schedule A hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to the
Purchaser:
|
(a)
|
specifying
that the Holder desires to have all or any number specified therein
of the
Exchangeable Shares represented by such certificate or certificates
(the
"Retracted Shares") redeemed by the
Purchaser;
|
(b)
|
stating
the Business Day on which the holder desires to have the Purchaser
redeem
the Retracted Shares (the "Retraction Date"), provided that the
Retraction
Date shall be not less than three Business Days nor more than
15 Business Days after the date on which the Retraction Request
is
received by the Purchaser and further provided that, in the event
that no
such Business Day is specified by the Holder in the Retraction
Request,
the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the 15th
Business Day after the date on which the Retraction Request is
received by
the Purchaser; and
|
(c)
|
acknowledging
the overriding right (the "Retraction Call Right") of Canco to
purchase
all but not less than all the Retracted Shares directly from
the holder
and that the Retraction Request shall be deemed to be a revocable
offer by
the holder to sell the Retracted Shares to Canco in accordance
with the
Retraction Call Right on the terms and conditions set out in
Section 6.3
below.
|
6.2
|
Subject
to the exercise by Canco of the Retraction Call Right, upon receipt
by the
Purchaser or the Transfer Agent in the manner specified in
Section 6.1
of
a certificate or certificates representing the number of Retracted
Shares,
together with a Retraction Request and such additional documents
and
instruments as the Transfer Agent and the Purchaser may reasonably
require, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked
by the
Holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7,
the Purchaser shall redeem the Retracted Shares effective at
the close of
business on the Retraction Date and shall cause to be delivered
to such
Holder the total Retraction Price with respect to such shares
in
accordance with Section 6.4.
If only a part of the Exchangeable Shares represented by any
certificate
is redeemed (or purchased by Canco pursuant to the Retraction
Call Right),
a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares
shall be
issued to the holder at the expense of the
Purchaser.
|
-11-
6.3
|
Upon
receipt by the Purchaser of a Retraction Request, the Purchaser
shall
immediately notify Canco thereof and shall provide to Canco a
copy of the
Retraction Request. In order to exercise the Retraction Call
Right, Canco
must notify the Purchaser of its determination to do so (the
"Canco Call
Notice") within three Business Days of receipt by the Purchaser
of the
Retraction Request. If Canco does not so notify the Purchaser
within such
three Business Day period, the Purchaser will notify the Holder
as soon as
possible thereafter that Canco will not exercise the Retraction
Call
Right. If Canco delivers the Canco Call Notice within such three
Business
Day period, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked
by the
Holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7,
the Retraction Request shall thereupon be considered only to
be an offer
by the Holder to sell all but not less than all the Retracted
Shares to
Canco in accordance with the Retraction Call Right. In such event,
the
Purchaser shall not redeem the Retracted Shares and Canco shall
purchase
from such holder and such holder shall sell to Canco on the Retraction
Date all but not less than all the Retracted Shares for a purchase
price
(the "Purchase Price") per share equal to the Retraction Price,
which, as
set forth in Section 6.4,
shall be fully paid and satisfied by the delivery by or on behalf
of
Canco, of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the
total
Purchase Price. For the purposes of completing a purchase pursuant
to the
Retraction Call Right, Canco shall deposit with the Transfer
Agent, on or
before the Retraction Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration
representing the total Purchase Price. Provided that Canco has
complied
with Section 6.4,
the closing of the purchase and sale of the Retracted Shares
pursuant to
the Retraction Call Right shall be deemed to have occurred as
at the close
of business on the Retraction Date and, for greater certainty,
no
redemption by the Purchaser of such Retracted Shares shall take
place on
the Retraction Date. In the event that Canco does not deliver
a Canco Call
Notice within such three Business Day period, and provided that
the
Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in the manner
specified in
Section 6.7,
the Purchaser shall redeem the Retracted Shares on the Retraction
Date and
in the manner otherwise contemplated in this Article 6.
|
6.4
|
The
Purchaser or Canco, as the case may be, shall deliver or cause
the
Transfer Agent to deliver to the relevant Holder, at the address
of the
Holder recorded in the register of the Purchaser for the Exchangeable
Shares or at the address specified in the Holder's Retraction
Request or,
if specified in such Retraction Request, by holding for pick-up
by the
Holder at the registered office of the Purchaser or at any office
of the
Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Purchaser by notice
to such
holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Exchangeable Share Consideration
representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase
Price, as
the case may be, and such delivery of such Exchangeable Share
Consideration to the Transfer Agent shall be deemed to be payment
of and
shall satisfy and discharge all liability for the total Retraction
Price
or total Purchase Price, as the case may be, to the extent that
the same
is represented by such Exchangeable Share
Consideration.
|
-12-
6.5
|
On
and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, the holder
of the
Retracted Shares shall cease to be a holder of such Retracted
Shares and
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder
in respect
thereof, other than the right to receive the total Retraction
Price or
total Purchase Price, as the case may be, unless upon presentation
and
surrender of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions,
payment of the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price,
as the
case may be, shall not be made as provided in Section 6.4,
in which case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected
until the
total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case
may be,
has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. On and after
the close
of business on the Retraction Date, provided that presentation
and
surrender of certificates and payment of the total Retraction
Price or the
total Purchase Price, as the case may be, has been made in accordance
with
the foregoing provisions, the holder of the Retracted Shares
so redeemed
by the Purchaser or purchased by Canco shall thereafter be considered
and
deemed for all purposes to be the holder of Parent Shares delivered
to
it.
|
6.6
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Article 6,
the Purchaser shall not be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares
specified
by a holder in a Retraction Request to the extent that such redemption
of
Retracted Shares would be contrary to solvency requirements or
other
provisions of applicable law. If the Purchaser believes, acting
reasonably, that on any Retraction Date it would not be permitted
by any
of such provisions to redeem the Retracted Shares tendered for
redemption
on such date, and provided that Canco shall not have exercised
the
Retraction Call Right with respect to the Retracted Shares, the
Purchaser
shall only be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified
by a holder
in a Retraction Request to the extent of the maximum number that
may be so
redeemed (rounded down to a whole number of shares) as would
not be
contrary to such provisions and shall notify the holder at least
two
Business Days prior to the Retraction Date as to the number of
Retracted
Shares which will not be redeemed by the Purchaser. In any case
in which
the redemption by the Purchaser of Retracted Shares would be
contrary to
solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable law,
the Purchaser
shall redeem the maximum number of Exchangeable Shares which
the Board of
Directors determines the Purchaser is permitted to redeem as
of the
Retraction Date on a pro rata basis and shall issue to each holder
of
Retracted Shares a new certificate, at the expense of the Purchaser,
representing the Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Purchaser
pursuant
to Section 6.2.
Provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder
in the
manner specified in Section 6.7
and Canco does not exercise the Retraction Call Right, the holder
of any
such Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Purchaser pursuant
to
Section 6.2
as
a result of solvency requirements or other provisions of applicable
law
shall be deemed by giving the Retraction Request to have instructed
the
Trustee to require Parent to purchase such Retracted Shares from
such
holder on the Retraction Date or as soon as practicable thereafter
on
payment by Parent to such holder of the Retraction Price for
each such
Retracted Share, all as more specifically provided in the Voting
and
Exchange Trust Agreement.
|
-13-
6.7
|
A
holder of Retracted Shares may, by notice in writing given by
the holder
to the Purchaser before the close of business on the Business
Day
immediately preceding the Retraction Date, withdraw its Retraction
Request, in which event such Retraction Request shall be null
and void
and, for greater certainty, the revocable offer constituted by
the
Retraction Request to sell the Retracted Shares to Canco shall
be deemed
to have been revoked.
|
ARTICLE 7
REDEMPTION
OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY THE CORPORATION
7.1
|
Subject
to applicable law, and provided Canco has not exercised the Redemption
Call Right, the Purchaser shall on the Redemption Date redeem
all but not
less than all of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares for
an amount
per share equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on
the last
Business Day prior to the Redemption Date (the "Redemption
Price").
|
7.2
|
In
any case of a redemption of Exchangeable Shares under this Article 7,
the Purchaser shall, at least 45 days
before the Redemption Date (other than a Redemption Date established
in
connection with a Parent Control Transaction or an Exchangeable
Share
Voting Event), send or cause to be sent to each holder of Exchangeable
Shares a notice in writing of the redemption by the Purchaser
or the
purchase by Canco under the Redemption Call Right, as the case
may be, of
the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder. In the case of a
Redemption
Date established in connection with a Parent Control Transaction,
the
written notice of redemption by the Purchaser or the purchase
by Canco
under the Redemption Call Right will be sent on or before the
Redemption
Date, on as many days prior written notice as may be determined
by the
Board of Directors to be reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
In
any such case, such notice shall set out the formula for determining
the
Redemption Price or the Redemption Call Purchase Price, as the
case may
be, the Redemption Date and, if applicable, particulars of the
Redemption
Call Right. In the case of any notice given in connection with
a possible
Redemption Date, such notice will be given contingently and will
be
withdrawn if the contingency does not occur.
|
7.3
|
On
or after the Redemption Date and subject to the exercise by Canco
of the
Redemption Call Right, the Purchaser shall cause to be delivered
to the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed the Redemption
Price for
each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender
at the
registered office of the Purchaser or at any office of the Transfer
Agent
as may be specified by the Purchaser in the notice described
in
Section 7.2 of the certificates representing such Exchangeable
Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as
may be
required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the
CBCA and
the articles and by-laws of the Purchaser and such additional
documents
and instruments as the Transfer Agent and the Purchaser may reasonably
require. Payment of the total Redemption Price for such Exchangeable
Shares shall be made by delivery to each Holder, at the address
of the
Holder recorded in the securities register of the Purchaser or
by holding
for pick-up by the Holder at the registered office of the Purchaser
or at
any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Purchaser
in
such notice, on behalf of the Purchaser of the Exchangeable Share
Consideration representing the total Redemption Price. On and
after the
Redemption Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares called
for
redemption shall cease to be holders of such Exchangeable Shares
and shall
not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect
thereof, other than the right to receive their proportionate
part of the
total Redemption Price, unless payment of the total Redemption
Price for
such Exchangeable Shares shall not be made upon presentation
and surrender
of certificates in accordance with the foregoing provisions,
in which case
the rights of the holders shall remain unaffected until the total
Redemption Price has been paid in the manner hereinbefore provided.
The
Purchaser shall have the right at any time after the sending
of notice of
its intention to redeem the Exchangeable Shares as aforesaid
to deposit or
cause to be deposited the Exchangeable Share Consideration with
respect to
the Exchangeable Shares so called for redemption, or of such
of the said
Exchangeable Shares represented by certificates that have not
at the date
of such deposit been surrendered by the holders thereof in connection
with
such redemption, in a custodial account with any chartered bank
or trust
company in Canada named in such notice. Upon the later of such
deposit
being made and the Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Shares in
respect
whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and
the rights
of the holders thereof after such deposit or Redemption Date,
as the case
may be, shall be limited to receiving their proportionate part
of the
total Redemption Price for such Exchangeable Shares so deposited,
against
presentation and surrender of the said certificates held by them,
respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Upon
such
payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share Consideration after
the
Redemption Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall
thereafter
be considered and deemed for all purposes to be holders of Parent
Shares
delivered to them or the custodian on their
behalf.
|
-14-
ARTICLE 8
CANCO
LIQUIDATION CALL RIGHT
8.1
|
Canco
shall have the overriding right (the "Liquidation Call Right"),
in the
event of and notwithstanding the proposed liquidation, dissolution
or
winding-up of the Purchaser or any other distribution of the
assets of the
Purchaser among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up
its
affairs, pursuant to Article 5, to purchase from all but not
less than all
of the holders of Exchangeable Shares (other than any holder
of
Exchangeable Shares which is an affiliate of Parent) on the Liquidation
Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held
by each
such holder upon payment by Canco to each such holder of the
Exchangeable
Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the
Liquidation
Date (the "Liquidation Call Purchase Price") in accordance with
Section
8.3. In the event of the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right
by Canco,
each Holder shall be obligated to sell all the Exchangeable Shares
held by
such Holder to Canco on the Liquidation Date upon payment by
Canco to such
Holder of the Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such Exchangeable
Share, whereupon the Purchaser shall have no obligation to pay
any
Liquidation Amount to the Holders of such shares so purchased
by
Canco.
|
-15-
8.2
|
To
exercise the Liquidation Call Right, Canco must notify the Purchaser
and
the Transfer Agent of Canco's intention to exercise such right
at least 45
days before the Liquidation Date, in the case of a voluntary
liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Purchaser or any other voluntary
distribution of the assets of the Purchaser among its shareholders
for the
purpose of winding-up its affairs, and at least five Business
Days before
the Liquidation Date, in the case of an involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Purchaser or any other involuntary
distribution of the assets of the Purchaser among its shareholders
for the
purpose of winding up its affairs. The Transfer Agent will notify
the
holders of Exchangeable Shares as to whether Canco has exercised
the
Liquidation Call Right forthwith after the expiry of the period
during
which the same may be exercised by Canco. If Canco exercises
the
Liquidation Call Right, then on the Liquidation Date, Canco will
purchase
and the holders of Exchangeable Shares will sell all of the Exchangeable
Shares then outstanding for a price per Exchangeable Share equal
to the
Liquidation Call Purchase Price.
|
8.3
|
For
the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares
pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right, Canco shall deposit or
cause to be
deposited with the Transfer Agent, on or before the Liquidation
Date, the
Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation
Call
Purchase Price. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration
has
been so deposited with the Transfer Agent, on and after the Liquidation
Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be
holders of
the Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise
any of the
rights of holders in respect thereof (including any rights under
the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement), other than the right to
receive
their proportionate part of the total Liquidation Call Purchase
Price
payable by Canco, without interest, upon presentation and surrender
by the
holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares held
by such
Holder and the Holder shall on and after the Liquidation Date
be
considered and deemed for all purposes to be the holder of Parent
Shares
to which such Holder is entitled. Upon surrender to the Transfer
Agent of
a certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable Shares,
together
with such other documents and instruments as may be required
to effect a
transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the CBCA and the by-laws
of the
Purchaser and such additional documents and instruments as the
Transfer
Agent may reasonably require, the Holder of such surrendered
certificate
or certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor,
and the
Transfer Agent on behalf of Canco shall deliver to such Holder,
the
Exchangeable Share Consideration to which such holder is entitled.
If
Canco does not exercise the Liquidation Call Right in the manner
described
above, on the Liquidation Date the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares will
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Liquidation Amount
otherwise payable by the Purchaser in connection with the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Purchaser pursuant to Article
5
hereof.
|
-16-
ARTICLE 9
CANCO
REDEMPTION CALL RIGHT
9.1
|
In
addition to Canco's rights contained herein, including the Retraction
Call
Right, Canco shall have the following rights in respect of the
Exchangeable Shares:
|
(a)
|
Canco
shall have the overriding right (the "Redemption Call Right"),
in the
event of and notwithstanding the proposed redemption of the Exchangeable
Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to Article 7, to purchase from
all but
not less than all of the holders of Exchangeable Shares (other
than any
holder of Exchangeable Shares which is an affiliate of Parent)
on the
Redemption Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable
Shares held
by each such holder upon payment by Canco to each such holder
of the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day
prior to the
Redemption Date (the "Redemption Call Purchase Price") in accordance
with
Section 9.1(c). In the event of the exercise of the Redemption
Call Right
by Canco, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated
to sell
all the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to Canco on the
Redemption
Date upon payment by Canco to such holder of the Redemption Call
Purchase
Price for each such Exchangeable Share, whereupon the Purchaser
shall have
no obligation to redeem, or to pay the Redemption Price in respect
of,
such shares so purchased by Canco.
|
(b)
|
To
exercise the Redemption Call Right, Canco must notify the Transfer
Agent
and the Purchaser of Canco's intention to exercise such right
at least 30
days before the Redemption Date, except in the case of a redemption
occurring as a result of a Parent Control Transaction or an Exchangeable
Share Voting Event, in which case Canco shall so notify the Transfer
Agent
and the Purchaser as soon as practicable and, in any event, on
or before
the Redemption Date. The Transfer Agent will notify the holders
of the
Exchangeable Shares as to whether Canco has exercised the Redemption
Call
Right forthwith after the expiry of the period during which the
same may
be exercised by Canco. If Canco exercises the Redemption Call
Right, then,
on the Redemption Date, Canco will purchase and the holders of
Exchangeable Shares will sell all of the Exchangeable Shares
then
outstanding for a price per share equal to the Redemption Call
Purchase
Price.
|
(c)
|
For
the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares
pursuant to the exercise of the Redemption Call Right, Canco
shall deposit
or cause to be deposited with the Transfer Agent, on or before
the
Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing
the
total Redemption Call Purchase Price. Provided that such Exchangeable
Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Transfer Agent,
on and
after the Redemption Date the holders of the Exchangeable Shares
shall
cease to be holders of the Exchangeable Shares and shall not
be entitled
to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof (including
any
rights under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement), other
than the
right to receive their proportionate part of the total Redemption
Call
Purchase Price payable by Canco, without interest, upon presentation
and
surrender by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable
Shares held by such holder and the holder shall on and after
the
Redemption Date be considered and deemed for all purposes to
be the holder
of Parent Shares to which such holder is entitled. Upon surrender
to the
Transfer Agent of a certificate or certificates representing
Exchangeable
Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as
may be
required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the
CBCA and
the by-laws of the Purchaser and such additional documents and
instruments
as the Transfer Agent may reasonably require, the holder of such
surrendered certificate or certificates shall be entitled to
receive in
exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on behalf of Canco
shall deliver
to such holder, the Exchangeable Share Consideration to which
such holder
is entitled. If Canco does not exercise the Redemption Call Right
in the
manner described above, on the Redemption Date the holders of
the
Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor
the
Redemption Price otherwise payable by the Purchaser in connection
with the
redemption of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of
the
Exchangeable Share Provisions.
|
-17-
ARTICLE 10
CHANGE
OF LAW CALL RIGHT
10.1
|
Parent
shall have the overriding right (the "Change of Law Call Right"),
in the
event of a Change of Law, to purchase (or to cause Canco to purchase)
from
all but not less than all of the holders of Exchangeable Shares
(other
than any holder of Exchangeable Shares which is an affiliate
of Parent)
all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held by
each such
holder upon payment by Parent or Canco, as the case may be, of
an amount
per share (the "Change of Law Call Purchase Price") equal to
the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day
prior to the
Change of Law Call Date, in accordance with Section 10.3. In
the event of
the exercise of the Change of Law Call Right by Parent or Canco,
as the
case may be, each holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be obligated
to sell
all the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder to Parent or
Canco, as the
case may be, on the Change of Law Call Date upon payment by Parent
or
Canco, as the case may be, to such holder of the Change of Law
Call
Purchase Price for each such Exchangeable
Share.
|
10.2
|
To
exercise the Change of Law Call Right, Parent or Canco must notify
the
Transfer Agent of its intention to exercise such right at least
45 days
before the date on which Parent or Canco intends to acquire the
Exchangeable Shares (the "Change of Law Call Date"). If Parent
or Canco
exercises the Change of Law Call Right, then, on the Change of
Law Call
Date, Parent or Canco, as the case may be, will purchase and
the holders
of Exchangeable Shares will sell all of the Exchangeable Shares
then
outstanding for a price per share equal to the Change of Law
Call Purchase
Price.
|
10.3
|
For
the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable Shares
pursuant to the exercise of the Change of Law Call Right, Parent
or Canco,
as the case may be, shall deposit or cause to be deposited with
the
Transfer Agent, on or before the Change of Law Call Date, the
Exchangeable
Share Consideration representing the total Change of Law Call
Purchase
Price. Provided that such Exchangeable Share Consideration has
been so
deposited with the Transfer Agent, on and after the Change of
Law Call
Date the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall cease to be
holders of
the Exchangeable Shares and shall not be entitled to exercise
any of the
rights of holders in respect thereof (including any rights under
the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement), other than the right to
receive
their proportionate part of the total Change of Law Purchase
Price payable
by Parent or Canco, as the case may be, without interest, upon
presentation and surrender by the holder of certificates representing
the
Exchangeable Shares held by such holder and the holder shall
on and after
the Change of Law Call Date be considered and deemed for all
purposes to
be the holder of Parent Shares to which such holder is entitled.
