Village Farms International, Inc S-3, filed Apr 22, 2020
Village Farms International, Inc. (VFF)
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 22, 2020
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Canada |
98-1007671 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
4700-80th Street
Delta, British Columbia, Canada
V4K 3N3
(604) 940-6012
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant’s principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
28 Liberty Street, Floor 42
New York, NY 10005
(212) 894-8940
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
| Mile T. Kurta, Esq. Christopher R. Bornhorst, Esq. Torys LLP 1114 Avenue of The Americas New York, NY 10036 (212) 880-6000 |
Michael Zackheim, Esq. Torys LLP 79 Wellington St W #3300 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1N2 (416) 865-0040 |
Stephen Ruffini Chief Financial Officer c/o Village Farms International, Inc. 4700-80th Street Delta, British Columbia, Canada V4K 3N3 (604) 940-6012 |
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement
(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☒ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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| Title of Each Class of Securities To Be Registered(1) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of Registration Fee(2)(3) | ||
| Common shares |
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| Preferred shares |
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| Warrants |
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| Subscription Receipts |
||||
| Debt Securities |
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| Units |
||||
| Total |
US$200,000,000 | US$25,960 | ||
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| (1) | There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of the securities set forth in the table above, or any combination of such securities, as may be sold by the registrant and/or by one or more selling securityholders to be identified in the future from time to time, which collectively shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed US$200,000,000. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of each class of identified securities as may be issued upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any other securities that provide for such conversion into, exercise for or exchange into such securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the common shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of common shares as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions. The proposed maximum offering price per class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. |
| (2) | The registration fee has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. |
| (3) | Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is offsetting US$11,150.40 of previously paid registration fees against the registration fees due under this registration statement. The previously paid registration fees consist unused registration fees in respect of unsold securities under the registration statement on Form F-10 of the registrant (File No. 333-232115) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14, 2019 and amended on June 21, 2019 (the “F-10 Registration Statement”). Under the F-10 Registration Statement, the registrant had sold an aggregate of Cdn$11.5 million of its common shares (US$7,936,150 based on the rate of exchange posted by the Bank of Canada for conversion of United States dollars into Canadian dollars as of the date of the offering), resulting in an aggregate of US$92,063,850 of unsold securities under the F-10 Registration Statement, corresponding to an aggregate of US$11,150.40 unused registration fees. Accordingly, the registrant has paid US$14,809.60 of registration fees in connection with this registration statement. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Subject To Completion, Dated April 22, 2020
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
$200,000,000
Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Warrants
Subscription Receipts
Debt Securities
Units
Village Farms International, Inc. (the “Company”) or any selling securityholder may offer for sale and issue from time to time (i) common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Common Shares”), (ii) preferred shares in the capital of the Company (the “Preferred Shares”), (iii) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or other securities of the Company (“Warrants”), (iv) subscription receipts, each of which, once purchased, will entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions, and for no additional consideration, one Common Share and/or other securities of the Company (“Subscription Receipts”), (v) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), and (vi) securities comprised of more than one of Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Debt Securities offered together as a unit (“Units” and, collectively with the Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Debt Securities, the “Securities”), or any combination thereof, up to an aggregate initial offering price of $200,000,000 (or the equivalent amount if any Securities are issued for consideration in another currency). The Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
This prospectus (“Prospectus”) provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we offer Securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that describes specific information about the particular Securities being offered and may add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read both this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, together with the additional information that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “VFF”.
Investing in our Securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this Prospectus beginning on page 1.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is , 2020.
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This Prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This Prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus also contain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements may relate to our future outlook or financial position and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, budgets, expansion plans, litigation, projected production, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial results, taxes, plans and objectives of ours or involving us. Particularly, statements regarding future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities for us, the greenhouse vegetable industry or the cannabis industry are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by such terms as “outlook”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “occur”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “try”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, “likely”, “schedule”, “objectives”, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this Prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus are subject to risks that may include, but are not limited to: our limited operating history, including that of our Pure Sunfarms Corp. joint venture for the production of cannabis in Canada (our “Joint Venture”) and our start-up operations of growing hemp in the United States; the legal status of our Joint Venture; risks relating to obtaining additional financing, including our dependence upon credit facilities; potential difficulties in achieving and/or maintaining profitability; variability of product pricing; risks inherent in the cannabis, hemp and agricultural businesses; the ability of our Joint Venture to cultivate and distribute cannabis in Canada; existing and new governmental regulations, including risks related to regulatory compliance and licenses (e.g., our Joint Venture’s ability to obtain licenses for its Delta 2 greenhouse facility as well as additional licenses under the Canadian act respecting cannabis to amend to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, S.C. 2018, c. 16 (Canada) for its Delta 3 greenhouse facility), and changes in our regulatory requirements; risks relating to conversion of our greenhouses to cannabis production for our Joint Venture; risks related to rules and regulations at the U.S. federal (Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture), state and municipal levels with respect to produce and hemp; retail consolidation, technological advances and other forms of competition; transportation disruptions; product liability and other potential litigation; retention of key executives; labor issues; uninsured and underinsured losses; vulnerability to rising energy costs; environmental, health and safety risks, foreign exchange exposure, risks associated with cross-border trade; difficulties in managing our growth; restrictive covenants under our credit facilities; natural catastrophes; the ongoing and developing COVID-19 pandemic; and tax risks.
We have based these forward-looking statements on factors and assumptions about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are based upon assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on information currently available to management, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause our or the industry’s actual results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the factors contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including this Prospectus and the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. In particular, we caution you that our forward-looking statements are subject to the ongoing and developing circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and future financial results.
When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future results, performance, achievements, prospects and opportunities. The forward-looking statements made in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this Prospectus or the respective date of the applicable document incorporated by reference herein. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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This Prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the Securities described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial offering price of $200,000,000. The Securities may also be resold by selling securityholders.
This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may sell under this Prospectus. Each time we sell Securities, we may also provide a Prospectus Supplement that may include, where applicable, specific information about the terms of that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement, you should rely on the information in the Prospectus Supplement. Where required by statute, regulation or policy, and where Securities are offered in currencies other than U.S. dollars, appropriate disclosure of foreign exchange rates applicable to those Securities will be included in the Prospectus Supplement describing those Securities.
We may also prepare free writing Prospectuses to describe the terms of particular sales of Securities, which terms may vary from those described in any Prospectus Supplement. You therefore should carefully review any free writing Prospectus in connection with your review of this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement.
Please carefully read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, together with the documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, and the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information”. This Prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described in this Prospectus, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to in this Prospectus have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information”.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The distribution or possession of this Prospectus in or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell any Securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale. The information contained in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus and any information incorporated by reference into this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the applicable document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this Prospectus or of any sale of the Securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
As used in this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Village Farms”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Village Farms International, Inc., and, unless the context requires otherwise, the subsidiaries through which it conducts business.
The complete mailing address and telephone number of our principal executive officers is:
Village Farms International, Inc.
4700-80th Street
Delta, British Columbia, Canada
V4K 3N3
(604) 940-6012
Unless stated otherwise or if the context otherwise requires, all references to dollar amounts in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement are references to U.S. dollars.
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This summary does not contain all the information about us that may be important to you. Please carefully read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement together with the additional information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement.
The Company
We are a corporation existing under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”). Our head and registered office and each of our Canadian subsidiaries is located at 4700-80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, Canada, V4K 3N3.
Through our majority ownership position in our joint venture, the British Columbia-based Pure Sunfarms Corp. (our “Joint Venture” or “Pure Sunfarms”), we have one of the single largest cannabis growing operations in the world. We are also one of the largest and longest-operating vertically integrated greenhouse growers in North America and the only publicly traded greenhouse produce company in Canada, and we have joint venture operations in hemp and CBD products.
Our Joint Venture leverages our 30 years of experience as a vertically integrated greenhouse grower for the rapidly emerging cannabis opportunity following legalization of cannabis in Canada. Our Joint Venture is currently one of the largest producers of cannabis in Canada with distribution in three of the provinces. Its long-term objective is to be the leading low cost, high quality cannabis producer in Canada. In our greenhouse operations, we produce and distribute fresh, premium-quality produce with consistency 365 days a year to national grocers in the U.S. and Canada from more than nine million square feet of Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) greenhouses in British Columbia and Texas, as well as from our partner greenhouses in British Columbia, Ontario and Mexico. We are also pursuing opportunities to become a vertically integrated leader in the U.S. hemp-derived CBD market, subject to compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state laws. We have established two joint ventures, Village Fields Hemp USA, LLC, and Arkansas Valley Green and Gold Hemp LLC, for multi-state outdoor hemp cultivation and CBD extraction and plans to pursue controlled environment hemp production at our Texas greenhouse operations, which total 5.7 million square feet of production area, subject to legalization of hemp in Texas.
Further information regarding the Company and its business is set out in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Offering
The Securities described herein may be offered from time to time in one or more offerings utilizing a “shelf” process under Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Under this shelf process, this Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we sell Securities, we will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus. You should read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement.
An investment in our Securities involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in this Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement, the documents we have incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, and in any related free writing Prospectus, including those in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this Prospectus and that are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, in evaluating an investment in our Securities. If any of these risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. When we offer and sell any Securities pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement, we may include in the applicable Prospectus Supplement additional risk factors relevant to those Securities.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated under the laws of Canada. Many of our directors and officers, and many of the experts named in this Prospectus, are residents of Canada, and all or a substantial portion of their assets and a substantial portion of our assets, are located outside the United States. Consequently, although we have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, it may be difficult for holders of our Securities who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon our directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of our Securities who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon our civil liability and the civil
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liability of our directors, officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws. Investors should not assume that Canadian courts (i) would enforce judgments of United States courts obtained in actions against us or our directors, officers or experts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws or the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state within the United States or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our directors, officers or experts predicated upon the United States federal securities laws or any such state securities or “blue sky” laws. In addition, we have been advised by our Canadian counsel that in normal circumstances, only civil judgments and not other rights arising from United States securities legislation are enforceable in Canada and that the protections afforded by Canadian securities laws may not be available to investors in the United States.
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds that we receive from the sale of our Securities will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of the sale of our Securities. More specific allocations may be included in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a specific offering of Securities.
Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that securities are sold by a selling securityholder.
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares, no par value. As of April 21, 2020, the Company had 56,300,419 Common Shares outstanding. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Company and to one vote per Common Share at such meetings (other than meetings at which only the holders of another class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class). The Common Shares entitle the holders thereof to receive, in any year, dividends on the Common Shares as and when declared by the board of directors of the Company, provided that payment of such dividends is not prohibited under law and after payment of any applicable amounts to which holders of any Preferred Shares may be entitled. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment of or other proper provision for all of the liabilities of the Company and the payment of any amounts payable to holders of the Preferred Shares, the holders of the Common Shares will be entitled to share pro rata in all remaining property or assets of the Company.
We have no current plans to pay dividends as we are growth focused. The amount of any dividends payable by us will be at the discretion of our board of directors and may vary depending on, among other things, our earnings, financial requirements for our operations, growth opportunities, debt covenants, the satisfaction of the solvency tests imposed by the CBCA for declaration and payment of dividends and the conditions existing from time to time.
Further information relating to the Common Shares and the share capital of the Company is set out in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Preferred Shares. The Company’s board of directors will fix the number of Preferred Shares, as well as the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions for each series of Preferred Shares that may be issued, subject to the Company filing the applicable articles of amendment under the CBCA. Preferred Shares will have preference over Common Shares with respect to the payment of dividends and in the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, be it voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs. Preferred Shares will have no right to vote on shareholder matters, subject to certain exceptions. No changes to the provisions of the Preferred Shares may be made without the approval of the holders of the Preferred Shares.
The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the following terms relating to the Preferred Shares being offered:
| • | the maximum number of Preferred Shares; |
| • | the designation of the series; |
| • | the offering price; |
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| • | the annual dividend rate and whether the dividend rate is fixed or variable, the date from which dividends will accrue and the dividend payment dates; |
| • | the price and terms and conditions for redemption, if any, including redemption at the Company’s option or at the option of the holder, including the time period for redemption, and payment of any accumulated dividends; |
| • | whether such Preferred Shares will be subject to any restriction on the repurchase or redemption while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments; |
| • | the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion or exchange for shares of any other class of the Company or any other series of Preferred Shares, or any other securities or assets, including the price or the rate of conversion of exchange and the method, if any, of adjustment; |
| • | whether such Preferred Shares will be listed on any securities exchange; |
| • | the voting rights, if any; and |
| • | any other rights, privileges, restrictions, or conditions. |
Preferred Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable securities upon issuance. The Preferred Shares of any series may be represented in whole or in part, by one or more global certificates. If Preferred Shares are represented by a global certificate, each global certificate will:
| • | be registered in the name of a depository or a nominee of the depository identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; and |
| • | be deposited in the name of a depository or a nominee of the depository identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. |
General
The Company may issue Warrants independently or together with other securities, and Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements between the Company and a warrant agent that the Company will name in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company will file any warrant agreement or warrant indenture with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, on or before the time we issue a series of warrants.
The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the following terms relating to the Warrants being offered:
| • | the designation of the Warrants; |
| • | the aggregate number of Warrants offered and the offering price; |
| • | the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Preferred Shares or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, and procedures that will result in the adjustment of those numbers; |
| • | the exercise price of the Warrants; |
| • | the various factors considered in determining the exercise price of the Warrants, to the extent such exercise prices are variable; |
| • | provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price, if any; |
| • | the dates or periods during which the Warrants are exercisable; |
| • | the designation and terms of any securities with which the Warrants are issued; |
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| • | if the Warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date on and after which the Warrants and the other security will be separately transferable; |
| • | the currency or currency unit in which the exercise price is denominated; |
| • | any minimum or maximum amount of Warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | whether such Warrants will be listed on any securities exchange; |
| • | any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the Warrants; |
| • | any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold such Warrants; |
| • | the amount of Warrants outstanding, if any; and |
| • | any other terms of the Warrants. |
Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations at the office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities subject to the Warrants.
Modifications
The Company may amend the warrant agreements and the Warrants, without the consent of the holders of the Warrants, to cure any ambiguity, to cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner that will not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Warrants. Other amendment provisions shall be as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement.
Enforceability
The warrant agent will act solely as the Company’s agent. The warrant agent will not have any duty or responsibility if the Company defaults under the warrant agreements or the warrant certificates. A Warrant holder may, without the consent of the warrant agent, enforce by appropriate legal action on its own behalf the holder’s right to exercise the holder’s Warrants.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
Subscription Receipts may be offered separately or together with Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company, including Warrants. The Subscription Receipts will be issued under a subscription receipt agreement that will be entered into by the Company and an escrow agent at the time of issuance of the Subscription Receipts.
A Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to receive a Common Share and/or other securities of the Company, for no additional consideration, upon the completion of a particular transaction or event, typically an acquisition of the assets or securities of another entity by the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries. The subscription proceeds from an offering of Subscription Receipts will be held in escrow by an escrow agent pending the completion of a transaction or the termination time (the time at which the escrow terminates regardless of whether the transaction or event has occurred). Holders of Subscription Receipts will receive Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company upon the completion of the particular transaction or event or, if the transaction or event does not occur by the termination time, a return of the subscription funds for their Subscription Receipts together with any interest or other income earned thereon. Holders of Subscription Receipts are not shareholders of the Company simply by virtue of holding a Subscription Receipt.
The particular terms and provisions of Subscription Receipts offered by any Prospectus Supplement, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to them, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement filed in respect of such Subscription Receipts. The description will include, where applicable:
| • | the number of Subscription Receipts offered; |
| • | the price at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered; |
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| • | the various factors considered in determining the price of the Subscription Receipts; |
| • | provisions for changes to or adjustments in the price, if any; |
| • | the terms, conditions and procedures pursuant to which the holders of Subscription Receipts will become entitled to receive Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company; |
| • | the number of Common Shares and/or other securities of the Company that may be obtained upon exercise of each Subscription Receipt; |
| • | the designation and terms of any other securities with which the Subscription Receipts will be offered, if any, and the number of Subscription Receipts that will be offered with each such security; |
| • | the terms relating to the holding and release of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts plus any interest and income earned thereon; |
| • | any material income tax consequences of owning, holding and disposing of the Subscription Receipts; |
| • | the amount of Subscription Receipts outstanding, if any; |
| • | any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold such Subscription Receipts; and |
| • | any other material terms and conditions of the Subscription Receipts including, without limitation, transferability and adjustment terms and whether the Subscription Receipts will be listed on any securities exchange. |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
In this description of debt securities section, “we,” “us,” “our,” or “Village Farms” or “the Company” refer to Village Farms International, Inc. but not to its subsidiaries.
This section describes the general terms that will apply to any debt securities issued pursuant to this Prospectus. We may issue debt securities in one or more series under an indenture to be entered into between us and one or more trustees, at least one of which will be qualified to act as a U.S. trustee and one of which will be qualified to act as a Canadian trustee. References herein to the “trustee” shall be deemed to mean the U.S. trustee and/or the Canadian trustee. The indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and the CBCA. A copy of the form of the indenture is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. Prospective investors should also refer to the indenture and the terms of the debt securities. If debt securities are issued, we will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement the particular terms and provisions of any series of the debt securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series of the debt securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and not on the following information to the extent that the information in such Prospectus Supplement is different from the following information.
We may issue debt securities and incur additional indebtedness other than through the offering of debt securities pursuant to this Prospectus.
General
The indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue under the indenture and will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that we may incur. The indenture will provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or any foreign currency. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. The indenture will also permit us to increase the principal amount of any series of the debt securities previously issued and to issue that increased principal amount.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement for any series of debt securities that we offer will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and may include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
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| • | the title of the debt securities; |
| • | the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | the percentage of principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued; |
| • | whether payment on the debt securities will be senior or subordinated to our other liabilities or obligations; |
| • | whether the payment of the debt securities will be guaranteed by any other person; |
| • | the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which we may issue the debt securities and the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended, on which we will pay the principal and any premium on the debt securities, or the portion (if less than the principal amount) of debt securities, in each case, to be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity; |
| • | whether the debt securities will bear interest, the interest rate (whether fixed or variable) or the method of determining the interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which we will pay interest and the record dates for interest payments, or the methods by which such dates will be determined or extended; |
| • | the place or places we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest and the place or places where debt securities can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange; |
| • | whether and under what circumstances we will be required to pay any additional amounts for withholding or deduction for Canadian or other taxes with respect to the debt securities, and whether and on what terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts; |
| • | whether we will be obligated to redeem or repurchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking or purchase fund or other provisions, or at the option of a holder and the terms and conditions of such redemption; |
| • | the terms and conditions of any mandatory or optional redemption by the Company; |
| • | the denominations in which we will issue any registered debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple of $l,000, the denominations in which any unregistered debt security shall be issuable; |
| • | whether we will make payments on the debt securities in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars or by delivery of our common shares or other property; |
| • | whether payments on the debt securities will be payable with reference to any index or formula; |
| • | whether we will issue the debt securities as global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the global securities; |
| • | whether we will issue the debt securities as unregistered securities (with or without coupons), registered securities or both; |
| • | the periods within which and the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we may redeem the debt securities prior to maturity and the price or prices of which and the currency or currency units in which the debt securities are payable; |
| • | any changes or additions to events of default or covenants; |
| • | whether the holders of any series of debt securities have special rights if specified events occur; |
| • | the terms, if any, for any conversion or exchange of the debt securities for any other securities; |
| • | rights, if any, on a change of control; |
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| • | provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any rights or terms attaching to the debt securities; and |
| • | any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) including covenants and events of default which apply solely to a particular series of the debt securities being offered which do not apply generally to other debt securities, or any covenants or events of default generally applicable to the debt securities which do not apply to a particular series of the debt securities. |
Unless stated otherwise in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no holder of debt securities will have the right to require us to repurchase the debt securities and there will be no increase in the interest rate if we become involved in a highly leveraged transaction or we have a change of control.
We may issue debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time of issuance, and offer and sell these securities at a discount below their stated principal amount. We may also sell any of the debt securities for a foreign currency or currency unit, and payments on the debt securities may be payable in a foreign currency or currency unit. In any of these cases, we will describe certain Canadian federal and U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special considerations in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
We may issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, we may reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of such series (unless the reopening was restricted when such series was created).
Ranking and Other Indebtedness
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, our debt securities will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding and equally with other securities issued under the indenture. The debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries.
Our board of directors may establish the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of a series of debt securities will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations and whether the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be guaranteed by any other person and the nature and priority of any security.
Debt Securities in Global Form
The Depositary and Book-Entry
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a series of the debt securities may be issued in whole or in part in global form as a “global security” and will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for the debt securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a particular series of the debt securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that the provisions described in this section will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary therefor or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of such persons, designated as “participants,” having accounts with such depositary or its nominee. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the debt securities or by us if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states in the United States may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
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So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have a series of the debt securities represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such series of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.
Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on global securities registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. None of us, the trustee or any paying agent for the debt securities represented by the global securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
We expect that the depositary for a global security or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such participants.
Discontinuance of Depositary’s Services
If a depositary for a global security representing a particular series of the debt securities is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue such series of the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a global security representing such series of the debt securities. If an event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, debt securities in definitive form will be printed and delivered upon written request by the holder to the trustee. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have a series of the debt securities represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue a series of the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the global securities representing that series of debt securities.
Debt Securities in Definitive Form
A series of the debt securities may be issued in definitive form, solely as registered securities, solely as unregistered securities or as both registered securities and unregistered securities. Registered securities will be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 or in such other denominations as may be set out in the terms of the debt securities of any particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will have interest coupons attached.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities (other than global securities) will be made at the office or agency of the trustee, or at our option we can pay principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any, by check mailed or delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address appearing in the security register of the trustee or electronic funds wire or other transmission to an account of the person entitled to receive payments. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest, if any, will be made to the persons in whose name the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by us.
At the option of the holder of debt securities, registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. If, but only if, provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of any series may be exchanged for registered securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In such event, unregistered securities surrendered in a permitted exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest, and interest will not be payable on such date for payment of interest in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such unregistered security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may indicate the places to register a transfer of the debt securities in definitive form. Except for certain restrictions set forth in the indenture, no service charge will be payable by the holder for any registration of transfer
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or exchange of the debt securities in definitive form, but we may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.
We shall not be required to:
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange any series of the debt securities in definitive form during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of securities of that series of the debt securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant redemption date if the debt securities for which such issuance, registration or exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; |
| • | register the transfer of or exchange any registered security in definitive form, or portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being redeemed in part; |
| • | exchange any unregistered security called for redemption except to the extent that such unregistered security may be exchanged for a registered security of that series and like tenor; provided that such registered security will be simultaneously surrendered for redemption; or |
| • | issue, register the transfer of or exchange any of the debt securities in definitive form which have been surrendered for repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if any, thereof not to be so repaid. |
Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation
The indenture will provide that we may not consolidate with or amalgamate or merge with or into any other person, enter into any statutory arrangement with any person or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another person, unless among other items:
| • | we are the surviving person, or the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, Canada, or any province or territory thereof, or, if the amalgamation, merger, consolidation, statutory arrangement or other transaction would not impair the rights of holders, any other jurisdiction; |
| • | the successor person (if not us) assumes all of our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture by a supplemental indenture; and |
| • | we or such successor person will not be in default under the indenture immediately after the transaction. |
When such a person assumes our obligations in such circumstances, subject to certain exceptions, we shall be discharged from all obligations under the debt securities and the indenture.
Events of Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities, the following is a summary of events which will, with respect to any series of the debt securities, constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series:
| • | we fail to pay principal of, or any premium on, any debt security of that series when it is due and payable; |
| • | we fail to pay interest or any additional amounts payable on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days; |
| • | we fail to make any required sinking fund or analogous payment for that series of debt securities; |
| • | we fail to observe or perform any of the covenants described in the section “— Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation” for a period of 30 days; |
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| • | we fail to comply with any of our other agreements in the indenture that affect or are applicable to the debt securities for 60 days after written notice by the trustee or to us and the trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series affected thereby; |
| • | certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and |
| • | any other event of default provided for in that series of debt securities. |
A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, if in good faith it considers it in the interests of the holders to do so.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series, subject to any subordination provisions, may require us to repay immediately the entire principal and interest and premium, if any, of the debt securities of the series.
If an event of default relates to events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal of all debt securities will become immediately due and payable without any action by the trustee or any holder. Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series can rescind this accelerated payment requirement.
Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not obligated to exercise any of the rights or powers that it will have under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities may, subject to certain limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
We will be required to furnish to the trustee a statement annually as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture and, if we are not in compliance, we must specify any defaults. We will also be required to notify the trustee as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of any event of default.
No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:
| • | the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of the affected series; |
| • | the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by an event of default have made a written request, and the holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute a proceeding as trustee; and |
| • | the trustee has failed to institute a proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by an event of default a direction inconsistent with the request, within 60 days after their notice, request and offer of indemnity. |
However, such above-mentioned limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.
Defeasance
When we use the term “defeasance,” we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if we deposit with the trustee sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, if any, premium, if any, and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or a redemption date of the debt securities of a series, then at our option:
| • | we will be discharged from the obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series; or |
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| • | we will no longer be under any obligation to comply with certain restrictive covenants under the indenture, and certain events of default will no longer apply to us. |
If this happens, the holders of the debt securities of the affected series will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of debt securities and the replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated debt securities. These holders may look only to the deposited fund for payment on their debt securities.
To exercise our defeasance option, we must deliver to the trustee:
| • | an opinion of counsel in the United States to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series will not recognize a gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of a defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the defeasance had not occurred; |
| • | an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series will not recognize income, or a gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income or other tax purposes as a result of a defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had the defeasance not occurred; and |
| • | a certificate of one of our officers and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to defeasance have been complied with. |
If we are to be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities, and not just from our covenants, the U.S. opinion must be based upon a ruling from or published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
In addition to the delivery of the opinions described above, the following conditions must be met before we may exercise our defeasance option:
| • | no event of default or event that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing for the debt securities of the affected series; |
| • | we are not an “insolvent person” within the meaning of applicable bankruptcy and insolvency legislation; and |
| • | other customary conditions precedent are satisfied. |
Modification and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modification. However, without the consent of each holder affected, no modification may:
| • | change the stated maturity of the principal of, premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on any debt security; |
| • | reduce the principal, premium, if any, or rate of interest, if any, or any obligation to pay any additional amounts; |
| • | reduce the amount of principal of a debt security payable upon acceleration of its maturity; |
| • | change the place or currency of any payment; |
| • | affect the holder’s right to require us to repurchase the debt securities at the holder’s option; |
| • | impair the right of the holders to institute a suit to enforce their rights to payment; |
| • | adversely affect any conversion or exchange right related to a series of debt securities; |
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| • | change the percentage of debt securities required to modify the indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture; or |
| • | reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities necessary to take certain actions. |
The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive, insofar as only that series is concerned, past defaults (other than defaults relating to certain events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) under the indenture and compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. However, these holders may not waive a default in any payment on any debt security or compliance with a provision that cannot be modified without the consent of each holder affected.
We may modify the indenture without the consent of the holders to:
| • | evidence our successor under the indenture; |
| • | add covenants or surrender any right or power for the benefit of holders; |
| • | add events of default; |
| • | provide for unregistered securities to become registered securities under the indenture and make other such changes to unregistered securities that in each case do not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding securities; |
| • | establish the form and terms of debt securities of any series; |
| • | appoint a successor trustee under the indenture; |
| • | add provisions to permit or facilitate the defeasance or discharge of the debt securities as long as there is no material adverse effect on the holders; |
| • | cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision, make any other provisions in each case that would not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding securities and related coupons, if any; |
| • | comply with any applicable laws of the United States and Canada in order to effect and maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or |
| • | change or eliminate any provisions where such change takes effect when there are no securities outstanding under the indenture. |
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. However, the exercise, performance or discharge by the Canadian trustee of any of its rights, powers, duties or responsibilities under the indenture will be construed in accordance with applicable Canadian laws.
The Trustees
We will identify the U.S. trustee and Canadian trustee in the applicable Prospectus Supplement in connection with an offering of debt securities hereunder. In addition, in connection with an offering of debt securities hereunder, the U.S. trustee will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. The trustees under the indenture or their respective affiliates may provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of their business.
The indenture will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustees, as long as the trustees or any of their respective affiliates remain our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received on any claim as security or otherwise. The trustees and their respective affiliates will be permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If the trustees or any such affiliate acquires any conflicting interest and a default occurs with respect to the debt securities, the applicable trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
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Resignation of Trustee
A trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of the debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as U.S. trustee or Canadian trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each such trustee shall be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other such trustee, and any action described herein to be taken by the “trustee” may then be taken by each such trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee.
Consent to Service
In connection with entering into the indenture, we will designate and appoint a U.S. authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture or the debt securities that may be instituted in any U.S. federal or New York state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York, or brought by the trustees (whether in their individual capacity or in their capacity as trustee under the indenture), and will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Units. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Units offered will include specific terms and provisions of the Units being offered thereby, and the extent to which the general terms and provisions described below may apply to them.
