Verano Holdings Corp S-3, filed Jul 7, 2023
Verano Holdings Corp. (VRNO)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2023
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Verano Holdings Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| British Columbia | 98-1583243 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(312) 265-0730
(Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Darren
Weiss
President
415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(312) 265-0730
(Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time on or after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, 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. ☒
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 which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 7, 2023
PROSPECTUS
$1,000,000,000
Verano Holdings Corp.
Class
A Subordinate Voting Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
From time to time, we may offer up to an aggregate of $1,000,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. We may also offer securities as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including any applicable antidilution provisions.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about that offering, as well the amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered.
We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, before you invest in any of the securities being offered.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
This prospectus may not be used to offer or consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our Class A subordinate voting shares, no par value (“Subordinate Voting Shares”) are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) under the symbol “VRNO”. On July 5, 2023, the last reported sale price of our Subordinate Voting Shares on the CSE was CAD$4.09 per share. The Subordinate Voting Shares are also quoted for trading in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol “VRNOF”. On July 6, 2023, the last reported sale price of our Subordinate Voting Shares on the OTCQX was $3.12 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on the CSE, OTCQX or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 9 of this prospectus as well as those contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is , 2023.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell up to an aggregate of $1,000,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.
Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before investing in any of the securities offered.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
Neither we nor any agent, underwriter or dealer, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document, or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, 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 herein 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 the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “Verano,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Verano Holdings Corp.
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This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Company Overview
Verano is a leading vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator as one of the largest publicly traded multi-state operators in the U.S. by reported annual revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. As an operator of licensed cannabis cultivation, processing, wholesale distribution and retail facilities, our goal is to support the ongoing development of communal wellness by providing responsible access to regulated medical and adult-use cannabis products. All of the Company’s business, operating results, and financial condition relate to U.S. cannabis-related activities. As of July 5, 2023, through our subsidiaries and affiliates, we are licensed to conduct businesses in 14 states and actively operate business in 13 states, including 130 retail dispensaries, and 14 cultivation and processing facilities with over 1,000,000 square feet of cultivation capacity. We produce a wide variety of high-quality cannabis products sold under our portfolio of consumer brands, including Encore™, Avexia™, MÜV™, Savvy™, BITS™ and Verano™. We also design, build and operate branded retail environments including Zen Leaf™ and MÜV™ dispensaries that deliver a cannabis shopping experience in both medical and adult-use markets.
Notwithstanding the permissive regulatory environment of medical, and in some cases, also adult-use (i.e., recreational) cannabis, at the state level, it remains illegal under U.S. federal law to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, sell or possess cannabis in the U.S. Because federal law prohibits transporting any federally restricted substance across state lines, cannabis cannot be transported across state lines. As a result of current federal law prohibitions, the U.S. cannabis industry is conducted on a state-by-state basis. To date, in the U.S. 38 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have authorized comprehensive medical cannabis programs, 23 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands have authorized comprehensive programs for medical and adult-use (i.e., recreational) cannabis, and 10 states allow the use of low-THC and high-CBD products for specified medical uses. Verano operates within states where cannabis use, medical or both medical- and adult-use, has been approved by state and local regulatory bodies. Strict compliance with state and local laws with respect to cannabis may neither absolve the Company of liability under U.S. federal law, nor may it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Our strategy is to vertically integrate as a single cohesive company in multiple states through the consolidation of seed-to-sale cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, and dispensing cannabis brands and products at scale. Our cultivation, processing and wholesale distribution of cannabis consumer packaged goods are designed to guarantee shelf space in our national retail dispensary chains, as well as to develop and foster long-term wholesale supply relationships with third-party retail operators. Our model includes geographic diversity by establishing a footprint to allow us to adapt to changes in both industry and market conditions.
Corporate
Information
The headquarters of Verano is located at 415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60654. Verano’s Canadian registered office is located at 20th Floor, 250 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3R8. Verano’s telephone number is (312) 265-0730. Verano’s internet address is www.verano.com. The information contained on our website or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this prospectus.
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All brand names or trademarks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. Use or display by us of other parties’ trademarks, trade dress, or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not, imply a relationship with, or endorsements or sponsorship of, us by the trademark or trade dress owners.
General Description of Securities We May Offer
We may offer:
● Subordinate Voting Shares;
● debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;
● warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus;
● rights; and
● units.
Any offers by us may be made from time to time, at any time, and will be made in one or more offerings under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the relevant offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| ● | designation or classification; |
| ● | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; |
| ● | maturity, if applicable; |
| ● | original issue discount, if any; |
| ● | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; |
| ● | redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any; |
| ● | conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; |
| ● | ranking, if applicable; |
| ● | restrictive covenants, if any; |
| ● | voting or other rights, if any; and |
| ● | important Canadian and U.S. federal income tax considerations. |
The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
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This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
| ● | the names of those underwriters or agents; |
| ● | applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
| ● | details regarding options to purchase additional securities, if any; and |
| ● | the estimated net proceeds to us. |
Subordinate Voting Shares. We may issue our Subordinate Voting Shares from time to time. The holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and our Class B proportionate voting shares, no par value (“Proportionate Voting Shares”), vote together as a single class, unless otherwise required by the Articles and Notice of Articles of the Company (the “Articles”) or applicable law. Each Subordinate Voting Share entitles the holder to one vote, whereas each Proportionate Voting Share entitles the holder to 100 votes. The required number of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the resolution. Generally, all other matters to be voted on by shareholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote.
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Verano, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of Verano to its shareholders for the purposes of winding up its affairs, the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares will be entitled to participate pari passu with the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares, with the amount of such distribution per Subordinate Voting Share equal to the amount of such distribution per Proportionate Voting Share divided by 100; and each fraction of a Subordinate Voting Share will be entitled to the amount calculated by multiplying such fraction by the amount payable per whole Subordinate Voting Share.
Debt Securities. We may offer secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt from time to time. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities.” The subordinated debt securities generally will be entitled to payment only after payment of our senior debt. Senior debt generally includes all debt for money borrowed by us, except debt that is stated in the instrument governing the terms of that debt to be not senior to, or to have the same rank in right of payment as, or to be expressly junior to, the subordinated debt securities. We may issue debt securities that are convertible into shares of our Subordinate Voting Shares. We may also issue debt securities upon the exercise of warrants or subscription rights.
Warrants. We may issue warrants for the purchase of Subordinate Voting Shares in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with Subordinate Voting Shares, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities. In this prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the warrants. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the particular series of warrants being offered, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.
We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue. Warrants may be issued under an applicable warrant agreement that we enter into with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent, if applicable, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of warrants being offered.
Rights. We may issue rights to our shareholders to purchase shares of our Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the rights under “Description of Rights”. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of rights being offered.
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We may evidence each series of rights by rights certificates that we may issue under a separate rights agreement with a rights agent. If applicable, we will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the rights agreements that describe the terms of the series of rights we are offering before the issuance of the related series of rights.
Units. We may offer units consisting of Subordinate Voting Shares and warrants in any combination. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain general features of the units under “Description of Units”. We urge you, however, to read the applicable prospectus supplement (and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) related to the series of units being offered.
We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we may issue under a separate unit agreement with a unit agent. If applicable, we will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the unit agreements that describe the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units.
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should consider carefully the specific risk factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023 (the “Form 10-K”), which is incorporated in this prospectus by reference in its entirety, as well as any amendment or updates to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, including any prospectus supplement hereto. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently view as immaterial, may also impair our business. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be unduly relied upon to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our Subordinate Voting Shares could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section below titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, and any prospectus supplement contain or may contain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States and Canadian securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company or its affiliates that address activities, events or developments that the Company or its affiliates expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential,” “possible” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “targeted,” “continues,” “forecasts,” “designed,” “goal,” or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words.