Upon
surrender to the Transfer Agent of a certificate or certificates
representing Exchangeable Shares, together with such other documents
and
instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable
Shares
under the CBCA and the by-laws of the Purchaser and such additional
documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent may reasonably
require,
the holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall
be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent
on behalf
of Parent or Canco, as the case may be, shall deliver to such
holder, the
Exchangeable Share Consideration to which such holder is
entitled.
|
-18-
ARTICLE 11
[intentionally
left blank]
ARTICLE 12
VOTING
RIGHTS
12.1
|
Except
as required by applicable law and by Article 13, Section 14.1 and
Section 15.2, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall not be
entitled as such to receive notice of or to attend any meeting
of the
shareholders of the Purchaser or to vote at any such
meeting.
|
ARTICLE 13
AMENDMENT
AND APPROVAL
13.1
|
The
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to
the
Exchangeable Shares may be added to, changed or removed but only
with the
approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given as hereinafter
specified.
|
13.2
|
Any
approval given by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares to add
to, change
or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching
to the
Exchangeable Shares or any other matter requiring the approval
or consent
of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to
have been
sufficiently given if it shall have been given in accordance
with
applicable law subject to a minimum requirement that such approval
be
evidenced by resolution passed by not less than 66-2/3% of the
votes cast
on such resolution by holders (other than Parent and its Affiliates)
represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders of
Exchangeable
Shares duly called and held at which the holders of at least
10% of the
outstanding Exchangeable Shares (other than Exchangeable Shares
held by
Parent and its Affiliates) at that time are present or represented
by
proxy; provided that if at any such meeting the holders of at
least 10% of
the outstanding Exchangeable Shares at that time are not present
or
represented by proxy within one-half hour after the time appointed
for
such meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date
not less
than five days thereafter and to such time and place as may be
designated
by the Chair of such meeting. At such adjourned meeting, the
holders of
Exchangeable Shares (other than Parent and its Affiliates) present
or
represented by proxy thereat may transact the business for which
the
meeting was originally called and a resolution passed thereat
by the
affirmative vote of not less than 66-2/3% of the votes cast on
such
resolution by holders (other than Parent and its Affiliates)
represented
in person or by proxy at such meeting shall constitute the approval
or
consent of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. For purposes
of this
section, any spoiled votes, illegible votes, defective votes
and
abstentions shall be deemed to be votes not
cast.
|
-19-
ARTICLE 14
RECIPROCAL
CHANGES, ETC. IN RESPECT OF PARENT SHARES
14.1
|
Each
holder of an Exchangeable Share acknowledges that the Exchangeable
Share
Support Agreement provides, in part, that Parent will
not:
|
(a)
|
issue
or distribute Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable for or
convertible
into or carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares) to the holders
of all or
substantially all of the then outstanding Parent Shares by way
of stock
dividend or other distribution, other than an issue of Parent
Shares (or
securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights
to
acquire Parent Shares) to holders of Parent Shares who (i) exercise
an option to receive dividends in Parent Shares (or securities
exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire
Parent
Shares) in lieu of receiving cash dividends, or (ii) pursuant to any
dividend reinvestment plan or scrip
dividend;
|
(b)
|
issue
or distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders of all
or
substantially all of the then outstanding Parent Shares entitling
them to
subscribe for or to purchase Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable
for
or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares);
or
|
(c)
|
issue
or distribute to the holders of all or substantially all of the
then
outstanding Parent Shares:
|
-20-
(i)
|
shares
or securities of Parent of any class other than Parent Shares
(other than
shares convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights
to acquire
Parent Shares);
|
(ii)
|
rights,
options or warrants other than those referred to in Section 14.1(b)
above;
|
(iii)
|
evidences
of indebtedness of Parent; or
|
(iv)
|
assets
of Parent,
|
unless
the economic equivalent on a per share basis of such rights, options, warrants,
securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets is issued
or
distributed simultaneously to holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
14.2
|
Each
holder of an Exchangeable Share acknowledges that the Exchangeable
Share
Support Agreement further provides, in part, that Parent will
not without
the prior approval of the Purchaser and the prior approval of
the holders
of the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with
Section 13.2:
|
(a)
|
subdivide,
re-divide or change the then outstanding Parent Shares into a
greater
number of Parent Shares;
|
(b)
|
reduce,
combine, consolidate or change the then outstanding Parent Shares
into a
lesser number of Parent Shares; or
|
(c)
|
reclassify
or otherwise change the Parent Shares or effect an amalgamation,
merger,
reorganization or other transaction affecting the Parent
Shares;
|
unless
the same or an economically equivalent change shall simultaneously be made
to,
or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable Shares and such change
is
permitted under applicable law. The Exchangeable Share Support Agreement
further
provides, in part, that the provisions of the Exchangeable Share Support
Agreement described in Section 14.1 and this Section 14.2 shall not be
changed without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares
given in
accordance with Section 13.2.
14.3
|
Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Article 14, in the event of
a Parent
Control Transaction:
|
(a)
|
in
which Parent merges or amalgamates with, or in which all or substantially
all of the then outstanding Parent Shares are acquired by, one
or more
other corporations to which Parent is, immediately before such
merger,
amalgamation or acquisition, "related" within the meaning of
the Canadian
Tax Act (otherwise
than by virtue of a right referred to in paragraph 251(5)(b)
thereof);
|
-21-
(b)
|
which
does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in
accordance
with paragraph (b) of that definition;
and
|
(c)
|
in
which all or substantially all of the then outstanding Parent
Shares are
converted into or exchanged for shares or rights to receive such
shares
(the "Other Shares") of another corporation (the "Other Purchaser")
that,
immediately after such Parent Control Transaction, owns or controls,
directly or indirectly, Parent;
|
then
all
references herein to "Parent" shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references
to "Other Purchaser" and all references herein to "Parent 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
these share provisions or exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting
and
Exchange Trust Agreement immediately subsequent to the Parent 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 these
share
provisions, or exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting and Exchange
Trust
Agreement had occurred immediately prior to the Parent Control Transaction
and
the Parent Control Transaction was completed) without any need to amend
the
terms and conditions of the Exchangeable Shares and without any further
action
required.
ARTICLE 15
ACTIONS
BY THE PURCHASER UNDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT AND VOTING EXCHANGE TRUST
AGREEMENT
15.1
|
The
Purchaser will take all such actions and do all such things as
shall be
necessary or advisable to perform and comply with and to ensure
performance and compliance by Parent, Canco and the Purchaser
with all
provisions of the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement and the
Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement applicable to Parent, Canco and the
Purchaser,
respectively, in accordance with the terms thereof including
taking all
such actions and doing all such things as shall be necessary
or advisable
to enforce to the fullest extent possible for the direct benefit
of the
Purchaser all rights and benefits in favour of the Purchaser
under or
pursuant thereto.
|
15.2
|
The
Purchaser shall not propose, agree to or otherwise give effect
to any
amendment to, or waiver or forgiveness of its rights or obligations
under,
the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement or the Voting and Exchange
Trust
Agreement without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares
given in accordance with Section 13.2 other than such amendments,
waivers and/or forgiveness as may be necessary or advisable for
the
purposes of:
|
(a)
|
adding
to the covenants of the other parties to such agreement for the
protection
of the Purchaser or the holders of the Exchangeable Shares
thereunder;
|
-22-
(b)
|
making
such provisions or modifications not inconsistent with such agreement
as
may be necessary or desirable with respect to matters or questions
arising
thereunder which, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors,
it
may be expedient to make, provided that the Board of Directors
shall be of
the good faith opinion, after consultation with counsel, that
such
provisions and modifications will not be prejudicial to the interests
of
the holders of the Exchangeable Shares; or
|
(c)
|
making
such changes in or corrections to such agreement which, on the
advice of
counsel to the Purchaser, are required for the purpose of curing
or
correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision
or clerical
omission or mistake or manifest error contained therein, provided
that the
Board of Directors shall be of the good faith opinion, after
consultation
with counsel, that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial
to
the interests of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares.
|
ARTICLE 16
LEGEND;
CALL RIGHTS; WITHHOLDING RIGHTS
16.1
|
The
certificates evidencing the Exchangeable Shares shall contain
or have
affixed thereto a legend in form and on terms approved by the
Board of
Directors, with respect to the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement,
the
Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, the Redemption
Call
Right and the Change of Law Call Right, and the Voting and Exchange
Trust
Agreement (including the provisions with respect to the voting
rights,
exchange right and automatic exchange thereunder) and with respect
to
restrictions on resale under the United States Securities Act
of 1933, as
amended, until such time as the Purchaser shall determine that
such U.S.
Securities Act legend shall no longer be
necessary.
|
16.2
|
Each
holder of an Exchangeable Share, whether of record or beneficial,
by
virtue of becoming and being such a holder shall be deemed to
acknowledge
each of the Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right
and the
Redemption Call Right, in each case, in favour of Canco, and
the Change of
Law Call Right in favour of Parent and Canco and the overriding
nature
thereof in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of
the Purchaser or any other distribution of the assets of the
Purchaser
among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs,
or the
retraction or redemption of Exchangeable Shares, or a Change
of Law (as
defined for purposes of the Change of Law Call Right), as the
case may be,
and to be bound thereby in favour of Canco or Parent, as the
case may be,
as therein provided.
|
16.3
|
The
Purchaser, Canco, Parent and the Transfer Agent shall be entitled
to
deduct and withhold from any dividend or consideration otherwise
payable
to any holder of Exchangeable Shares such amounts as the Purchaser,
Canco,
Parent or the Transfer Agent is required to deduct and withhold
with
respect to such payment under the Canadian Tax Act, the United
States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any provision of provincial,
state,
territorial, local or foreign tax law, in each case, as amended.
To the
extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall
be
treated for all purposes hereof as having been paid to the holder
of the
Exchangeable Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding
was
made, provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted
to the
appropriate taxing authority. The Purchaser, Canco, Parent and
the
Transfer Agent are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose
of such
portion of the consideration as is necessary to provide sufficient
funds
to the Purchaser, Canco, Parent or the Transfer Agent, as the
case may be,
to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement
and
the Purchaser, Canco, Parent or the Transfer Agent shall notify
the holder
thereof and remit any unapplied balance of the net proceeds of
such
sale.
|
-23-
16.4
|
The
Purchaser will make an election with respect to the Exchangeable
Shares
under subsection 191.2(1) of the Canadian Tax Act to the extent
required
by the Arrangement Agreement.
|
16.5
|
The
amount specified in respect of each Exchangeable Share for the
purposes of
subsection 191(4) of the Canadian Tax Act is CDN $[•].
|
ARTICLE 17
GENERAL
17.1
|
Any
notice, request or other communication to be given to the Purchaser
by a
holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be in writing and shall be
valid and
effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by telecopy or
by delivery
to the registered office of the Purchaser and addressed to the
attention
of the Secretary of the Purchaser. Any such notice, request or
other
communication, if given by mail, telecopy or delivery, shall
only be
deemed to have been given and received upon actual receipt thereof
by the
Purchaser.
|
17.2
|
Any
presentation and surrender by a holder of Exchangeable Shares
to the
Purchaser or the Transfer Agent of certificates representing
Exchangeable
Shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of
the Purchaser or the retraction or redemption of Exchangeable
Shares shall
be made by registered mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to
the
registered office of the Purchaser addressed to the attention
of the
Secretary of the Purchaser or to such office of the Transfer
Agent as may
be specified by the Purchaser. Any such presentation and surrender
of
certificates shall only be deemed to have been made and to be
effective
upon actual receipt thereof by the Purchaser or the Transfer
Agent, as the
case may be. Any such presentation and surrender of certificates
made by
registered mail shall be at the sole risk of the holder mailing
the
same.
|
17.3
|
Any
notice, request or other communication to be given to a holder
of
Exchangeable Shares by or on behalf of the Purchaser shall be
in writing
and shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid)
or by
delivery to the address of the holder recorded in the register
of the
Purchaser or, in the event of the address of any such holder
not being so
recorded, then at the last address of such holder known to the
Purchaser.
Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by
mail, shall
be deemed to have been given and received on the third Business
Day
following the date of mailing and, if given by delivery, shall
be deemed
to have been given and received on the date of delivery. Accidental
failure or omission to give any notice, request or other communication
to
one or more holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not invalidate
or
otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding intended to
be taken by
the Purchaser pursuant thereto.
|
-24-
17.4
|
Subject
to the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 and any successor
instrument, policy statement or rule of the Canadian Securities
Administrators or other applicable law, for greater certainty,
the
Purchaser shall not be required for any purpose under these share
provisions to recognize or take account of Persons who are not
recorded as
such in the securities register for the Exchangeable
Shares.
|
17.5
|
If
the Purchaser determines that mail service is or is threatened
to be
interrupted at the time when the Purchaser is required or elects
to give
any notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares hereunder, the
Purchaser
shall, notwithstanding the provisions hereof, give such notice
by means of
publication in The Globe and Mail, national edition, or any other
English
language daily newspaper or newspapers of general circulation
in Canada
and in a French language daily newspaper of general circulation
in the
Province of Québec, once in each of two successive weeks, and notice so
published shall be deemed to have been given on the latest date
on which
the first publication has taken place. If, by reason of any actual
or
threatened interruption of mail service due to strike, lock-out
or
otherwise, any notice to be given to the Purchaser would be unlikely
to
reach its destination in a timely manner, such notice shall be
valid and
effective only if delivered personally to the Purchaser in accordance
with
Section 17.1 or17.2, as the case may be.
|
-25-
SCHEDULE
A
RETRACTION
REQUEST
[TO
BE PRINTED ON EXCHANGEABLE SHARE CERTIFICATES]
To: 6732097Canada
Inc. ("Purchaser") and 1305699 Alberta ULC ("Canco")
This
notice is given pursuant to Article 6
of the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (the "Share Provisions")
attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of the Purchaser represented by this
certificate and all capitalized words and expressions used in this notice
that
are defined in the Share Provisions have the meanings ascribed to such
words and
expressions in such Share Provisions.
The
undersigned hereby notifies the Purchaser that, subject to the Retraction
Call
Right referred to below, the undersigned desires to have the Purchaser
redeem in
accordance with Article 6
of the
Share Provisions:
o
|
all
share(s) represented by this certificate; or
|
o
|
___________
share(s) only represented by this
certificate.
|
The
undersigned hereby notifies the Purchaser that the Retraction Date shall
be
___________________________.
NOTE: The
Retraction Date must be a Business Day and must not be less than
three Business Days nor more than 15 Business Days after the date upon
which this notice is received by the Purchaser. If no such Business Day
is
specified above, the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the
15th Business Day after the date on which this notice is received by the
Purchaser.
The
undersigned acknowledges the overriding Retraction Call Right of Canco
to
purchase all but not less than all the Retracted Shares from the undersigned
and
that this notice is and shall be deemed to be a revocable offer by the
undersigned to sell the Retracted Shares to Canco in accordance with the
Retraction Call Right on the Retraction Date for the Purchase Price and
on the
other terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3
of the
Share Provisions. This Retraction Request, and this offer to sell the Retracted
Shares to Canco, may be revoked and withdrawn by the undersigned only by
notice
in writing given to the Purchaser at any time before the close of business
on
the Business Day immediately preceding the Retraction Date.
The
undersigned acknowledges that if, as a result of solvency provisions of
applicable law, the Purchaser is unable to redeem all Retracted Shares,
the
undersigned will be deemed to have exercised the Exchange Right (as defined
in
the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement) so as to require Parent to purchase
the
unredeemed Retracted Shares.
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants to Canco and the Purchaser that
the
undersigned:
o
|
is
|
(select
one)
|
|
o
|
is
not
|
resident
in Canada for purposes of the Income
Tax Act
(Canada). THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF AN INDICATION
THAT
THE UNDERSIGNED IS A RESIDENT IN CANADA, WITHHOLDING ON ACCOUNT OF CANADIAN
TAX
MAY BE MADE FROM AMOUNTS PAYABLE TO THE UNDERSIGNED ON THE REDEMPTION OR
PURCHASE OF THE RETRACTED SHARES.
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants to Canco and the Purchaser that
the
undersigned has good title to, and owns, the share(s) represented by this
certificate to be acquired by Canco or the Purchaser, as the case may be,
free
and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances.
(Date)
|
(Signature
of Shareholder)
|
(Guarantee
of Signature)
|
o
|
Please
check box if the securities and any cheque(s) resulting from
the
retraction or purchase of the Retracted Shares are to be
held for pick-up
by the shareholder from the Transfer Agent, failing which
the securities
and any cheque(s) will be mailed to the last address of the
shareholder as
it appears on the register.
|
NOTE:
|
This
panel must be completed and this certificate, together with
such
additional documents as the Transfer Agent may require, must
be deposited
with the Transfer Agent. The securities and any cheque(s) resulting
from
the retraction or purchase of the Retracted Shares will be
issued and
registered in, and made payable to, respectively, the name
of the
shareholder as it appears on the register of the Purchaser
and the
securities and any cheque(s) resulting from such retraction
or purchase
will be delivered to such shareholder as indicated above, unless
the form
appearing immediately below is duly completed.
|
Date:
|
______________________________ |
Name
of
Person in Whose Name Securities or Cheque(s) Are to be Registered, Issued
or
Delivered (please print): ______________________________
Street
Address or P.O. Box: ___________________________________________
Signature
of Shareholder: ___________________________________________
City,
Province and Postal Code:
___________________________________________
A-2
Signature
Guaranteed by: ___________________________________________
NOTE:
|
If
this Retraction Request is for less than all of the shares
represented by
this certificate, a certificate representing the remaining
share(s) of the
Purchaser represented by this certificate will be issued
and registered in
the name of the shareholder as it appears on the register
of the
Purchaser, unless the Share Transfer Power on the share
certificate is
duly completed in respect of such share(s)
|
A-3
Schedule
E
REGULATORY
APPROVALS
[Intentionally
left blank]
Schedule
F
COMPANY
BRING DOWN CERTIFICATE
180
CONNECT INC.
BRING
DOWN CERTIFICATE
Pursuant
to Section 2.8(a)(i) of the Arrangement Agreement dated March 13, 2007 (the
“Agreement”)
among
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”),
6732097 Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and
an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the
“Company”),
the
undersigned certifies on behalf of the Company as follows:
1. |
He
is the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
|
2. |
The
Company’s representations and warranties (i) set forth in Section 3.4 of
the Agreement were true and correct in all material respects on and
as of
the date of the Agreement and are true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date hereof (or, in the case of those
representations and warranties in Section 3.4 that are made as of
a
particular date or period, at and as of such date or period), and
(ii)
otherwise set forth in the Agreement were true and correct as of
the date
of the Agreement and are true and correct in all respects as of the
date
hereof (or, in the case of those representations and warranties that
are
made as of a particular date or period, at and as of such date or
period)
except for inaccuracies in such representation or warranties the
circumstances giving rise to which, individually or in the aggregate,
do
not have and would not reasonably be expected to have, a Company
Material
Adverse Effect.
|
3. |
All
of the covenants and obligations that the Acquired Companies are
required
to perform or comply with under the Agreement have been duly performed
and
complied with in all material
respects.
|
Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Agreement.
(Signature
page follows)
The
undersigned has executed this certificate as of the date first written
above.
180 CONNECT INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
||
Chief Executive Officer |
SCHEDULE
G
ACQUIRED
COMPANIES’ CERTIFICATE RE: CORPORATE MATTERS
180
CONNECT INC.
Officer’s
Certificate
This
Officer’s Certificate is provided pursuant to Section 2.8(a)(ii) of the
Arrangement Agreement dated March 13, 2007 (the “Agreement”)
among
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”),
6732097 Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and
an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the
“Target”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to
them
in the Agreement.
The
undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of ____________ (the “Acquired
Company”)
as
follows:
1. Attached
as Exhibit A
is a
true and correct copy of the Acquired Company’s Articles of Incorporation as
filed with the ___________ on _________, as certified by ____________ and in
effect as of the date hereof (the “Articles
of Incorporation”).
Attached as Exhibit
B
is a
true and correct copy of the Acquired Company’s Bylaws in effect as of the date
hereof (the “Bylaws”).
No
steps have been taken by the board of directors or the shareholders of the
Acquired Company to effect or authorize any amendment or other modification
to
such Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.
2. Attached
as Exhibit C
is a
certificate of good standing of the Acquired Company issued on
____________.
3. Attached
as Exhibit D
[is]/[are] [a] true and correct [copy]/[copies] of the resolutions adopted
by
the Board of Directors of the Acquired Company on __________, 2007. Such
resolutions have not been altered, amended, modified or rescinded and remain
in
full force and effect on the date hereof.
4. Each
of
the individuals named below is, as of the date hereof, a duly elected, qualified
and acting officer of the Acquired Company as set forth opposite his name,
and
the signature appearing opposite his name and title is his true and genuine
signature:
Name
|
Title
|
Signature
|
____________________________________
|
||
____________________________________
|
[Signature
page follows]
I
have
set my hand thereto as of _______________, 2007.