The Prospectus Supplement will set forth, as applicable, the following terms relating to the Units being offered:
| • | the aggregate number of Units offered; |
| • | the price at which the Units will be offered; |
| • | the designation, number and terms of the Securities comprising the Units; |
| • | whether the Units will be issued with any other Securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these Securities; |
| • | terms applicable to the gross or net proceeds from the sale of the Units plus any interest earned thereon; |
| • | the date on and after which the Securities comprising the Units will be separately transferable; |
| • | whether the Securities comprising the Units will be listed on any securities exchange; |
| • | whether such Units or the Securities comprising the Units are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof; |
| • | any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the Units; |
| • | any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold such Units; |
| • | certain material Canadian tax consequences of owning the Units; |
| • | the amount of Units outstanding; and |
| • | any other material terms and conditions of the Units. |
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The Securities may be offered and sold from time to time by the Company and/or by one or more selling securityholders to be identified in the future. Information about selling securityholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement, in a post-effective amendment or in filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
The Company or any selling securityholder may offer and sell the Securities to or through underwriters or dealers and also may offer and sell the Securities directly to purchasers or through agents, or through a combination of any of these methods of sale.
The distribution of the Securities of any series may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices or at non-fixed prices. If offered on a non-fixed price basis, the Securities may be offered at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices determined by reference to the prevailing price of a specified security in a specified market or at prices to be negotiated with purchasers, including sales in transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market distributions” in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, in which case the compensation payable to an underwriter, dealer or agent in connection with any such sale will be increased or decreased by the amount, if any, by which the aggregate price paid for the Securities by the purchasers exceeds or is less than the gross proceeds paid by the underwriter, dealer or agent to the Company. The price at which the Securities will be offered and sold may vary from purchaser to purchaser and during the period of distribution.
If an underwriter, dealer or agent is utilized in the sale of the Securities being offered by this Prospectus, an underwriting, dealer or agency agreement will be executed with the applicable underwriter(s), dealer(s) or agent(s) at the time of sale. In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from the Company or from other parties, including in the form of underwriters’, dealers or agents’ fees, commissions or concessions. Any underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the sale or distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. As a result, any profits on the sale of the Securities by such underwriters, dealers or agents and any discounts, commissions or agent’s commissions or concessions received by any such underwriter, dealer or agent who are deemed to be underwriters will be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to each distribution of Securities will also set forth the terms of the offering of the Securities, including to the extent applicable:
| • | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents and the respective amounts underwritten; |
| • | whether any underwriter, dealer, or agent has a material relationship with the Company; |
| • | the initial offering price, the proceeds to the Company; |
| • | the underwriters’, dealers’ or agents’ compensation or other discount or selling concession to be allowed or re-allowed to underwriters’ or dealers; |
| • | the nature of the obligation of the underwriters; and |
| • | whether the underwriter, dealer or agent has any arrangement with the Company, such as an over-allotment option. |
In connection with any offering of Securities, other than an “at-the-market distribution”, the underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Securities at a level other than those which otherwise might prevail on the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time. No underwriter, dealer or agent involved in an “at-the-market distribution” of any of the Securities under a Prospectus Supplement, and no affiliate of any such underwriter, dealer or agent, and no person acting jointly or in concert with any such underwriter, dealer or agent, will over-allot any Securities in connection with their distribution or effect any other transaction that is intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities being distributed.
Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. In
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compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate proceeds of the offering. Such underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
Each distribution of Securities (other than Common Shares) will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Securities, the Securities (other than Common Shares) will not be listed on any securities exchange. Certain broker dealers may make a market in the Securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given that any broker dealer will make a market in the Securities of any series or as to the liquidity of the trading market, if any, for the Securities of any series.
MATERIAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may describe the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any of the Securities offered by this Prospectus to an investor who is subject to U.S. federal income tax.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may also describe material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investors described therein of purchasing, holding and disposing of the applicable Securities, including, in the case of an investor who is not a resident of Canada, Canadian non-resident withholding tax considerations.
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, certain legal matters relating to the offering of the Securities will be passed upon on behalf of the Company by Torys LLP, New York, New York and Toronto, Canada.
The financial statements of the Company and Pure Sunfarms Corp. incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act and, accordingly, we file reports with and furnish other information to the SEC. We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the Securities offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement that we filed. For further information regarding us and the Securities covered by this Prospectus, you may desire to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the registration statement and its exhibits. The SEC’s website address is http://www.sec.gov. We maintain a website at www.villagefarms.com. Information contained in or accessible through our website does not constitute a part of this Prospectus.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents.
We incorporate by reference into this Prospectus the documents listed below:
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| (a) | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2020; |
| (b) | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 17, 2020 (Item 8.01 only); March 4, 2020 (Item 1.01 only); March 12, 2020 (Item 8.01 only); March 19, 2020 (Items 1.01 and 8.01 only); March 24, 2020 (Item 8.01 only); March 30, 2020 (Item 8.01 only) and April 22, 2020 (Item 5.02 only); and |
| (c) | the description of our common shares set forth under the heading “Capital Structure” contained in our Annual Information Form dated April 2, 2018, filed as Exhibit 99.10 to our Registration Statement on Form 40FR12B filed on January 18, 2019, as updated by Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2020, including any amendment thereto filed for the purpose of amending such description. |
In addition, all documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this Prospectus but before the termination of the offering of the Securities covered by this Prospectus, are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any different or additional information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
The documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus are available from us upon request. We will provide a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus but not delivered with the Prospectus to any person, including a beneficial owner, to whom a Prospectus is delivered, without charge, upon written or oral request. If exhibits to the documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus are not themselves specifically incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, then the exhibits will not be provided.
Requests for any of these documents should be directed to:
Village Farms International, Inc.
4700-80th Street
Delta, British Columbia, Canada
V4K 3N3
(604) 940-6012
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
| Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the offering of the Securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates, except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee. The amounts do not include the costs of preparing any Prospectus Supplements, stock exchange listing fees, or other expenses relating to the sale and distribution of particular Securities registered under this registration statement, as those costs and expenses cannot be estimated at this time.
| Amount | ||
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
$25,960 | |
| Accounting fees and expenses |
* | |
| FINRA filing fees |
* | |
| Legal fees and expenses |
* | |
| Printing fees |
* | |
| Trustee fees and expenses |
* | |
| Transfer agent fees and expenses |
* | |
| Miscellaneous fees and expenses |
* | |
|
| ||
| Total |
* | |
|
|
* These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.
| Item 15. | Indemnification of Officers and Directors |
Section 124 of the CBCA provides as follows:
Indemnification
(1) — A corporation may indemnify a director or officer of the corporation, a former director or officer of the corporation or another individual who acts or acted at the corporation’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the corporation or other entity
Advance of costs
(2) — A corporation may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding referred to in subsection (1). The individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfil the conditions of subsection (3).
Limitation
(3) — A corporation may not indemnify an individual under subsection (1) unless the individual
(a) acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the corporation’s request; and
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(b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the individual’s conduct was lawful.
Indemnification in derivative actions
(4) — A corporation may with the approval of a court, indemnify an individual referred to in subsection (1), or advance moneys under subsection (2), in respect of an action by or on behalf of the corporation or other entity to procure a judgment in its favor, to which the individual is made a party because of the individual’s association with the corporation or other entity as described in subsection (1) against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with such action, if the individual fulfils the conditions set out in subsection (3).
Right to indemnity
(5) — Despite subsection (1), an individual referred to in that subsection is entitled to indemnity from the corporation in respect of all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with the defense of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding to which the individual is subject because of the individual’s association with the corporation or other entity as described in subsection (1), if the individual seeking indemnity:
(a) was not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done; and
(b) fulfils the conditions set out in subsection (3).
Insurance
(6) — A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an individual referred to in subsection (1) against any liability incurred by the individual:
(a) in the individual’s capacity as a director or officer of the corporation; or
(b) in the individual’s capacity as a director or officer, or similar capacity, of another entity, if the individual acts or acted in that capacity at the corporation’s request.
Application to court
(7) — A corporation, an individual or an entity referred to in subsection (1) may apply to a court for an order approving an indemnity under this section and the court may so order and make any further order that it sees fit.
Notice to Director
(8) — An applicant under subsection (7) shall give the Director notice of the application and the Director is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.
Other notice
(9) — On an application under subsection (7) the court may order notice to be given to any interested person and the person is entitled to appear and be heard in person or by counsel.
The by-laws of the Registrant provide that the Registrant shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts or acted at the Registrant’s request as a director or officer, or in a similar capacity of another entity, and the heirs and legal representatives of such a person to the extent permitted by the Securities Act. As of April 22, 2020, the Registrant entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers, providing for indemnification as permitted under the CBCA and the Registrant’s by-laws.
As of the date of this registration statement, the Registrant maintains directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures directors and officers for losses as a result of claims against the directors and officers of the Registrant in their capacity as directors and officers and also reimburses the Registrant for payments made pursuant to the indemnity provisions under the by-laws of the Registrant and the Securities Act.
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act is permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
| Item 16. | Exhibits |
| * | To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| ** | To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
| Item 17. | Undertakings |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
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(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statements or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act, to any purchaser:
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the
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undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(8) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Delta, Province of British Columbia, Canada, on this 22nd day of April, 2020.
| VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Stephen C. Ruffini | |
| Name: Stephen C. Ruffini Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Michael A. DeGiglio and Stephen C. Ruffini, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with the powers of substitution and revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign this registration statement on Form S-3, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto (or any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on April 22, 2020.
| Signature | Title | |
| /s/ Michael A. DeGiglio |
Director and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| Michael A. DeGiglio |
||
| /s/ Stephen C. Ruffini |
Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
| Stephen C. Ruffini | ||
| /s/ John R. McLernon | Director, Chair | |
| John R. McLernon |
||
| /s/ Dr. Roberta Cook | Director | |
| Dr. Roberta Cook |
||
| /s/ John P. Henry | Director | |
| John P. Henry |
||
| /s/ David Holewinski | Director | |
| David Holewinski |
||
| /s/ Christopher C. Woodward | Director | |
| Christopher C. Woodward |
||
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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned has signed this registration statement, solely in the capacity of the duly authorized representative of Village Farms International, Inc., in the United States, on this 22nd day of April, 2020.
| VF U.S. HOLDINGS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Stephen C. Ruffini | |
| Name: Stephen C. Ruffini Title: Director | ||
Exhibit 4.10
VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
as Issuer,
_____________________
as U.S. Trustee
and
_____________________
as Canadian Trustee
Indenture
Dated as of __________
|
Table of Contents | ||
| Page | ||
| ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION |
1 | |
| Section 1.01. Definitions | 1 | |
| Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions | 12 | |
| Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustees |
12 | |
| Section 1.04. Acts of Holders | 13 | |
| Section 1.05. Notices, etc. to Trustees and Company | 15 | |
| Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver | 15 | |
| Section 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents | 16 | |
| Section 1.08. Successors and Assigns | 16 | |
| Section 1.09. Severability Clause | 16 | |
| Section 1.10. Benefits of Indenture | 16 | |
| Section 1.11. Governing Law | 17 | |
| Section 1.12. Legal Holidays | 17 | |
| Section 1.13. Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities | 17 | |
| Section 1.14. Conversion of Currency | 18 | |
| Section 1.15. Currency Equivalent | 19 | |
| Section 1.16. Conflict with Trust Indenture Legislation | 19 | |
| Section 1.17. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability | 19 | |
| ARTICLE
TWO SECURITIES FORMS |
20 | |
| Section 2.01. Forms Generally | 20 | |
| Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication | 20 | |
| Section 2.03. Securities Issuable in Global Form | 21 | |
| ARTICLE
THREE THE SECURITIES |
22 | |
| Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 22 | |
| Section 3.02. Denominations |
25 | |
| Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating | 26 | |
| Section 3.04. Temporary Securities | 28 | |
| Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 28 | |
| Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities | 32 | |
| Section 3.07. Payment of Principal; Premium; Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset. | 34 | |
| Section 3.08. Persons Deemed Owners | 35 | |
| Section 3.09. Cancellation | 35 | |
| Section 3.10. Computation of Interest | 36 | |
| Section 3.11. Currency and Manner of Payments in Respect of Securities | 36 | |
| Section 3.12. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent |
39 | |
| ARTICLE
FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
40 | |
| Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 40 | |
| Section 4.02. Application of Trust Money | 41 | |
| - i - |
|
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
| Page | ||
| ARTICLE
FIVE REMEDIES |
41 | |
| Section 5.01. Events of Default | 41 | |
| Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment | 43 | |
| Section 5.03. Collection of Debt and Suits for Enforcement by Trustees | 44 | |
| Section 5.04. Trustees May File Proofs of Claim | 44 | |
| Section 5.05. Trustees May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities | 45 | |
| Section 5.06. Application of Money Collected | 45 | |
| Section 5.07. Limitation on Suits | 46 | |
| Section 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest | 46 | |
| Section 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 47 | |
| Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative | 47 | |
| Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 47 | |
| Section 5.12. Control by Holders | 47 | |
| Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults | 48 | |
| Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 48 | |
| Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs | 48 | |
| 49 | ||
| ARTICLE
SIX THE TRUSTEES |
||
| Section 6.01. Notice of Defaults | 49 | |
| Section 6.02. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees | 49 | |
| Section 6.03. Certain Rights of Trustees | 51 | |
| Section 6.04. Trustees Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities | 52 | |
| Section 6.05. May Hold Securities | 52 | |
| Section 6.06. Money Held in Trust | 52 | |
| Section 6.07. Compensation and Reimbursement | 52 | |
| Section 6.08. Corporate Trustees Required; Eligibility | 53 | |
| Section 6.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 54 | |
| Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor | 55 | |
| Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 56 | |
| Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent | 57 | |
| Section 6.13. Joint Trustees | 59 | |
| Section 6.14. Other Rights of Trustees | 59 | |
| ARTICLE
SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY |
61 | |
| Section 7.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders | 61 | |
| Section 7.02. Preservation of List of Names and Addresses of Holders | 61 | |
| Section 7.03. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders | 62 | |
| Section 7.04. Reports by Trustees | 62 | |
| Section 7.05. Reports by Issuer | 62 | |
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|
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
| Page | ||
| ARTICLE
EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE |
62 | |
| Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., only on Certain Terms | 62 | |
| Section 8.02. Successor Person Substituted | 63 | |
| ARTICLE
NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
63 | |
| Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 63 | |
| Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 65 | |
| Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 66 | |
| Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 66 | |
| Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Legislation | 66 | |
| Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures | 66 | |
| Section 9.07. Notice of Supplemental Indentures | 67 | |
| ARTICLE
TEN COVENANTS |
67 | |
| Section 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest | 67 | |
| Section 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency | 67 | |
| Section 10.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust | 68 | |
| Section 10.04. Statement as to Compliance | 70 | |
| Section 10.05. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | 70 | |
| Section 10.06. Corporate Existence | 70 | |
| Section 10.07. SEC Reporting Obligations | 70 | |
| Section 10.08. Waiver of Certain Covenants | 71 | |
| ARTICLE
ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES |
71 | |
| Section 11.01. Applicability of Article | 71 | |
| Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustees | 71 | |
| Section 11.03. Selection by Trustees of Securities to Be Redeemed | 71 | |
| Section 11.04. Notice of Redemption | 72 | |
| Section 11.05. Deposit of Redemption Price | 73 | |
| Section 11.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date | 73 | |
| Section 11.07. Securities Redeemed in Part | 74 | |
| ARTICLE
TWELVE SINKING FUNDS |
74 | |
| Section 12.01. Applicability of Article | 74 | |
| Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 75 | |
| Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 76 | |
| ARTICLE
THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
76 | |
| Section 13.01. Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 76 | |
| Section 13.02. Defeasance and Discharge | 76 | |
| Section 13.03. Covenant Defeasance | 77 | |
| Section 13.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 77 | |
| - iii - |
|
Table of Contents (continued) | ||
| Page | ||
| Section 13.05. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 79 | |
| Section 13.06. Reinstatement | 80 | |
| ARTICLE
FOURTEEN MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES |
80 | |
| Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called | 80 | |
| Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings | 81 | |
| Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings | 81 | |
| Section 14.04. Quorum; Action | 81 | |
| Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings | 82 | |
| Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings | 83 | |
| Section 14.07. Waiver of Jury Trial | 84 | |
| Section 14.08. Counterparts | 84 | |
| Section 14.09. Force Majeure | 84 | |
| - iv - |
| CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIA Section |
|
Indenture Section | ||
| 310 |
|
(a) |
|
6.08(1) |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
6.09 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Not Applicable |
| 311 |
|
(a) |
|
6.05 |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
6.05 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Not Applicable |
| 312 |
|
(a) |
|
Section 7.01, Section 7.02 |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
7.03 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
7.03 |
| 313 |
|
(a) |
|
7.04 |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
7.04 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
7.04 |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
7.04 |
| 314 |
|
(a) |
|
Section 7.05 |
|
|
|
(a)(4) |
|
10.04 |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Not Applicable |
|
|
|
(c)(1) |
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
(c)(2) |
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Not Applicable |
|
|
|
(e) |
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
(f) |
|
Not Applicable |
| 315 |
|
(a) |
|
6.02 |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
6.02 |
|
|
|
(d) |
|
6.02 |
|
|
|
(e) |
|
5.15 |
| 316 |
|
(a)(last sentence) |
|
1.01 (“Outstanding”) |
|
|
|
(a)(1)(A) |
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
(a)(1)(B) |
|
5.02, 5.13 |
|
|
|
(a)(2) |
|
Not Applicable |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
5.08 |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
1.04(e) |
| 317 |
|
(a)(1) |
|
5.03 |
|
|
|
(a)(2) |
|
5.04 |
| (i) |
| TIA Section |
|
Indenture Section | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
(b) |
|
10.03 |
| 318 |
|
(a) |
|
1.16 |
Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Indenture.