Such forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions, including, but not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning:
| ● | our ability to obtain, maintain and renew regulatory approvals in all states and localities of its operations and planned operations on a timely basis; | |
| ● | government regulations, including future U.S. state and federal legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and adult-use cannabis and the timing thereof; | |
| ● | our outlook on our expansion and growth of business and operations; | |
| ● | our ability to achieve our goals, business plans and strategy; | |
| ● | our ability to access capital and obtain necessary financing to pursue our growth and business plans; | |
| ● | our operational results and other financial and business conditions and prospects; | |
| ● | the timing and completion of acquisitions and other commercial transactions; | |
| ● | the integration and operation of acquired businesses; | |
| ● | the timing and amount of capital expenditures; | |
| ● | the availability of equipment, skilled labor and services needed for cannabis operations; | |
| ● | demand, developments and trends in the medical and adult-use cannabis industry; | |
| ● | competition in the cannabis industry in the markets in which we operate or plan to operate; | |
| ● | the medical benefits, viability, safety, efficacy, and dosing of cannabis; | |
| ● | the size of the medical cannabis market and the adult-use cannabis market in each state; | |
| ● | conditions in general economic and financial markets; and | |
| ● | the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and future steps to be taken in response to COVID-19. |
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Forward-looking statements may relate to future financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on the then-current expectations of the party making the statement and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which was expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to:
| ● | the impacts of economic uncertainty stemming from inflation, rising interest rates, supply shortages, changes in consumer and business confidence, political unrest and conflicts and disruptions in U.S. and global markets; |
| ● | the impacts of COVID-19 on us, the U.S. and global markets; | |
| ● | our limited operating history; | |
| ● | reporting and regulatory requirements resulting from the fact that we are an SEC reporting company in addition to a public reporting company in Canada; | |
| ● | heightened scrutiny from Canadian government and regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | our outstanding indebtedness and potential future indebtedness; | |
| ● | reliance on management and the potential for fraudulent activity by employees, contractors and consultants; | |
| ● | uninsured or under insured losses; | |
| ● | potential product liability and recalls; | |
| ● | our reliance on the performance of our subsidiaries and affiliates; | |
| ● | our expansion-by-acquisition strategy; | |
| ● | the unconventional due diligence process in the cannabis industry; | |
| ● | the integration and operation of acquired businesses; | |
| ● | our lack of portfolio diversification; | |
| ● | existing competition and new market entrants; | |
| ● | the introduction of synthetic alternatives to cannabis products by pharmaceutical and other companies; | |
| ● | the immaturity of the cannabis industry and limited comparable, competitive and established industry best practices; | |
| ● | the availability of third-party suppliers, contractors and manufacturers, and availability of raw or other materials; | |
| ● | wholesale and retail price fluctuations; | |
| ● | rising or volatile energy costs; | |
| ● | public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; | |
| ● | agricultural and environmental risks and the impacts of regulations on the cannabis industry and environmental protections; | |
| ● | the U.S. federal regulatory landscape and enforcement related to medical or adult-use cannabis, including political risks, civil asset forfeiture and regulation by additional regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | the difficulties cannabis businesses face accessing and maintaining banking or financial services due to federal regulations; | |
| ● | regulatory and political changes to U.S. state and local laws related to medical or adult-use cannabis, including political risks and regulation by additional regulatory authorities; | |
| ● | disparate state-by-state regulatory landscapes and licensing regimes for medical and adult-use cannabis; | |
| ● | the requirements to abide by anti-money laundering laws and regulations; | |
| ● | required public disclosure and governmental filings containing personal information of our officers, investors and other stakeholders; | |
| ● | the ability to, and constraints on, promoting and marketing cannabis products; | |
| ● | the potential limitations on our ability to enforce our contracts or any liens granted to it; | |
| ● | the ability to access capital markets and the availability of financing opportunities; |
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| ● | the lack of access to federal bankruptcy protections in the U.S.; | |
| ● | limited intellectual property protection available for cannabis products and the potential infringement by third parties; | |
| ● | reliance on information technology systems, the potential disclosure of personal information of patients and customers and cybersecurity risks; | |
| ● | our elimination of monetary liability and the existence of indemnification rights against our directors, officers and employees under British Columbia law; | |
| ● | our dual class capital structure with Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B proportionate voting shares; | |
| ● | our shareholders’ limited participation in our affairs; | |
| ● | our expectation to not declare or pay out dividends; | |
| ● | our ability to refinance our indebtedness and the terms of any such refinancing; | |
| ● | litigation costs, including any damages, in connection with the pending Goodness Growth Holdings, Inc. litigation; | |
| ● | any determination of impairment to our assets; | |
| ● | the taxation of cannabis companies in the U.S.; and | |
| ● | other risks described in the Form 10-K, as more particularly described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” therein. |
Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions on which forward-looking statements are based are reasonable at the time made, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements, because no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, and thus involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
The cannabis industry involves risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors. The forward-looking statements contained herein concerning the cannabis industry and our general expectations concerning the cannabis industry are based on estimates prepared by us using data from publicly available governmental sources as well as from market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of the cannabis industry. Such data is inherently imprecise.
Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and our other documents are qualified by such cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the anticipated results or developments will actually be realized or, even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required under applicable securities legislation.
We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereby. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities sold pursuant to the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus.
Under our Notice of Articles, our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Subordinate Voting Shares and an unlimited number of Proportionate Voting Shares. Our Articles provide that the board of directors of Verano (the “Board”), subject to Section 54 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“BCBCA”), may increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that Verano is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that Verano is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established.
As of July 5, 2023, the issued and outstanding share capital of Verano consisted of: (i) 343,367,514.0738 Subordinate Voting Shares and (ii) nil Proportionate Voting Shares (collectively, the “Shares”).
Our issued and outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Our Articles, which are attached to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, provide further information regarding our securities and qualify the summary under “Description of Share Capital” in its entirety.
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Subordinate Voting Shares
Dividend Rights. The holders of Subordinate Voting Shares are entitled to receive dividends payable in cash or property of Verano as may be declared thereon by the Board from time to time. The Board may not declare a dividend payable in cash or property on the Subordinate Voting Shares unless the Board simultaneously declares a dividend payable in cash or property on the Proportionate Voting Shares, in an amount per Proportionate Voting Share equal to the amount of the dividend declared per Subordinate Voting Share, multiplied by 100.
Holders of fractional Subordinate Voting Shares will be entitled to receive any dividend declared on the Subordinate Voting Shares in an amount equal to the dividend per Subordinate Voting Share multiplied by the fraction thereof held by such holder.
Notice Rights. The holders of Subordinate Voting Shares are entitled to notice of and to attend and vote at any meeting of the shareholders of Verano, except a meeting of which only holders of another class or series of shares of Verano will have the right to vote.
Voting Rights. The holders of Subordinate Voting Shares are entitled to one vote in respect of each Subordinate Voting Share held. The holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares vote together as a single class, unless otherwise required by the Articles or applicable law. Each Subordinate Voting Share entitles the holder to one vote, whereas each Proportionate Voting Share entitles the holder to 100 votes. The required number of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the resolution. Generally, all other matters to be voted on by shareholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. Directors of Verano will be elected by a plurality of votes cast in the election of directors.
A special resolution consisting of at least two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution by the holders of our Subordinate Voting Shares is required to alter or amend our Articles if the result of such alteration or amendment would prejudice or interfere with any right or special right attached to the Subordinate Voting Shares or affect the rights or special rights of the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares or Proportionate Voting Shares on a per share basis as provided for in the Articles.
There are no cumulative voting rights.
Other Rights and Preferences. Holders of Subordinate Voting Shares are not entitled to preemptive rights and are not subject to redemption or sinking fund provisions. There are no restrictions on the alienability of the Subordinate Voting Shares other than general restrictions under United States and Canadian securities laws.
Liquidation Rights. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Verano, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of any other distribution of assets of Verano to its shareholders for the purposes of winding up its affairs, the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares will be entitled to participate pari passu with the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares, with the amount of such distribution per Subordinate Voting Share equal to the amount of such distribution per Proportionate Voting Share divided by 100; and each fraction of a Subordinate Voting Share will be entitled to the amount calculated by multiplying such fraction by the amount payable per whole Subordinate Voting Share.
Conversion Rights. Subject to approval by the Board, each Subordinate Voting Share may be converted at the option of the holder into such number of Proportionate Voting Shares as is determined by dividing the number of Subordinate Voting Shares being converted by 100.
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In the event that an offer is made to purchase Proportionate Voting Shares, and such offer is required, pursuant to applicable securities legislation or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Proportionate Voting Shares or the Subordinate Voting Shares which may be obtained upon conversion of the Proportionate Voting Shares, may then be listed, to be made to all or substantially all of the holders of Proportionate Voting Shares in a province or territory of Canada to which the requirement applies and not made to the holders of Subordinate Voting Shares for consideration per Subordinate Voting Share equal to or greater than 1/100th of the consideration offered per Proportionate Voting Share, then each Subordinate Voting Share will become convertible at the option of the holder of such Subordinate Voting Shares into Proportionate Voting Shares on the basis of 100 Subordinate Voting Shares for one Proportionate Voting Share, at any time while such offer is in effect until one day after the time prescribed by applicable securities legislation or stock exchange rules for the offeror to take up and pay for such shares as are to be acquired pursuant to the offer. For the avoidance of doubt, fractions of Proportionate Voting Shares may be issued in respect of any amount of Subordinate Voting Shares in respect of which the Subordinate Voting Share conversion right is exercised which is less than 100.
Subdivision or Consolidation. The Subordinate Voting Shares may not be consolidated or subdivided unless the Proportionate Voting Shares are simultaneously consolidated or subdivided utilizing the same divisor or multiplier.