[Name, Title] |
Exhibit
A
ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION
Exhibit
B
BYLAWS
Exhibit
C
CERTIFICATE
OF GOOD STANDING
Exhibit
D
BOARD
RESOLUTIONS
Schedule
H
PARENT
BRING DOWN CERTIFICATE
AD.VENTURE
PARTNERS, INC.
BRING
DOWN CERTIFICATE
Pursuant
to Section 2.8(b)(i) of the Arrangement Agreement dated March 13, 2007 (the
“Agreement”)
among
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”),
6732097 Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and
an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the
“Company”),
the
undersigned certifies on behalf of Parent as follows:
1.
|
He
is the Chief Executive Officer of the
Parent.
|
2.
|
The
Parent’s representations and warranties (i) set forth in Section 4.4 of
the Agreement were true and correct in all material respects on and
as of
the date of the Agreement and are true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date hereof (or, in the case of those
representations and warranties in Section 4.4 that are made as of
a
particular date or period, at and as of such date or period), and
(ii)
otherwise set forth in the Agreement were true and correct in all
respects
as of the date of the Agreement and are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date hereof (or, in the case of those representations
and warranties that are made as of a particular date or period, at
and as
of such date or period) except for inaccuracies in such representation
or
warranties the circumstances giving rise to which, individually or
in the
aggregate, do not have and would not reasonably be expected to have,
a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
|
3.
|
All
of the covenants and obligations that the Parent or the Purchaser
are
required to perform or comply with under the Agreement have been
duly
performed and complied with in all material
respects.
|
Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Agreement.
(Signature
page follows)
1029006
v2/SF
The
undersigned has executed this certificate as of the date first written
above.
AD.VENTURE PARTNERS, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
||
Chief Executive Officer |
Schedule
I
PARENT
CERTIFICATE RE: CORPORATE MATTERS
AD.VENTURE
PARTNERS, INC.
Officer’s
Certificate
This
Officer’s Certificate is provided pursuant to Section 2.8(b)(ii) of the
Arrangement Agreement dated March 13, 2007 (the “Agreement”)
among
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”),
6732097 Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and
an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Purchaser”),
and
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the
“Company”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to
them
in the Agreement.
The
undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of [Parent/Purchaser/Canco] as
follows:
1. Attached
as Exhibit A
is a
true and correct copy of the [Parent/Purchaser/Canco]’s [Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation/ Articles of Incorporation] (the “Charter”)
as
filed with the [Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware/__________/___________] on [August 24, 2005/March 8, 2007], as
certified by [Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware/__________/___________] and in effect as of the date hereof. Attached
as Exhibit
B
is a
true and correct copy of the [Parent/Purchaser/Canco]’s Bylaws in effect as of
the date hereof (the “Bylaws”).
No
steps have been taken by the board of directors or the shareholders of the
[Parent/Purchaser/Canco] to effect or authorize any amendment or other
modification to such Charter or Bylaws.
2. Attached
as Exhibit C
is a
certificate of good standing of the [Parent/Purchaser/Canco] issued on
____________.
3. Attached
as Exhibit D
[is]/[are] [a] true and correct [copy]/[copies] of the resolutions adopted
by
the Board of Directors of the [Parent/Purchaser/Canco] on __________, 2007.
Such
resolutions have not been altered, amended, modified or rescinded and remain
in
full force and effect on the date hereof.
4. Each
of
the individuals named below is, as of the date hereof, a duly elected, qualified
and acting officer of the [Parent/Purchaser/Canco] as set forth opposite his
name, and the signature appearing opposite his name and title is his true and
genuine signature:
Name
|
Title
|
Signature
|
____________________________________
|
||
____________________________________
|
[Signature
page follows]
I
have
set my hand thereto as of _______________, 2007.
[Name, Title] |
Exhibit
A
CHARTER
Exhibit
B
BYLAWS
Exhibit
C
CERTIFICATE
OF GOOD STANDING
Exhibit
D
BOARD
RESOLUTIONS
Schedule
J
FORM
OF COMPANY AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
1.
AFFILIATE
AGREEMENT
This
Affiliate Agreement
(“Affiliate
Agreement”)
is
being executed and delivered as of March 13, 2007 by
________________ (“Shareholder”)
in
favor of and for the benefit of Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (“Parent”).
Recitals
A. Shareholder
is a shareholder of, and is an officer and/or director of, 180
Connect Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “Company”).
B. Parent,
the Company and 6732097
Canada Inc.,
a
corporation organized under the laws of Canada and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of
Parent (“Purchaser”),
have
entered into an Arrangement Agreement dated as of March 13, 2007 (the
“Arrangement
Agreement”),
which
provides that Purchaser and Parent shall acquire all of the issued and
outstanding Common Shares of the Company and assume the obligation to issue
common stock upon exercise of the Company Options and Company Warrants and
conversion of the Convertible Debentures, in each case in accordance with the
Arrangement Agreement (collectively, the “Arrangement”).
Terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Arrangement Agreement.
C. Shareholder
understands that the Parent Common Stock being issued in the Arrangement will
be
issued pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4, and that Shareholder
may be deemed an “affiliate” of Parent as such term is defined for purposes of
paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities
Act”).
Agreement
Shareholder,
intending to be legally bound, agrees as follows:
1. Representations
and Warranties of Shareholder.
Shareholder represents and warrants to Parent as follows:
Shareholder
is the holder and “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the number of outstanding common
shares of the Company set forth beneath Shareholder’s signature on the signature
page hereof (the “Company
Shares”),
and
Shareholder has good and valid title to the Company Shares, free and clear
of
any liens, pledges, security interests, adverse claims, equities, options,
proxies, charges, encumbrances or restrictions of any nature. Shareholder has
the sole right to vote and to dispose of the Company Shares.
Shareholder
is the holder of options to purchase the number of common shares of the Company
set forth beneath Shareholder’s signature on the signature page hereof (the
“Company
Options”),
and
Shareholder has good and valid title to the Company Options, free and clear
of
any liens, pledges, security interests, adverse claims, equities, options,
proxies, charges, encumbrances or restrictions of any nature.
Shareholder
is the holder of warrants to purchase the number of common shares of the Company
set forth beneath Shareholder’s signature on the signature page hereof (the
“Company
Warrants”),
and
Shareholder has good and valid title to the Company Warrants, free and clear
of
any liens, pledges, security interests, adverse claims, equities, options,
proxies, charges, encumbrances or restrictions of any nature.
2.
Shareholder
does not own, of record or beneficially, directly or indirectly, any securities
of the Company other than the Company Shares, the Company Options and the
Company Warrants.
Shareholder
has carefully read this Affiliate Agreement and, to the extent Shareholder
felt
necessary, has discussed with counsel the limitations imposed on Shareholder’s
ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of Parent Common
Stock that Shareholder is to receive in the Arrangement (the “Parent
Shares”).
Shareholder fully understands the limitations this Affiliate Agreement places
upon Shareholder’s ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of securities
of Parent.
2. Prohibitions
Against Transfer. Shareholder
agrees that Shareholder shall not effect any sale, transfer or other disposition
of any Parent Shares unless: (a) such sale, transfer or other disposition is
effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act; (b) such sale, transfer or other disposition is made in conformity with
the
requirements of Rule 145 under the Securities Act, as evidenced by a broker’s
letter and a representation letter executed by Shareholder (satisfactory in
form
and content to Parent) stating that such requirements have been met; (c) counsel
reasonably satisfactory to Parent shall have advised Parent in a written opinion
letter (satisfactory in form and content to Parent), upon which Parent may
rely,
that such sale, transfer or other disposition will be exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act; or (d) an authorized
representative of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
shall
have rendered written advice to Shareholder to the effect that the SEC would
take no action, or that the staff of the SEC would not recommend that the SEC
take action, with respect to such sale, transfer or other disposition, and
a
copy of such written advice and all other related communications with the SEC
shall have been delivered to Parent.
3. Lock-Up.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shareholder agrees that Shareholder shall not,
directly or indirectly, (a) offer, pledge, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose
of, by contract, option, right or otherwise, any Parent Shares or lend, grant
or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any such Parent Shares or (b) enter into any
swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic
characteristics of ownership of such Parent Shares (whether any such transaction
described in clause (a) or (b) above is to be settled by delivery of such Parent
Shares, in cash or otherwise), until the date that is [six][four] months
following the Effective Date.
4. Stop
Transfer Instructions; Legend.
Shareholder
acknowledges and agrees that (a) stop transfer instructions will be given to
Parent’s transfer agent with respect to the Parent Shares, and (b) each
certificate representing any of such shares shall bear a legend identical or
similar in effect to the following legend (together with any other legend or
legends required by applicable state securities laws or otherwise):
“THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION TO WHICH
RULE 145(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 APPLIES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD
OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SUCH RULE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF AN
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MARCH
13,
2007,
BETWEEN
THE REGISTERED HOLDER HEREOF AND THE ISSUER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT
THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF THE ISSUER.”
5. Independence
of Obligations.
The
covenants and obligations of Shareholder set forth in this Affiliate Agreement
shall be construed as independent of any other agreement or arrangement between
Shareholder, on the one hand, and the Company or Parent, on the other. The
existence of any claim or cause of action by Shareholder against the Company
or
Parent shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of any of such
covenants or obligations against Shareholder.
3.
6. Specific
Performance.
Shareholder agrees that in the event of any breach or threatened breach by
Shareholder of any covenant, obligation or other provision contained in this
Affiliate Agreement, Parent shall be entitled (in addition to any other remedy
that may be available to Parent) to: (a) a decree or order of specific
performance or mandamus to enforce the observance and performance of such
covenant, obligation or other provision; and (b) an injunction restraining
such breach or threatened breach. Shareholder further agrees that neither Parent
nor any other person or entity shall be required to obtain, furnish or post
any
bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining
any
remedy referred to in this Section 6, and Shareholder irrevocably waives any
right Shareholder may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting
of
any such bond or similar instrument.
7. No
Admission.
Execution of this Affiliate Agreement shall not be considered an admission
by
Shareholder that Shareholder is an “affiliate,” or as a waiver of any rights
Shareholder may have to object to any claim that Shareholder is such an
“affiliate” on or after the date of this Affiliate Agreement.
8. Other
Agreements.
Nothing
in this Affiliate Agreement shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Parent
under the Arrangement Agreement, or any of the rights or remedies of Parent
or
any of the obligations of Shareholder under any agreement between Shareholder
and Parent or any certificate or instrument executed by Shareholder in favor
of
Parent; and nothing in the Arrangement Agreement or in any other agreement,
certificate or instrument shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Parent
or
any of the obligations of Shareholder under this Affiliate
Agreement.
9. NoticesError!
Bookmark not defined..
Any
notice or other communication required or permitted to be delivered to
Shareholder or Parent under this Affiliate Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed properly delivered, given and received when delivered to the
address or facsimile telephone number set forth beneath the name of such party
below (or to such other address or facsimile telephone number as such party
shall have specified in a written notice given to the other party):
if
to Parent:
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attn:
Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
if
to Shareholder:
Attn:
Fax:
(___)
10. Severability.
Any
term or provision of this Affiliate Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable
in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity
or
enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or
in
any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination
shall have the power to limit the term or provision, to delete specific words
or
phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with
a
term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision,
and
this Affiliate Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. In the event
such
court does not exercise the power granted to it in the prior sentence, the
parties hereto agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable term or provision
with a valid and enforceable term or provision that will achieve, to the extent
possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or
unenforceable term.
4.
11. Applicable
Law; Jurisdiction.
THIS
AFFILIATE AGREEMENT IS MADE UNDER, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO
BE
PERFORMED SOLELY THEREIN, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF
LAW. In any action between or among any of the parties, whether arising out
of
this Affiliate Agreement or otherwise, (a) each of the parties irrevocably
and unconditionally agree to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of
the
State of New York; (b) each of the parties irrevocably waives the right to
any trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of
or
relating to this Affiliate Agreement or otherwise; and (c) each of the
parties irrevocably consents to service of process by first class certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepared, to the address at which such
party is to receive notice in accordance with Section 9.
12. Waiver;
Termination.
No
failure on the part of Parent to exercise any power, right, privilege or remedy
under this Affiliate Agreement, and no delay on the part of Parent in exercising
any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Affiliate Agreement, shall
operate as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy; and no single
or
partial exercise of any such power, right, privilege or remedy shall preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right, privilege
or
remedy. Parent shall not be deemed to have waived any claim arising out of
this
Affiliate Agreement, or any power, right, privilege or remedy under this
Affiliate Agreement, unless the waiver of such claim, power, right, privilege
or
remedy is expressly set forth in a written instrument duly executed and
delivered on behalf of Parent; and any such waiver shall not be applicable
or
have any effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. If the
Arrangement Agreement is terminated, this Affiliate Agreement shall thereupon
terminate.
13. Captions.
The
captions contained in this Affiliate Agreement are for convenience of reference
only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Affiliate Agreement and shall
not
be referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this
Affiliate Agreement.
14. Further
Assurances.
Shareholder shall execute and/or cause to be delivered to Parent such
instruments and other documents and shall take such other actions as Parent
may
reasonably request to effectuate the intent and purposes of this Affiliate
Agreement.
15. Entire
Agreement.
This
Affiliate Agreement, the Arrangement Agreement and, as applicable, the Voting
Agreement between Shareholder and Parent collectively set forth the entire
understanding of Parent and Shareholder relating to the subject matter hereof
and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings between
Parent and Shareholder relating to the subject matter hereof and
thereof.
16. Non-Exclusivity.
The
rights and remedies of Parent hereunder are not exclusive of or limited by
any
other rights or remedies which Parent may have, whether at law, in equity,
by
contract or otherwise, all of which shall be cumulative (and not alternative).
5.
17. Amendments.
This
Affiliate Agreement may not be amended, modified, altered or supplemented other
than by means of a written instrument duly executed and delivered on behalf
of
Parent and Shareholder.
18. Assignment.
This
Affiliate Agreement and all obligations of Shareholder hereunder are personal
to
Shareholder and may not be transferred or delegated by Shareholder at any time.
Parent may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Affiliate
Agreement, in whole or in part, to any other person or entity without obtaining
the consent or approval of Shareholder.
19. Binding
Nature.
Subject
to Section 18, this Affiliate Agreement will inure to the benefit of Parent
and
its successors and assigns and will be binding upon Shareholder and
Shareholder’s representatives, executors, administrators, estate, heirs,
successors and assigns.
20. Survival.
Each of
the representations, warranties, covenants and obligations contained in this
Affiliate Agreement shall survive the consummation of the
Arrangement.
6.
Shareholder
has executed this Affiliate Agreement on March __, 2007.
__________________________________________
(Signature)
__________________________________________
(Print
Name)
Number
of Outstanding Common Shares of
of
the Company Held by Shareholder:
_______________________________
Number
Outstanding Common Shares of the Company
Subject
to Options or other rights held by Shareholder:
_______________________________
7.
Schedule
K
SUPPORT
AGREEMENT
8.
Support
Agreement (“Agreement”)
made
as of the [•] day of [•], 2007.
AMONG:
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
referred to as “Parent”)
and
1305699
Alberta ULC,
a
corporation existing under the laws of Alberta (hereinafter referred to as
“Canco”)
and
6732097
Canada Inc.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter referred to as
“Purchaser”)
Whereas,
in
connection with an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) dated as
of March 13, 2007 among the Company, Parent and Purchaser, it was agreed that
on
the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan of Arrangement), Purchaser and Parent
would enter into a support agreement containing the terms and conditions set
forth in the Arrangement Agreement together with such other terms and conditions
as may be agreed by the parties acting reasonably;
And
Whereas,
under
the Arrangement Agreement, it is contemplated that Exchangeable Shares may
be
issued by Purchaser, having the attributes described in the Arrangement
Agreement;
And
Whereas,
the
parties hereto desire to make appropriate provision and to establish a procedure
whereby the Parent will take certain actions and make certain payments and
deliveries necessary to ensure that Purchaser and Canco will be able to make
certain payments and to deliver or cause to be delivered Parent Shares in
satisfaction of the obligations of Purchaser and Canco under the Exchangeable
Share Provisions (as defined below) with respect to the payment and satisfaction
of Liquidation Amounts, Retraction Prices, Change of Law Call Purchase Prices
and Redemption Prices, all in accordance with the Exchangeable Share
Provisions.
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 Defined
Terms. Each
term
denoted herein by initial capital letters and not otherwise defined herein
shall
have the meaning ascribed thereto in the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions (collectively, the “Exchangeable Share Provisions”) attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares as set out in the Articles of Purchaser, unless the context
requires otherwise.
1.2 Interpretation
Not Affected By Headings. The
division of this agreement into articles, sections and other portions and the
insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect
the construction or interpretation hereof. Unless otherwise indicated, all
references to an “Article” or “Section” followed by a number refer to the
specified Article or Section 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 or other portion hereof
and
include any agreement or instrument supplementary or ancillary
hereto.
1.
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. If
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.
ARTICLE
2
COVENANTS
OF PARENT
2.1 Covenants
Regarding Exchangeable Shares. So
long
as any Exchangeable Shares not owned by Parent or its Affiliates as defined
in
the Arrangement Agreement are outstanding, Parent will:
(a) not
declare or pay any dividend on the Parent Shares unless (i) Purchaser shall
(w)
simultaneously declare or pay, as the case may be, an equivalent dividend or
other distribution economically equivalent thereto (as provided for in the
Exchangeable Share Provisions) on the Exchangeable Shares (an “Equivalent
Dividend”) and (x) Purchaser shall have sufficient money or other assets or
authorized but unissued securities available to enable the due declaration
and
the due and punctual payment, in accordance with applicable law and the terms
of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions, of any such Equivalent Dividend;
(b) advise
Purchaser sufficiently in advance of the declaration by Parent of any dividend
on Parent Shares and take all such other actions as are reasonably necessary,
in
cooperation with Purchaser, to ensure that (i) the respective declaration date,
record date and payment date for an Equivalent Dividend on the Exchangeable
Shares shall be the same as the declaration date, record date and payment date
for the corresponding dividend on the Parent Shares, or (ii) the record date
and
effective date for an Equivalent Stock Subdivision shall be the same as the
record date and payment date for the stock dividend on the Parent Shares and
that such dividend on the Exchangeable Shares will correspond with any
requirement of the principal stock exchange on which the Exchangeable Shares
are
listed;
(c) ensure
that the record date for any dividend declared on Parent Shares is not less
than
10 Business Days after the declaration date of such dividend;
(d) take
all
such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable
to
enable and permit Purchaser, in accordance with applicable law, to pay and
otherwise perform its obligations with respect to the satisfaction of the
Liquidation Amount, the Retraction Price, the Change of Law Call Purchase Price
or the Redemption Price in respect of each issued and outstanding Exchangeable
Share (other than Exchangeable Shares owned by Parent or its Affiliates) upon
the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Purchaser or any other
distribution of the assets of Purchaser among its shareholders for the purpose
of winding up its affairs, the delivery of a Retraction Request by a holder
of
Exchangeable Shares, an event constituting a Change of Law or a redemption
of
Exchangeable Shares by Purchaser, as the case may be, including all such actions
and all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit Purchaser
to cause to be delivered Parent Shares to the holders of Exchangeable Shares
in
accordance with the provisions of Article 5, 6, 7 or 10, as the case may be,
of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions and cash and other property in respect of
declared and unpaid dividends;
2.
(e) take
all
such actions and do all such things as are reasonably necessary or desirable
to
enable and permit Canco, in accordance with applicable law, to perform its
obligations arising upon the exercise by it of the Liquidation Call Right,
the
Retraction Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right or the Redemption Call
Right, including all such actions and all such things as are necessary or
desirable to enable and permit Canco to cause to be delivered Parent Shares
to
the holders of Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the provisions of the
Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, the Change of Law Call Right
or the Redemption Call Right, as the case may be, and cash and other property
in
respect of declared and unpaid dividends; and
(f) not
(and
will ensure that Canco or any of its Affiliates does not) exercise its vote
as a
shareholder to initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of
Purchaser or any other distribution of the assets of Purchaser among its
shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs nor take any action
or
omit to take any action (and Parent will not permit Canco or any of its
Affiliates to take any action or omit to take any action) that is designed
to
result in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Purchaser or any other
distribution of the assets of Purchaser among its shareholders for the purpose
of winding up its affairs.