| (ii) |
INDENTURE, dated as of ____________, between VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of Canada (herein called the “Company”), having its
principal office at 4700-80th Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N3, Canada, and ____________, a ____________, organized under the laws of ____________, as U.S. trustee (herein called the “U.S. Trustee”), and ____________, a
____________, organized under the laws of ____________, as Canadian trustee (the “Canadian Trustee” and, together with the U.S. Trustee, the “Trustees”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any person (including the Company), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.
This Indenture is subject to the provisions of Trust Indenture Legislation (as defined below) that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined below) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
Article One
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.01. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transaction” and “self-liquidating paper”, as used in Section 319 of the Trust Indenture Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;
(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States at the date of such computation; provided, however, that if the Company commences reporting in accordance with accounting principles other than United States generally accepted accounting principles, references to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall mean such other accounting principles as of the first financial period in which the Company reports its financial statements under such accounting principles, unless otherwise provided in accordance with the terms of a series of Securities hereunder;
(4) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(5) “or” is not exclusive;
(6) words implying any gender shall apply to all genders;
(7) the words Subsection, Section and Article refer to the Subsections, Sections and Articles, respectively, of this Indenture unless otherwise noted; and
(8) “include”, “includes” or “including” means include, includes or including, in each case, without limitation.
Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, are defined in that Article.
“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.
“Additional Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(24).
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company and, if such Person is not a Trustee, by either or both Trustees pursuant to Section 6.12 to act on behalf of such Trustee to authenticate Securities; provided that if no Person has been so authorized to act at Authenticating Agent hereunder, one or both of the Trustees shall act as Authenticating Agent.
“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Where successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.
| - 2 - |
“Bearer Security” means any Security except a Registered Security.
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustees.
“Branch Register” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Branch Security Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banking institutions in that Place of Payment or other location are permitted or required by any applicable law, regulation or executive order to close.
“calculation period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10.
“Canadian Securities Authorities” means the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada.
“Canadian Trustee” means the Person named as the “Canadian Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Canadian Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Canadian Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Canadian Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Canadian Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Canadian Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“Capital Stock” in any Person means any and all shares, interests, partnership interests, participations or other equivalents however designated in the equity interest in such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire any equity interest in such Person.
“CBCA” means the Canada Business Corporations Act, as amended.
“Central Register” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Central Security Registrar” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
| - 3 - |
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by (1) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or the Chief Executive Officer, or if two or more persons share such office, any one of such persons, and (2) by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, or if two or more persons share such office, any one of such persons, and delivered to the Trustees.
“Component Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(h).
“Conversion Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(d).
“Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such Currency and by a central bank or other public institution of or within the international banking community for the settlement of transactions.
“Corporate Trust Office” means a corporate trust office of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee, as applicable, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business may be administered, such an office on the date of execution of this Indenture of the U.S. Trustee is located at ____________, Attention: ____________, and of the Canadian Trustee is located at ____________, Attention: ____________, except that with respect to presentation of Securities for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, such term shall mean the office or agency of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee, as applicable, designated in writing to the Company at which, at any particular time, its corporate agency business shall be conducted.
“corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.
“coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.
“covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.03.
“Currency” means any currency or currencies, composite currency or currency unit or currency units issued by the government of one or more countries or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.
“Debt” means notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
| - 4 - |
“defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.02.
“Depositary “ means with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to Section 3.05 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Securities of that series.
“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(g).
“Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(f).
“Election Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(h).
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.04.
“Exchange Rate Agent” means, with respect to Securities of or within any series, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, a New York clearing house bank, designated pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.12.
“Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate” means a facsimile or e-mail or a certificate setting forth (i) the applicable Market Exchange Rate and (ii) the Dollar or Foreign Currency amounts of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (on an aggregate basis and on the basis of a Security having the lowest denomination principal amount determined in accordance with Section 3.02 in the relevant Currency), payable with respect to a Security of any series on the basis of such Market Exchange Rate, sent (in the case of a facsimile or e-mail) or signed (in the case of a certificate) by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
“Exchanges” means the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, the New York Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange and any other securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Securities are or become listed or quoted.
“First Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.15.
“Foreign Currency” means any Currency other than Currency of the United States.
| - 5 - |
“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.01; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 3.01, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.
“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.
“interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity at the rate prescribed in such Original Issue Discount Security.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.
| - 6 - |
“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.
“Market Exchange Rate” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, the exchange rate between the relevant currency unit and Dollars or such Foreign Currency calculated by the method specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of the relevant series.
“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means indebtedness to finance the creation, development, construction or acquisition of assets and any increases in or extensions, renewals or refinancings of such indebtedness, provided that the recourse of the lender thereof (including any agent, trustee, receiver or other Person acting on behalf of such entity) in respect of such indebtedness is limited in all circumstances to the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired in respect of which such indebtedness has been incurred and to the receivables, inventory, equipment, chattels payable, contracts, intangibles and other assets, rights or collateral connected with the assets created, developed, constructed or acquired and to which such lender has recourse.
“Notice of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate, which shall comply with this Indenture, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, or if two or more persons share such office any one of such persons, and delivered to the Trustees.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company, including an employee of the Company.
“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.01.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02.
“Other Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.15.
| - 7 - |
(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by a Trustee or delivered to a Trustee for cancellation;
(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with a Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustees has been made;
(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 13.02 and 13.03, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Thirteen; and
(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.06 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustees proof satisfactory to them that such Securities are held by a “protected purchaser” (within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC) in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company as set forth in an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustees, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 3.01, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the
| - 8 - |
Trustees shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustees know to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustees the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.
“Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. Such Person, at the responsibility of the Company, must be able to make payment in the currency of the issued
Security.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, body corporate, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, each place where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable in the United States and Canada as specified as contemplated by Sections 3.01 and 10.02.
“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.06 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, as the case may be.
“rate(s) of exchange” has the meaning specified in Section 1.14.
“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption Price”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.
“Registered Security” means any Security registered in the Security Register.
“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.01.
“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to this Indenture.
| - 9 - |
“Responsible Officer”, when used with respect to a Trustee, means any vice president, secretary, any assistant secretary, treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any senior trust officer, any trust officer, the controller within the corporate trust administration division of a Trustee or any other officer of a Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.05.
“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.07.
“Specified Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(h).
“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” means, any corporation of which at the time of determination the Company, directly and/or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the shares of Voting Stock or partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, company or business trust interests.
“Transfer Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.05.
| - 10 - |
“Trustee” or “Trustees” means the U.S. Trustee and the Canadian Trustee. If a Canadian Trustee is not appointed under this Indenture, or resigns or is removed and, pursuant to Section 6.09, the Company is not required to appoint a successor Trustee to the Canadian Trustee, “Trustee”, “Trustees” and any reference to “either Trustee”, “both of the Trustees” or such similar references shall mean the Person named as the U.S. Trustee or any successor thereto appointed pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture. Except to the extent otherwise indicated, “Trustees” shall refer to the Canadian Trustee (if appointed and still serving) and the U.S. Trustee, both jointly and individually.
“UCC” means the New York uniform commercial code in effect from time to time.
“U.S. Trustee” means the Person named as the “U.S. Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor U.S. Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “U.S. Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a U.S. Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “U.S. Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the U.S. Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
“United States person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership (including any entity treated as a corporation or partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if (A) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
“Valuation Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(c).
“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Trustees, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.
| - 11 - |
“Writing” has the meaning specified in Section 6.13.
“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.
Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustees to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 10.04) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustees.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons may certify or give an opinion as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
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Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which such certificate or opinion may be based are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustees shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.04. Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fourteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustees and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustees and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 14.06.
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(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustees deem sufficient.
(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
(d) The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depositary, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depositary, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustees to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depositary, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustees to be satisfactory. The Trustees and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustees by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The principal amount and serial numbers of Bearer Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustees deem sufficient.
(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding Trust Indenture Legislation, such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.
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(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustees or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.
Section 1.05. Notices, etc. to Trustees and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other documents provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the U.S. Trustee, by the Canadian Trustee, any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the U.S. Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: _______________, or
(2) the Canadian Trustee, by the U.S. Trustee, any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Canadian Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: _______________, or
(3) the Company by either Trustee or any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if made, given, furnished or filed in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company, to the address of the Company first paragraph of this Indenture, or by facsimile transmission to the Company, to ______________, or by e-mail to the Company, to __________, in each case, to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer, or such other officer of the Company or other address or means of transmission as the Company may designate on written notice to the Trustees.
Section 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustees, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.
In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustees shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.
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In case, by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustees shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustees, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
Section 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.08. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company and the Trustees shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.09. Severability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.10. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
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Section 1.11. Governing Law.
This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby. Each Trustee and the Company agrees to comply with all provisions of Trust Indenture Legislation applicable to or binding upon it in connection with this Indenture and any action to be taken hereunder. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the exercise, performance or discharge by the Canadian Trustee of any of its rights, powers, duties or responsibilities hereunder shall be construed in accordance with applicable Canadian laws.
Section 1.12. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment or other location contemplated hereunder with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 1.13. Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities.
By the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company (i) acknowledges that it has irrevocably designated and appointed ________________, located at _______________, as its authorized agent (the “Agent for Service”) upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Securities or this Indenture that may be instituted in any federal or New York state court located in The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or brought by the Trustees (whether in their individual capacity or in their capacity as Trustees hereunder), (ii) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding, and (iii) agrees that service of process upon the Agent for Service and written notice of said service to the Company (delivered to the Company as specified in Section 1.05 hereof), shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of the Agent for Service in full force and effect so long as this Indenture shall be in full force and effect.
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The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action, suit or proceeding in any such court or any appellate court with respect thereto. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action, suit or proceeding in any such court.
Section 1.14. Conversion of Currency.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that the following provisions shall apply to conversion of currency in the case of the Securities and this Indenture:
(i) If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in, or enforcing the judgment of, any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due or contingently due in any other currency under the Securities of any series and this Indenture (the “Base Currency”), then the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which a final judgment is given or the order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (unless a court shall otherwise determine).
(ii) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment referred to in (i) above is given or an order of enforcement is made, as the case may be (or such other date as a court shall determine), and the date of receipt of the amount due, the Company shall pay such additional (or, as the case may be, such lesser) amount, if any, as may be necessary so that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt will produce the amount in the Base Currency originally due.
(b) In the event of the winding-up of the Company at any time while any amount or damages owing under the Securities and this Indenture, or any judgment or order rendered in respect thereof, shall remain outstanding, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Holders and the Trustees harmless against any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (1) the date as of which the equivalent of the amount in the Base Currency due or contingently due under the Securities and this Indenture (other than under this Subsection (b)) is calculated for the purposes of such winding-up and (2) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in such winding-up. For the purpose of this Subsection (b) the final date for the filing of proofs of claim in the winding-up of the Company shall be the date fixed by the liquidator or otherwise in accordance with the relevant provisions of applicable law as being the latest practicable date as at which liabilities of the Company may be ascertained for such winding-up prior to payment by the liquidator or otherwise in respect thereto.
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(c) The obligations contained in Subsections (a)(ii) and (b) of this Section shall constitute separate and independent obligations of the Company from its other obligations under the Securities and this Indenture, shall give rise to separate and independent causes of action against the Company, shall apply irrespective of any waiver or extension granted by any Holder or the Trustees or either of them from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order or the filing of any proof of claim in the winding up of the Company for a liquidated sum in respect of amounts due hereunder (other than under Subsection (b) above) or under any such judgment or order. Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Holders or the Trustees, as the case may be, and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Company or its liquidator. In the case of Subsection (b) above, the amount of such deficiency shall not be deemed to be increased or reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said final date and the date of any liquidating distribution.
The term “rate(s) of exchange” shall mean the average daily rate of exchange quoted by the Bank of Canada (or another Canadian chartered bank as may be designated in writing by the Company to the Trustees from time to time) on the relevant date for purchases of the Base Currency with the Judgment Currency and includes any premiums and costs of exchange payable. The Trustees shall have no duty or liability with respect to monitoring or enforcing this Section.
Section 1.15. Currency Equivalent.
Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, for purposes of the construction of the terms of this Indenture or of the Securities, in the event that any amount is stated herein in the Currency of one nation (the “First Currency”), as of any date such amount shall also be deemed to represent the amount in the Currency of any other relevant nation (the “Other Currency”) which is required to purchase such amount in the First Currency at the Bank of Canada average daily rate of exchange (or another Canadian chartered bank as may be designated in writing by the Company to the Trustees from time to time) on the date of determination.