Anti-Takeover Considerations. Certain provisions of our Articles, Canadian securities and corporate law and certain applicable cannabis regulations may have the effect of impeding the acquisition of control of the Company. These provisions of our Articles and Notice of Articles include the following:
● the Board may issue an unlimited number of Subordinate Voting Shares and Proportionate Voting Shares;
● shareholders of the Company may not call a meeting of the shareholders; however, under the BCBCA, shareholders may request a meeting to be called by the Board;
● any casual vacancy occurring in the Board may be filled by the directors; however, if the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to our Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the Board;
● shareholders of the Company may only remove directors by a vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast; and
● shareholders of the Company may act by written consent in respect of ordinary resolutions (as defined in the BCBCA) if such consent is signed by shareholders holding shares representing 2/3 of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our Subordinate Voting Shares is Odyssey Trust Company. The transfer agent’s address is 2155 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
Registration and Listing
Our Subordinate Voting Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and are listed on the CSE under the symbol “VRNO”. Our Proportionate Voting Shares are not registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and are not and will not be listed on any stock market or exchange.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in the applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus, sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus, including the terms of any related guarantees. We will also indicate in the prospectus supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
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We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series. Any debt securities offered by means of this prospectus will be issued under an indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”), between us and such trustee as we may appoint.
General
The description of certain provisions of the Indenture in this section do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture, the form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Terms used in this summary that are not otherwise defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Indenture. The particular terms relating to debt securities offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in the related prospectus supplement. This description may include, but may not be limited to, any of the following, if applicable:
| ● | the specific designation of the debt securities; any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; the maturity date or dates, if any, on which the debt securities will be payable; |
| ● | the rate or rates (whether fixed or variable) at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any; the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which any such interest will be payable and the record dates for any interest payable on the debt securities or the manner of determination of such record dates; |
| ● | the terms and conditions under which we may be obligated to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions or at the option of the holder thereof; |
| ● | the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at our option; |
| ● | the covenants applicable to the debt securities; |
| ● | the terms and conditions for any default; | |
| ● | the terms and conditions for any conversion or exchange of the debt securities for any other securities; | |
| ● | the terms of any original issue discount; |
| ● | the extent and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of the debt securities of the series will be senior or will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations; |
| ● | whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured; |
| ● | whether the debt securities will be issuable in the form of registered global securities (“Global Securities”), and, if so, the identity of the Depositary for such registered Global Securities; |
| ● | the denominations in which registered debt securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiples of $1,000; |
| ● | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any, and principal amounts of the debt securities to any securityholder that is not a “United States person” for U.S. federal tax purposes; |
| ● | any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of payments of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities; and |
| ● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on the debt securities. |
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Each series of debt securities may be issued at various times with different maturity dates, may bear interest at different rates and may otherwise vary.
If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a currency or currencies (or a currency unit or units) other than the currency of the United States, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a currency or currencies (or a currency unit or units) other than the currency of the United States, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities will be summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. These terms may include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities would be subject to adjustment.
To the extent any debt securities are convertible into Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities, prior to such conversion the holders of such debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities into which the debt securities are convertible, including the right to receive payments of dividends or the right to vote such underlying securities.
Each debt security will be represented by either one or more Global Securities registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of such depositary as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the trustee will authenticate debt securities pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Governing Law
We expect the Indenture, the debt securities and any guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, and if there is any change to the governing law, we will disclose such governing law in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be issued independently or together with Subordinate Voting Shares offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness. For the terms of a particular series of warrants you should refer to the prospectus supplement for that series of warrants and the warrant agreement for that particular series.
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General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants being offered, including:
| ● | the title of such securities; |
| ● | the offering price or prices and aggregate number of warrants offered; |
| ● | the currency or currencies for which the warrants may be purchased; |
| ● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
| ● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time; |
| ● | the number of Subordinate Voting Shares purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which, and the currency in which, these shares may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| ● | the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants; |
| ● | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants; |
| ● | the terms of any rights to force the exercise of the warrants; |
| ● | any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| ● | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire; |
| ● | the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified; |
| ● | a discussion of any material or special Canadian and U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants; |
| ● | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and |
| ● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the warrant certificate or in the notice of exercise associated therewith and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent in connection with the exercise of the warrant.
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Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining number of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
Governing Law
We expect any warrant agreement and the warrants will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of a province of Canada and the laws of Canada applicable therein, and if there is any change to the governing law, we will disclose such governing law in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may issue rights to our shareholders to purchase shares of our Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The statements made in this section relating to the rights are summaries only. These summaries are not complete. When we issue rights, we will provide the specific terms of the rights and the applicable rights agreement in a prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. For more detail, we refer you to the applicable rights agreement itself, which we will file as an exhibit to, or incorporate by reference in, the registration statement.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:
| ● | the date of determining the shareholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
| ● | the aggregate number of our Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights; |
| ● | the exercise price; |
| ● | the aggregate number of rights issued; |
| ● | the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable; |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; |
| ● | a discussion of any material or special Canadian and U.S. federal income tax consequences; and |
| ● | any other material terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights. |
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Exercise of Rights
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of our Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Governing Law
We expect any rights agreement and the rights will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of a province of Canada and the laws of Canada applicable therein, and if there is any change to the governing law, we will disclose such governing law in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus.
While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
The following summary description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of unit agreement and form of unit certificate relating to each series of units that will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K if we offer units.
General
We may issue units comprised of Subordinate Voting Shares and warrants. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:
| ● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
| ● | any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
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The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Subordinate Voting Shares” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any Subordinate Voting Share or warrants included in each unit, respectively.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Any unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
Governing Law
We expect any units agreement and the units will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of a province of Canada and the laws of Canada applicable therein, and if there is any change to the governing law, we will disclose such governing law in the applicable prospectus supplement.
CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is, as of the date of this registration statement, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) to beneficial owners of Subordinate Voting Shares, and who at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act: (i) hold their Subordinate Voting Shares as capital property; (ii) deal at arm’s length with the Company; and (iii) are not affiliated with the Company (each such person, a “Holder”). Generally, Subordinate Voting Shares will be considered to be capital property to the holder thereof provided that they are not held in the course of carrying on a business of buying and selling securities and have not been acquired in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade. Certain owners of Subordinate Voting Shares who are resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and who might not otherwise be considered to hold their Subordinate Voting Shares as capital property may, in certain circumstances, be entitled to have their Subordinate Voting Shares and any other “Canadian security” (as defined in the Tax Act), owned by such holders in the taxation year in which the election is made, and in all subsequent taxation years, treated as capital property by making the irrevocable election permitted by Subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act. Owners of Subordinate Voting Shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application and consequences of this election in their particular circumstances.
This summary is not applicable to a Holder: (i) that is a “financial institution” (as defined in the Tax Act for purposes of the mark-to-market rules); (ii) an interest in which is a “tax shelter investment” (as defined in the Tax Act); (iii) that is a “specified financial institution” (as defined in the Tax Act); (iv) that has made a “functional currency” election under section 261 of the Tax Act; (v) that has received, or receives, Subordinate Voting Shares upon the exercise of an employee stock option, settlement of a restricted stock unit or pursuant to any other employee compensation plan; (vi) that is a corporation resident in Canada and that is, or becomes (or does not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the Tax Act with a corporation resident in Canada that is or becomes), as part of a series of transactions or events, controlled by a non-resident person (or by a group of non-resident persons that do not deal at arm’s length with each other for purposes of the Tax Act) for the purposes of the “foreign affiliate dumping” rules in the Tax Act; (vii) that is a “substantive CCPC” within the meaning of the Tax Proposals; (viii) that has entered into, or enters into, a “derivative forward agreement” or “synthetic disposition arrangement” (each as defined in the Tax Act) with respect to its Subordinate Voting Shares; or (ix) that receives dividends on its Subordinate Voting Shares under, or as part of, a “dividend rental arrangement” (as defined in the Tax Act). Such Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
This summary also does not address the tax considerations applicable to holders of stock options, restricted stock units or any other equity-based compensation award. Such holders should consult their own tax advisors.
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This summary is based upon the provisions of the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder (the “Tax Regulations”) in force on the date of this registration statement and the current published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) publicly available prior to the date of this registration statement. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act and the Tax Regulations which have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date of this registration statement (the “Tax Proposals”) and assumes that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in their current form. There can be no assurance that any of the Tax Proposals will be implemented in their current form or at all. Except for the Tax Proposals, this summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, or changes in the administrative policies or assessing practices of the CRA. In addition, this summary does not take into account other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax legislation or considerations, which may differ significantly from the Canadian federal income tax considerations discussed in this registration statement.
For purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts (including amounts related to the acquisition, holding or disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares, such as dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition) must be expressed in Canadian dollars using the daily rate of exchange quoted by the Bank of Canada on the date such amounts arose, or such other rate of exchange as is acceptable to the CRA. The amount of income, capital gains, losses and capital losses may be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Verano is a Canadian corporation for purposes of the Tax Act. As referenced under “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” Verano is also classified as a U.S. domestic corporations for United States federal income tax purposes, with related consequences and potential consequences to Verano and its shareholders. Accordingly, all Holders should review the discussion under “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” and consult with their own tax advisors in this regard. For the purposes of the discussion of Canadian federal income tax considerations below, it has been assumed that Verano is and will be classified as a U.S. domestic corporation for United States federal income tax purposes at all relevant times. No legal opinion or tax ruling has been sought or obtained in this regard or with respect to any other assumptions made for purposes of this summary.