2.2 Segregation
of Funds. Parent
will cause Purchaser to deposit a sufficient amount of funds in a separate
account of Purchaser and segregate a sufficient amount of such other assets
and
property as is necessary to enable Purchaser to pay dividends when due and
to
pay or otherwise satisfy its respective obligations under Article 5, 6 or 7
of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
2.3 Reservation
of Parent Shares. Parent
hereby represents, warrants and covenants in favour of Purchaser and Canco
that
Parent has reserved for issuance and will, at all times while any Exchangeable
Shares (other than Exchangeable Shares held by Parent or its Affiliates) are
outstanding, keep available, free from pre-emptive and other rights, out of
its
authorized and unissued capital stock such number of Parent Shares (or other
shares or securities into which Parent Shares may be reclassified or changed
as
contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof): (a) as is equal to the sum of (i) the
number of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to time; and
(ii)
the number of Exchangeable Shares issuable upon the exercise of all rights
to
acquire Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time to time and (b) as are now
and
may hereafter be required to enable and permit Parent to meet its obligations
under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, to enable and permit Canco to
meet its obligations arising upon exercise by it of each of the Liquidation
Call
Right, the Retraction Call Right and the Redemption Call Right and to enable
and
permit Purchaser to meet its obligations hereunder and under the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
2.4 Notification
of Certain Events. In
order
to assist Parent in compliance with its obligations hereunder and to permit
Canco to exercise the Liquidation Call Right, the Retraction Call Right, and
the
Redemption Call Right, Purchaser will notify Parent and Canco of each of the
following events at the times set forth below:
(a) in
the
event of any determination by the Board of Directors of Purchaser to institute
voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up proceedings with respect to
Purchaser or to effect any other distribution of the assets of Purchaser 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;
3.
(b) promptly,
upon the earlier of receipt by Purchaser of notice of or Purchaser otherwise
becoming aware of any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other
proceeding with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of Purchaser or to effect any other distribution of the assets of Purchaser
among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs;
(c) promptly,
upon receipt by Purchaser of a Retraction Request;
(d) promptly
following the date on which notice of redemption is given to holders of
Exchangeable Shares, upon the determination of a Redemption Date in accordance
with the Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
(e) promptly
upon the issuance by Purchaser of any Exchangeable Shares or rights to acquire
Exchangeable Shares.
2.5 Delivery
of Parent Shares to Canco and Purchaser. In
furtherance of its obligations under Sections 2.1(d) and (e) hereof, upon notice
from Purchaser or Canco of any event that requires Purchaser or Canco to cause
to be delivered Parent Shares to any holder of Exchangeable Shares, Parent
shall
forthwith issue and deliver the requisite number of Parent Shares to be received
by, and issued to or to the order of, the former holder of the surrendered
Exchangeable Shares, as Purchaser or Canco shall direct. All such Parent Shares
shall be duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and non assessable
and
shall be free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance. In consideration
of
the issuance and delivery of such Parent Shares, Canco or Purchaser, as the
case
may be, shall pay a purchase price equal to the fair market value of such Parent
Shares.
2.6 Qualification
of Parent Shares. Parent
covenants that if any Parent Shares (or other shares or securities into which
Parent Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7
hereof) to be issued and delivered hereunder (including for greater certainty,
pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the Change of
Law
Call Right, Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights (all as defined
in
the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement)) require registration or qualification
with, or approval of, or the filing of any document, including any prospectus
or
similar document, 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
securities or other law or regulation or pursuant to the rules and regulations
of any securities or other regulatory authority, or the fulfilment of any other
United States or Canadian legal requirement (collectively, the “Applicable
Laws”) before such shares (or other shares or securities into which Parent
Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof)
may
be issued and delivered by Parent at the direction of Purchaser or Canco, if
applicable, to the holder of surrendered Exchangeable Shares or in order that
such shares (or other shares or securities into which Parent Shares may be
reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) may be freely
traded thereafter (other than any restrictions of general application on
transfer by reason of a holder being a “control person” of Parent for purposes
of Canadian provincial securities law or an “affiliate” of Parent for purposes
of United States federal or state securities law), Parent will use its
reasonable best efforts and in good faith expeditiously take all such actions
and do all such things as are necessary or desirable and within its power to
cause such Parent Shares (or other shares or securities into which Parent Shares
may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) 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. Parent 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 Parent Shares (or other shares
or
securities into which Parent Shares may be reclassified or changed as
contemplated by Section 2.7 hereof) to be delivered hereunder to be listed,
quoted or posted for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on
which outstanding Parent Shares (or other shares or securities into which Parent
Shares may be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2.7
hereof) are listed and are quoted or posted for trading at such
time.
4.
2.7 Economic
Equivalence. So
long
as any Exchangeable Shares not owned by Parent or its Affiliates are
outstanding:
(a) Parent
will not:
(i) issue
or
distribute Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into
or
carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares) to the holders of all or substantially
all of the then outstanding Parent Shares by way of stock dividend or other
distribution, other than an issue of Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable
for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares) to holders
of Parent Shares who (A) exercise an option to receive dividends in Parent
Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights
to
acquire Parent Shares) in lieu of receiving cash dividends, or (B) pursuant
to
any dividend reinvestment plan or scrip dividend; or
(ii) issue
or
distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders of all or substantially
all of the then outstanding Parent Shares entitling them to subscribe for or
to
purchase Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into
or
carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares); or
(iii) issue
or
distribute to the holders of all or substantially all of the then outstanding
Parent Shares (A) shares or securities of Parent of any class other than Parent
Shares (other than shares convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying
rights to acquire Parent Shares), (B) rights, options or warrants other than
those referred to in Section 2.7(a)(ii) above, (C) evidences of indebtedness
of
Parent or (D) assets of Parent (including cash),
unless
the economic equivalent on a per Exchangeable Share basis of such rights,
options, warrants, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets
is issued or distributed simultaneously to holders of the Exchangeable Shares;
provided that, for greater certainty, the above restrictions shall not apply
to
any securities issued or distributed by Parent in order to give effect to and
to
consummate the transactions contemplated by, and in accordance with, the
Arrangement Agreement.
(b) Parent
will not:
(i) subdivide,
redivide or change the then outstanding Parent Shares into a greater number
of
Parent Shares; or
(ii) reduce,
combine, consolidate or change the then outstanding Parent Shares into a lesser
number of Parent Shares; or
(iii) reclassify
or otherwise change Parent Shares or effect an amalgamation, merger,
reorganization or other transaction affecting the Parent Shares,
unless
the same or an economically equivalent change shall simultaneously be made
to,
or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable Shares; provided that,
for
greater certainty, the above restrictions shall not apply to any securities
issued or distributed by Parent in order to give effect to and to consummate
the
transactions contemplated by, and in accordance with, the Arrangement
Agreement.
(c) Parent
will ensure that the record date for any event referred to in Section 2.7(a)
or
2.7(b) above, or (if no record date is applicable for such event) the effective
date for any such event, is not less than five Business Days after the date
on
which such event is declared or announced by Parent (with contemporaneous
notification thereof by Parent to Purchaser).
5.
(d) The
Board
of Directors of Purchaser shall determine, in good faith and in its sole
discretion, economic equivalence for the purposes of any event referred to
in
Section 2.7(a) or 2.7(b) above and each such determination shall be conclusive
and binding on Parent and the holders of Exchangeable Shares. In making each
such determination, the following factors shall, without excluding other factors
determined by the Board of Directors of Purchaser to be relevant, be considered
by the Board of Directors of Purchaser:
(i) in
the
case of any stock dividend or other distribution payable in Parent Shares,
the
number of such shares issued as a result of any stock dividend or other
distribution in proportion to the number of Parent Shares previously
outstanding;
(ii) in
the
case of the issuance or distribution of any rights, options or warrants to
subscribe for or purchase Parent Shares (or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into or carrying rights to acquire Parent Shares), the relationship
between the exercise price of each such right, option or warrant and the Current
Market Price, the volatility of the Parent Shares and the term of any such
instrument;
(iii) in
the
case of the issuance or distribution of any other form of property (including
any shares or securities of Parent of any class other than Parent Shares, any
rights, options or warrants other than those referred to in Section 2.7(d)(ii)
above, any evidences of indebtedness of Parent or any assets, including cash,
of
Parent), the relationship between the fair market value (as determined by the
Board of Directors of Purchaser in the manner above contemplated) of such
property to be issued or distributed with respect to each outstanding Parent
Share and the Current Market Price;
(iv) in
the
case of any subdivision, redivision or change of the then outstanding Parent
Shares into a greater number of Parent Shares or the reduction, combination,
consolidation or change of the then outstanding Parent Shares into a lesser
number of Parent Shares or any amalgamation, merger, reorganization or other
transaction affecting Parent Shares, the effect thereof upon the then
outstanding Parent Shares; and
(v) in
all
such cases, the general taxation consequences of the relevant event to holders
of Exchangeable Shares to the extent that such consequences may differ from
the
taxation consequences to holders of Parent Shares as a result of differences
between taxation laws of Canada and the United States (except for any differing
consequences arising as a result of differing withholding
taxes and marginal taxation rates and without regard to the
individual circumstances of holders of Exchangeable Shares).
(e) Purchaser
agrees that, to the extent required, upon due notice from Parent, Purchaser
will
use its best efforts to take or cause to be taken such steps as may be necessary
for the purposes of ensuring that appropriate dividends are paid or other
distributions are made by Purchaser, or subdivisions, redivisions or changes
are
made to the Exchangeable Shares, in order to implement the required economic
equivalent with respect to the Parent Shares and Exchangeable Shares as provided
for in this Section 2.7.
6.
2.8 Tender
Offers. For
so
long as Exchangeable Shares remain outstanding (not including Exchangeable
Shares held by Parent and its Affiliates), in the event that a tender offer,
share exchange offer, issuer bid, take over bid or similar transaction with
respect to Parent Shares (an “Offer”) is proposed by Parent or is proposed to
Parent or its shareholders and is recommended by the Board of Directors of
Parent, or is otherwise effected or to be effected with the consent or approval
of the Board of Directors of Parent, Parent will use its reasonable best efforts
expeditiously and in good faith to take all such actions and do all such things
as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit holders of Exchangeable
Shares (other than Parent and its Affiliates) to participate in such Offer
to
the same extent as, and on a basis that is equivalent (economically and
otherwise) to the basis on which, the holders of Parent Shares participate,
without discrimination, it being understood that if such equivalent
participation cannot be achieved, the Exchangeable Shares shall be redeemed
by
Purchaser (as set forth in clause (b) of the definition of “Redemption Date”) or
purchased by Canco pursuant to the Redemption Call Right. Without limiting
the
generality of the foregoing, Parent will use its reasonable best efforts
expeditiously and in good faith to ensure that holders of Exchangeable Shares
may participate in each such Offer without being required to retract
Exchangeable Shares as against Purchaser (or, if so required, to ensure that
any
such retraction, shall be effective only upon, and shall be conditional upon,
the closing of such Offer and only to the extent necessary to tender or deposit
to the Offer). Nothing herein shall limit the rights of Purchaser to redeem
(or
Canco to purchase pursuant to the Redemption Call Right) Exchangeable Shares,
as
applicable, as described above.
2.9 Ownership
of Outstanding Shares. Without
the prior approval of Purchaser and the prior approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 13.2 of the Exchangeable
Share Provisions, Parent covenants and agrees in favour of Purchaser that,
as
long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares are owned by any Person other than
Parent or any of its Affiliates, Parent will be and remain the direct or
indirect beneficial owner of all issued and outstanding voting shares in the
capital of Purchaser and Canco. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent shall
not
be in violation of this section if any person or group of persons acting jointly
or in concert acquires all or substantially all of the assets of Parent or
the
Parent Shares pursuant to any merger of Parent pursuant to which Parent was
not
the surviving corporation.
2.10 Parent
and Affiliates Not to Vote Exchangeable Shares. Parent
and Canco each covenants and agrees that it will not, and will cause its
Affiliates not to, exercise any voting rights which may be exercisable by
holders of Exchangeable Shares from time to time pursuant to the Exchangeable
Share Provisions or pursuant to the provisions of the CBCA (or any successor
or
other corporate statute by which Purchaser may in the future be governed) with
respect to any Exchangeable Shares held by it or by its Affiliates in respect
of
any matter considered at any meeting of holders of Exchangeable
Shares.
2.11 Rule
10b 18 Purchases. For
greater certainty, nothing contained in this Agreement, including the
obligations of Parent contained in Section 2.8 hereof, shall limit the ability
of Parent or Purchaser to make a “Rule l0b 18 purchase” of Parent Shares
pursuant to Rule 10b 18 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended, or any successor rule.
ARTICLE
3
PARENT
SUCCESSORS
3.1 Certain
Requirements in Respect of Combination, Etc.
As long
as any Exchangeable Shares (other than those owned by Parent or its Affiliates)
are outstanding, neither Parent nor Canco shall 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) such
other Person or continuing corporation (the “Parent 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, an agreement supplemental hereto and such
other instruments (if any) as are reasonably necessary or advisable to evidence
the assumption by the Parent Successor of liability for all moneys payable
and
property deliverable hereunder and the covenant of such Parent 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 Parent or Canco, as the case may
be, under this Agreement;
7.
(b) in
the
event that the Parent Shares are reclassified or otherwise changed as part
of
such transaction, the same or an economically equivalent change is
simultaneously made to, or in the rights of the holders of, the Exchangeable
Shares; and
(c) 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 other parties hereunder or the holders of Exchangeable
Shares.
3.2 Vesting
of Powers in Successor. Whenever
the conditions of Section 3.1 have been duly observed and performed, the
parties, if required by Section 3.1, shall execute and deliver the supplemental
agreement provided for in Section 3.1(a) and thereupon the Parent Successor
shall possess and from time to time may exercise each and every right and power
of Parent or Canco, as the case may be, under this Agreement in the name of
Parent 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 Parent or any
officers of Parent may be done and performed with like force and effect by
the
directors or officers of such Parent Successor.
3.3 Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries. Nothing
herein shall be construed as preventing the amalgamation or merger of any wholly
owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent (other than Purchaser or Canco)
with or into Parent or the winding up, liquidation or dissolution of any wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary
are transferred to Parent or another wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary
of Parent and any such transactions are expressly permitted by this Article
3.
3.4 Successorship
Transaction. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of Article 3, in the event of a Parent Control
Transaction:
(a) in
which
Parent merges or amalgamates with, or in which all or substantially all of
the
then outstanding Parent Shares are acquired by, one or more other corporations
to which Parent is, immediately before such merger, amalgamation or acquisition,
“related” within the meaning of the Canadian Tax Act (otherwise than by virtue
of a right referred to in paragraph 251(5)(b) thereof);
(b) which
does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in accordance with
paragraph (b) of that definition; and
(c) in
which
all or substantially all of the then outstanding Parent 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 Parent Control Transaction, owns or controls, directly or indirectly,
Parent;
then
all
references herein to “Parent” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be references
to “Other Corporation” and all references herein to “Parent 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 exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement immediately subsequent to the Parent 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 exchange of such shares pursuant to the Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement had occurred immediately prior to the Parent
Control Transaction and the Parent Control Transaction was completed) without
any need to amend the terms and conditions of the Exchangeable Shares and
without any further action required.
8.
ARTICLE
4
GENERAL
4.1 Term.
This
Agreement shall come into force and be effective as of the date hereof and
shall
terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as no Exchangeable
Shares (or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying
rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares) are held by any Person other than Parent
and any of its Affiliates.
4.2 Changes
in Capital of Parent or Purchaser. At
all
times after the occurrence of any event contemplated pursuant to Sections 2.7
and 2.8 hereof or otherwise, as a result of which either Parent 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 Parent Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed and the
parties hereto shall execute and deliver an agreement in writing giving effect
to and evidencing such necessary amendments and modifications.
4.3 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:
[•]
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Telecopier
Number: [•]
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx LLP
3700
Canterra Tower
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telecopier
Number: (000) 000-0000
9.
and
to:
XxXxxxxxx
Will & Xxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telecopier
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. Any notice
or other communication given personally shall be deemed to have been given
and
received upon delivery thereof and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to
have
been given and received on the date of confirmed receipt thereof unless such
day
is not a Business Day in which case it shall be deemed to have been given and
received upon the immediately following Business Day.
4.4 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
each
of Purchaser and Canco may assign in its sole discretion, any or all of its
rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any wholly owned subsidiary
of
Parent.
4.5 Binding
Effect. Subject
to Section 4.4, this Agreement shall be binding upon, enure to the benefit
of
and be enforceable by the parties hereto and by the Exchangeable Shareholders
and their respective successors and assigns.
4.6 Amendments,
Modifications. Subject
to Sections 4.2, 4.7 and 4.11, this Agreement may not be amended or modified
except by an agreement in writing executed by Purchaser, Canco and Parent and
approved by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares in accordance with Section
13.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
4.7 Ministerial
Amendments. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 4.6, the parties to this Agreement may in writing
at
any time and from time to time, without the approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares, amend or modify this Agreement for the purposes
of:
(a) adding
to
the covenants of any or all parties provided that the board of directors of
each
of Purchaser, Canco and Parent shall be of the good faith opinion that such
additions will not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders
of
the Exchangeable Shares;
(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 Purchaser, Canco and Parent,
it may be expedient to make, provided that each such board of directors shall
be
of the good faith opinion that such amendments or modifications will not be
prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares; or
(c) making
such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to Purchaser, Canco
and Parent, 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 board of directors of each of Purchaser, Canco and
Parent shall be of the good faith opinion that such changes or corrections
will
not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares.
10.
4.8 Meeting
to Consider Amendments. Purchaser,
at the request of Parent, shall call a meeting or meetings of the holders of
the
Exchangeable Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed amendment or
modification requiring approval pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof; provided that
any such meeting shall only be called for a bona fide business purpose and
not
for the principal purpose of causing a Redemption Date to occur or transpire.
Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance with the
bylaws of Purchaser, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable
laws.
4.9 Amendments
Only in Writing. 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.
4.10 Governing
Laws; Consent to Jurisdiction. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
Province of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable therein and shall be
treated in all respects as an Alberta contract. Each party hereby irrevocably
attorns to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Alberta in respect
of all matters arising under or in relation to this Agreement.
4.11 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.
4.12 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.
4.13 Third
Party Beneficiaries. The
provisions of this Agreement are: (i) intended for the benefit of the holders
of
Exchangeable Shares (other than Parent or its Affiliates), as and to the extent
applicable in accordance with their terms, and shall be enforceable by each
of
such holders of Exchangeable Shares and their respective heirs, executors
administrators and other legal representatives (collectively, the “Third Party
Beneficiaries”) and the Purchaser shall hold the rights and benefits of this
Agreement in trust for and on behalf of the Third Party Beneficiaries and the
Purchaser hereby accepts such trust and agrees to hold the benefit of and
enforce performance of such covenants on behalf of the Third Party
Beneficiaries, and (ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any
other rights that the Third Party Beneficiaries may have by statute, contract
or
otherwise.
[Remainder
Of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
11.
In
Witness Whereof,
the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date
first above written.
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title |
0000000 Xxxxxxx ULC | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
|
||
Title |
6732097 Canada Inc. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
|
||
Title |
[Support
Agreement Execution Page]
.
12.
Schedule
L
VOTING
AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
1.
Voting
And Exchange Trust Agreement
(“Agreement”) made as of the [•] day of [•], 2007.
AMONG:
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
referred to as “Parent”)
and
6732097
Canada Inc.,
a
corporation existing under the laws of Canada (hereinafter referred to as
“Purchaser”)
and
Valiant
Trust Company,
a trust
company incorporated under the laws of Alberta (hereinafter referred to as
the
“Trustee”)
Whereas,
in
connection with an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) dated as
of March 13, 2007 between the Company, Parent and Purchaser, it was agreed
that
on the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan of Arrangement contemplated in
the
Arrangement Agreement), Purchaser and Parent would enter into a voting and
exchange trust agreement containing the terms and conditions set forth in the
Arrangement Agreement together with such other terms and conditions as may
be
agreed by the parties acting reasonably;
And
Whereas,
under
the Arrangement Agreement, it is contemplated that Parent will directly or
indirectly acquire the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company;
And
Whereas, under
the
Arrangement Agreement, it is contemplated that exchangeable shares of Purchaser
(“Exchangeable Shares”) may be issued by Purchaser, having the attributes
described in the Arrangement Agreement including certain exchange rights and
voting rights to be created for the benefit of the holders of Exchangeable
Shares from time to time;
And
Whereas,
these
recitals are made by Parent and Purchaser but not by the Trustee;
Now
Therefore, in
consideration of $10.00, 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
Section
1.1 Definitions.
In
this
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall
have
the following meanings respectively:
“Affiliate”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities Act (Alberta), unless otherwise
expressly stated herein;
1.