Section 1.16. Conflict with Trust Indenture Legislation.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any mandatory requirement of Trust Indenture Legislation, such mandatory requirement shall control. If and to the extent that any provision hereof modifies or excludes any provision of Trust Indenture Legislation that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply hereof as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.17. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company Exempt from Individual Liability.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against
any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any
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Article Two
SECURITIES FORMS
Section 2.01. Forms Generally.
The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities or coupons. If the forms of Securities or coupons of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company (or an officer of the Company performing a similar role) and delivered to the Trustees at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.03 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or coupons. Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.
Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.
Either Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.
The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.
Section 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
Subject to Section 6.12, either Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
(Certificate of Authentication may be executed by either Trustee)
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| Dated: _________________________________ | |||
| _________________, as U.S. Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture. | |||
| ____________________________, as U.S. Trustee | |||
| By: | ________________________ | ||
| Authorized Officer | |||
| Dated: ________________________________________ | |||
| _________________, as Canadian Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture. | |||
| ______________________________, as Canadian Trustee | |||
| By: | ___________________________ | ||
| Authorized Officer | |||
Section 2.03. Securities Issuable in Global Form.
If Securities of or within a series are issuable in global form, as specified and contemplated by Section 3.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 3.01, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustees in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustees pursuant to Section 3.03 or Section 3.04. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.03 and, if applicable, Section 3.04, the Trustees shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a
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The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.03 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustees the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 1.02 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.03.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.07, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.08 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustees and any agent of the Company and the Trustees shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent global Security.
Article Three
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The Securities may be issued in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in Dollars or any Foreign Currency. The aggregate principal amount of any series of Securities may be increased, and the increased amount of any such series may be issued under this Indenture. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 3.03, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which (except for the matters set forth in clause (1) below), if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other series of Securities);
(2) the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 9.06 or 11.07);
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(3)
the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of the Securities of the series will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of other liabilities and obligations of the
Company, and whether the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be guaranteed by any other Person and the nature and priority of any security;
(4) the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which the Securities of the series will be issued;
(5) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the Securities of the series may be issued and the date, or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined or extended, on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;
(6) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest (whether fixed or variable), if any, or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date, or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
(7) the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable, where any Registered Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of the series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable and, if different than the location specified in Section 1.05, the place or places where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the Currency in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option;
(9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the Currency in which, and other terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denomination or denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;
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(11)
if other than the Trustees, the identity of each Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent and/or Paying Agent;
(12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;
(13) if other than Dollars, the Currency in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be payable or in which the Securities of the series shall be denominated and the particular provisions applicable thereto in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.11;
(14) whether the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(15) whether the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which (including the Election Date), and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities are to be so payable, in each case in accordance with, in addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Section 3.11;
(16) the designation of the initial Exchange Rate Agent, if any;
(17) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;
(18) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants (including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Section 10.08) of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;
(19) whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities, whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.05, whether Registered Securities of the series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series, and the circumstances under which and the place or places where any such exchanges may be made and, if Securities of the series are to be issuable in global form, the identity of any initial depository therefor;
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(20)
the date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary global Security representing Outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of
the first Security of the series to be issued;
(21) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 3.04;
(22) if Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
(23) if the Securities of the series are to be issued upon the exercise of warrants or other securities, the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;
(24) whether, under what circumstances and the Currency in which the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series to any Holder in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge (“Additional Amounts”) and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);
(25) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable;
(26) provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any rights or terms attaching to the Securities; and
(27) any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) relating to the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of Trust Indenture Legislation).
All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 3.03) and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Not all Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such series.
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Section 3.02. Denominations.
The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions, the Registered Securities of such series, other than Registered Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any one of the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Business Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, or if two or more persons share such office any one of such persons. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities or coupons may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.
Securities or coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the applicable Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the applicable Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 3.04, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent global Security. Except as permitted by Section 3.06, the Trustees shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and cancelled. If not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustees for the issuance of such Securities and determining terms of particular Securities of such series such as interest rate, stated maturity, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.
In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustees shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Trust Indenture Legislation) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:
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(a) that the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) that the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
(c) that such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustees for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustees, or either of them, in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equitable principles;
(d) that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities, any coupons and of the supplemental indentures, if any, have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of such Securities and any coupons and the execution and delivery of the supplemental indentures, if any, by the Trustees will not violate the terms of the Indenture;
(e) that the Company has the corporate power to issue such Securities and any coupons, and has duly taken all necessary corporate action with respect to such issuance; and
(f) that the issuance of such Securities and any coupons will not contravene the articles of incorporation or continuance, or such other constating documents then in effect, if any, or by-laws, in each case, of the Company, or result in any violation of any of the terms or provisions of any applicable law or regulation in the United States or Canada or of any indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such Counsel by which the Company is bound.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.01 and of the preceding two paragraphs, if not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.01 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs prior to or at the time of issuance of each Security, but such documents shall be delivered prior to or at the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.
The Trustees shall not be required to authenticate and deliver any such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustees’ own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustees.
Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 3.01.
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Section 3.04. Temporary Securities.
Pending the
preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustees, or either of them, shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or
otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global
form.
Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form (which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any unmatured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and either Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 3.03. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.
Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustees definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary global Security, executed by the Company.
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Section 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
So long as required by Trust Indenture Legislation, the Company shall cause to be kept a securities register (the “Central Register”) of Holders of each series of Securities maintained in compliance with the Trust Indenture Legislation. The Company will cause the particulars of each such issue, exchange or transfer of Securities to be recorded in the Central Register. The Company initially appoints _____________ as the central security registrar (the “Central Security Registrar”) for the purpose of maintaining the Central Register at its Corporate Trust Office.
The Company may, subject to the consent of the Trustees, also cause to be maintained a branch register (a “Branch Register”) or Branch Registers of Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 10.02 in the same manner and containing the same information with respect to each entry contained therein as contained in the Central Register. A copy of every entry in a Branch Register shall, promptly after the entry is made, be transmitted to the Central Security Registrar. If there is a conflict between the information contained in the Central Register and the information contained in the Branch Register, the information contained in the Central Register shall prevail. The Central Register together with each Branch Register are collectively referred to herein as the “Security Register”. At all reasonable times, the Security Register shall be open to inspection by the Trustees. ______________ is hereby initially appointed as branch security registrar (the “Branch Security Registrar”) for the purpose of maintaining a Branch Register at its Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, the Company may appoint from time to time one or more successor or additional Branch Security Registrars and may from time to time rescind any such appointment. The Central Security Registrar together with each Branch Security Registrar are referred to herein as each a “Security Registrar” or collectively, the “Security Registrar”, as the context may require. In addition, ______________ is hereby initially appointed as transfer and exchange agent (the “Transfer Agent”) for the Securities; provided, however, the Company may appoint from time to time one or more successor or additional Transfer Agent(s) and may from time to time rescind any such appointment.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.
At the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.01, Bearer Securities may not be
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If (but only if) expressly permitted in or pursuant to the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 3.03) set forth in the applicable Officer’s Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 3.01, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at the office of the Transfer Agent, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustees if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any permanent global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as contemplated by Section 3.01 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent global Security shall have been given to the Company, the Trustees and the Depositary, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Transfer
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Transfers of global Securities shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. If at any time the Depositary of a series notifies the Company that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualifies to continue as Depositary of such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor depositary with respect to the Securities for such series. If a successor to the Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.01 shall no longer be effective with respect to the Securities for such series and the Company will execute, and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive, registered form, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such global Security or Securities.
The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more global Securities shall no longer be represented by such
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Interests of a beneficial owner in global Securities may also be transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities if, after the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to such Securities, and while such Event of Default is continuing, such owner notifies the Trustees in writing that it wishes to receive a Security in definitive, registered form and provides to the Trustees evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustees of its ownership interest in such Securities. In such event the Company will execute, and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive, registered form, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the global Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such global Security or Securities.
Upon the exchange of a global Security for Securities in definitive registered form, such global Security shall be cancelled by the U.S. Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a global Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the U.S. Trustee in writing. The U.S. Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar or applicable securities transfer industry practices) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities may be subject to service charges by the Transfer Agent and the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06 or 11.07 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series in definitive form during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of that series under Section 11.03 or 12.03 and ending at the close of business on (A) if Securities of the series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if Securities of the series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the
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Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to either Trustee, the
Company shall execute and either Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding
to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security, or, in case any such mutilated Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons
corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security, pay such Security or coupon. If there shall be delivered to the Company and to either Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft
of any Security or coupon and (ii) such security (or surety in the case of the Canadian Trustee) or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustees that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a protected purchaser (as defined in Article 8 of the UCC), the Company shall execute and upon Company order either Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security for which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and
principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon
appertains.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustees) connected therewith.
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The provisions of this Section as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular securities or
generally are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.
Section 3.07. Payment of Principal; Premium; Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.
(a) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of securities, principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any Registered Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date or other date in which the principal of, and premium, if any, is payable shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such principal, premium or interest, as the case may be, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 10.02; provided, however, that each installment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 3.08, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register.
Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest, if any, may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account located outside the United States maintained by the payee.
Any interest on any Registered Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest on such defaulted interest (to the extent lawful) at the rate specified in the Securities of such series (such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:
(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor
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(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and, upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustees of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustees.
Section 3.08. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustees and any agent of the Company or the Trustees may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.07) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever (other than the payment of Additional Amounts, if any), whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustees or any agent of the Company or the Trustees shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustees and any agent of the Company or the Trustees may treat the bearer of any Bearer Security and the bearer of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupons be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustees or any agent of the Company or the Trustees shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustees, or any agent of the Company or the Trustees, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depositary, as a Holder, with respect to such global Security or impair, as between such depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such global Security.
Section 3.09. Cancellation.
All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any current or future sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than a Trustee, be delivered to a Trustee. All securities and coupons so delivered to either Trustee shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to either Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to either Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to such Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by such Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to a Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by a Trustee shall be disposed of by such Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures and certification of their disposal delivered to the Company unless by Company Order the Company shall direct that cancelled Securities be returned to it.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any Securities, interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. For the purposes of disclosure under the Interest Act (Canada), the yearly rate of interest to which interest calculated under a Security for any period in any calendar year (the “calculation period”) is equivalent, is the rate payable under a Security in respect of the calculation period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the actual number of days in such calendar year and the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the calculation period. If the Canadian Trustee is appointed Paying Agent, it shall be entitled to rely on the calculations to be provided by the Company.
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(a) With respect to Registered Securities of any series not permitting the election provided for in paragraph (b) below or the Holders of which have not made the election provided for in paragraph (b) below, and with respect to Bearer Securities of any series, except as provided in paragraph (d) below, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Registered or Bearer Security of such series will be made in the Currency in which such Registered Security or Bearer Security, as the case may be, is payable. The provisions of this Section may be modified or superseded with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01.
(b) It may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Registered Securities of any series that Holders shall have the option, subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Registered Securities in any of the Currencies which may be designated for such election by delivering to the Trustees a written election with signature guarantees and in the applicable form established pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the applicable payment date. If the Canadian Trustee is appointed Paying Agent, the ability to receive payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any in the Currency designated for election will be subject to the Canadian Trustee’s ability, as Paying Agent, to accommodate payment in the Currency elected. If a Holder so elects to receive such payments in any such Currency, such election will remain in effect for such Holder or any transferee of such Holder until changed by such Holder or such transferee by written notice to the Trustees (but any such change must be made not later than the close of business on the Election Date immediately preceding the next payment date to be effective for the payment to be made on such payment date and no such change of election may be made with respect to payments to be made on any Registered Security of such series with respect to which an Event of Default has occurred or with respect to which the Company has deposited funds pursuant to Article Four or Thirteen or with respect to which a notice of redemption has been given by the Company or a notice of option to elect repayment has been sent by such Holder or such transferee). Any Holder of any such Registered Security who shall not have delivered any such election to the Trustees not later than the close of business on the applicable Election Date will be paid the amount due on the applicable payment date in the relevant Currency as provided in Section 3.11(a). The Trustees shall notify the Exchange Rate Agent as soon as practicable after the Election Date of the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities for which Holders have made such written election.
(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, not later than the fourth Business Day after the Election Date for each payment date for Registered Securities of any series, the Exchange Rate Agent will deliver to the Company a written notice specifying, in the Currency in which Registered Securities of such series are payable, the respective aggregate amounts of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Registered Securities to be paid on such payment date, specifying the amounts in such Currency so payable in respect of the Registered Securities as to which the Holders of Registered Securities of such series shall have elected to be paid in another currency as provided in paragraph (b) above. If the election referred to in paragraph (b) above has been provided for pursuant to Section 3.01 and if at least one Holder has made such election, then, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, on the second Business Day preceding such payment date the Company will deliver to the Trustees for such series of Registered Securities an Exchange Rate Officer’s Certificate in respect of the Dollar or Foreign Currency payments to be made on such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar or Foreign Currency amount receivable by Holders of Registered Securities who have elected payment in a Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above shall be determined by the Company on the basis of the applicable Market Exchange Rate in effect on the third Business Day (the “Valuation Date”) immediately preceding each payment date, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
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(d) If a Conversion Event occurs with respect to a Foreign Currency in which any of the Securities are denominated or payable other than pursuant to an election provided for pursuant to paragraph (b) above, then, with respect to each date for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the applicable Securities denominated or payable in such Foreign Currency occurring after the last date on which such Foreign Currency was used (the “Conversion Date”), the Dollar shall be the Currency of payment for use on each such payment date. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, the Dollar amount to be paid by the Company to the Trustees and by the Trustees or any Paying Agent to the Holders of such Securities with respect to such payment date shall be, in the case of a Foreign Currency other than a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency or, in the case of a currency unit, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, in each case as determined by the Exchange Rate Agent in the manner provided in paragraph (f) or (g) below.
(e) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if the Holder of a Registered Security denominated in any Currency shall have elected to be paid in another Currency as provided in paragraph (b) above, and a Conversion Event occurs with respect to such elected Currency, such Holder shall receive payment in the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election; and if a Conversion Event occurs with respect to the Currency in which payment would have been made in the absence of such election, such Holder shall receive payment in Dollars as provided in paragraph (d) above.
(f) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and shall be obtained for each subsequent payment date by converting the specified Foreign Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate on the Conversion Date.
(g) The “Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit” shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent and subject to the provisions of paragraph (h) below shall be the sum of each amount obtained by converting the Specified Amount of each Component Currency into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate for such Component Currency on the Valuation Date with respect to each payment.