Assuming that the Subordinate Voting Shares qualify as capital property as described above, Holders of the Subordinate Voting Shares may be able to convert such shares into Proportionate Voting Shares on a tax-deferred basis, thus avoiding a disposition and an immediate capital gain or loss. The adjusted cost base of the converted Subordinate Voting Shares will become the cost of the Proportionate Voting Shares to the Holder.
This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to a Holder. The income or other tax consequences will vary depending on the particular circumstances of the Holder, including the province or provinces in which the Holder resides or carries on business. Accordingly, this summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal, business or tax advice or representations to any particular Holder. Moreover, no advance income tax ruling has been applied for or obtained from the CRA to confirm the tax consequences of any of the transactions described herein. Holders should consult their own legal and tax advisors for advice with respect to the tax consequences of the transactions described in this registration statement based on their particular circumstances.
Resident Shareholders
The following portion of this summary is generally applicable to a Holder who at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act, is or is deemed to be resident in Canada (a “Resident Holder”).
Dividends on Subordinate Voting Shares
A Resident Holder generally will be required to include in computing its income for a taxation year any dividends received or deemed to be received on such Resident Holder’s Subordinate Voting Shares during such taxation year.
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In the case of a Resident Holder who is an individual (other than certain trusts), such dividends will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules generally applicable to dividends received from “taxable Canadian corporations” (as defined in the Tax Act), including the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit if such dividends are designated as “eligible dividends” (as defined in the Tax Act) by Verano. There may be limitations on the ability of Verano to designate dividends as eligible dividends.
In the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, the amount of any taxable dividend received or deemed to be received on such Resident Holder’s Subordinate Voting Shares and included in the Resident Holder’s income for the taxation year generally will be deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act may treat a taxable dividend received by a Resident Holder that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain. Resident Holders that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own circumstances.
A Resident Holder that is a “private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) or any other corporation resident in Canada controlled, whether because of a beneficial interest in one or more trusts or otherwise, by or for the benefit of an individual (other than a trust) or a related group of individuals (other than trusts), may be liable under Part IV of the Tax Act to pay an additional tax (refundable in certain circumstances) on dividends received or deemed to be received on the Subordinate Voting Shares to the extent that such dividends are deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income for the taxation year. A Resident Holder that, throughout the relevant taxation year, is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” (“CCPC”) (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay an additional tax (refundable in certain circumstances) on its “aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act), including any dividends received or deemed to be received to the extent that such dividends are not deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income for the taxation year. Tax Proposals released on August 9, 2022 are intended to extend this additional tax and refund mechanism in respect of “aggregate investment income” to “substantive CCPCs” as defined in such Tax Proposals. The legislation for such Tax Proposals has yet to be released. Canadian Resident Holders that are corporations are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these Tax Proposals in their particular circumstances.
A Resident Holder may be subject to United States withholding tax on dividends received on the Subordinate Voting Shares (see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”). Any United States withholding tax paid by or on behalf of a Resident Holder in respect of dividends received on the Subordinate Voting Shares by a Resident Holder may be eligible for foreign tax credit or deduction treatment where applicable under the Tax Act. Generally, a foreign tax credit in respect of a tax paid to a particular foreign country is limited to the Canadian tax otherwise payable in respect of income sourced in that country. Dividends received on the Subordinate Voting Shares by a Resident Holder may not be treated as income sourced in the United States for these purposes. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the availability of any foreign tax credits or deductions under the Tax Act in respect of any United States withholding tax applicable to dividends on the Subordinate Voting Shares.
Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares
A disposition or deemed disposition of a Subordinate Voting Share by a Resident Holder (except to Verano, unless purchased by Verano in the open market in a manner in which shares are normally purchased by any member of the public in the open market) will generally result in the Resident Holder realizing a capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of such a Subordinate Voting Share are greater (or less) than the aggregate of the Resident Holder’s adjusted cost base of such a Subordinate Voting Share and any reasonable costs of disposition. For a description of the treatment of capital gains and capital losses, see “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations — Resident Shareholders — Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” below.
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses
Generally, one-half of any capital gain (a “taxable capital gain”) realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be included in the Resident Holder’s income for the year, and one-half of any capital loss (an “allowable capital loss”) realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year must be deducted from taxable capital gains realized by the Resident Holder in that year. Allowable capital losses for a taxation year in excess of taxable capital gains for that year may generally be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years, or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year, against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances specified in the Tax Act.
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In the case of a Resident Holder that is a corporation, the amount of any capital loss realized on a disposition or deemed disposition by the Resident Holder of a Subordinate Voting Share may be reduced by the amount of dividends received or deemed to have been received by it on such share (and, in certain circumstances, a share exchanged for such share), to the extent and under the circumstances prescribed by the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a corporation is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns such shares, or where a trust or partnership of which a corporation is a beneficiary or a member is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns any such shares. Resident Holders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult their own tax advisors.
A Resident Holder that, throughout the relevant taxation year, is a CCPC (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay an additional tax (refundable in certain circumstances) on its “aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act), including any taxable capital gains. Tax Proposals released on August 9, 2022 are intended to extend this additional tax and refund mechanism in respect of “aggregate investment income” to “substantive CCPCs” as defined in such Tax Proposals. The legislation for such Tax Proposals has yet to be released.
A Resident Holder may be subject to United States federal income tax on a gain realized on the disposition of a Subordinate Voting Share if Verano is classified as a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”). United States federal income tax, if any, levied on any gain realized on a disposition of a Subordinate Voting Share may be eligible for a foreign tax credit under the Tax Act to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act. Generally, a foreign tax credit in respect of a tax paid to a particular foreign country is limited to the Canadian tax otherwise payable in respect of income sourced in that country. Gains realized on the disposition of a Subordinate Voting Share by a Resident Holder may not be treated as income sourced in the United States for these purposes. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the availability of a foreign tax credit, having regard to their own particular circumstances.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Capital gains realized and taxable dividends received or deemed to be received by a Resident Holder that is an individual (including certain trusts) may affect the Resident Holder’s liability to pay alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of alternative minimum tax.
Eligibility for Investment
The Subordinate Voting Shares will be qualified investments for trusts governed by first home savings accounts (“FHSAs”), registered retirement savings plans (“RRSPs”), registered retirement income funds (“RRIFs”), registered education savings plans (“RESPs”), deferred profit sharing plans, registered disability savings plans (“RDSPs”) and tax-free savings accounts (“TFSAs”), (as those terms are defined in the Tax Act) provided that, on the date hereof, the Subordinate Voting Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange” (as defined in the Tax Act), which currently includes the CSE.
Notwithstanding that the Subordinate Voting Shares may be qualified investments for a trust governed by a FHSA, TFSA, RDSP, RRSP, RRIF or RESP (each a “Plan”), a holder of a FHSA, TFSA or RDSP, an annuitant under an RRSP or RRIF or a subscriber of an RESP (each a “Plan Holder”) will be subject to a penalty tax if the Subordinate Voting Shares are a “prohibited investment” within the meaning of the Tax Act (as defined in subsection 207.01(1) of the Tax Act) for a Plan. The Subordinate Voting Shares will generally not be a “prohibited investment” for a trust governed by a Plan for purposes of the prohibited investment rules if the Plan Holder deals at arm’s length with the Company for purposes of the Tax Act and does not have a “significant interest” (within the meaning of subsection 207.01(4) of the Tax Act) in the Company. In addition, the Subordinate Voting Shares will not be a “prohibited investment” for a Plan if the Subordinate Voting Shares are “excluded property” (as defined in subsection 207.01(1) of the Tax Act) for such Plan.
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Non-Resident Shareholders
The following portion of this summary is generally applicable to a Holder who at all relevant times, for purposes of the Tax Act, (i) is not resident in Canada and is not deemed to be resident in Canada, (ii) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, its Subordinate Voting Shares in, or in the course of carrying on, a business in Canada, (iii) is not a person who carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, (iv) is not an “authorized foreign bank” (as defined in the Tax Act), and (v) is not a “foreign affiliate” (as defined in the Tax Act) of a person resident in Canada at the end of the Holder’s taxation year in which the Effective Time occurs (a “Non-Resident Holder”).
Dividends on Subordinate Voting Shares
A Non-Resident Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax on the amount of any dividends paid or credited, or deemed to be paid or credited, to it on its Subordinate Voting Shares. Under the Tax Act, the rate of withholding is 25% of the gross amount of the dividend. The withholding rate may be reduced pursuant to the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Canada — US Tax Treaty”), the withholding rate on any such dividend beneficially owned by a Non-Resident Holder that is a resident of the United States for purposes of the Canada — US Tax Treaty and fully entitled to the benefits of such treaty is generally reduced to 15%. The Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting of which Canada is a signatory, affects many of Canada’s bilateral tax treaties (but not the Canada-US Tax Treaty), including the ability to claim benefits thereunder. Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine their entitlement to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention. Certain Non-Resident Holders may be subject to United States withholding tax on dividends received on the Subordinate Voting Shares (see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”).
Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares
A Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to Canadian tax in respect of any capital gain realized on the disposition of its Subordinate Voting Shares unless such shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention.
Provided the Subordinate Voting Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange,” as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the CSE), at the time of disposition, a Subordinate Voting Share will generally only be “taxable Canadian property” of a Non-Resident Holder at that time if, at any time during the 60-month period immediately preceding the disposition, the following two conditions were met concurrently: (i) more than 50% of the fair market value of the Subordinate Voting Share was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), “timber resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act) and options in respect of, interests in, or for civil law rights in, any such properties whether or not the properties exist; and (ii) one or any combination of the Non-Resident Holder, persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length or any partnership in which the Non-Resident Holder or persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of Verano. A Subordinate Voting Share may also be deemed to be “taxable Canadian property” in certain other circumstances.
If the Subordinate Voting Shares are “taxable Canadian property” to a Non-Resident Holder and such Non-Resident Holder is not exempt from Canadian tax in respect of the disposition of such Subordinate Voting Shares pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty or convention, the tax consequences as described above under the headings “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations — Resident Shareholders — Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses” will generally apply. Non-Resident Holders whose Subordinate Voting Shares may constitute “taxable Canadian property” should consult their own tax advisors.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder (each as defined below) arising from the ownership and disposition of our Subordinate Voting Shares offered by this prospectus. Certain U.S. federal income tax considerations arising from the ownership and disposition of debt securities, Warrants, rights and units offered by this prospectus will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a U.S. Holder or Non-U.S. Holder. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder or Non-U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder (as discussed below), including specific tax consequences to a holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any holder. This summary is limited to U.S. federal income tax considerations, and does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of such Subordinate Voting Shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable income tax reporting requirements. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares.
No opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any particular person of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares.
Scope of This Disclosure
Authorities
This summary is based on the Code, proposed, final and temporary U.S. Treasury Regulations, published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this registration statement. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a prospective or retroactive basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Subordinate Voting Shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; | |
| ● | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. 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 U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or | |
| ● | a trust that (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
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Non-U.S. Holders
Also, for purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of Subordinate Voting Shares who is neither a U.S. Holder nor an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) own, Subordinate Voting Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) acquired Subordinate Voting Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold Subordinate Voting Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) own, directly, indirectly, or by attribution, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of the outstanding Subordinate Voting Shares; (i) are required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to Subordinate Voting Shares as a result of such item being taken into account in an applicable financial statement; or (j) acquired Subordinate Voting Shares by gift or inheritance. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including those holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding all U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (including any other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Subordinate Voting Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners (or owners) of such partnership of participating in the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partnership or partner (or owner). Partners (or owners) of entities and arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and non-tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares.
U.S. Tax Classification of Verano
Pursuant to Section 7874(b) of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, notwithstanding that Verano has been organized under Canadian law, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Verano is classified as a U.S. domestic corporation. Accordingly, Verano will be subject to a number of significant and complicated U.S. federal income tax consequences as a result of being treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will be subject to taxation both in Canada and the United States.
U.S. Tax Considerations Relevant to the Ownership and Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares for U.S. Holders
Distributions
We do not currently anticipate paying distributions on our Subordinate Voting Shares. If Verano makes distributions with respect to a Subordinate Voting Share, the distributions generally will be treated as U.S. source dividends to a U.S. Holder of a Subordinate Voting Share to the extent of Verano’s current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles at the end of the tax year in which the distribution occurs. To the extent the distributions exceed Verano’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Subordinate Voting Share, and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of that Subordinate Voting Share. Corporate U.S. Holders may be entitled to claim the dividends-received deduction with respect to dividends paid on the Subordinate Voting Shares, and such dividends may constitute qualified dividend income to individual U.S. Holders, subject in each case to applicable restrictions and eligibility requirements.
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Dividends on the Subordinate Voting Shares will not constitute foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes because Verano, even though organized as a Canadian corporation, will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described above under “— U.S. Tax Classification of Verano.” Therefore, a U.S. Holder may not be able to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit for any Canadian tax unless the U.S. Holder has sufficient other foreign source income. However, if the U.S. Holder has not elected to credit other foreign taxes during the same taxable year, the U.S. Holder should be able to take a deduction for such Canadian tax.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a Subordinate Voting Share, U.S. Holders generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized by such holders on the disposition and their adjusted tax basis in such Subordinate Voting Share. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held, or are treated as having held, such Subordinate Voting Share for more than one year as of the time of disposition. Long-term capital gains of individuals are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
To the extent a sale or other taxable disposition of the Subordinate Voting Shares by a U.S. Holder results in Canadian tax payable by the U.S. Holder, such U.S. Holder may not be able to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit for any Canadian tax unless the U.S. Holder has sufficient other foreign source income. However, if the U.S. Holder has not elected to credit other foreign taxes during the same taxable year, the U.S. Holder should be able to take a deduction for such Canadian tax.
U.S. Tax Considerations Relevant to the Ownership and Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares for Non-U.S. Holders
Distributions
If Verano makes distributions with respect to a Subordinate Voting Share, the distributions generally will be treated as dividends to a Non-U.S. Holder of a Subordinate Voting Share to the extent of Verano’s current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles at the end of the tax year in which the distribution occurs. To the extent the distributions exceed Verano’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Subordinate Voting Share, and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of that Subordinate Voting Share.
Gain from the sale or exchange a Subordinate Voting Shares that is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by a Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so requires, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder) will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” on any such gain at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate).
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition, and who meets certain other conditions, generally will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding possible eligibility for benefits under income tax treaties and the availability of U.S. source capital losses to offset any such gain.
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount unless the Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for and properly claims a reduced rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder) will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, unless Verano is classified as a USRPHC, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits (subject to certain adjustments) or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. A Non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
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Verano believes that it presently is not a USRPHC and it does not presently anticipate that it will become a USRPHC. However, if Verano is treated as a USRPHC, gain recognized by such holder on the sale, taxable exchange or other disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares will be subject to tax at generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rates if Verano is or has been a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held the Subordinate Voting Shares, and, in the case where the Subordinate Voting Shares are regularly traded on an established securities market, the Non-U.S. Holder has owned, directly or constructively, more than 5% of Subordinate Voting Shares at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or such Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Subordinate Voting Shares. There can be no assurance that the Subordinate Voting Shares will be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose. In addition, Verano may be required to withhold U.S. income tax at a rate of 15% of the amount realized upon such disposition. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares
A Non-U.S. Holder that disposes of its Subordinate Voting Shares in a taxable disposition generally will subject to the tax treatment described above in “— U.S. Tax Considerations Relevant to the Ownership and Disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares for Non-U.S. Holders — Distributions”.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Withholding
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax may apply to payments of dividends on stock made to foreign financial institutions (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder) and certain other non-financial foreign entities. Additionally, a 30% withholding tax may apply to payments of gross proceeds from the disposition of stock made to such institutions and entities; however, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate this 30% withholding tax on payments of gross proceeds. Taxpayers may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued. There can be no assurance that final Treasury Regulations would provide an exemption from FATCA for gross proceeds.
Withholding under FATCA generally will not apply where such payments are made to (i) a foreign financial institution that undertakes, under either an agreement with the United States Treasury or pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement between the jurisdiction in which it is a resident and the United States Treasury, to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to noncompliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders; (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner to the United States Treasury; or (iii) a foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity that is exempt from these rules. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation and the regulations thereunder.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends or of proceeds on the disposition of Subordinate Voting Shares to U.S. Holders may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the U.S. Holder (i) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and demonstrates this fact, or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Non-U.S. Holders may be required to provide documentary evidence establishing they are not subject to information reporting and backup withholding. Payments of dividends to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of U.S. federal withholding tax imposed on such dividends must generally be reported annually to the IRS. A similar report will be sent to Non-U.S. Holders. Copies of these reports may be made available to tax authorities in a holder’s country of residence.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS on a timely basis.
We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus from time to time separately or together through any of the following methods:
| ● | to or through one or more underwriters or dealers in a public offering and sale by them; |
| ● | directly to investors; |
| ● | through agents; |
| ● | through block trades in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| ● | through any combination of these methods of sale; or |
| ● | in any manner, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
| ● | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| ● | at market prices prevailing at the times of sale; |
| ● | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| ● | at negotiated prices. |
We will describe the method of distribution of the securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may also determine the price or other terms of the securities offered under this prospectus by use of an electronic auction. We will describe how any auction will determine the price or any other terms, how potential investors may participate in the auction and the nature of the obligations of the underwriter, dealer or agent in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our Subordinate Voting Shares, which are listed on the CSE under the symbol “VRNO” and are also quoted for trading in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol “VRNOF”. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.
Underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from us or our purchasers (as their agents in connection with the sale of the securities). In addition, underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they act as agent. These underwriters, dealers or agents may be considered to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act”. As a result, discounts, commissions, or profits on resale received by the underwriters, dealers or agents may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. The prospectus supplement will identify any such underwriter, dealer or agent, and describe any compensation received by them from us. Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
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We may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions of these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments made by the underwriters, dealers or agents, under agreements between us and the underwriters, dealers and agents.
Any person participating in the distribution of Subordinate Voting Shares registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our Subordinate Voting Shares by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our Subordinate Voting Shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to our Subordinate Voting Shares. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our Subordinate Voting Shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our Subordinate Voting Shares.
We may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of the securities an option to purchase additional securities to cover overallotments, if any, in connection with the distribution. Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short-covering transactions involve purchases of the Subordinate Voting Shares in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the Subordinate Voting Shares originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the Subordinate Voting Shares to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. If any such activities are expected to occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business and any such relationships will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If more than 10% of the net proceeds of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) members participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(h).
| 29 |
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.
The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP and Winston & Strawn LLP.
The consolidated financial statements of Verano Holdings Corp. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2020 incorporated in this prospectus by reference have been audited by Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Verano Holdings Corp. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Form 10-K have been audited by Baker Tilly US, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Verano’s internet address is www.verano.com. Through this website, our filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, will be accessible (free of charge) as soon as reasonably practicable after materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information provided on our website is not part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The Company also files reports, circulars, annual information statements, and other information regarding the Company with the securities regulatory authorities of Canada via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed under the Securities Act with the SEC. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of that registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our securities, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any document are not necessarily complete. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copies of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. In accordance with Rule 412 of the Securities Act, any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
| 30 |
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023; | |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 10, 2023; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed) filed with the SEC on January 19, 2023 February 8, 2023, February 9, 2023, February 16, 2023, February 24, 2023, March 2, 2023, March 27, 2023, March 31, 2023, May 18, 2023, May 25, 2023, June 1, 2023, June 5, 2023, June 6, 2023, June 12, 2023, June 14, 2023, June 22, 2023, June 29, 2023 and July 6, 2023; | |
| ● | the information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023; and |
| ● | the description of our Subordinate Voting Shares contained in the registration statement on Form 10, initially filed with the SEC on April 26 2022, as amended, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus all documents (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) that are subsequently filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus (including documents filed after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement).
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (including any exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents) but not delivered at no cost upon written or oral request. Any such request can be made by contacting us at the following address or telephone number:
Verano Holdings Corp.
Attention: Corporate Secretary
415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(312) 265-0730
| 31 |
$1,000,000,000
VERANO HOLDINGS CORP.
Class
A Subordinate Voting Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
PROSPECTUS
, 2023
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN 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 us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered.
| SEC registration fee | $ | 110,200 | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Transfer agent fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Trustee fees and expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Printing and miscellaneous expenses | (1 | ) | ||
| Total | (1 | ) |
| (1) | The amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable, and accordingly, the expenses cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Item
15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Business Corporations Act (British Columbia)
The Company is subject to the provisions of the BCBCA. In accordance with Section 160 of the BCBCA, Verano may indemnify an “Eligible Party” against all judgments, penalties or fines awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding (an “eligible penalty”) to which the Eligible Party is or may be liable. An “Eligible Party” means, in relation to a company, an individual who: (i) is or was a director or officer of such company; (ii) is or was a director or officer of another corporation at a time when such other corporation is or was an affiliate of such company or at the request of such company; or (iii) at the request of such company, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity (together with the corporation referred to under (ii), the “associated corporations”), and, except in certain circumstances, his or her heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual. The Company may also after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an Eligible Party in respect of that proceeding. Expenses include costs, charges and expenses, including legal and other fees, but excluding judgments, penalties, fines or amounts paid in settlement of a proceeding. The Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Eligible Party in respect of that proceeding if the Eligible Party: (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses; and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding. The Company may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an Eligible Party in respect of that proceeding, provided that the Company first receives from the Eligible Party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited by the following sentence, the Eligible Party will repay the amounts advanced. An “eligible proceeding” means a proceeding, including any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed, in which an Eligible Party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the Eligible Party, by reason of the Eligible Party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Company or an associated corporation: (1) is or may be joined as a party, or (2) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding.
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Notwithstanding the description above, the Company must not indemnify an Eligible Party or pay the expenses of an Eligible Party if: (a) in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, such Eligible Party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company or the associated corporation, as the case may be; (b) in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, the Eligible Party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the Eligible Party’s conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful; (c) the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, the Company was prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles, or (d) the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, the Company is prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by its memorandum or articles.
If an eligible proceeding is brought against an Eligible Party by or on behalf of the Company or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, the Company must not indemnify the Eligible Party or pay the expenses of the Eligible Party in respect of the proceeding as aforesaid.
In any event, a court may, on the application of the Company or an Eligible Party: (i) order the Company to indemnify an Eligible Party against any liability incurred by the Eligible Party in respect of an eligible proceeding; (ii) order the enforcement of, or any payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by the Company; (iii) order the Company to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an Eligible Party in respect of an eligible proceeding; (iv) order the Company to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining any such order pursuant to the BCBCA; or (v) make any other order the court considers appropriate.
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an Eligible Party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives or the Eligible Party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the Eligible Party being or having been a director or officer of the Company, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of the Company or an associated corporation.
The Company’s Articles
Under Part 20.2 of our Articles, and subject to the BCBCA, we must indemnify, and advance expenses to, our directors and former directors and their heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which they are or may be liable, and we must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in respect of that proceeding. Each director is deemed to have contracted with us on the terms of the indemnity contained in our Articles.
Under Part 20.3 of our Articles, and subject to any restrictions in the BCBCA, we may indemnify any person.
Under Part 20.4 of our Articles, the failure of any director or former director of the Company to comply with the BCBCA or our Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under our Articles.
Under Part 20.5 of our Articles, we may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who: (1) is or was our director, officer, employee or agent; (2) is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was our affiliate; (3) at our request, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; or (4) at our request, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity, against any liability incurred by him or her by reason of having been a director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
D&O Insurance
The Company obtained directors and officers liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”) for the benefit of the Company’s directors and officers and intends to maintain D&O Insurance. D&O Insurance is insurance coverage intended to protect individuals from personal losses if they are sued as a result of serving as a director or an officer of a business or other type of organization. It can also cover the legal fees and other costs the organization may incur as a result of such a suit.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
| II-2 |
Item 16. Exhibits
| * | To be filed by amendment or by a report filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated herein by reference, if applicable. |
| ** | Filed herewith. |
| *** | To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
| (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; |
| II-3 |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) 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 SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or are 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) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act 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. |
(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 undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC 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.
(d) 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 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
| II-4 |
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 Chicago, State of Illinois, on the 7th day of July, 2023.