“Arrangement
Agreement”
means
the Arrangement Agreement by and among Parent, the Company and Purchaser dated
as of March 13, 2007, as amended and restated from time to time, providing
for,
among other things, the arrangement resulting in the first issuance of
Exchangeable Shares;
“Beneficiaries”
means
the registered holders from time to time of Exchangeable Shares, other than
Parent and its Affiliates;
“Beneficiary
Votes”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Business
Day”
means
a
day of the year in which banks are not required or authorized to be closed
in
the City of Calgary, Alberta or the City of New York, New York;
“Canco”
means
1305699 Alberta ULC, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Alberta,
or
any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Parent designated by the Parent
from time to time;
“CBCA”
means
the Canada Business Corporations Act as the same has been and may hereafter
from
time to time be amended;
“Change
of Law Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Company”
means
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the CBCA;
“Equivalent
Vote Amount”
means,
with respect to any matter, proposition or question on which holders of Parent
Shares are entitled to vote, consent or otherwise act, the number of votes
to
which a holder of one Parent Share is entitled with respect to such matter,
proposition or question;
“Exchange
Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1;
“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;
“Exchangeable
Share Support Agreement”
means
that certain support agreement made as of even date herewith among Purchaser,
Canco and Parent substantially in the form and content of Schedule K to the
Arrangement Agreement, with such changes thereto as the parties to the
Arrangement Agreement, acting reasonably, may agree;
“Exchangeable
Shares”
means
the non voting Exchangeable Shares in the capital of Purchaser, having the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares as set out in the Articles of Purchaser;
“Indemnified
Parties”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.1;
“Insolvency
Event”
means
(i) the institution by Purchaser of any proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt
or insolvent or to be wound up, or the consent of Purchaser 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 Purchaser to contest in good faith any such proceedings
commenced in respect of Purchaser within 30 days of becoming aware thereof,
or
the consent by Purchaser to the filing of any such petition or to the
appointment of a receiver, or (iii) the making by Purchaser of a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission in writing by
Purchaser of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
(iv) Purchaser 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;
2.
“Liquidation
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Liquidation
Event”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.12(b);
“Liquidation
Event Effective Time”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.12(c);
“List”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.6;
“Officer’s
Certificate”
means,
with respect to Parent or Purchaser, as the case may be, a certificate signed
by
any one of the authorized signatories of Parent or Purchaser, as the case may
be;
“Parent
Consent”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Parent
Control Transaction”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Parent
Meeting”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.2;
“Parent
Shares”
has
the
meaning provided in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Parent
Special Voting Share”
means
one share of preferred stock of Parent to which that number of voting rights
attach (each such voting right to be equal to the voting rights attached to
one
Parent Share) equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable Shares held by
Beneficiaries;
“Parent
Successor”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 10.1(a);
“Person”
means
any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture,
estate, trust, company (including any limited liability company, unlimited
liability company or joint stock company), firm, enterprise, association,
organization or any other entity, including any (a) multinational, federal,
provincial, territorial, state, regional, municipal, local or other government,
governmental or public department, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral
body,
commission, board, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign, (b) subdivision,
agent, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self regulatory
organization or authority of any of the foregoing in (a), or (c) quasi
governmental or private body exercising any regulatory, expropriation or taxing
authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing in (a) or
(b);
“Redemption
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Redemption
Date”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
3.
“Retracted
Shares”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.7;
“Retraction
Call Right”
has
the
meaning ascribed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
“Rights
upon Automatic Exchange”
means
the benefit of the obligation of Parent to effect the automatic exchange of
Exchangeable Shares for Parent Shares pursuant to Section 5.12;
“Trust”
means
the trust created by this Agreement;
“Trust
Estate”
means
the Parent Special Voting Share, any other securities, the Exchange Right,
the
Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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 Parent Special Voting Share held by the
Trustee.
In
addition to the foregoing, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined have the same meaning as set forth in the Arrangement
Agreement.
Section
1.2 Interpretation
Not Affected By Headings, Etc.
The
division of this Agreement into articles, sections 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” or “Section” followed by a number refer to the
specified Article or Section 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 or other portion
hereof.
Section
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.”
Section
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.
Section
1.5 Payments.
All
payments to be made hereunder will be made without interest and less any tax
required by applicable law to be deducted or withheld.
ARTICLE
2
PURPOSE
OF AGREEMENT
Section
2.1 Establishment
of Trust.
The
purpose of this Agreement is to create the Trust for the benefit of the
Beneficiaries as herein provided. The Trustee will hold the Parent Special
Voting Share in order to enable the Trustee to exercise the Voting Rights and
will hold the Exchange Right and the Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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.
4.
ARTICLE
3
PARENT
SPECIAL VOTING SHARE
Section
3.1 Issue
and Ownership of the Parent Special Voting Share.
Parent
hereby agrees to issue to, and deposit with, the Trustee the Parent Special
Voting Share 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. Parent 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 Parent
Special Voting Share by Parent 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 Parent Special Voting Share
and
shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with
respect to such Parent Special Voting Share provided that the Trustee
shall:
(a) hold
such
Parent Special Voting Share 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
(b) except
as
specifically authorized by this Agreement, have no power or authority to sell,
transfer, vote or otherwise deal in or with such Parent Special Voting Share
and
such Parent Special Voting Share 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.
Section
3.2 Legended
Share Certificates.
Purchaser 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.
Section
3.3 Safe
Keeping of Certificate.
The
physical certificate representing the Parent Special Voting Share shall at
all
times be held in safe keeping by the Trustee or its duly authorized
agent.
ARTICLE
4
EXERCISE
OF VOTING RIGHTS
Section
4.1 Voting
Rights. The
Trustee, as the holder of record of the Parent Special Voting Share 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 Parent Special Voting Share held
by
the Trustee on any matter, question, proposal or proposition whatsoever that
may
properly come before the shareholders of Parent at a Parent Meeting or in
connection with a Parent Consent. The Voting Rights shall be and remain vested
in and exercised by the Trustee. Subject to Section 6.14 hereof:
(a) 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 Parent Meeting is
held
or a Parent Consent is sought; and
(b) 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.
5.
Section
4.2 Number
of Votes. With
respect to all meetings of shareholders of Parent at which holders of Parent
Shares are entitled to vote (each, a “Parent
Meeting”)
and
with respect to all written consents sought from Parent’s shareholders,
including the holders of Parent Shares (each, a “Parent
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 Parent or by applicable law for such Parent Meeting or Parent
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
Parent Meeting or consented to in connection with such Parent
Consent.
Any
Beneficiary who chooses to attend a Parent Meeting in person will be entitled
to
one vote on a show of hands.
Section
4.3 Mailings
to Shareholders. With
respect to each Parent Meeting and Parent 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 Parent utilizes in communications
to
holders of Parent 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 Parent to its shareholders:
(a) a
copy of
such notice, together with any related materials, including any proxy or
information statement, to be provided to shareholders of Parent;
(b) a
statement that such Beneficiary is entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the
exercise of the Beneficiary Votes with respect to such Parent Meeting or Parent
Consent or, pursuant to Section 4.7, to attend such Parent Meeting and to
exercise personally thereat the Beneficiary Votes of such
Beneficiary;
(c) 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:
(i) a
proxy
to such Beneficiary or its designee to exercise personally the Beneficiary
Votes; or
(ii) a
proxy
to a designated agent or other representative of the management of Parent to
exercise such Beneficiary Votes;
(d) 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;
(e) a
form of
direction whereby the Beneficiary may so direct and instruct the Trustee as
contemplated herein; and
(f) 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 Parent
Meeting shall not be earlier than the close of business on the second Business
Day prior to such meeting, and of the method for revoking or amending such
instructions.
For
the
purpose of determining Beneficiary Votes to which a Beneficiary is entitled
in
respect of any Parent Meeting or Parent 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 Parent or by applicable law for
purposes of determining shareholders entitled to vote at such Parent Meeting
or
to give written consent in connection with such Parent Consent. Parent will
notify the Trustee of any decision of the Board of Directors of Parent with
respect to the calling of any Parent Meeting or the seeking of any Parent
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.
6.
The
materials referred to in this Section 4.3 are to be provided to the Trustee
by
Parent and the materials referred to in Section 4.3(c), Section 4.3(e) and
Section 4.3(f) shall be subject to reasonable comment by the Trustee in a timely
manner. Parent 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 Parent Shares. Parent agrees not to communicate with
holders of Parent 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, Parent 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 Parent delivers a certificate to
the
Trustee stating that Parent has undertaken to perform the obligations set forth
in this Section 4.3.
Section
4.4 Copies
of Shareholder Information. Parent
will deliver to the Trustee copies of all proxy materials (including notices
of
Parent Meetings but excluding proxies to vote Parent Shares), 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 Parent 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 Parent Shares. The Trustee will mail or otherwise send to each
Beneficiary, at the expense of Parent, copies of all such materials (and all
materials specifically directed to the Beneficiaries or to the Trustee for
the
benefit of the Beneficiaries by Parent) received by the Trustee from Parent,
to
the extent possible, at the same time as such materials are sent to holders
of
Parent 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, Parent 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 Parent delivers a
certificate to the Trustee stating that Parent has undertaken to perform the
obligations set forth in this Section 4.4.
Section
4.5 Other
Materials. As
soon
as reasonably practicable after receipt by Parent or holders of Parent Shares
(if such receipt is known by Parent) of any material sent or given by or on
behalf of a third party to holders of Parent Shares generally, including
dissident proxy and information circulars (and related information and material)
and tender and exchange offer circulars (and related information and material),
Parent 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 Parent,
copies of all such materials received by the Trustee from Parent. 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, Parent 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 Parent delivers a
certificate to the Trustee stating that Parent has undertaken to perform the
obligations set forth in this Section 4.5.
7.
Section
4.6 List
of Persons Entitled to Vote. Purchaser
shall, (a) prior to each annual and special Parent Meeting or the seeking of
any
Parent 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
Parent Meeting or a Parent Consent, at the close of business on the record
date
established by Parent or pursuant to applicable law for determining the holders
of Parent Shares entitled to receive notice of and/or to vote at such Parent
Meeting or to give consent in connection with such Parent Consent. Each such
List shall be delivered to the Trustee promptly after receipt by Purchaser
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. Parent agrees to give Purchaser
notice (with a copy to the Trustee) of the calling of any Parent Meeting or
the
seeking of any Parent Consent by Parent 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 Purchaser to perform its
obligations under this Section 4.6.
Section
4.7 Entitlement
to Direct Votes. Any
Beneficiary named in a List prepared in connection with any Parent Meeting
or
Parent Consent will be entitled (a) to instruct the Trustee in the manner
described in Section 4.2 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
Parent Consent), as the proxy of the Trustee, the Beneficiary Votes to which
such Beneficiary is entitled.
Section
4.8 Voting
by Trustee and Attendance of Trustee Representative at
Meeting.
(a) In
connection with each Parent Meeting and Parent Consent, the Trustee shall
exercise, either in person or by proxy, in accordance with the instructions
received from a Beneficiary pursuant to Section 4.2, 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.
(b) 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 Parent
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 4.2 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.
Section
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
Parent utilizes in communications to holders of Parent 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 Purchaser. Parent agrees not to communicate with holders of
Parent 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. Purchaser shall provide or cause
to be
provided to the Trustee for purposes of communication, on a timely basis and
without charge or other expense:
8.
(a) a
current
List; and
(b) upon
the
request of the Trustee, mailing labels to enable the Trustee to carry out its
duties under this Agreement.
Purchaser’s
obligations under this Section 4.9 shall be deemed satisfied to the extent
Parent exercises its option to perform the duties of the Trustee to deliver
copies of materials to each Beneficiary and Purchaser provides the required
information and materials to Parent.
Section
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
Parent or Canco, 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 Parent Shares, as specified in Article 5 (unless, in
either case, Parent 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 Purchaser
pursuant to Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or upon the purchase
of Exchangeable Shares from the holder thereof by Canco pursuant to the exercise
by Canco 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 Parent or Canco pursuant to the exercise by Parent or Canco
of the Change of Law Call Right.
ARTICLE
5
EXCHANGE
RIGHT AND AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
Section
5.1 Grant
and Ownership of the Exchange Right. Parent
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
Parent to purchase from each or any Beneficiary all or any part of the
Exchangeable Shares held by such Beneficiary and the Rights upon Automatic
Exchange, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Parent 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange by Parent
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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange
and
shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with
respect to the Exchange Right and the Rights upon Automatic Exchange, provided
that the Trustee shall:
9.
(a) hold
the
Exchange Right and the Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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
(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 Rights upon
Automatic Exchange, 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.
Section
5.2 Legended
Share Certificates. Purchaser
will cause each certificate representing Exchangeable Shares to bear an
appropriate legend notifying the Beneficiaries of:
(a) 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
(b) the
Rights upon Automatic Exchange.
Section
5.3 General
Exercise of Exchange Right. The
Exchange Right shall be and remain vested in and exercisable by the Trustee.
Subject to Section 6.14, 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.
Section
5.4 Purchase
Price. The
purchase price payable by Parent for each Exchangeable Share to be purchased
by
Parent 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, Parent 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
Parent 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 Parent 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 Purchaser.
Section
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 Purchaser. 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 in Canada 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 Parent 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 Act and the
by
laws of Purchaser and such additional documents and instruments as the Trustee,
Purchaser and Parent 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 Parent 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 Parent free and clear of all
liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances, (iii) the names in which
the
certificates representing Parent 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, Purchaser and Parent 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 Parent under the Exchange Right,
a new certificate for the balance of such Exchangeable Shares shall be issued
to
the holder at the expense of Purchaser.
10.
Section
5.6 Delivery
of Parent Shares; Effect of Exercise. Promptly
after the receipt by the Trustee of the certificates representing the
Exchangeable Shares which the Beneficiary desires Parent 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 Parent, the Trustee shall notify Parent and Purchaser
of its receipt of the same, which notice to Parent and Purchaser shall
constitute exercise of the Exchange Right by the Trustee on behalf of the
Beneficiary in respect of such Exchangeable Shares, and Parent 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, Purchaser and Parent 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 Parent and Purchaser 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 Parent 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
Exchangeable Share Consideration therefor, unless such Exchangeable Share
Consideration is not delivered by Parent to the Trustee for delivery to such
Beneficiary (or to such other person, if any, properly designated by such
Beneficiary) within three 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 Parent
and any cheque included therein is paid. Upon delivery of such Exchangeable
Share Consideration by Parent to the Trustee, the Trustee shall promptly 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 Parent Shares
delivered to it pursuant to the Exchange Right.
Section
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 Purchaser to redeem any or all of
the
Exchangeable Shares held by the Beneficiary (the “Retracted Shares”) and is
notified by Purchaser pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions that Purchaser will not be permitted as a result of solvency
requirements of applicable law to redeem all such Retracted Shares, and provided
that Canco 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 Purchaser pursuant to Section 6.7 of
the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, and provided further that the Trustee has
received written notice of same from Purchaser or Parent, 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 Purchaser is unable to redeem. In any such event,
Purchaser 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 Purchaser or to the transfer agent
of
the Exchangeable Shares (including a copy of the retraction request delivered
pursuant to Section 6.7 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 Purchaser
is not permitted to redeem and will require Parent to purchase such shares
in
accordance with the provisions of this Article 5.
11.
Section
5.8 Stamp
or Other Transfer Taxes. Upon
any
sale of Exchangeable Shares to Parent pursuant to the Exchange Right or the
Rights upon Automatic Exchange, the share certificate or certificates
representing Parent 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 (a) shall pay (and
none
of Parent, Purchaser 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 or (b) shall have evidenced to the satisfaction of Parent that
such
taxes, if any, have been paid.
Section
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, Purchaser and Parent shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee.
As
soon as practicable following the receipt of notice from Purchaser and Parent
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
Parent (such funds to be received in advance), a notice of such Insolvency
Event
in the form provided by Parent, which notice shall contain a brief statement
of
the rights of the Beneficiaries with respect to the Exchange Right.
Section
5.10 Qualification
of Parent Shares. Parent
covenants that if any Parent Shares issuable pursuant to the Exchange Right
or
the Rights upon Automatic Exchange require registration or qualification with
or
approval of or the filing of any document, including any registration statement,
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 stock exchange or the fulfilment of any other Canadian
or United States federal, provincial, territorial or state legal requirement
before such shares may be issued and delivered by Parent 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 Parent for purposes of Canadian provincial securities law
or an “affiliate” of Parent for purposes of United States federal or state
securities law), Parent will in good faith use its reasonable best efforts
to
take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary or desirable
to
cause such Parent 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
provided in the Arrangement Agreement. Parent 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 Parent Shares
to be
delivered pursuant to the Exchange Right or the Rights upon Automatic Exchange
to be listed, quoted or posted for trading on all stock exchanges and quotation
systems on which outstanding Parent Shares are listed, quoted or posted for
trading at such time.
12.
Section
5.11 Parent
Shares. Parent
hereby represents, warrants and covenants that the Parent 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.
Section
5.12 Automatic
Exchange on Liquidation of Parent.
(a) Parent
will give the Trustee written notice of each of the following events at the
time
set forth below:
(i) in
the
event of any determination by the Board of Directors of Parent to institute
voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up proceedings with respect to
Parent or to effect any other distribution of assets of Parent 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
(ii) promptly
following the earlier of (A) receipt by Parent of notice of, and (B) Parent
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 Parent or to effect any other distribution of assets of Parent
among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, in each case
where Parent has failed to contest in good faith any such proceeding commenced
in respect of Parent within 30 days of becoming aware thereof.
(b) Promptly
following receipt by the Trustee from Parent of notice of any event (a
“Liquidation
Event”)
contemplated by Section 5.12(a) above, the Trustee will give notice thereof
to
the Beneficiaries. Such notice shall be provided to the Trustee by Parent and
shall include a brief description of rights of the Beneficiaries with respect
to
the Rights upon Automatic Exchange provided for in Section 5.12(c).
(c) In
order
that the Beneficiaries will be able to participate on a pro rata basis with
the
holders of Parent Shares in the distribution of assets of Parent 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 Parent Shares. To effect such automatic exchange,
Parent 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. Parent 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.
(d) The
closing of the transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the automatic
exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Parent 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 Parent 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 Purchaser
shall be deemed to be satisfied and discharged and each such Beneficiary shall
cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable Shares and Parent 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 Parent Shares issued pursuant
to
the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Parent Shares and the
certificates held by the Beneficiary previously representing the Exchangeable
Shares exchanged by the Beneficiary with Parent pursuant to such automatic
exchange shall thereafter be deemed to represent Parent Shares issued to the
Beneficiary by Parent pursuant to such automatic exchange. Upon the request
of a
Beneficiary and the surrender by the Beneficiary of Exchangeable Share
certificates deemed to represent Parent Shares, duly endorsed in blank and
accompanied by such instruments of transfer as Parent may reasonably require,
Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Beneficiary certificates
representing Parent Shares of which the Beneficiary is the holder.
13.
Section
5.13 Withholding
Rights. Parent,
Purchaser 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 Parent Shares such amounts as Parent, Purchaser 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. Parent, Purchaser 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 Parent, Purchaser or the Trustee,
as
the case may be, to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding
requirement and Parent, Purchaser or the Trustee shall notify the holder thereof
and remit to such holder any unapplied balance of the net proceeds of such
sale.
ARTICLE
6
CONCERNING
THE TRUSTEE
Section
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 the Parent Special Voting Share from Parent as trustee for and
on
behalf of the Beneficiaries in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement;
(b) granting
proxies and distributing materials to Beneficiaries as provided in this
Agreement;
(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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange from
Parent as trustee for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries in accordance with
the
provisions of this Agreement;
(e) exercising
the Exchange Right and enforcing the benefit of the Rights upon Automatic
Exchange, 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 Parent Shares
and cheques, if any, to which such Beneficiaries are entitled upon the exercise
of the Exchange Right or pursuant to the Rights upon Automatic Exchange, as
the
case may be;
(f) holding
title to the Trust Estate;
14.
(g) investing
any moneys forming, from time to time, a part of the Trust Estate as provided
in
this Agreement;
(h) taking
action on its own initiative or at the direction of a Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries to enforce the obligations of Parent and Purchaser under this
Agreement; and
(i) taking
such other actions and doing such other things as are specifically provided
in
this Agreement.
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.
Section
6.2 No
Conflict of Interest. The
Trustee represents to Parent and Purchaser 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 of Queen’s Bench of Alberta for an order that the
Trustee be replaced as trustee hereunder.
Section
6.3 Dealings
with Transfer Agents, Registrars, Etc. Parent
and Purchaser 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 Parent Shares; and
(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 Parent 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 Rights
upon Automatic Exchange.