(h) For purposes of this Section the following terms shall have the following meanings:
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A “Specified Amount” of a Component Currency shall mean the number of units of such Component Currency or fractions thereof which were represented in the relevant currency unit on the Conversion Date. If after the Conversion Date the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If after the Conversion Date two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the respective Specified Amounts of such Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single Currency equal to the sum of the respective Specified Amounts of such consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single Currency, and such amount shall thereafter be a Specified Amount and such single Currency shall thereafter be a Component Currency. If after the Conversion Date any Component Currency shall be divided into two or more currencies, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall be replaced by amounts of such two or more currencies, having an aggregate Dollar Equivalent value at the Market Exchange Rate on the date of such replacement equal to the Dollar Equivalent value of the Specified Amount of such former Component Currency at the Market Exchange Rate immediately before such division and such amounts shall thereafter be Specified Amounts and such currencies shall thereafter be Component Currencies. If, after the Conversion Date of the relevant currency unit, a Conversion Event (other than any event referred to above in this definition of “Specified Amount”) occurs with respect to any Component Currency of such currency unit and is continuing on the applicable Valuation Date, the Specified Amount of such Component Currency shall, for purposes of calculating the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, be converted into Dollars at the Market Exchange Rate in effect on the Conversion Date of such Component Currency.
“Election Date” shall mean the date for any series of Registered Securities as specified pursuant to clause (15) of Section 3.01 by which the written election referred to in paragraph (b) above may be made.
All decisions and determinations of the Exchange Rate Agent regarding the Dollar Equivalent of the Foreign Currency, the Dollar Equivalent of the Currency Unit, the Market Exchange Rate and changes in the Specified Amounts as specified above shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company, the Trustees and all Holders of such Securities denominated or payable in the relevant Currency. The Exchange Rate Agent shall promptly give written notice to the Company and the Trustees of any such decision or determination.
In the event that the Company determines in good faith that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to a Foreign Currency, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and the Trustees will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 1.06 to the affected Holders) specifying the Conversion Date. In the event the Company so determines that a Conversion Event has occurred with respect to any currency unit in which Securities are denominated or payable, the Company will immediately give written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Exchange Rate Agent (and the Trustees will promptly thereafter give notice in the manner provided for in Section 1.06 to
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The Trustees shall be fully justified and protected in relying and acting upon information received by it from the Company and the Exchange Rate Agent and shall not otherwise have any duty or obligation to determine the accuracy or validity of such information independent of the Company or the Exchange Rate Agent.
Section 3.12. Appointment and Resignation of Successor Exchange Rate Agent.
(a) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of this Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent. The Company will cause the Exchange Rate Agent to make the necessary foreign exchange determinations at the time and in the manner specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the purpose of determining the applicable rate of exchange and, if applicable, for the purpose of converting the issued Currency into the applicable payment Currency for the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, pursuant to Section 3.11.
(b) No resignation of the Exchange Rate Agent and no appointment of a successor Exchange Rate Agent pursuant to this Section shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Exchange Rate Agent as evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Company and the Trustees.
(c) If the Exchange Rate Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Exchange Rate Agent for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Exchange Rate Agent or Exchange Rate Agents with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Exchange Rate Agent may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, at any time there shall only be one Exchange Rate Agent with respect to the Securities of any particular series that are originally issued by the Company on the same date and that are initially denominated and/or payable in the same Currency).
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Article Four
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and any right to receive Additional Amounts, if any) and the Trustees, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when (1) either (a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 3.05, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.06, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 11.06, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with either Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to either Trustee for cancellation; or
(a) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to either Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable, or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustees for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustees in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with either Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to such Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any), interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
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(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustees under Section 6.07, the obligations of the Trustees to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.12 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustees pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustees under Section 4.02 and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive.
Section 4.02. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money deposited with the Trustees pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustees may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustees; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Article Five
REMEDIES
Section 5.01. Events of Default.
“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), unless such event is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to a supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate establishing the terms of such series pursuant to Section 3.01 of this indenture:
(1) default in the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts, if any) due on any Security of that series, or any related coupon, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
(2) default in the payment of the principal (or premium, if any), or any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund or analogous payment when due by the terms of any Security of that series and Article Twelve; or
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any of the covenants contained in Article Eight of this Indenture and the continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days; or
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(5)
default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture which affects or is applicable to the Securities of that series (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or
whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustees or to the Company and
the Trustees by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of
Default” hereunder; or
(6) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under or subject to applicable U.S. and/or Canadian federal, provincial, territorial, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, or the issuance of a sequestration order or the (appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or in receipt of any substantial part of the property of the Company, and any such decree, order or appointment continues unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or
(7) the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under or subject to applicable U.S. and/or Canadian federal, provincial, territorial, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or the taking by it of corporate action in furtherance of any of the aforesaid purposes; or
(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.
Section 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, either Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities of that series and all interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustees if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified portion thereof) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7) occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustees or any Holder.
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(1) the Company has paid or deposited with either Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.11(b), 3.11(d) and 3.11(e)),
(a) all overdue interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) and any related coupons,
(b) all unpaid principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest on such unpaid principal (and premium, if any) at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
(c) to the extent that payment of such interest is legally enforceable, interest on overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and
(d) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustees hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustees, their agents and counsel; and
(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), other than the non-payment of amounts of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.03. Collection of Debt and Suits for Enforcement by Trustees.
The Company covenants that if
(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security and any related coupon when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
then the Company will, upon demand of either Trustee, pay to the U.S. Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such
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If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, each of the Trustees, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series (or of all series, as the case may be) occurs and is continuing, either Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series (or of all series, as the case may be) by such appropriate judicial proceedings as such Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.04. Trustees May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, each Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether either Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any), or such portion of the principal amount of any series of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities as may be specified in the terms of such series, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of such Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to such Trustee and, in the event that such Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly
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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustees to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustees to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 5.05. Trustees May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustees without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by a Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.06. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by a Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustees and, in case of the distribution of such money on account or principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
First: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustees under Section 6.07;
Second: to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities and coupons in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and
Third: the balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.
Section 5.07. Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupons shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustees of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
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(2)
the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series in the case of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), or, in the case of any
Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.01, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities, shall have made written request to the Trustees to institute proceedings in respect of such
Event of Default in their own names as Trustees hereunder;
(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustees reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustees for 60 days after their receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity have failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustees during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority or more in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series in the case of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), or in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.01, by the Holders of a majority or more in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of the same series, in the case of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), or of Holders of all Securities in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.01, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of Securities of the same series, in the case of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), or of Holders of all Securities’ in the case of any Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.01.
Section 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article Thirteen) and in such Security, of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 3.07) interest, if any, on, such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and subject to the limitations on a Holder’s ability to institute suit contained Section 5.07, to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If either Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to such Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case,
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Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 3.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustees or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustees or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustees or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustees or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders.
With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustees, relating to or arising under an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), and, with respect to all Securities, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustees, not relating to or arising under an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)), provided that in each case
(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
(2) the Trustees may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustees which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(3) the Trustees need not take any action which might involve them in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not consenting.
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Subject to Section 5.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities
of such series waive any past default or Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or 5.01(7)) (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 5.01, the Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities may waive any such past default), and its consequences, except a default
(1) in respect of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security or any related coupon, or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustees, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 5.15. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against either Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Legislation; provided, however, that neither this Section nor the provisions of Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act shall apply to any suit instituted by either Trustee or by any Holder or group of Holders holding more than 10% in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities or by any Holder of any Security on any suit for the enforcement of the right to receive the principal of and interest (including any Additional Amounts) on any such Securities.
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Article Six
THE TRUSTEES
Section 6.01. Notice of Defaults.
Each Trustee shall promptly give the other Trustee notice of any Default or Event of Default known to it. Within a reasonable time, but no more than 30 days after either Trustee has knowledge of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, one or both of the Trustees shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Legislation, notice of such Default hereunder known to either Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived (and, in the case where such Default shall have been cured, the Trustees shall notify the Holders in writing of such cure in writing within a reasonable time, but not exceeding 30 days, after the Trustees have become aware that the Default has been cured); provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustees shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of each Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons and so advises the Company in writing; and provided further that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.01(5) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 10 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.02. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees.
(a) The Trustees, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of any series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustees.
(b) In all instances, in the exercise of the powers, rights, duties and obligations prescribed or conferred by the terms of this Indenture, each Trustee shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Holders and exercise that degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent trustee in respect of indentures for the purpose of issuing corporate debt obligations would exercise in comparable circumstances.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve each Trustee from liability for its own actions or failure to act in accordance with Subsection 6.02(b), except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred:
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(A) the duties and obligations of each Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustees shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustees; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of either Trustee, such Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustees and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture and Trust Indenture Legislation; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustees, the Trustees shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, the Canadian Trustee shall not be required to determine whether the certificates or opinions presented to it conform to the TIA and the U.S. Trustee shall not be required to determine whether the certificates or opinions presented to it conform to Canadian Trust Indenture Legislation.
(ii) the Trustees shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of such Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee failed to act in accordance with Subsection 6.02(b) in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustees shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by them in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustees, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustees under this Indenture;
(iv) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require either Trustee to expend or risk their own funds or otherwise incur personal or any financial liability in the performance of any of their duties or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability’ is not reasonably assured to them under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to them; and
(v) whether or not therein expressly so provided, except to the extent expressly provided herein to the contrary, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or effecting the liability or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.02 or any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities, the Trustees will not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any Event of Default or any other fact that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustees, or the taking of any other action by the Trustees, unless and until the Trustees have received written notice thereof from the Company or any Holder.
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Section 6.03. Certain Rights of Trustees.
Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d):
(1) the Trustees may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustees shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, each Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
(4) the Trustees may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by them hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(5) the Trustees shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustees reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by them in compliance with such request or direction;
(6) the Trustees shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustees, in their discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as they may see fit, and, if the Trustees shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, they shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
(7) in an Event of Default, the Trustees’ powers shall not be infringed upon so long as they act in accordance with Subsection 6.02(b);
(8) the Trustees may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustees shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by them hereunder; and
(9) the Trustees shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by them in good faith and believed by them to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon them by this Indenture.
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Section 6.04. Trustees Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except for a Trustee’s certificates of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustees represent that they are duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform their obligations hereunder and that the statements made by the U.S. Trustee in any application to the Commission in respect of eligibility to serve as a trustee under the Trust Indenture Act are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. Nothing herein contained will impose on either Trustee any obligation to see to, or to require evidence of, the registration or filing (or renewal thereof) of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture. The Trustees shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution hereof.
Section 6.05. May Hold Securities.
The Trustees, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or of the Trustees, in their individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company, including, without limitation, as a creditor of the Company, with the same rights they would have if they were not Trustees, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. A Trustee that has resigned or was removed shall remain subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent provided therein.
Section 6.06. Money Held in Trust.
Money held by the Trustees in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustees shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by them hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.
Section 6.07. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(1) to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); any invoices which remain outstanding for 30 days following the date of invoice shall accrue interest at the then current rate of interest charged by the Canadian Trustee to it corporate clients;
(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustees upon their request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of their agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to their negligence or bad faith; and
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(3) to indemnify the Trustees for, and to hold them and their directors, officers, agents, representatives, successors, assigns and employees harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder.
The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate the Trustees, to pay or reimburse the Trustees for expenses, disbursements and advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustees shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. As security for the performance of such obligations of the Company, the Trustees shall have a claim prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustees as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities or any coupons.
When the Trustees incur expenses or render services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(6) or (7), the expenses (including reasonable charges and expense of its counsel) of and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable U.S. or Canadian federal, state, provincial or territorial bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
Section 6.08. Corporate Trustees Required; Eligibility.
(1) There shall be at all times a U.S. Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and, together with its immediate parent, shall have a combined capital and surplus in a sufficient amount as required under the Trust Indenture Act. If U.S. Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of U.S. federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of U.S. Trustee shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the U.S. Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
(2) For so long as required by Trust Indenture Legislation, there shall be a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture. The Canadian Trustee shall at all times be a resident or authorized to do business in the Province of Ontario and any other province or territory in Canada where Holders may be resident from time to time. The Canadian Trustee represents and warrants that no material conflict of interest exists in the Canadian Trustee’s role as a fiduciary hereunder and agrees that in the event of a material conflict of interest arising hereafter it will, within 30 days after ascertaining that it has such material conflict of interest, either eliminate the same or resign its trust hereunder. If any such material conflict of interests exists or hereafter shall exist, the validity and enforceability of this Indenture shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason thereof.
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(3) The Trustees will not be required to give any bond or security in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers set out in this Indenture or otherwise in respect of the premises.
(4) Neither Trustee nor any Affiliate of either Trustee shall be appointed a receiver or receiver and manager or liquidator of all or any part of the assets or undertaking of the Company.
Section 6.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(1) No resignation or removal of either Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.10.
(2) Either Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.10 shall not have been delivered to such Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(3) Either Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to such Trustee and to the Company.
(4) If at any time:
(a) either Trustee shall acquire any conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b) and fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b)(i), or
(b) either Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(c) either Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(d) either Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of such Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of such Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove such Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of such Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
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(5) If either Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series) provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to appoint a successor Trustee to the Canadian Trustee if the Canadian Trustee resigns or is removed and a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture is no longer required under Trust Indenture Legislation. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided for in Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
(7) If a Canadian Trustee under this Indenture is no longer required by Trust Indenture Legislation, then the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Canadian Trustee.
Section 6.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
(1) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
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(2) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Whenever there is a successor Trustee with respect to one or more (but less than all) series of Securities issued pursuant to this Indenture, the terms “Indenture” and “Securities” shall have the meanings specified in the provisos to the respective definitions of those terms in Section 1.01 which contemplate such situation.
(3) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(4) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
Section 6.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which either Trustee or its corporate trust business may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which either Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of either Trustee, shall be the successor of such Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by a Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so
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authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any successor Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee. In all such cases such certificates shall have the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of such Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 6.12. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
At any time when any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Company may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may one or both of the Trustees), with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustees to authenticate Securities of such series and the Trustees shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Authenticating Agent hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustees, and a copy of such instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. In the case of the Canadian Trustee, the instrument appointing an Authenticating Agent shall be signed on behalf of the Trustee by the board of directors or any two of Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Regional Vice Presidents or Vice Presidents, in accordance with their by-laws. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustees or either Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustees by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustees by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustees or the Authenticating Agent.
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An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustees and to the Company. The Trustees may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustees may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
The Trustees agree to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustees shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.07.
If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of either Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
(Certificate of Authentication may be executed by either Trustee)
____________________, as U.S. Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ___________________________________
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_____________________ | |
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As Authenticating Agent | |
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_________________________ | |
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Authorized Officer | |
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_______________________, as Canadian Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
Dated: ___________________________
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| _________________________, as Canadian Trustee | ||
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_________________________ | |
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As Authenticating Agent | |
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_________________________ | |
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Authorized Officer | |
Section 6.13. Joint Trustees.
The rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred and imposed upon the Trustees are conferred and imposed upon and shall be exercised and performed by the U.S. Trustee and the Canadian Trustee individually, except to the extent the Trustees are required under Trust Indenture Legislation to perform such acts jointly, and neither Trustee shall be liable or responsible for the acts or omissions of the other Trustee. If the U.S. Trustee and Canadian Trustee are unable to agree jointly to act or refrain from acting, each of the Trustees shall make the decision in accordance with its applicable legislation. Unless the context implies or requires otherwise, any written notice, request, direction, certificate, instruction, opinion or other document (each such document, a “Writing”) delivered pursuant to any provision of this Indenture to any of the U.S. Trustee or the Canadian Trustee shall be deemed for all purposes of this Indenture as delivery of such Writing to the Trustee. Each such trustee in receipt of such writing shall notify such other trustee of its receipt of such Writing within two Business Days of such receipt provided, however, that any failure of such trustee in receipt of such Writing to so notify such other trustee shall not be deemed as a deficiency in the delivery of such Writing to the Trustee.
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Section 6.14. Other Rights of Trustees.
Each Trustee shall retain the right not to act and shall not be liable for refusing to act if, due to a lack of information or for any other reason whatsoever, either Trustee, in its sole judgment, determines that such act might cause it to be in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline. Further, should either Trustee, in its sole judgment, determine at any time that its acting under this Indenture has resulted in its being in non-compliance with any applicable anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist legislation, regulation or guideline, then it shall have the right to resign on 10 days written notice to all parties provided (i) that such Trustee’s written notice shall describe the circumstances of such non-compliance; and (ii) that if such circumstances are rectified to such Trustee’s satisfaction within such 10 day period, then such resignation shall not be effective.
The parties hereto acknowledge that Canadian legislation addressing the protection of individuals’ personal information (collectively, “Privacy Laws”) applies to obligations and activities under this Indenture. Despite any other provision of this Indenture, neither party shall take or direct any action that would contravene, or cause the other to contravene, applicable Privacy Laws. The Company, prior to transferring, or causing to be transferred, personal information to the Canadian Trustee, shall obtain and retain required consents of the relevant individuals to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, or shall have determined that such consents either have been previously given and can be relied on or are not required under Privacy Laws. The Canadian Trustee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that its services hereunder comply with Privacy Laws. Specifically, the Trustee agrees to (i) have designated a chief privacy officer; (ii) maintain policies and procedures to protect personal information and to receive and respond to any privacy complaint or inquiry; (iii) use personal information solely for the purposes of providing its services under or ancillary to this Indenture and not to use it for any other purpose except with the consent and direction of the Company; (iv) not sell or otherwise improperly disclose personal information to any third party; and (v) use employee administrative, physical and technological safeguards to reasonably secure and protect personal information against loss, theft or unauthorized access, use or modification.
It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the Canadian Trustee may, in the course of providing services hereunder, collect or receive, use and disclose financial and other personal information about such parties and/or their representatives, as individuals, or about other individuals related to the subject matter hereof, and use such information for the following purposes:
(i) to provide the services required under this Indenture and other services that may be requested from time to time;
(ii) to help the Canadian Trustee manage its servicing relationships with such individuals;
(iii) to meet the Canadian Trustee’s legal and regulatory requirements; and
(iv) if social insurance numbers are collected by the Canadian Trustee, to perform tax reporting and to assist in verification of an individual’s identity for security purposes.
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Further, each party agrees that it shall not provide or cause to be provided to the Canadian Trustee any personal information relating to an individual who is not a party to this Indenture unless that party has assured itself that such individual understands and has consented to the aforementioned uses and disclosures. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company and the Trustees may, without liability, disclose information about the Holders and Beneficial Owners or Potential Holders or Beneficial Owners of the Securities pursuant to subpoena or other order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or when otherwise required by applicable law.
Unless otherwise notified, the Trustees shall be entitled to assume that all payments have been made by the Company as required under this Indenture.
The Trustees may assume for the purposes of this Indenture that any address on the register of the Holders of the Securities is the holder’s actual address and is also determinative as to residency.
The Trustees shall have no obligation to ensure or verify compliance with any applicable laws or regulatory requirements on the issue, exercise or transfer of any Securities provided such issue, exercise or transfer, as the case may be, is effected in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. The Trustees shall be entitled to process all transfers of Securities upon the presumption that such transfers are permissible pursuant to all applicable laws and regulatory requirements. The Trustees shall have no obligation to ensure that legends appearing on the Securities certificates comply with regulatory requirements or securities laws of any applicable jurisdiction.
Except as provided in this Indenture, the Trustees shall retain the right not to act and shall not be held liable for refusing to act unless it has received clear and reasonable documentation which complies with the terms of this Indenture; such document must not require the exercise of any discretion or independent judgment.
Each Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture declared and provided for and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights, privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in trust for the various persons who shall from time to time be holders, subject to all the terms and conditions herein set forth.
Article Seven
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (1) not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of such Regular Record Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to be furnished such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and at such times as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar for the applicable series of Securities and (2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished.
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Section 7.02. Preservation of List of Names and Addresses of Holders.
The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 and as to the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee(s) in its or their capacity as Security Registrar for the applicable series of Securities (if acting in such capacity).
The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
Holders may communicate as provided in TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities.
Section 7.03. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.
Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustees that none of the Company or the Trustees or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with applicable Trust Indenture Legislation, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustees shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).
Section 7.04. Reports by Trustees.
(1) Commencing with the first year after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the U.S. Trustee shall transmit to the Holders of Securities, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such reporting date, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(2) The Trustees shall comply with Sections 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(3) A copy of such report shall, at the time of such transmission to the Holders, be filed by the U.S. Trustee with the Company (Attention: Chief Financial Officer), with each securities exchange upon which any of the Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustees when the Securities become listed on any securities exchange.
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Section 7.05. Reports by Issuer.
The Issuer shall file with the Trustees and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Legislation at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission shall be filed with the Trustees within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
Article Eight
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
Section 8.01. Company May Consolidate, etc., only on Certain Terms.
The Company shall not amalgamate or consolidate with or merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other Person, or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:
(1) the Person formed by or continuing from such amalgamation or consolidation or into which the Company is merged or with which it enters into such statutory arrangement or the Person which acquires by operation of law or by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a corporation, partnership or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or, if such amalgamation, merger, consolidation, statutory arrangement or other transaction would not impair the rights of Holders, any other jurisdiction, and, unless the Company is the continuing corporation, shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustees, in form satisfactory to the Trustees, the Company’s obligation for the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance and observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing; and
(3) the Company or such Person shall have delivered to the Trustees an officers’ Certificate and an opinion of Counsel, each stating that such amalgamation, statutory arrangement, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.02. Successor Person Substituted.
Upon any amalgamation or consolidation by the Company with or merger by the Company into any other corporation or any conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company to any Person in accordance with Section 8.01, the successor Person
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formed by such amalgamation or consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and in the event of any such conveyance or transfer, the Company (which term shall for this purpose mean the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor Person which shall theretofore become such in the manner described in Section 8.01), except in the case of a lease, shall be discharged of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and the coupons and may be dissolved and liquidated.
Article Nine
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustees, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustees, for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or
(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities and any related coupons (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or
(3) to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are being included solely for the benefit of such series); or
(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or
(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security which is Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
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(6) to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01; or
(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.10; or
(8) to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities, to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series and any related coupons in any material respect; or
(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 4.01, 13.02 and 13.03; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of securities in any material respect; or
(10) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualifications of this Indenture under any applicable law of the United States and Canada or of any province or territory thereof to the extent they do not conflict with the applicable law of the United States heretofore or hereafter enacted; or
(11) to change or eliminate any provisions where such change takes effect when there are no Securities of any series outstanding under this Indenture.
Section 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustees, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustees may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture which affect such series of Securities or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series,
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of interest on any Security of such series, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest, if any, thereon, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts, if any (except as contemplated by Section 8.01(1) and permitted by Section 9.01(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security of such series that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity
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thereof pursuant to Section 5.02 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.04, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of any Holder of any Security of such series, or change any Place of Payment where, or the Currency in which, any Security of such series or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01 herein, or
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture which affect such series or certain defaults applicable to such series hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 14.04 for quorum or voting with respect to Securities of such series, or
(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 5.13 or Section 10.08, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture which affect such series cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series.
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. Any such supplemental indenture adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series, shall not affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustees shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 1.02, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. Each Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects such Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.04. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
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Section 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Legislation.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of Trust Indenture Legislation as then in effect.
Section 9.06. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustees, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustees as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustees and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustees in exchange for outstanding Securities of such series.
Section 9.07. Notice of Supplemental Indentures.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustees of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.
Article Ten
COVENANTS
Section 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities and any related coupons that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest installments due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.
Section 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
(1) If the Securities of a series are issuable as Registered Securities, the Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and, if the Securities of a series are also issuable as Bearer Securities, where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in Subsection 10.02(3).
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(2) If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain (A) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that, if the Securities of that series are listed on any securities exchange located outside the United States and such securities exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in any required city located outside the United States so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange and (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where Securities of that series that are convertible and exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange, as applicable, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.
(3) The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustees of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustees with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the U.S. Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of any series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment at the offices specified in the Security, in London, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agents to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(4) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, no payment of principal, premium or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a back located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principals, premium or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained of such purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.
(5) The Company may also from
time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for securities of any
series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustees of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any
Securities as contemplated by Section
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3.01 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby initially appoints the U.S. Trustee at its Corporate Trust office as Paying Agent in such city and as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
(6) Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 3.01, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Currency other than Dollars or (ii) may be payable in a Currency other than Dollars, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one Exchange Rate Agent.
Section 10.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.11(b), 3.11(d) and 3.11(e)) sufficient to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of such series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustees of its action or failure so to act.
Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, prior to or on each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the Currency described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is such Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustees of its action or failure so to act.
The Company will cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustees) for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustees an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustees, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(2) give the Trustees notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series; and
(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustees, forthwith pay to the Trustees all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to
the Trustees all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held
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by the Trustees upon the same trusts as those upon which sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustees, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
Except as provided in the Securities of any series, any money deposited with the Trustees or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series, or any coupon appertaining thereto, and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security or coupon shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustees or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustees or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.04. Statement as to Compliance.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustees, on or before 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year and at any other reasonable time at the request of a Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such officer signing such certificate, that the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or propose to take with respect thereto). The Company shall deliver to the Trustees upon demand evidence in such form as the Trustees may require as to compliance by the Company with any condition or covenant of the Company set out herein relating to any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company under this Indenture or as a result of any obligation imposed by this Indenture. For purposes of this Section, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.
Section 10.05. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon any property or assets of the Company
or any Subsidiary; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
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Section 10.06. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 10.07. SEC Reporting Obligations.
The Company confirms that it has either (i) a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (ii) a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and has provided the Trustees with an Officer’s Certificate (in a form provided by the Trustees) certifying such reporting obligation and other information as requested by the Trustees. The Company covenants that in the event that any such registration or reporting obligation shall be terminated by the Company in accordance with the Exchange Act, the Company shall promptly notify the Trustees of such termination and such other information as the Trustees may require at the time. The Company acknowledges that the Canadian Trustee is relying upon the foregoing representation and covenants in order to meet certain obligations with respect to those clients who are filing with the Commission.
Section 10.08. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may, with respect to any series of Securities, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition which affects such series set forth in Sections 10.05 and 10.06, or, in any covenants of the Company added to this Article pursuant to Section 3.01(16) in connection with Securities of such series, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of any series, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustees to Holders of Securities of such series in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
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Article Eleven
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.01. Applicability of Article.
Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
Section 11.02. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustees.
The election of the Company to redeem any securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustees), notify the Trustees of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and shall deliver to the Trustees such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustees to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 11.03. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 11.03. Selection by Trustees of Securities to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustees, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustees shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 3.01.
The Trustees shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.04. Notice of Redemption.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, notice of redemption shall be given in
the manner provided for in Section 1.06 not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to
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the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner provided in Section 1.06 to the Holder of any Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portion thereof.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date,
(2) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06, if any,
(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,
(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(5) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.06 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,
(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,
(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,
(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the Redemption Date or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustees and any Paying Agent is furnished, and
(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on such Redemption Date pursuant to Section 3.05 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustees in the name and at the expense of the Company.
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Section 11.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with a Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.11(b), 3.11(d) and 3.11(e)) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.06. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.11(b), 3.11(d) and 3.11(e)) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.
If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustees if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustees or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 10.02) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.
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If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.
Section 11.07. Securities Redeemed in Part.
Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustees so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustees duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and either Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
Article Twelve
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.01. Applicability of Article.
Retirements of Securities of any series pursuant to any sinking fund shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.02. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.02. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
Subject to Section 12.03, in lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (1) deliver to the Trustees Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all un-matured coupons appertaining thereto, and/or (2) receive credit for the principal amount of Securities of such series which have been previously delivered to the Trustees by the Company or for Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund
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payment with respect to the Securities of the same series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided, however, that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustees at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.03. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the Currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for the Securities of such series and except, if applicable, as provided in Sections 3.11(b), 3.11(d) and 3.11(e)) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering or crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.02 (which Securities will, if not previously delivered, accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make a permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series.
Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Company shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. In the case of the failure of the Company to deliver such certificate, the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Securities as provided in Section 12.02 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.
Not more than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustees shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 11.06 and 11.07.
Prior to any sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustees or a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 11.03) in cash a sum equal to any interest that will accrue to the date fixed for redemption of Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a sinking fund for any series of Securities, if at any time the amount of cash to be paid into such sinking fund on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date, together with any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payment or payments for such series, does not exceed in the aggregate $100,000, the Trustees, unless requested by the Company, shall not give the next succeeding notice of the redemption of
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Securities of such series through the operation of the sinking fund. Any such unused balance of moneys deposited in such sinking fund shall be added to the sinking fund payment for such series to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date or, at the request of the Company, shall be applied at any time or from time to time to the purchase of Securities of such series, by public or private purchase, in the open market or otherwise, at a purchase price for such Securities (excluding accrued interest and brokerage commissions, for which the Trustees or any Paying Agent will be reimbursed by the Company) not in excess of the principal amount thereof.
Article Thirteen
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 13.01. Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, the provisions of this Article shall apply to each series of Securities, and the Company may, at its option, effect defeasance (as defined below) of the Securities of or within a series under Section 13.02, or covenant defeasance (as defined below) of or within a series under Section 13.03 in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article.
Section 13.02. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons on the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and any related coupons and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any related coupons are concerned (and the Trustees, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.04 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any related coupons when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 10.02 and 10.03 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustees hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.03 with respect to such Securities and any related coupons.
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Section 13.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 10.05 and 10.06, and, if specified pursuant to Section 3.01, its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any related coupons shall thereafter be deemed not to be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such outstanding Securities and any related coupons, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under clauses (4), (5) or (8) of Section 5.01 or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any related coupons shall be unaffected thereby.
Section 13.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 13.02 or Section 13.03 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any related coupons:
(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with either Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.08 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any related coupons, (A) an amount (in such Currency in which such Securities and any related coupons are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity), or (B) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, under such Securities and any related coupons, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustees, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustees (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons on the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable) of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of interest, if any, (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any related coupons, and (iii) all amounts due the Trustees under Section 6.07; provided that the Trustees shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the
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proceeds of such Government Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities and any related coupons. Before such a deposit, the Company may give to the Trustees, in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such Outstanding Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.