15.
Parent
and Purchaser irrevocably authorize their respective registrars and transfer
agents to comply with all such requests. Parent covenants that it will supply
its transfer agent with duly executed share certificates for the purpose of
completing the exercise from time to time of the Exchange Right and the Rights
upon Automatic Exchange.
Section
6.4 Books
and Records. The
Trustee shall keep available for inspection by Parent and Purchaser 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 Rights
upon Automatic Exchange. On or before January 15 in every year, so long as
any
Parent Shares are on deposit with the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to
Parent and Purchaser 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;
(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 Parent of Parent Shares in connection with
the
Exchange Right, during the calendar year ended on such December 31;
and
(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.
Section
6.5 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 Parent Special Voting Share held by the
Trustee pursuant to Article 4, subject to Section 6.14, with respect to the
Exchange Right pursuant to Article 5, subject to Section 6.14, and with respect
to the Rights upon Automatic Exchange pursuant to Article 5, subject to Section
6.14.
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.
Section
6.6 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 required by Section 6.5 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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.
16.
Section
6.7 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 6.8, if applicable, and with any other applicable
provisions of this Agreement.
Section
6.8 Evidence
and Authority to Trustee. Parent
and/or Purchaser 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 Parent and/or Purchaser 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange and the taking of any other action to be
taken by the Trustee at the request of or on the application of Parent and/or
Purchaser promptly if and when:
(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 6.8; or
(b) the
Trustee, in the exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities under
this Agreement, gives Parent and/or Purchaser written notice requiring it to
furnish such evidence in relation to any particular action or obligation
specified in such notice.
Such
evidence shall consist of an Officer’s Certificate of Parent and/or Purchaser 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange or the taking of any other action
to
be taken by the Trustee at the request or on the application of Parent and/or
Purchaser, 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 Parent
and/or Purchaser 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;
(d) describing
the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which such person
based the statutory declaration, certificate, statement or opinion;
and
17.
(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.
Section
6.9 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 Parent and/or Purchaser 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
(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.
Section
6.10 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 the Beneficiaries, 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 Purchaser. 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 Purchaser, 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.
Section
6.11 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.
Section
6.12 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 Parent and/or
Purchaser 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.
Section
6.13 Authority
to Carry on Business. The
Trustee represents to Parent and Purchaser 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 6.13, 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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.
18.
Section
6.14 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 Rights
upon Automatic Exchange 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 Rights upon Automatic Exchange 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
(b) all
differences with respect to the Voting Rights, Exchange Right or Rights upon
Automatic Exchange 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.
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.
Section
6.15 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.
Section
6.16 Maintenance
of Office or Agency. Parent
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 Parent or Purchaser
in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares may be served. Parent 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 Parent 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 Parent and Purchaser hereby appoint
the Trustee as their agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands. Furthermore, copies of all Parent proxy materials will
be
made available for inspection by any Beneficiary at such office or
agency.
ARTICLE
7
COMPENSATION
Section
7.1 Fees
and Expenses of the Trustee. Parent
and Purchaser 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 Parent and
Purchaser 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 wilful misconduct.
19.
ARTICLE
8
INDEMNIFICATION
AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Section
8.1 Indemnification
of the Trustee. Parent
and Purchaser 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, wilful 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 Parent or Purchaser pursuant hereto.
Parent
or
Purchaser shall not be liable under this indemnity for any claim against any
of
the Indemnified Parties unless Parent and Purchaser 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, but Parent and Purchaser shall not be liable only to
the
extent that a delay in such notification by the Trustee prejudices the claim.
Subject to (ii) below, Parent and Purchaser shall be entitled to participate
at
their own expense in the defense and, if Parent and Purchaser 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 Parent or
Purchaser; or (ii) the named parties to any such suit include both the Trustee
and Parent or Purchaser and the Trustee shall have been advised by counsel
acceptable to Parent or Purchaser that there may be one or more legal defenses
available to the Trustee that are different from or in addition to those
available to Parent or Purchaser and that, in the judgment of such counsel,
would present a conflict of interest were a joint representation to be
undertaken (in which case Parent and Purchaser 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.
Section
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, wilful
misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee.
20.
ARTICLE
9
CHANGE
OF TRUSTEE
Section
9.1 Resignation.
The
Trustee, or any trustee hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving
written notice of such resignation to Parent and Purchaser specifying the date
on which it desires to resign, provided that such notice shall not be given
less
than thirty (30) days before such desired resignation date unless Parent and
Purchaser 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, Parent and Purchaser 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, Parent and
Purchaser shall be jointly and severally liable to reimburse the retiring
trustee for its legal costs and expenses in connection with same.
Section
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 Parent and Purchaser, in duplicate, one copy
of
which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one copy to the successor
trustee.
Section
9.3 Successor
Trustee. Any
successor trustee appointed as provided under this Agreement shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Parent and Purchaser 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 Parent and Purchaser 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,
Parent, Purchaser 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.
Section
9.4 Notice
of Successor Trustee. Upon
acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided herein, Parent
and
Purchaser shall cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee
hereunder to each Beneficiary specified in a List. If Parent or Purchaser shall
fail to cause such notice to be mailed within 10 days after acceptance of
appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such
notice to be mailed at the expense of Parent and Purchaser.
ARTICLE
10
PARENT
SUCCESSORS
Section
10.1 Certain
Requirements in Respect of Combination, Etc. Parent
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, but may do so if:
21.
(a) such
other person or continuing corporation (herein called the “Parent
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 Parent Successor of
liability for all moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder (including
without limitation one or more voting securities of such Parent Successor to
allow Beneficiaries to exercise voting rights in respect of the Parent Successor
substantially similar to those provided for in this Agreement in respect of
Parent) and the covenant of such Parent 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 Parent under this Agreement; and
(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.
Section
10.2 Vesting
of Powers in Successor. Whenever
the conditions of Section 10.1 have been duly observed and performed, the
Trustee, Parent Successor and Purchaser shall, if required by Section 10.1,
execute and deliver the supplemental trust agreement provided for in Article
11
and thereupon Parent Successor shall possess and from time to time may exercise
each and every right and power of Parent under this Agreement in the name of
Parent 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 Parent or any
officers of Parent may be done and performed with like force and effect by
the
directors or officers of such Parent Successor.
Section
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 Parent with or into Parent or the winding
up, liquidation or dissolution of any wholly owned subsidiary of Parent provided
that all of the assets of such subsidiary are transferred to Parent or another
wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent and any such transactions
are expressly permitted by this Article 10.
Section
10.4 Successorship
Transaction. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Article 10, in the event of a Parent Control
Transaction:
(a) in
which
Parent merges or amalgamates with, or in which all or substantially all of
the
then outstanding Parent Shares are acquired by, one or more other corporations
to which Parent 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);
(b) which
does not result in an acceleration of the Redemption Date in accordance with
paragraph (b) of that definition; and
(c) in
which
all or substantially all of the then outstanding Parent 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 Parent Control Transaction, owns or controls, directly
or
indirectly, Parent;
22.
then
1.
all references herein to “Parent” shall thereafter be and be deemed to be
references to “Other
Corporation”
and
all
references herein to “Parent 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 exchange of such shares pursuant to this Agreement immediately
subsequent to the Parent 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
exchange of such shares pursuant to this Agreement had occurred immediately
prior to the Parent Control Transaction and the Parent Control Transaction
was
completed) without any need to amend the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and without any further action required; and 2. Parent 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.
ARTICLE
11
AMENDMENTS
AND SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST AGREEMENTS
Section
11.1 Amendments,
Modifications, Etc. Subject
to Section 11.2, Section 11.4 and Section 13.1, this Agreement may not be
amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by Parent,
Purchaser and the Trustee and approved by the Beneficiaries in accordance with
Section 13.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
Section
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) 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
Purchaser and Parent shall be of the good faith opinion that such additions
will
not be prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Beneficiaries;
(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 Parent and Purchaser 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
(c) making
such changes or corrections which, on the advice of counsel to Parent, Purchaser
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 Parent and Purchaser shall be of the opinion
that such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the rights and
interests of the Beneficiaries.
Section
11.3 Meeting
to Consider Amendments. Purchaser,
at the request of Parent, 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 Purchaser, 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 principal purpose of causing a
Redemption Date (as defined in the Exchangeable Share Provisions) to occur
or
transpire.
23.
Section
11.4 Changes
in Capital of Parent and Purchaser. At
all
times after the occurrence of any event contemplated pursuant to Section 2.7
or
2.8 of the Exchangeable Share Support Agreement or otherwise, as a result of
which either Parent 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 Parent Shares or the Exchangeable Shares or both
are
so changed and the parties hereto shall execute and deliver a supplemental
trust
agreement giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and
modifications.
Section
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 Purchaser,
Parent 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) evidencing
the succession of Parent Successors and the covenants of and obligations assumed
by each such Parent Successor in accordance with the provisions of Article
10
and the successors of any successor trustee in accordance with the provisions
of
Article 9;
(b) making
any additions to, deletions from or alterations of the provisions of this
Agreement or the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the Rights upon Automatic
Exchange 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 Parent, Purchaser, the Trustee
or
this Agreement; and
(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.
ARTICLE
12
TERMINATION
Section
12.1 Term.
The
Trust
created by this Agreement shall continue until the earliest to occur of the
following events:
(a) no
outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by a Beneficiary; and
(b) each
of
Parent and Purchaser elects in writing to terminate the Trust and such
termination is approved by the Beneficiaries in accordance with Section 13.2
of
the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
Section
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.
24.
ARTICLE
13
GENERAL
Section
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.
Section
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
Purchaser may assign in its sole discretion, any or all of its rights, interests
and obligations hereunder to any wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
Section
13.3 Binding
Effect. Subject
to Section 13.2, this Agreement 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.
Section
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
Parent or Purchaser, at:
[•]
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
Telecopier
Number: ([•]) [•]
With
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx LLP
3700
Canterra Tower
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telecopier
Number: (000) 000-0000
25.
and
to:
XxXxxxxxx
Will & Xxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telecopier
Number: (000) 000 0000
(b) if
to the
Trustee, at:
000,
000
- 0xx Xxxxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx
X0X
0X0
Attention:
Manager, Corporate Trust
Telecopier
Number: 233-2857
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. Any notice
or other communication given personally shall be deemed to have been given
and
received upon delivery thereof and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to
have
been given and received on the date of confirmed receipt thereof unless such
day
is not a Business Day in which case it shall be deemed to have been given and
received upon the immediately following Business Day.
Section
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
Purchaser 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.
Section
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.
Section
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 and Parent hereby appoints Xxxxxxx Xxxxx LLP as its registered office
in Alberta as attorney for service of process.
[Remainder
Of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
26.
In
Witness Whereof the
parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date
first above written.
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.
|
||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
6732097 Canada Inc. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
Valiant Trust Company | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
[Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement Execution Page]
.
27.
Schedule
M
AMENDED
AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
1.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This
Amended And Restated Registration Rights Agreement
(this
“Agreement”)
is
entered into as of ___________, 2007, by and among Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and
each of the undersigned parties listed under Insiders on the signature page
hereto (each, an “Insider”
and
collectively, the “Insiders”).
Whereas,
pursuant
to the Arrangement Agreement dated March 13, 2007 among the Company, 6732097
Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Purchaser”),
and
180 Connect Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the
“Arrangement”),
the
New Insiders (as defined below) are receiving shares of Common Stock (as defined
below) or common shares of Purchaser that are exchangeable for Common Stock
(the
“Exchangeable
Shares”)
as
consideration for their common shares in the Company;
Whereas,
the
Initial Insiders (as defined below) acquired Common Stock prior to the date
hereof;
Whereas,
the
Initial Insiders and the Company are parties to a Registration Rights Agreement
dated August 31, 2005 (the “Prior
Registration Rights Agreement”);
and
Whereas,
in
connection with the Arrangement and pursuant to Section 6.6(a) of the Prior
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the Initial Insiders wish to
amend and restate the Prior Registration Rights Agreement and accept the rights
and covenants hereof in lieu of their rights and covenants under the Prior
Registration Rights Agreement;
Now,
Therefore,
in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and
for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
The
following capitalized terms used herein have the following
meanings:
“Agreement”
means
this Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from
time to time.
“Business
Day”
means
any day, except a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which the banking
institutions in the City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.
“Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission, or such successor federal agency or
agencies as may be established in lieu thereof.
“Common
Stock”
means
the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.
“Company”
is
defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
“Form
S-3”
is
defined in Section 2.3.
2.
“Indemnified
Party”
is
defined in Section 4.3.
“Indemnifying
Party”
is
defined in Section 4.3.
“Initial
Insiders”
means
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, JF Investments LLC, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx.
“Initial
Insider Demand Registration”
is
defined in Section 2.1.1(a).
“Initial
Insider Demanding Holder”
is
defined in Section 2.1.1(b).
“Initial
Insider Shares”
mean all
of the shares of Common Stock owned or held by Initial Insiders as of the date
of the consummation of the Arrangement; provided,
that
such shares shall cease to be Initial Insider Shares when: (a) a Registration
Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become
effective under the Securities Act (as defined below) and such securities shall
have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such
Registration Statement; (b) such securities shall have been otherwise
transferred pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any similar
provisions thereunder, but not Rule 144A), and new certificates for them not
bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by
the
Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require
registration under the Securities Act; or (c) such securities shall have ceased
to be outstanding.
“Insider”
is
defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Insider
Indemnified Party”
is
defined in Section 4.1.
“Insider
Shares”
means
the Initial Insider Shares and the New Insider Shares.
“Maximum
Number Of Shares”
is
defined in Section 2.1.1(d).
“New
Insiders”
means M.
Xxxxx XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
“New
Insider Demand Registration”
is
defined in Section 2.1.2(a).
“New
Insider Demanding Holder”
is
defined in Section 2.1.2(b).
“New
Insider Shares”
mean all
of the shares of Common Stock received by the New Insiders in connection with
the Arrangement (including the shares of Common stock issued upon exchange
of
the Exchangeable Shares); provided,
that
such shares shall cease to be New Insider Shares when: (a) a Registration
Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become
effective under the Securities Act (as defined below) and such securities shall
have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such
Registration Statement; (b) such securities shall have been otherwise
transferred pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any similar
provisions thereunder, but not Rule 144A), and new certificates for them not
bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by
the
Company and subsequent public distribution of them shall not require
registration under the Securities Act; or (c) such securities shall have ceased
to be outstanding.
“Notices”
is
defined in Section 6.2.
“Piggy-Back
Registration”
is
defined in Section 2.2.1.
3.
“Prospectus”
means a
prospectus relating to a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented,
and
all materials incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
“Purchase
Option”
means
the option to purchase 450,000 units (each consisting of one share of common
stock and two warrants) issued to Wedbush Xxxxxx Securities Inc. or its
designees in connection with the Company’s initial public offering (as
transferred from time to time in accordance with its terms).
“Purchase
Option Shares”
means
the Purchase Option, the units issuable thereof, the Common Stock and warrants
included in such units and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such
warrants.
“Register,”
“registered”
and
“registration”
mean a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or
similar document under the Securities Act and such registration statement
becoming effective.
“Registration
Statement”
means a
registration statement filed by the Company with the Commission in compliance
with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
for
a public offering and sale of Common Stock (other than a registration statement
on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or their successors, or any registration statement
covering only securities proposed to be issued in exchange for securities or
assets of another entity).
“Release
Date”
means
the date that is six months after the consummation of the
Arrangment.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
“Underwriter”
means a
securities dealer who purchases any Insider Shares as principal in an
underwritten offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making
activities.
2. |
Registration
Rights.
|
2.1 Demand
Registration.
2.1.1 Demand
Registration by Initial Insiders.
(a) General
Request for Registration.
At any
time and from time to time on or after the Release Date, the holders of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Insider Shares held by the Initial Insiders
or the transferees of the Initial Insider Shares, may make a written demand
for
registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Initial Insider
Shares (an “Initial
Insider Demand Registration”).
Any
demand for an Initial Insider Demand Registration shall specify the number
of
Initial Insider Shares proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of
distribution thereof. The Company will notify all holders of Initial Insider
Shares of any demand pursuant to this Section 2.1.1(a), or pursuant to Section
2.1.1(b) below, as the case may be, within five (5) Business Days, and each
holder of Initial Insider Shares who wishes to include all or a portion of
such
holder’s Initial Insider Shares in such Initial Insider Demand Registration
(each such holder including shares of Initial Insider Shares in such Initial
Insider Demand Registration, a “Initial
Insider Demanding
Holder”)
shall
so notify the Company within ten (10) Business Days after the receipt by the
holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the Initial
Insider Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their Initial Insider Shares
included in the Initial Insider Demand Registration subject to Section 2.1.1(d)
and the provisions set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be
obligated to effect more than an aggregate of two (2) Initial Insider Demand
Registrations under this Section 2.1.1(a) in respect of Initial Insider
Shares.
4.
(b) Effective
Registration.
A
registration will not count as an Initial Insider Demand Registration until
the
Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Initial
Insider Demand Registration has been declared effective and the Company has
complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto;
provided,
however,
that
if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering
of Initial Insider Shares pursuant to an Initial Insider Demand Registration
is
interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other
governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such
Initial Insider Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been declared
effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed,
rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) with respect to a Initial Insider
Demand Registration, a majority-in-interest of the Initial Insider Demanding
Holders thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided,
further,
that
the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement
until
any such Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as an Initial
Insider Demand Registration or is terminated.
(c) Underwritten
Offering.
If a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Insider Demanding Holders so elect and
such
holders so advise the Company as part of their written demand for an Initial
Insider Demand Registration, the offering of such Initial Insider Shares
pursuant to such Initial Insider Demand Registration shall be in the form of
an
underwritten offering. In each such case, the right of any holder to include
such holder’s Initial Insider Shares in such registration shall be conditioned
upon such holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such
holder’s Initial Insider Shares in the underwriting to the extent provided
herein. All Initial Insider Demanding Holders who propose to distribute their
Initial Insider Shares through such an underwriting shall enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters
selected for such underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders
initiating the Initial Insider Demand Registration.
(d) Reduction
of Offering.
If the
managing Underwriter or Underwriters for an Initial Insider Demand Registration
that is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the Initial
Insider Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares
of Initial Insider Shares that the Initial Insider Demanding Holders desire
to
sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other securities
that the Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as
to
which registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back
registration rights held by other holders of the Company’s securities who desire
to sell securities, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of
shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the
proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability
of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of
shares, as applicable, the “Maximum
Number Of Shares”),
then
the Company shall include in such registration: (i) first, the Initial Insider
Shares as to which the Initial Insider Demand Registration has been requested
together with all other shares of Common Stock or other securities that the
Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to the Purchase Option, that can be
sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares (all pro rata in accordance
with the number of such shares that the Company or such holders shall have
requested to be included in such registration); (ii) second, to the extent
that
the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the foregoing clause
(i), the shares of Common Stock for the account of other persons that the
Company is obligated to register pursuant to written contractual arrangements
with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
of
Shares; and (iii), third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares have
not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common
Stock that other stockholders desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding
the Maximum Number of Shares.
5.
(e) Withdrawal.
If a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Insider Demanding Holders disapprove of
the
terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their Initial
Insider Shares in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the Initial Insider
Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written
notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request
to
withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with
the
Commission with respect to such Initial Insider Demand Registration. In such
event, the Company need not seek effectiveness of such Registration Statement
for the benefit of other Initial Insiders. If the majority-in-interest of the
Initial Insider Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating
to
a Initial Insider Demand Registration then such registration shall not count
as
an Initial Insider Demand Registration provided for in Section
2.1.1(a).
2.1.2 Demand
Registration by New Insiders.
(a) General
Request for Registration.
At any
time and from time to time on or after the Release Date, any New Insider or
a
transferee of New Insider Shares, may make a written demand for registration
under the Securities Act of all or part of their New Insider Shares (a
“New
Insider Demand Registration”).
Any
demand for a New Insider Demand Registration shall specify the number of New
Insider Shares proposed to be sold and the intended method(s) of distribution
thereof. The Company will notify all holders of New Insider Shares of any demand
pursuant to this Section 2.1.2(a), or pursuant to Section 2.1.2(b) below, as
the
case may be, within five (5) Business Days, and each holder of New Insider
Shares who wishes to include all or a portion of such holder’s New Insider
Shares in such New Insider Demand Registration (each such holder including
shares of New Insider Shares in such New Insider Demand Registration, a
“New
Insider Demanding
Holder”)
shall
so notify the Company within ten (10) Business Days after the receipt by the
holder of the notice from the Company. Upon any such request, the New Insider
Demanding Holders shall be entitled to have their New Insider Shares included
in
the New Insider Demand Registration subject to Section 2.1.2(d) and the
provisions set forth in Section 3.1.1. The Company shall not be obligated to
effect more than an aggregate of two (2) New Insider Demand Registrations under
this Section 2.1.2(a) in respect of New Insider Shares.
(b) Effective
Registration.
A
registration will not count as a New Insider Demand Registration until the
Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such New
Insider Demand Registration has been declared effective and the Company has
complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto;
provided,
however,
that
if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, the offering
of New Insider Shares pursuant to a New Insider Demand Registration is
interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission or any other
governmental agency or court, the Registration Statement with respect to such
New Insider Demand Registration will be deemed not to have been declared
effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed,
rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) with respect to a New Insider Demand
Registration, a majority-in-interest of the New Insider Demanding Holders
thereafter elect to continue the offering; provided,
further,
that
the Company shall not be obligated to file a second Registration Statement
until
any such Registration Statement that has been filed is counted as a New Insider
Demand Registration or is terminated.
(c) Underwritten
Offering.
If a
majority-in-interest of the New Insider Demanding Holders so elect and such
holders so advise the Company as part of their written demand for a New Insider
Demand Registration, the offering of such New Insider Shares pursuant to such
New Insider Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten
offering. In each such case, the right of any holder to include such holder’s
New Insider Shares in such registration shall be conditioned upon such holder’s
participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such holder’s New
Insider Shares in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All New
Insider Demanding Holders who propose to distribute their New Insider Shares
through such an underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in
customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such
underwriting by a majority-in-interest of the holders initiating the New Insider
Demand Registration.
6.
(d) Reduction
of Offering.
If the
managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a New Insider Demand Registration
that
is to be an underwritten offering advises the Company and the New Insider
Demanding Holders in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of
New
Insider Shares that the New Insider Demanding Holders desire to sell, taken
together with all other shares of Common Stock or other securities that the
Company desires to sell and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back
registration rights held by other holders of the Company’s securities who desire
to sell securities, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of
shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the
proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability
of success of such offering, then the Company shall include in such
registration: (i) first, the New Insider Shares as to which the New Insider
Demand Registration has been requested together with all other shares of Common
Stock or other securities that the Company desires to sell and the shares of
Common Stock, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant
to
the Purchase Option, that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number
of
Shares (all pro rata in accordance with the number of such shares that the
Company or such holders shall have requested to be included in such
registration); (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares
has
not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock
for
the account of other persons that the Company is obligated to register pursuant
to written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold
without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares; and (iii), third, to the extent
that the Maximum Number of Shares have not been reached under the foregoing
clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock that other stockholders desire
to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of
Shares.
(e) Withdrawal.
If a
majority-in-interest of the New Insider Demanding Holders disapprove of the
terms of any underwriting or are not entitled to include all of their New
Insider Shares in any offering, such majority-in-interest of the New Insider
Demanding Holders may elect to withdraw from such offering by giving written
notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters of their request
to
withdraw prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with
the
Commission with respect to such New Insider Demand Registration. In such event,
the Company need not seek effectiveness of such Registration Statement for
the
benefit of other New Insiders. If the majority-in-interest of the New Insider
Demanding Holders withdraws from a proposed offering relating to a New Insider
Demand Registration then such registration shall not count as a New Insider
Demand Registration provided for in Section 2.1.2(a).
2.2 Piggy-Back
Registration.
2.2.1 Piggy-Back
Rights.
If at
any time on or after the Release Date the Company proposes to file by
Registration Statement, other than a Registration Statement in connection with
a
transaction contemplated by Rule 145(a) promulgated under the Securities Act
or
pursuant to Form S-8, then the Company shall (a) give written notice of such
proposed filing to the holders of Insider Shares as soon as practicable but
in
no event less than ten (10) Business Days before the anticipated filing date,
which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included
in
such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the
proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, of the offering, and
(b)
offer to the holders of Insider Shares in such notice the opportunity to
register such number of Insider Shares as such holders may request in writing
within five (5) Business Days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggy-Back
Registration”).
The
Company shall cause such Insider Shares to be included in such registration
and
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter
or
Underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Insider Shares
requested to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to be included on the
same
terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit
the
sale or other disposition of such Insider Shares in accordance with the intended
method(s) of distribution thereof. All holders of Insider Shares who propose
to
distribute securities through a Piggy-Back Registration that involves an
Underwriter or Underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in
customary form with the Underwriter or Underwriters selected for such Piggy-Back
Registration.
7.
2.2.2 Reduction
of Offering.
If the
managing Underwriter or Underwriters for a Piggy-Back Registration that is
to be
an underwritten offering advises the Company and the holders of Insider Shares
in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock that
the
Company desires to sell, taken together with shares of Common Stock, if any,
as
to which registration has been demanded pursuant to written contractual
arrangements with persons other than the holders of Insider Shares hereunder,
the Insider Shares as to which registration has been requested under this
Section 2.2, and the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which registration
has been requested pursuant to the written contractual piggy-back registration
rights of other shareholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of
Shares, then the Company shall include in any such registration:
(i) first,
subject to the demand registration rights granted to the holders of the Purchase
Option Shares, the shares of Common Stock or other securities that the Company
desires to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares
together with the Insider Shares as to which registration has been requested
and
any other shares of Common Stock or other securities as to which registration
has been requested pursuant to the Purchase Option (pro rata in accordance
with
the number of shares which each such person has actually requested to be
included in such registration that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum
Number of Shares),
(ii) second,
to the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under
the
foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which
registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back
registration rights which other shareholders desire to sell that can be sold
without exceeding the Maximum Number of Shares, and
(iii) third,
to
the extent that the Maximum Number of Shares has not been reached under the
foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock, if any, that other
stockholders desire to sell that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum
Number of Shares.
2.2.3 Withdrawal.
Any
holder of Insider Shares may elect to withdraw such holder’s request for
inclusion of Insider Shares in any Piggy-Back Registration by giving written
notice to the Company of such request to withdraw prior to the effectiveness
of
the Registration Statement. The Company may also elect to withdraw a
registration statement at any time prior to the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding any such withdrawal, the Company shall
pay all expenses incurred by the holders of Insider Shares in connection with
such Piggy-Back Registration as provided in Section 3.3.
2.3 Registrations
on Form S-3.
Any
holder of Insider Shares may at any time and from time to time after the Release
Date, request in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all
of
such Insider Shares on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration that
may
be available at such time (“Form
S-3”);
provided,
however,
that:
(a) the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an
underwritten offering and (b) the Company shall not be obligated to effect
such
a request if the Company has within the preceding twelve (12) month period
effected two (2) registrations on Form S-3. Upon receipt of such written
request, the Company will promptly give written notice of the proposed
registration to all other holders of Insider Shares and, as soon as practicable
thereafter, effect the registration of all or such portion of such holder’s or
holders’ Insider Shares, as the case may be, as are specified in such request,
together with all or such portion of the Insider Shares of any other holder
or
holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given
within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such written notice from the
Company; provided,
however,
that
the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration pursuant
to
this Section 2.3: (i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii)
if
the holders of the Insider Shares, together with the holders of any other
securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose
to
sell Insider Shares and such other securities (if any) at any aggregate price
to
the public of less than $500,000. Registrations effected pursuant to this
Section 2.3 shall not be counted as Demand Registrations effected pursuant
to
Section 2.1.
8.
3. |
Registration
Procedures.
|
3.1 Filings;
Information.
Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Insider
Shares pursuant to Section 2, the Company shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to effect the registration and sale of such Insider Shares in accordance
with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof as expeditiously as
practicable, and in connection with any such request:
3.1.1 Filing
Registration Statement.
The
Company shall, as expeditiously as possible and in any event within sixty (60)
days after receipt of a request for a Demand Registration pursuant to Section
2.1, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement on any form
for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall
deem
appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of all Insider Shares
to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method(s) of
distribution thereof, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause
such Registration Statement to become and remain effective for the period
required by Section 3.1.3; provided,
however,
that
the Company shall have the right to defer any Demand Registration for up to
ninety (90) days, and any Piggy-Back Registration for such period as may be
applicable to deferment of any demand registration to which such Piggy-Back
Registration relates, in each case if the Company shall furnish to the holders
a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that,
in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would
be
materially detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Registration
Statement to be effected at such time; provided further,
however, that the Company shall not have the right to exercise the right set
forth in the immediately preceding proviso more than once in any 365-day period
in respect of a Demand Registration hereunder.
3.1.2 Copies.
The
Company shall, prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the holders of
Insider Shares included in such registration, and such holders’ legal counsel,
copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment
and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all
exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the
Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary
Prospectus), and such other documents as the holders of Insider Shares included
in such registration or legal counsel for any such holders may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Insider Shares owned
by
such holders.
3.1.3 Amendments
and Supplements.
The
Company shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including
post-effective amendments, and supplements to such Registration Statement and
the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective and in compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Act until all Insider Shares, and all other securities covered by
such Registration Statement, have been disposed of in accordance with the
intended method(s) of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement
(which period shall not exceed the sum of one hundred eighty (180) days plus
any
period during which any such disposition is interfered with by any stop order
or
injunction of the Commission or any governmental agency or court) or such
securities have been withdrawn.
9.
3.1.4 Notification.
After
the filing of a Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly, and in
no
event more than two (2) Business Days after such filing, notify the holders
of
Insider Shares included in such Registration Statement of such filing, and
shall
further notify such holders promptly and confirm such advice in writing in
all
events within two (2) Business Days of the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) when such Registration Statement becomes effective; (ii) when any
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement becomes effective;
(iii)
the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order (and
the
Company shall take all actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order
or to remove it if entered); and (iv) any request by the Commission for any
amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or any Prospectus
relating thereto or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event
requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by
such Registration Statement, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and
promptly make available to the holders of Insider Shares included in such
Registration Statement any such supplement or amendment; except that before
filing with the Commission a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, including documents incorporated by reference,
the Company shall furnish to the holders of Insider Shares included in such
Registration Statement and to the legal counsel for any such holders, copies
of
all such documents proposed to be filed sufficiently in advance of filing to
provide such holders and legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review
such documents and comment thereon, and the Company shall not file any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto,
including documents incorporated by reference, to which such holders or their
legal counsel shall reasonably object.
3.1.5 State
Securities Laws Compliance.
The
Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify
the
Insider Shares covered by the Registration Statement under such securities
or
“blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the holders of
Insider Shares included in such Registration Statement (in light of their
intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary
to cause such Insider Shares covered by the Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other federal or state authorities as may
be
necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any
and
all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the
holders of Insider Shares included in such Registration Statement to consummate
the disposition of such Insider Shares in such jurisdictions; provided,
however,
that in
no event shall the Company be required to register the Insider Shares in a
jurisdiction in which such registration would cause (i) the Company to be
obligated to qualify to do business in any such jurisdiction, or would subject
the Company to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such
jurisdiction or (ii) the principal stockholders of the Company to be obligated
to escrow their shares of capital stock of the Company (except to the extent
such shares are already subject to an escrow in such jurisdiction).
3.1.6 Agreements
for Disposition.
The
Company shall enter into customary agreements (including, if applicable, an
underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such
Insider Shares. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company
in
any underwriting agreement which are made to or for the benefit of any
Underwriters, to the extent applicable, shall also be made to and for the
benefit of the holders of Insider Shares included in such registration
statement. No holder of Insider Shares included in such registration statement
shall be required to make any representations or warranties in the underwriting
agreement except as reasonably requested by the Company and, if applicable,
with
respect to such holder’s organization, good standing, authority, title to
Insider Shares, lack of conflict of such sale with such holder’s material
agreements and organizational documents, and with respect to written information
relating to such holder that such holder has furnished in writing expressly
for
inclusion in such Registration Statement. Holders of Insider Shares shall agree
to such covenants and indemnification and contribution obligations for selling
stockholders as are customarily contained in agreements of that type. Further,
such holders shall cooperate fully in the preparation of the registration
statement and other documents relating to any offering in which they include
securities pursuant to Section 2 hereof. Each holder shall also furnish to
the
Company such information regarding itself, the Insider Shares held by such
holder, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall
be
reasonably required to effect the registration of the Insider
Shares.
10.
3.1.7 Cooperation.
The
principal executive officer of the Company, the principal financial officer
of
the Company, the principal accounting officer of the Company and all other
officers and members of the management of the Company shall cooperate fully
in
any offering of Insider Shares hereunder, which cooperation shall include,
without limitation, the preparation of the Registration Statement with respect
to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and
participation in meetings with Underwriters, attorneys, accountants and
potential investors.
3.1.8 Records.
The
Company shall make available for inspection by the holders of Insider Shares
included in such Registration Statement, any Underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant
or other professional retained by any holder of Insider Shares included in
such
Registration Statement or any Underwriter, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, as shall be
necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and
cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information
reasonably requested by any of them in connection with such Registration
Statement.
3.1.9 Opinions
and Comfort Letters.
The
Company shall furnish to each holder of Insider Shares included in any
Registration Statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such holder, of (i)
any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any Underwriter and (ii)
any
comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to
any Underwriter. In the event no legal opinion is delivered to any Underwriter,
the Company shall furnish to each holder of Insider Shares included in such
Registration Statement, at any time that such holder elects to use a Prospectus,
an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the Registration
Statement containing such Prospectus has been declared effective and that no
stop order is in effect.
3.1.10 Earnings
Statement.
The
Company shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and the Securities Act, and make available to its shareholders, as soon as
practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve (12) months,
beginning within six (6) months after the effective date of the registration
statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder.
3.1.11 Listing.
The
Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Insider Shares
included in any registration to be listed on such exchanges or otherwise
designated for trading in the same manner as similar securities issued by the
Company are then listed or designated or, if no such similar securities are
then
listed or designated, in a manner satisfactory to the holders of a majority
of
the Insider Shares that are included in such registration.
3.2 Obligation
to Suspend Distribution.
Upon
receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the
kind
described in Section 3.1.4(iv), or, in the case of a resale registration on
Form
S-3 pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant
to a written xxxxxxx xxxxxxx compliance program adopted by the Company’s Board
of Directors, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to
transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material
non-public information, each holder of Insider Shares included in any
registration shall immediately discontinue disposition of such Insider Shares
pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Insider Shares until such
holder receives the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section
3.1.4(iv) or the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the
Company’s securities is removed, as applicable, and, if so directed by the
Company, each such holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than
permanent file copies then in such holder’s possession, of the most recent
Prospectus covering such Insider Shares at the time of receipt of such
notice.
11.
3.3 Registration
Expenses.
The
Company shall bear all customary costs and expenses incurred in connection
with
any Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2.1, any Piggy-Back Registration
pursuant to Section 2.2, and any registration on Form S-3 effected pursuant
to
Section 2.3, and all reasonable expenses incurred in performing or complying
with its other obligations under this Agreement, whether or not the Registration
Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration
and filing fees; (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or “blue
sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue
sky qualifications of the Insider Shares, subject to the limit set forth in
paragraph (ix) below); (iii) printing expenses; (iv) the Company’s internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees); (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the listing of the Insider Shares, as required by Section 3.1.11; (vi) National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. fees; (vii) fees and disbursements
of
counsel for the Company and fees and expenses for independent certified public
accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses or costs associated
with the delivery of any opinions or comfort letters requested pursuant to
Section 3.1.9); (viii) the fees and expenses of any special experts retained
by
the Company in connection with such registration and (ix) the fees and expenses
of one legal counsel selected by the holders of a majority-in-interest of the
Insider Shares that are included in such registration (not to exceed, including
the fees and disbursements to counsel in clause (ii) of this Section 3.3,
$20,000). The Company shall have no obligation to pay any underwriting discounts
or selling commissions attributable to the Insider Shares being sold by the
holders thereof, which underwriting discounts or selling commissions shall
be
borne solely by such holders. Additionally, in an underwritten offering, all
selling shareholders and the Company shall bear the expenses of the underwriter
pro rata in proportion to the respective amount of shares each is selling in
such offering.
3.4 Information.
The
holders of Insider Shares shall provide such information as may reasonably
be
requested by the Company, or the managing Underwriter, if any, in connection
with the preparation of any Registration Statement, including amendments and
supplements thereto, in order to effect the registration of any Insider Shares
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 2 and in connection with the
Company’s obligation to comply with federal and applicable state securities
laws.
3.5 Holder
Obligations.
No
holder of Insider Shares may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant
to this Section 3 unless such holder (i) agrees to sell only such holder’s
Insider Shares on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting agreement,
and (ii) completes, executes and delivers any and all questionnaires, powers
of
attorney, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other
documents reasonably required by or under the terms of any underwriting
agreement or as reasonably requested by the Company.
4. |
Indemnification
And Contribution.
|
4.1 Indemnification
by the Company.
The
Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Insider and each other holder
of Insider Shares, and each of their respective officers, employees, affiliates,
directors, partners, members, attorneys and agents, and each person, if any,
who
controls an Insider and each other holder of Insider Shares (within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) (each,
an
“Insider
Indemnified Party”),
from
and against any expenses, losses, judgments, claims, damages or liabilities,
whether joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement
(or
allegedly untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement under which the sale of such Insider Shares was registered under
the
Securities Act, any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or summary
Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment or
supplement to such Registration Statement, or arising out of or based upon
any
omission (or alleged omission) to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except
insofar as such expense, loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or
is
based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus,
final Prospectus, or summary Prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement,
in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company,
in
writing, by such selling holder expressly for use therein; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing indemnity shall not inure to the benefit of any holder (or to
the
benefit of any person controlling such holder) from whom the person asserting
such losses, claims or liabilities purchased the Insider Shares, if a copy
of
the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have
furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or
on
behalf of such holder to such person, if required by law so to have been
delivered at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Insider
Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented)
would have cured the defect giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, unless such failure is the result of noncompliance by the Company
with Section 3.1.3 hereof. The Company also shall indemnify the Underwriter,
their officers, employees, affiliates, directors, partners, members, attorneys
and agents, and each person who controls the Underwriter on substantially the
same basis as that of the indemnification provided above in this Section
4.1.
12.
4.2 Indemnification
by Holders of Insider Shares.
Each
selling holder of Insider Shares will, with respect to any Registration
Statement where Insider Shares were registered under the Securities Act,
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors and officers,
each underwriter, if any, and each other person, if any, who controls such
selling holder, such underwriter or the Company (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), against any losses,
claims, judgments, damages or liabilities, whether joint or several, insofar
as
such losses, claims, judgments, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or allegedly untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under
which
the sale of such Insider Shares was registered under the Securities Act, any
preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or summary Prospectus contained in
the
Registration Statement, or any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement, or arise out of or are based upon any omission or the alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to
make the statement therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was
made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the
Company by such selling holder expressly for use therein, and shall reimburse
the Company, its directors and officers, and each such controlling person for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection
with investigation or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action. Each selling holder’s indemnification obligations hereunder shall be
several and not joint and shall be limited to the amount of any net proceeds
actually received by such selling holder in connection with the sale of the
Insider Shares by such selling holder pursuant to the Registration Statement
containing such untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement.
4.3 Conduct
of Indemnification Proceedings.
Promptly after receipt by any person of any notice of any loss, claim, damage
or
liability or any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to
Section 4.1 or 4.2, such person (the “Indemnified
Party”)
shall,
if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any other person for
indemnification hereunder, promptly notify such other person (the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing of the loss, claim, judgment, damage, liability or action. If the
Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification with respect to any claim or action
brought against the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall be
entitled to participate in such claim or action, and, to the extent that it
elects jointly with all other Indemnifying Parties, to assume control of the
defense thereof with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party. After notice
from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party of its election to assume
control of the defense of such claim or action, the Indemnifying Party shall
not
be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation. In any such proceeding, the Indemnified
Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i)
the
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall have mutually agreed to
the
retention of such counsel, or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them.
The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or there
is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees to
indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability by reason
of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if
at
any time an Indemnified Party shall have requested an Indemnifying Party to
reimburse the Indemnified Party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated
in this Section 4.3, the Indemnifying Party agrees that it shall be liable
for
any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i)
such settlement is entered into more than thirty (30) days after receipt by
such
Indemnifying Party of the aforesaid request, and (ii) such Indemnifying Party
shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement (other than reimbursement for fees and
expenses the Indemnifying Party is contesting in good faith). No Indemnifying
Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, consent
to entry of judgment or effect any settlement of any claim or pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which the Indemnified Party is or could
have
been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified
Party, unless such judgment or settlement includes an unconditional release
of
such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim or
proceeding.