(2) No Default or Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any related coupons shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (6) and (7) of Section 5.01 are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
(3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(4) In the case of an election under Section 13.02, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in the United States stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.
(5) In the case of an election under Section 13.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in the United States to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.
(6) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Opinion of Counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax or other tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial or territorial income tax and other tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case had such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, not occurred (and for the purposes of such opinion, such Canadian counsel shall assume that Holders of the Securities include Holders who are not resident in Canada).
(7) The Company is not an
“insolvent person” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) on the date of such deposit or at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this
condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
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(8) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations in connection therewith pursuant to Section 3.01.
(9) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustees an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for, relating to either the defeasance under Section 13.02 or the covenant defeasance under Section 13.03 (as the case may be), have been complied with.
Section 13.05. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 3.01) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with a Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively, for purposes of this Section, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.04 in respect of such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons shall be held in trust and applied by such Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any related coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as such Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any related coupons of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 3.01, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 13.04(1) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 3.11(b) or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 13.04(1) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs as contemplated in Section 3.11(d) or 3.11(e) or by the terms of any Security in respect of which the deposit pursuant to Section 13.04(1) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any related coupons shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security as they become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable Market Exchange Rate for such Currency in effect on the third Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.
The Company shall pay and indemnify such Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any related coupons.
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Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, such Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 13.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to such Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.
Section 13.06. Reinstatement.
If a Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 13.05 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and any related coupons shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 13.02 or 13.03, as the case may be, until such time as such Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 13.05; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security or any related coupon following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities and any related coupons to receive such payment from the money held by such Trustee or Paying Agent.
Article Fourteen
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Section 14.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.
If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.
Section 14.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.
(1) The Trustees may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01, to be held at such time and at such place in The City of New York, in Vancouver, British Columbia, or in such other place as the Company and the Trustees shall determine (the “Meeting Place”). Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, not less than 21 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
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(2) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustees to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 14.01, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustees shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the Meeting Place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
Section 14.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder of Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustees and their counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 14.04. Quorum; Action.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that, if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 14.02, except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall state expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series which shall constitute a quorum.
Subject to the foregoing, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum the Persons entitled to vote 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities at the time shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting.
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Except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series who have casted their votes; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 9.02, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of not less than such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series.
Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:
(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and
(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.
Section 14.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.
(1) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustees may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 and the appointment of any proxyholder shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 1.04 or by having the signature of the person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 1.04 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxyholders, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 1.04 or other proof.
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(2) The Trustees shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 14.02, in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.
(3) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him (determined as specified in the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 1.01); provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or a proxy.
(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 14.02 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting; and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 14.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers, if any, of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 14.02 and, if applicable, Section 14.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company, and another to the Trustees to be preserved by the Trustees, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 14.07. Waiver of Jury Trial.
Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby.
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Section 14.08. Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts (either by facsimile or by original manual signature), each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.
Section 14.09. Force Majeure.
Except for the payment obligations of the Company contained herein, neither the Company nor the Trustees shall be liable to each other, or held in breach of this Indenture, if prevented, hindered, or delayed in the performance or observance of any provision contained herein by reason of act of God, riots, terrorism, acts of war, epidemics, pandemics, governmental action or judicial order, earthquakes, or any other similar causes (including, but not limited to, mechanical, electronic or communication interruptions, disruptions or failures). Performance times under this Indenture shall be extended for a period of time equivalent to the time lost because of any delay that is excusable under this Section.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
| VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ||
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| __________________________, as Canadian Trustee | ||
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Exhibit 5.1
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April 22, 2020
Village Farms International, Inc.
4700-80th Street
Delta, British Columbia
Canada, V4K 3N3
RE: Village Farms International, Inc. – Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as U.S. and Canadian counsel for Village Farms International, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Canada (the “Corporation”), in connection with the Corporation’s filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (i) common shares in the capital of the Corporation (the “Common Shares”), (ii) preferred shares in the capital of the Corporation (the “Preferred Shares”), (iii) warrants to purchase Common Shares, Preferred Shares or other securities of the Corporation (“Warrants”), (iv) subscription receipts, each of which, once purchased, will entitle the holder to receive upon satisfaction of certain release conditions, and for no additional consideration, one Common Share and/or other securities of the Corporation (“Subscription Receipts”), (v) debt securities of the Corporation (“Debt Securities”), and (vi) securities comprised of more than one of Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Debt Securities offered together as a unit (“Units” and, collectively with the Common Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, Subscription Receipts and Debt Securities, the “Securities”).
The Registration Statement includes a prospectus (the “Prospectus”), which provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). The Warrants may be issued pursuant to warrant agreements or warrant indentures (each, a “Warrant Indenture”) to be entered into between the Corporation and one or more banks or trust companies acting as warrant agent and the Warrants may be represented by certificates (each, a “Warrant Certificate” and, together with the related Warrant Indenture, the “Governing Warrant Documents”). The Subscription Receipts may be issued pursuant to subscription receipt agreements (each, a “Subscription Receipt Agreement”) to be entered into between the Corporation and one or more escrow agents and the Subscription Receipts may be represented by certificates (each, a “Subscription Receipt Certificate” and, together with the related Subscription Receipt Agreement, the “Governing Subscription Receipt Documents”). The Debt Securities may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into in connection with the issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, and a form of which is being filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Indenture”), among the Corporation, as issuer, and one or more trustees
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(“Trustee”), with the specific terms of each issuance of Debt Securities to be set forth in one or more board resolutions, officer’s certificates and/or supplemental indentures to the Indenture (each, a “Supplemental Indenture”). The Debt Securities may be represented by certificates (each, a “Debt Security Certificate” and together with the Indenture and related Supplemental Indenture, the “Governing Debt Security Documents”). The Units may be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements (each, a “Unit Agreement”) to be entered into between the Corporation and one or more banks or trust companies acting as agent and the Units may be represented by certificates (each, a “Unit Certificate” and together with the related Unit Agreement, the “Governing Unit Documents”, and, together with the Governing Warrant Documents, Governing Subscription Receipt Documents, Governing Debt Security Documents, the “Transaction Documents”).
We are qualified to practice law in the Province of Ontario and the State of New York, and we do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (a) the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein (including in respect of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”)), and (b) the laws of the State of New York, in each case, in force at the date of this opinion letter (the “Applicable Law”). All opinions with respect to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein are given by members of the Law Society of Ontario and all opinions with respect to the laws of the State of New York are given by members of the New York State Bar. Notwithstanding the foregoing and our opinions set forth below, we express no opinion with respect to the compliance or non-compliance with applicable privacy laws in connection with any Transaction Document or the issuance and sale of any Securities.
We, as your counsel, have made such investigations and examined originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, records, certificates of the Corporation, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion including:
| (a) | the Form S-3; |
| (b) | the articles and by-laws of the Corporation, as amended to date; |
| (c) | resolutions of the directors of the Corporation relating to the registration of the Securities and related matters; and |
| (d) | a certificate of an officer of the Corporation dated the date hereof regarding certain factual matters (the “Officer’s Certificate”). |
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have relied exclusively on the Officer’s Certificate with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained therein. We have not performed any independent check or verification of such factual matters. We have also, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been executed will conform to the forms thereof, (iv) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (v) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (vi) all statements in certificates of public officials and directors or managers, as the case may be, and officers of the Corporation that we reviewed were and are accurate, and (vii) all representations made by the Corporation as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate. Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the additional assumptions and qualifications set forth below, we advise you that, in our opinion:
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| 1. | With respect to any Common Shares or Preferred Shares which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Shares”), when |
| a. | the issuance and sale of the Offered Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Corporation’s articles and bylaws (the “Constating Documents”) (as then in effect) and the CBCA (as then in effect), including, with respect to the issuance of any series of Preferred Shares, the filing of the applicable articles of amendment under the CBCA, and do not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; |
| b. | the full consideration for the Offered Shares, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and as provided pursuant to the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Offered Shares are to be issued, in the manner contemplated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, has been received by the Corporation; and |
| c. | if certificated, the certificates representing the Offered Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Corporation to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration therefor as described in 1.b. above, |
the Offered Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
| 2. | With respect to any Warrants which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Warrants”), assuming the applicable Governing Warrant Documents, if any, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable warrant agent, when |
| a. | the terms, issuance, and sale of the Offered Warrants, and the Governing Warrant Documents, if any, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Constating Documents (as then in effect) and the CBCA (as then in effect), and provided the issuance and sale of the Offered Warrants does not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and complies with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; |
| b. | the full consideration for the Offered Warrants, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and as provided pursuant to the applicable agreements, if any, pursuant to which such Offered Warrants are to be issued, in the manner contemplated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, has been received by the Corporation; |
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| c. | if certificated, the Warrant Certificates representing the Offered Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned (if required), issued, and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Indenture, if any, to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration as described in 2.b. above; and |
| d. | the Warrant Indenture, if any, relating to the Offered Warrants has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Corporation, |
the Offered Warrants will be validly issued, and the Offered Warrants, and the Governing Warrant Documents, if any, will be valid and binding obligations of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms.
| 3. | With respect to the Subscription Receipts which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Subscription Receipts”), assuming the applicable Governing Subscription Receipt Documents, if any, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the applicable escrow agent, when |
| a. | the terms, issuance, and sale of the Offered Subscription Receipts and the Governing Subscription Receipt Documents, if any, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Constating Documents (as then in effect) and the CBCA (as then in effect), and provided the issuance and sale of the Offered Subscription Receipts does not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and complies with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; |
| b. | the full consideration for the Offered Subscription Receipts, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and as provided pursuant to the applicable agreements, if any, pursuant to which such Offered Subscription Receipts are to be issued, in the manner contemplated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, has been received by the Corporation; |
| c. | if certificated, the Subscription Receipt Certificates representing the Offered Subscription Receipts have been duly executed, countersigned (if required), issued, and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if any, to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration as described in 3.b. above; and |
| d. | the Subscription Receipt Agreement, if any, relating to the Offered Subscription Receipts has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Corporation, |
the Offered Subscription Receipts will be validly issued, and the Offered Subscription Receipts, and the Governing Subscription Receipt Documents, if any, will be valid and binding obligations of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms.
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| 4. | With respect to the Debt Securities which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Debt Securities”), assuming the Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture(s) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee, and when |
| a. | the terms, issuance and sale of a particular series of Offered Debt Securities and the Governing Debt Security Documents, if any, have been duly authorized, established, executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture(s), if any, and in conformity with the Constating Documents (as then in effect), and provided the issuance and sale does not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and complies with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; |
| b. | the full consideration for the Offered Debt Securities, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, and as provided pursuant to the applicable agreements, if any, pursuant to which such Offered Debt Securities are to be issued, in the manner contemplated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, has been received by the Corporation; |
| c. | if certificated, the Debt Security Certificates representing the Offered Debt Securities have been duly executed, countersigned (if required), issued, and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture(s), if any, to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration as described in 4.b. above; and |
| d. | the Indenture and the relevant Supplemental Indenture(s), if any, have been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Corporation; |
such Offered Debt Securities will be validly issued, and the Offered Debt Securities, and the Governing Debt Security Documents, if any, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms.
| 5. | With respect to any Units which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Offered Units”), when |
| a. | the terms, issuance and sale of the Offered Units and the Governing Unit Documents, if any, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the Constating Documents (as then in effect) and the CBCA (as then in effect), and provided the issuance and sale does not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and complies with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries; |
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| b. | the full consideration for the Offered Units, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, for the Offered Units and as provided pursuant to the applicable agreements, if any, pursuant to which such Offered Units are to be issued, in the manner contemplated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, has been received by the Corporation; and |
| c. | if certificated, the Unit Certificates representing the Offered Units have been duly executed, countersigned (if required), issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Unit Agreement, if any, to the purchasers thereof against payment of the consideration as described in 5.b. above; and |
| d. | the Unit Agreement, if any, relating to the Offered Units, if any, has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Corporation, |
the Offered Units will be validly issued and the Offered Units, and the Governing Unit Documents, if any, will be valid and binding obligations of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms.
The opinions expressed above regarding the enforceability of Securities and the corresponding Transaction Documents are subject to:
| (a) | any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, arrangement, winding-up laws or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally including laws regarding limitations of action; |
| (b) | concepts of reasonableness and general principles of equity, including the principle that the granting of equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunctive relief is within the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; |
| (c) | the powers of a court of competent jurisdiction to grant relief from forfeiture, to stay proceedings before it and to stay execution on judgments; |
| (d) | the qualification that the costs of and incidental to all proceedings authorized to be taken in court are in the discretion of the court and the court has full power to determine by whom and to what extent such costs shall be paid; |
| (e) | the qualification that rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by applicable law; |
| (f) | the qualification that a court may require the discretionary powers expressed to be conferred on any party to such agreement or certificate to be exercised reasonably and in good faith notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary and may decline to accept as conclusive factual or legal determinations described as conclusive therein; |
| (g) | the qualification that any provision in such agreement or certificate which purports to sever from such agreement or certificate, as the case may be, any provision therein which is prohibited or unenforceable under applicable law without affecting the validity of the remainder of the agreement or certificate, as the case may be, would be enforced only to the extent that the court determined that such prohibited or unenforceable provision could be severed without impairing the interpretation and application of the remainder of the agreement or certificate, as the case may be; |
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| (h) | the qualification that any provision in such agreement or certificate which purports to exculpate a party from liability or duty otherwise owed by it to another and certain remedial terms and waivers of equitable defenses provided for in such agreement or certificate are limited by law; and |
| (i) | the qualification as to the enforceability of any provision in such agreement or certificate which purports to contract out of, vary or exclude the provisions of the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario). |
We express no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law or (ii) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above.
In connection with the opinions expressed above, we have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any Securities: (i) the Board of Directors of the Corporation, as applicable, together with any designated committee therefor, shall have duly established the terms of such Securities and the applicable Transaction Documents, if any, and shall have duly authorized the issuance and sale of such Securities, and such authorizations shall not have been modified or rescinded; (ii) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), shall have become effective and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded; (iii) a Prospectus Supplement with respect to the applicable Securities has been delivered and filed in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (iv) each Transaction Document, if any, and the Securities will each be valid, binding and enforceable agreements of each party thereto (other than the Corporation); and (v) there shall not have occurred any change in the Constating Documents or Applicable Law affecting the validity of such issuance or the validity or enforceability of such Transaction Documents, if any, or Securities. We have also assumed that the execution, delivery and performance by the Corporation of any Transaction Documents, if any, or Securities whose terms are established subsequent to the date hereof (a) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and (b) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law or regulation or any judgment, injunction, order or decree or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Corporation.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement referred to above and further consent to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus, which is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Torys LLP
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Village Farms International, Inc. of our reports dated April 1, 2020 relating to the financial statements of Village Farms International, Inc. and March 31, 2020 relating to the financial statements of Pure Sunfarms Corp., which appear in Village Farms International, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada
April 22, 2020