13.
4.4 Contribution.
4.4.1 If
the
indemnification provided for in the foregoing Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is
unavailable to any Indemnified Party in respect of any loss, claim, damage,
liability or action referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party,
in
lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount
paid
or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the
Indemnifying Parties on the other from the offering. If, however, the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law or if the Indemnified Party failed to give the notice required under Section
4.3 above, then each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to such amount paid
or
payable by such Indemnified Party in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the
Indemnified Parties on the one hand and the Indemnifying Parties on the other
in
connection with the actions or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of any Indemnified Party and any Indemnifying
Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such
Indemnified Party or such Indemnifying Party and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
14.
4.4.2 The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro
rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding Section
4.4.1. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any
loss, claim, damage, liability or action referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations
set
forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party
in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.4, no holder of Insider Shares
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the dollar amount of
the
net proceeds (after payment of any underwriting fees, discounts, commissions
or
taxes) actually received by such holder from the sale of Insider Shares which
gave rise to such contribution obligation. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
5. |
Underwriting
And Distribution.
|
5.1 Rule
144.
The
Company covenants that it shall file any reports required to be filed by it
under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and shall take such further action
as the holders of Insider Shares may reasonably request, all to the extent
required from time to time to enable such holders to sell Insider Shares without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any similar provision thereto,
but not Rule 144A.
6. |
Miscellaneous.
|
6.1 Assignment;
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may
not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. This Agreement
and the rights, duties and obligations of the holders of Insider Shares
hereunder may be freely assigned or delegated by such holder of Insider Shares
in conjunction with and to the extent of any permitted transfer of Insider
Shares by any such holder in accordance with applicable law. This Agreement
and
the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of
each of the parties and their respective successors and the permitted assigns
of
the Insider or holder of Insider Shares or of any assignee of the Insider or
holder of Insider Shares. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights
or
benefits on any persons that are not party hereto other than as expressly set
forth in Section 4 and this Section 6.1.
6.2 Notices.
All
notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications
(collectively, “Notices”)
required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect
to
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered
by
reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand
delivery, telegram, telex or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to
such
other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice
provided in accordance with this Section 6.2. Notice shall be deemed given
on
the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by
telegram, telex or facsimile; provided,
that if
such service or transmission is not on a Business Day or is after normal
business hours, then such notice shall be deemed given on the next Business
Day.
Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given on the next
Business Day following timely delivery of such notice to a reputable air courier
service with an order for next-day delivery.
15.
To
the
Company:
Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Chief Executive Officer
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Godward Kronish LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
To
an
Insider, to the address set forth below such Insider’s name on the signature
pages hereof.
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Godward Kronish LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
6.3 Severability.
This
Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability
of
any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of
this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu
of
any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend
that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar
in
terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
valid
and enforceable.
6.4 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the
same instrument.
6.5 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all
certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations,
understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral
or written.
6.6 Modifications
and Amendments.
No
amendment, modification or termination of this Agreement shall be binding upon
any party unless executed in writing by such party.
6.7 Titles
and Headings.
Titles
and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall
not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.
6.8 Waivers
and Extensions.
Any
party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party
has the right to waive, provided,
that
such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in
writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement.
Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the
breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver
of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed
a
waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement
or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance
of
any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for
performance of any other obligations or acts.
16.
6.9 Remedies
Cumulative.
In the
event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement
to
be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Insider or any other holder
of Insider Shares may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in
equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained
in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term
or in
aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any
other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions,
without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies
conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right,
power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power
or
remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at
law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
6.10 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts formed and to be
performed entirely within the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts
of law provisions thereof to the extent such principles or rules would require
or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Company
and
the holders of the Insider Shares irrevocably and unconditionally submit to
the
exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York or, if such court does not have jurisdiction, the New
York
State Supreme Court in the Borough of Manhattan, in any action arising out
of or
relating to this Agreement, agree that all claims in respect of the action
may
be heard and determined in any such court and agree not to bring any action
arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. In any action,
the Company and the holders of the Insider Shares irrevocably and
unconditionally waive and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense
or
otherwise any claims that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of the above
court, that such action is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue
of
such action is improper. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and the
holders of the Insider Shares agree that service of process at each parties
respective addresses as provided for in Section 6.2 above shall be deemed
effective service of process on such party.
6.11 Waiver
of Trial by Jury.
Each
party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives the right to a trial by
jury
in any action, suit, counterclaim or other proceeding (whether based on
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of, connected with or relating to
this
Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the actions of the Insider
in the negotiation, administration, performance or enforcement
hereof.
[Remainder
Of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
17.
In
Witness Whereof,
the
parties have caused this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
to
be executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the
date first written above.
AD.VENTURE
PARTNERS, INC.
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
INSIDERS:
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
Xx.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
1.
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
JF
Investments
LLC
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Xxx
Xxxxxxx
Title:
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
c/o
Ad.Venture Partners, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
By:
__________________________________
M.
Xxxxx
XxXxxxxx
[Address]
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
|
[Address]
2.
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
[Address]
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
[Address]
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
[Address]
By:
__________________________________
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
[Address]
3.
Schedule
N
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
1.
AMENDED
AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
AD.VENTURE
PARTNERS, INC.
____________________________
Pursuant
to Sections 242 and 245
of
the
Delaware
General Corporation Law
____________________________
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx hereby certifies as follows:
1. The
original name of the corporation was “ad.venture
partners, inc.”,
and
the date of filing of the original Certificate of Incorporation with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was April 7, 2005.
2. The
present name of the corporation, as reflected in the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State
of
Delaware on August 24, 2005 (the “Prior
Certificate”)
is
“Ad.Venture
Partners, Inc.”;
3. This
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates and
amends the Prior Certificate;
4. This
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the
directors and stockholders of the corporation in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the
State
of Delaware (“DGCL”);
and
5. The
text
of the Prior Certificate of the corporation is hereby amended and restated
to
read, in full, as follows:
First.
The name
of the Corporation is hereby changed to “180
Connect Inc.”
(the
“Corporation”).
Second.
The
registered office of the Corporation is located at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, xx
xxx
Xxxx xx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx of New Castle 19801. The name of its registered
agent
at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.
Third.
The
purpose of the Corporation shall be: To engage in any lawful act or activity
for
which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
Fourth.
The
total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is 101,000,000 of which 100,000,000 shares
shall
be Common Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share and of which 1,000,000
shares shall be Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.0001 per
share.
A. Common
Stock.
Except
as otherwise required by law, as provided below with respect to the Special
Voting Share or as otherwise provided in any Preferred Stock Designation,
the
holders of Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power and each
share of Common Stock shall have one vote; provided, however, that except
as
otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled
to vote
on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series
of
Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding
series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled,
either separately or together as a class with the holders or one or more
other
such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed
with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).
2.
B. Preferred
Stock. 1
of the
authorized shares of Preferred Stock is hereby designated as the “Special Voting
Share” (the “Special
Voting Share”).
The
remaining shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one
or
more series. The Board of Directors is expressly granted authority to issue
any
or all of the remaining unissued and undesignated shares of Preferred Stock,
in
one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full
or
limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of
such
series (a “Preferred
Stock Designation”)
and as
may be permitted by the DGCL. The number of authorized shares of Preferred
Stock
may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof
then
outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
voting
power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the
Preferred Stock, or any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders
is
required to take such action pursuant to any Preferred Stock Designation.
In
case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance
with
the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume
the
status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing
the number of shares of such series.
C. Special
Voting Share. The
rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and other matters relating
to the
Special Voting Share are as follows:
(1) Voting
Rights.
a. The
Special Voting Share shall entitle the holder thereof to an aggregate number
of
votes,
on any
particular matter, proposition or question,
equal to
the number of exchangeable shares (“Exchangeable
Shares”)
of
6732097
Canada Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada and an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, outstanding from time to time
which
are not owned by the Corporation or any of its direct or indirect
subsidiaries,
multiplied by a number equal to the number of votes to which a holder of
one
share of common stock is entitled with respect to such matter, proposition
or
question.
b. Except
as
otherwise provided herein or by law, the holder of the Special Voting Share
and
the holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on
all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.
3.
c. Except
as
set forth herein, the holder of the Special Voting Share shall have no special
voting rights, and its consent shall not be required (except to the extent
it is
entitled to vote with the holders of shares of Common Stock as set forth
herein)
for taking any corporate action.
d. The
holder of the Special Voting Share is entitled to exercise the voting rights
attendant thereto in such manner as such holder desires.
(2) Cancellation
or Reacquisition.
a. At
such
time as (A) the Special Voting Share entitles its holder to a number of votes
equal to zero because there are no Exchangeable Shares of l
outstanding which are not owned by the Corporation or any of its direct or
indirect subsidiaries and (B) there is no share of stock, debt, option or
other
agreement, obligation or commitment of l
which
could by its terms require it to issue any Exchangeable Shares to any person
other than the Corporation or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries,
then
the Special Voting Share shall thereupon be retired and cancelled promptly
thereafter.
b. If
the
Special Voting Share should be repurchased or otherwise acquired by the
Corporation in any manner whatsoever, then the Special Voting Share shall
be
retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof.
c. Such
share shall upon its cancellation, and upon the taking of any action required
by
applicable law, become an authorized but unissued preferred share as part
of a
new series of preferred shares to be created by resolution or resolutions
of the
Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance
set
forth herein.
(3) Dividends
and Distributions.
The
holder of the Special Voting Share shall not be entitled to receive any portion
of any dividend or distribution at any time.
(4) Liquidation,
Dissolution or Winding Up.
Upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holder of
the
Special Voting Share shall not be entitled to any portion of any related
distribution.
(5) No
Redemption or Conversion. The
Special Voting Share shall not be redeemable or convertible.
Fifth. The
Board
of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class A, Class B and Class
C.
The number of directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible.
The
directors of the Corporation on the date hereof shall determine their class.
To
the extent any additional directors are elected or appointed prior to the
Corporation’s first Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the directors of the
Corporation shall determine the class of such additional directors. The
directors in Class A shall be elected for a term expiring at the first Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
occurring after the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation,
the
directors in Class B shall be elected for a term expiring at the second Annual
Meeting of Stockholders occurring
after the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and
the
directors in Class C shall be elected for a term expiring at the third Annual
Meeting of Stockholders
occurring after the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.
Commencing at the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and at each Annual
Meeting of Stockholders thereafter, directors elected to succeed those directors
whose terms expire in connection with such Annual Meeting of Stockholders
shall
be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding Annual
Meeting
of Stockholders after their election. Except as the DGCL may otherwise require,
in the interim between Annual Meetings of Stockholders or Special Meetings
of
Stockholders called for the election of directors and/or the removal of one
or
more directors and the filling of any vacancy in connection therewith, newly
created directorships and any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including
unfilled vacancies resulting from the removal of directors for cause, may
be
filled by the vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office,
although less than a quorum (as defined in the Corporation’s Bylaws), or by the
sole remaining director. All directors shall hold office until the expiration
of
their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have been
elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from
the
death, resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder
of the
full term of the director whose death, resignation or removal shall have
created
such vacancy and until his successor shall have been elected and
qualified.
4.
Sixth.
The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business
and for
the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition,
limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors
and stockholders:
A. Election
of directors need not be by ballot unless the Corporation’s Bylaws so
provide.
B. The
Board
of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the
stockholders, to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the Corporation’s
Bylaws as provided in the Corporation’s Bylaws.
C. The
directors in their discretion may submit any contract or act for approval
or
ratification at any Annual Meeting of Stockholders or at any Special Meeting
of
Stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract,
and
any contract or act that shall be approved or be ratified by the vote of
the
holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation which is represented
in
person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereat (provided
that a
lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or by proxy)
shall
be as valid and binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders
as
though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation,
whether or not the contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attack
because of directors’ interests, or for any other reason.
D. In
addition to the powers and authorities hereinbefore stated or by statute
expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise
all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done
by
the Corporation; subject, notwithstanding, to the provisions of applicable
law,
this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and any bylaws from
time
to time made by the stockholders; provided,
however,
that no
bylaw so made shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would
have
been valid if such bylaw had not been made.
5.
Seventh.
The
following paragraphs shall apply with respect to liability and indemnification
of officers and directors:
A. A
director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation
or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of
loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from
which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended
to
authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal
liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation
shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL,
as
so amended. Any repeal or modification of this paragraph A by the stockholders
of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of
a
director of the Corporation with respect to events occurring prior to the
time
of such repeal or modification.
B. The
Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as
amended
from time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant
thereto. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director
in defending any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action,
suit
or proceeding or which such officer or director may be entitled to
indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of
the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount
if
it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation as authorized hereby.
Eighth.
Whenever
a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its
creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its
stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within
the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this
Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application
of
any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section 291
of
Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution
or
of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under Section
279 of
Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said
court
directs. If a majority in number representing three fourths in value of the
creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of
stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise
or
arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as a consequence
of
such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the
said
reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application
has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or
on
all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the
case
may be, and also on this Corporation.
6.
In
Witness Whereof,
the
Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to
be signed by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, its Chief Executive Officer, as of the ___
day of
___________, 2007.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, | |
Chief Executive Officer |
Table
of Contents
Page
INTERPRETATION
|
1
|
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
1
|
1.2
|
Construction
|
14
|
ARTICLE
2
|
THE
ACQUISITION
|
15
|
2.1
|
Implementation
Steps by the Company
|
15
|
2.2
|
Interim
Order
|
15
|
2.3
|
Implementation
Steps by Parent
|
16
|
2.4
|
Articles
of Arrangement; Closing
|
16
|
2.5
|
Circular
|
16
|
2.6
|
Preparation
of Filings
|
17
|
2.7
|
Shareholder/Stockholder
Communications and Public Announcements
|
18
|
2.8
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
18
|
ARTICLE
3
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
|
20
|
3.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
20
|
3.2
|
Authority
and Enforceability
|
20
|
3.3
|
No
Conflict
|
21
|
3.4
|
Capitalization
and Ownership
|
22
|
3.5
|
Financial
Statements and Compliance
|
23
|
3.6
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
25
|
3.7
|
Transactions
with Affiliates and Employees
|
25
|
3.8
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
25
|
3.9
|
Taxes
|
25
|
3.10
|
Company
Intellectual Property
|
28
|
3.11
|
Compliance;
Permits; Restrictions
|
30
|
3.12
|
Litigation
|
30
|
3.13
|
Investment
Banking, Brokers’ and Finders’ Fees
|
30
|
3.14
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
30
|
3.15
|
Absence
of Liens and Encumbrances
|
33
|
3.16
|
Environmental
Matters
|
33
|
3.17
|
Agreements,
Contracts and Commitments
|
34
|
3.18
|
Company
Properties
|
35
|
3.19
|
Takeover
Statutes
|
35
|
3.20
|
Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act
|
36
|
3.21
|
Labor
Matters
|
36
|
3.22
|
Insurance
|
37
|
ARTICLE
4
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
|
37
|
4.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
37
|
4.2
|
Authority
and Enforceability
|
38
|
4.3
|
No
Conflict
|
38
|
4.4
|
Capitalization
and Ownership.
|
39
|
4.5
|
Financial
Statements and Compliance
|
40
|
4.6
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
41
|
4.7
|
Transactions
with Affiliates and Employees
|
42
|
4.8
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
42
|
4.9
|
Taxes
|
42
|
4.10
|
Parent
Intellectual Property
|
42
|
4.11
|
Compliance;
Permits; Restrictions
|
43
|
-i-
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
4.12
|
Litigation
|
43
|
4.13
|
Brokers’
and Finders’ Fees
|
43
|
4.14
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
43
|
4.15
|
Absence
of Liens and Encumbrances
|
43
|
4.16
|
Agreements,
Contracts and Commitments
|
43
|
4.17
|
Parent
Properties
|
44
|
4.18
|
Trust
Account
|
44
|
4.19
|
Over-The-Counter
Bulletin Board Quotation
|
44
|
4.20
|
State
Takeover Statutes
|
44
|
4.21
|
Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act
|
44
|
4.22
|
Canco
and Purchaser Status
|
44
|
4.23
|
Business
Combinations
|
45
|
ARTICLE
5
|
COVENANTS
|
45
|
5.1
|
Access
and Investigation
|
45
|
5.2
|
Operation
of the Businesses of the Acquired Companies
|
45
|
5.3
|
Conduct
of Business By Parent
|
47
|
5.4
|
Consents
and Filings; Commercially Reasonable Efforts
|
48
|
5.5
|
Covenants
of the Company Regarding the Arrangement
|
48
|
5.6
|
Covenants
of Parent Regarding the Performance of Obligations
|
49
|
5.7
|
Mutual
Covenants
|
49
|
5.8
|
Notification
|
50
|
5.9
|
Confidentiality
|
50
|
5.10
|
Unaudited
Monthly and Quarterly Statements; Audited Annual Statements;
Pro Forma
Financial Statements
|
50
|
5.11
|
Dissenting
Shareholders
|
51
|
5.12
|
Structure
Changes
|
51
|
5.13
|
Further
Actions
|
51
|
5.14
|
Parent
Board Composition and Executive Officers
|
51
|
5.15
|
Company
Registration
|
52
|
5.16
|
Treatment
of Company Options, SARs, Warrants and Convertible
Debentures
|
52
|
ARTICLE
6
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
|
54
|
6.1
|
Conditions
to the Obligation of the Parent
|
54
|
6.2
|
Conditions
to the Obligation of the Company
|
55
|
ARTICLE
7
|
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
|
56
|
7.1
|
Non-Solicitation
|
56
|
7.2
|
Right
to Match
|
57
|
7.3
|
Agreement
as to Damages
|
58
|
7.4
|
Transaction
Expenses
|
59
|
7.5
|
Liquidated
Damages, Injunctive Relief and No Liability of Others
|
59
|
7.6
|
Resignations
|
59
|
7.7
|
No
Claim Against Trust Account
|
59
|
7.8
|
Parent
Common Stock Listing
|
60
|
7.9
|
Company
Affiliates; Restrictive Legend; Section 16 Matters
|
60
|
7.10
|
Form
S-8
|
61
|
7.11
|
Post-Effective
Time Covenants
|
61
|
7.12
|
Tax-Deferred
Transaction.
|
61
|
7.13
|
Withholding
Taxes
|
61
|
7.14
|
Issuer
Tax
|
62
|
7.15
|
Actions
Affecting Exchangeable Shares
|
62
|
-ii-
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
7.16
|
Solvency
of Purchaser
|
62
|
ARTICLE
8
|
TERM,
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
62
|
8.1
|
Term
|
62
|
8.2
|
Termination
|
62
|
8.3
|
Amendment
|
64
|
8.4
|
Waiver
|
64
|
ARTICLE
9
|
CERTAIN
TAX MATTERS
|
65
|
9.1
|
Tax
Matters
|
65
|
9.2
|
Post-Closing
Filings
|
65
|
9.3
|
Transfer
Taxes and Withholding Taxes
|
65
|
ARTICLE
10
|
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
65
|
10.1
|
Nonsurvival
of Representation and Warranties
|
65
|
10.2
|
Notices
|
65
|
10.3
|
Governing
Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
|
67
|
10.4
|
Injunctive
Relief
|
67
|
10.5
|
Entire
Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment
|
67
|
10.6
|
Severability
|
67
|
10.7
|
Exhibits
and Schedules
|
68
|
10.8
|
No
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
68
|
10.9
|
Interpretation
|
68
|
10.10
|
Counterparts
|
68
|
|
|
-iii-
EXHIBIT
A
TRANSACTION EXPENSE STATEMENT / EXCHANGE RATIO ADJUSTMENT FORMULA
SCHEDULE
A-1 PERSONS PARTY TO COMPANY VOTING AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE
A -2 PERSONS PARTY TO PARENT VOTING AGREEMENTS
SCHEDULE
B-1 FORM OF COMPANY VOTING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
B-2 FORM OF PARENT VOTING AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
C SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS
SCHEDULE
D PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
SCHEDULE
E REGULATORY APPROVALS
SCHEDULE
F COMPANY BRING DOWN CERTIFICATE
SCHEDULE
G ACQUIRED COMPANIES’ CERTIFICATE RE: CORPORATE MATTERS
SCHEDULE
H PARENT BRING DOWN CERTIFICATE
SCHEDULE
I PARENT, PURCHASER AND CANCO CERTIFICATE RE: CORPORATE MATTERS
SCHEDULE
J FORM OF COMPANY AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
K SUPPORT AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
L VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
M AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE
N AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF PARENT