| VERANO HOLDINGS CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ George Archos | |
| Name: | George Archos | |
| Title: | Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | |
| II-5 |
The undersigned directors and officers of Verano Holdings Corp. hereby appoint George Archos and Darren Weiss, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement and any subsequent registration statement filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which relates to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her 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 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ George Archos | Chairman, Director & Chief Executive Officer | July 7, 2023 | ||
| George Archos | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
| /s/ Brett Summerer | Chief Financial Officer | July 7, 2023 | ||
| Brett Summerer | (Principal Financial Officer) | |||
| /s/ Richard C. Tarapchak | Executive Vice President, Finance & Corporate Controller | July 7, 2023 | ||
| Richard C. Tarapchak | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ R. Michael Smullen | Director | July 7, 2023 | ||
| R. Michael Smullen | ||||
| /s/ Cristina Nuñez | Director | July 7, 2023 | ||
| Cristina Nuñez | ||||
| /s/ Lawrence Hirsh | Director | July 7, 2023 | ||
| Lawrence Hirsh |
| II-6 |
Exhibit 4.6
VERANO HOLDINGS CORP.,
Issuer
AND
[TRUSTEE],
Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of [●], 20[●]
Debt Securities
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS | 1 | |||
| Section 1.01 | Definitions of Terms | 1 | ||
| ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES | 3 | |||
| Section 2.01 | Designation and Terms of Securities | 3 | ||
| Section 2.02 | Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate | 4 | ||
| Section 2.03 | Denominations: Provisions for Payment | 4 | ||
| Section 2.04 | Execution and Authentications | 5 | ||
| Section 2.05 | Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 5 | ||
| Section 2.06 | Temporary Securities | 5 | ||
| Section 2.07 | Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities | 5 | ||
| Section 2.08 | Cancellation | 6 | ||
| Section 2.09 | Benefits of Indenture | 6 | ||
| Section 2.10 | Authenticating Agent | 6 | ||
| Section 2.11 | Global Securities | 6 | ||
| ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS | 7 | |||
| Section 3.01 | Redemption | 7 | ||
| Section 3.02 | Notice of Redemption | 7 | ||
| Section 3.03 | Payment Upon Redemption | 7 | ||
| Section 3.04 | Sinking Fund | 7 | ||
| Section 3.05 | Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 7 | ||
| Section 3.06 | Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 8 | ||
| ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS | 8 | |||
| Section 4.01 | Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest | 8 | ||
| Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 8 | ||
| Section 4.03 | Paying Agents | 8 | ||
| Section 4.04 | Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee | 8 | ||
| ARTICLE 5 SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE | 9 | |||
| Section 5.01 | Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders | 9 | ||
| Section 5.02 | Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders | 9 | ||
| Section 5.03 | Reports by the Company | 9 | ||
| Section 5.04 | Reports by the Trustee | 9 | ||
| ARTICLE 6 REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT | 9 | |||
| Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 9 | ||
| Section 6.02 | Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 10 | ||
| Section 6.03 | Application of Moneys Collected | 10 | ||
| Section 6.04 | Limitation on Suits | 11 | ||
| Section 6.05 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 11 | ||
| Section 6.06 | Control by Securityholders | 11 | ||
| Section 6.07 | Undertaking to Pay Costs | 11 | ||
| ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE | 11 | |||
| Section 7.01 | Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | 11 | ||
| Section 7.02 | Certain Rights of Trustee | 12 | ||
| Section 7.03 | Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Indenture or Securities | 12 | ||
| i |
Table of Contents
(continued)
| Page | ||||
| Section 7.04 | May Hold Securities | 13 | ||
| Section 7.05 | Moneys Held in Trust | 13 | ||
| Section 7.06 | Compensation and Reimbursement | 13 | ||
| Section 7.07 | Reliance on Officer’s Certificate | 13 | ||
| Section 7.08 | Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 13 | ||
| Section 7.09 | Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 13 | ||
| Section 7.10 | Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 13 | ||
| Section 7.11 | Acceptance of Appointment By Successor | 14 | ||
| Section 7.12 | Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 14 | ||
| Section 7.13 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company | 14 | ||
| Section 7.14 | Notice of Default | 15 | ||
| ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS | 15 | |||
| Section 8.01 | Evidence of Action by Securityholders | 15 | ||
| Section 8.02 | Proof of Execution by Securityholders | 15 | ||
| Section 8.03 | Who May be Deemed Owners | 15 | ||
| Section 8.04 | Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded | 15 | ||
| Section 8.05 | Actions Binding on Future Securityholders | 15 | ||
| ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES | 16 | |||
| Section 9.01 | Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders | 16 | ||
| Section 9.02 | Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders | 16 | ||
| Section 9.03 | Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 16 | ||
| Section 9.04 | Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures | 16 | ||
| Section 9.05 | Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 16 | ||
| ARTICLE 10 SUCCESSOR ENTITY | 17 | |||
| Section 10.01 | Company May Consolidate, Etc. | 17 | ||
| Section 10.02 | Successor Entity Substituted | 17 | ||
| ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 17 | |||
| Section 11.01 | Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 17 | ||
| Section 11.02 | Discharge of Obligations | 17 | ||
| Section 11.03 | Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust | 17 | ||
| Section 11.04 | Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents | 18 | ||
| Section 11.05 | Repayment to Company | 18 | ||
| ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | 18 | |||
| Section 12.01 | No Recourse | 18 | ||
| ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 18 | |||
| Section 13.01 | Effect on Successors and Assigns | 18 | ||
| Section 13.02 | Actions by Successor | 18 | ||
| Section 13.03 | Surrender of Company Powers | 18 | ||
| Section 13.04 | Notices | 18 | ||
| Section 13.05 | Governing Law | 18 | ||
| Section 13.06 | Treatment of Securities as Debt | 19 | ||
| Section 13.07 | Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent | 19 | ||
| Section 13.08 | Payments on Business Days | 19 | ||
| Section 13.09 | Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 19 | ||
| Section 13.10 | Counterparts | 19 | ||
| Section 13.11 | Separability | 19 | ||
| Section 13.12 | Compliance Certificates | 19 | ||
| (1) | This Table of Contents does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. |
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INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of [●], 20[●], between VERANO HOLDINGS CORP., a company organized under the laws of British Columbia and [TRUSTEE], as trustee:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company (as defined below) has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee (as defined below);
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.
“Authenticating Agent” means an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) or any similar federal, provincial or state law of the United States, Canada or other applicable jurisdiction for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors (or the functional equivalent thereof) of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the 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.
“Business Day” means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
“Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer. The Certificate need not comply with the provisions of Section 13.07.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
“Company” means Verano Holdings Corp., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of British Columbia, Canada, and, subject to the provisions of Article Ten, shall also include its successors and assigns.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at [●].
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.01 or 2.11.
“Duty of Care” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(a).
“Event of Default” means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.01, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
“Global Security” means a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of Securities which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
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“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the stated maturity of the Securities, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“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.
“Indenture” means 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 in accordance with the terms hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.
“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.
“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the chairman of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, a president, a chief financial officer, a chief operating officer, any executive vice president, any senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer, the controller or any assistant controller or the secretary or any assistant secretary.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by any Officer. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.07, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.07, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Article Three, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“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 2.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters with respect to this Indenture (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes without limitation any supplemental indenture hereto).
“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securityholder”, “holder of Securities”, “registered holder”, or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security is registered on the Security Register kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” shall have the meanings as set forth in Section 2.05.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation or company a majority of whose capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is, at the date of determination, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person (a “subsidiary”), by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person;
(2) a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership; or
(3) any partnership, limited liability company or other Person in which such Person, a subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, have (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or appoint or direct the election or appointment of the managing partner or member of such Person or, if applicable, a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
“Trustee” means , and, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person. The term “Trustee” as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trust Indenture Legislation” means the provisions of (i) any applicable statute of Canada or any province or territory thereof and the regulations thereunder as amended or re-enacted from time to time, but only to the extent applicable, or (ii) the Trust Indenture Act and regulations thereunder, in each case, relating to trust indentures and to the rights, duties and obligations of trustees under trust indentures and of corporations issuing debt obligations under trust indentures, to the extent that such provisions are at such time in force and applicable to this Indenture or the Company or the Trustee(s).
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ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Designation and Terms of Securities.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that series from all other Securities);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series which 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 that series);
(3) the maturity date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;
(4) whether or not the Securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
(5) whether the Securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;
(6) if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
(7) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest or the manner of calculation of such rate or rates, if any;
(8) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such Interest Payment Dates, the place(s) of payment, and the record date for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable on any such Interest Payment Dates or the manner of determination of such record dates;
(9) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;
(10) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, converted or exchanged, in whole or in part;
(11) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund, mandatory redemption, or analogous provisions (including payments made in cash in satisfaction of future sinking fund obligations) or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(12) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the Certificate of Authentication for such series;
(13) if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, the currency and denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable;
(14) any and all other terms (including terms, to the extent applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of that series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities) with respect to such series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Indenture, as amended by any supplemental indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under United States and/or Canadian laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;
(15) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;
(16) whether the Securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for Class A subordinate voting shares, Class B proportionate voting shares or other securities of the Company or any other Person and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Company’s option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, and the applicable conversion or exchange period;
(17) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01;
(18) any additional or alternative events of default;
(19) additional or alternative covenants (which may include, among other restrictions, restrictions on the Company’s ability or the ability of the Company’s Subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; issue additional securities; create liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of the capital stock of the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries; redeem capital stock; place restrictions on the Company’s Subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets; make investments or other restricted payments; sell or otherwise dispose of assets; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; engage in transactions with stockholders or affiliates; issue or sell stock of the Company’s Subsidiaries; or effect a consolidation or merger) or financial covenants (which may include, among other financial covenants, financial covenants that require the Company and its Subsidiaries to maintain specified interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios) provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;
(20) the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities shall be payable (if other than the currency of the United States of America), which unless otherwise specified shall be the currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public or private debts;
(21) if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or any Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, then the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;
(22) whether interest will be payable in cash or additional Securities at the Company’s or the Securityholders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
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(23) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes;
(24) additional or alternative provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered Securities;
(25) the applicability of any guarantees;
(26) any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series; and
(27) any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the Securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of this Indenture, any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.
Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.
Section 2.02 Form of Securities and Trustee’s Certificate.
The Securities of any series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series or the Class A subordinate voting shares of the Company may be listed, or to conform to usage.
Section 2.03 Denominations: Provisions for Payment.
The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 2.01(a)(13). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. Subject to Section 2.01(a)(20), the principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption or repurchase thereof prior to maturity, and any cash amount due upon conversion or exchange thereof, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.03.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:
(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered in the Security Register at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be sent to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered in the Security Register on such special record date.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities 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 Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the term “regular record date” as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the first day of the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.
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Section 2.04 Execution and Authentications.
The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by one of its Officers. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.
The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been an Officer, notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by an Officer, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, if requested, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer’s Certificate stating that the form and terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Section 2.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose a register or registers (herein referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution or Supplemental Indenture (the “Security Registrar”).
Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.
All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney in writing.
(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series or repurchase, conversion or exchange of less than the entire principal amount of a Security, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.06, Section 3.03(b) and Section 9.04 not involving any transfer.
(d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part. The provisions of this Section 2.05 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.06 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the Securityholders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities.
In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company’s request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicant’s Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, 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 Trustee) connected therewith.
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In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.08 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, repurchase, exchange, registration of transfer or conversion shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise 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 delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.09 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities.
Section 2.10 Authenticating Agent.
So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption, repurchase or conversion thereof, and 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 Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
Section 2.11 Global Securities.
(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.05, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for 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, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary or from the Trustee, this Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.04, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.04, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
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ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
Section 3.01 Redemption.
The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.
Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption.
(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing (or with regard to any Global Security held in book entry form, by electronic mail in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary), a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such Securityholders, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. 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 the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.
Each such notice of redemption shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is from a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.
In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days’ notice (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected, by lot, on a pro rata basis, or in such other manner as the Company shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by an Officer, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.
Section 3.03 Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an Interest Payment Date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.03).
(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the Securityholder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.
Section 3.04 Sinking Fund.
The provisions of Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of such series.
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 sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.05. 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 3.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that 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 sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
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Section 3.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.05 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officer’s Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date shall be selected in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and the Company shall 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 3.02. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of a series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date. Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 4.02, where (i) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (ii) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and exchange, and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed by any officer authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. The Company initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its paying agent with respect to the Securities.
Section 4.03 Paying Agents.
(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and
(4) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest 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 the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (i) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, and (ii) 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 direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Section 4.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
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ARTICLE 5
SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) within 15 days after each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.03) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish 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 (b) 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; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.
Section 5.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and, in connection with any such communications, the Trustee shall satisfy its obligations under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the provisions of Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 5.03 Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company will at all times comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company covenants and agrees to provide (which delivery may be via electronic mail) to the Trustee within 30 days, after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any correspondence filed with the Commission or materials for which the Company has sought and received confidential treatment by the Commission; and provided further, that so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR), or any successor system, such filings shall be deemed to have been filed with the Trustee for purposes hereof without any further action required by the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, a failure by the Company to file annual reports, information and other reports with the Commission within the time period prescribed thereof by the Commission shall not be deemed a breach of this Section 5.03.
(b) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 5.03 is for informational purposes only and the information and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, or determinable from information contained therein including the Company’s compliance with any of their covenants thereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).
Section 5.04 Reports by the Trustee.
(a) If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee, within sixty (60) days after each May 1, shall send to the Securityholders a brief report dated as of such May 1, which complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.
ARTICLE 6
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, “Event of Default” means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
(3) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;
(4) the Company pursuant to any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case or proceeding, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days.
(b) In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.
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(c) At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.06.
No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
Section 6.02 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 90 days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06.
(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.
(c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under the Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any Custodian is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.06.
(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.06, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.
In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity, under any Bankruptcy Law or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any Securityholder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of reasonable costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.
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Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits.
No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such Securityholder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the Securityholders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such Securityholder or Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; (iv) the Trustee for 90 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v) during such 90 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Section 6.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.07, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.
Section 6.06 Control by Securityholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.04, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or subject the Trustee in its sole discretion to personal liability. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustee’s duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.01 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.01(c)). Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall at all times exercise its powers and duties (i) in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, (ii) with the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent trustee, and (iii) with a view to the best interests of the persons holding the Securities issued hereunder (collectively, the “Duty of Care”). The Trustee shall comply with the requirements of applicable Trust Indenture Legislation. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such 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 Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture.
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(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from the Duty of Care. A Trustee is not in contravention of its Duty of Care if the Trustee relies and acts in good faith on statements contained in a certificate, affidavit, opinion or report that complies with the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) or this indenture. In addition, no provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, its bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series 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 Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series 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 Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it 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 Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series; and
(iv) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
(a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or, if requested, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to comply with the Duty of Care;
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.04); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances;
(i) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(j) The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that such instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions prior to any subsequent instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default hereunder or Event of Default until the Trustee shall have received written notification in the manner set forth in this Indenture or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have obtained actual knowledge.
Section 7.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Indenture or Securities.
(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.
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(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.01, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
Section 7.04 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.
Section 7.05 Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.
Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from the Trustee’s failure to satisfy its Duty of Care or its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct and except as the Company and Trustee may from time to time agree in writing. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith or failure to comply with the Duty of Care on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Company has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(b) The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Securities.
Section 7.07 Reliance on Officer’s Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the reliance thereon.
Section 7.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any “conflicting interest” within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.
If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.
For so long as required by Trust Indenture Legislation, the Trustee shall at all times be a resident or authorized to do business in the Province of British Columbia and/or authorized to carry on the activities of Trustee in any other province or territory in Canada where Securityholders may be resident from time to time. The Trustee represents and warrants that no material conflict of interest exists in the 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 as trustee hereunder. If any such material conflict of interests exists or hereafter shall exist, the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, any security interest constituted by or under this Indenture or the debentures issued under this Indenture shall not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason thereof.
Section 7.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and to the Securityholders of such series. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing 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 Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
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(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy proceeding or dissolution or winding up, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.
(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.
Section 7.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.
(a) 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.
(b) 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 (i) 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, (ii) 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 (iii) 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, 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 that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; 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, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, 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, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the 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.
(c) 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 such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) 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.
(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall send notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Securityholders. If the Company fails to send such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be sent at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 7.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
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Section 7.14 Notice of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Event of Default is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act and provisions of any other applicable Trust Indenture Legislation notice of the Event of Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs and 30 days after it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or written notice of it is received by the Trustee, unless such Event of 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 on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.
ARTICLE 8
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
Section 8.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.
The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
Section 8.03 Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Security Registrar as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.03) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 8.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
Section 8.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.
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ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;
(b) to comply with Article Ten;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add to the covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication, and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;
(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect;
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 2.01, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee;
(i) to comply with any requirements of the Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(j) to comply with any requirements of the Trust Indenture Legislation.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.01 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (a) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.01, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 9.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.01, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.
Section 9.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, shall receive an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by the terms of this Article and that all conditions precedent to the execution of the supplemental indenture have been complied with; provided, however, that such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Company shall (or shall direct the Trustee to) send a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Company to send, or cause the sending of, such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
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ARTICLE 10
SUCCESSOR ENTITY
Section 10.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, (a) the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction), sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (other than a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to a Subsidiary of the Company), the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.01 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property and (b) in the event that the Securities of any series then Outstanding are convertible into or exchangeable for Class A subordinate voting shares or other securities of the Company, such entity shall, by such supplemental indenture, make provision so that the Securityholders of Securities of that series shall thereafter be entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange of such Securities the number of securities or property to which a holder of the number of Class A subordinate voting shares or other securities of the Company deliverable upon conversion or exchange of those Securities would have been entitled had such conversion or exchange occurred immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition.
Section 10.02 Successor Entity Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the obligations set forth under Section 10.01 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated and not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 11.05); or (b) all such Securities of a particular series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or 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 Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.07, 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 7.01, 7.05, 7.09, 7.10, 8.03 and 8.05 that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 2.09, 7.01, 7.06, 11.05, 12.01 and 13.05, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.
Section 11.02 Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 11.01 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.07, 4,01, 4.02, 4,03, 7.06, 7.10 and 11.05 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid.
Thereafter, Sections 7.06 and 11.05 shall survive.
Section 11.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or 11.02 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
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Section 11.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
Section 11.05 Repayment to Company.
Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, or such other shorter period set forth in applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, shall be repaid to the Company on May 31 of each year or upon the Company’s request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as a general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.
ARTICLE 12
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 12.01 No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 13.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 13.02 Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
Section 13.03 Surrender of Company Powers.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company and as to any successor corporation.
Section 13.04 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: Verano Holdings Corp., 415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60654, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
Section 13.05 Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver.
This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
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Section 13.06 Treatment of Securities as Debt.
It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention.
Section 13.07 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 13.12) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, if requested, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture (other than the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 13.12 of this Indenture or Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) 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; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; and (v) any other requirements of the Trust Indenture Legislation.
Section 13.08 Payments on Business Days.
Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.
Section 13.09 Conflict with Trust Indenture Legislation.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act or any other mandatory requirement of Trust Indenture Legislation, such imposed duties or mandatory requirement shall control.
Section 13.10 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 13.11 Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 13.12 Compliance Certificates.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an officer’s certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Company’s performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 13.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If the officer of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such an Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Event of Default and its status.
Section 13.13 Table of Contents; Headings.
The table of contents and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof, and will not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| VERANO HOLDINGS CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [TRUSTEE], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE (1)
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as Amended | Section of Indenture |
| 310(a) | 7.09 |
| 310(b) | 7.08
7.10 |
| 310(c) | Inapplicable |
| 311(a) | 7.13 |
| 311(b) | 7.13 |
| 311(c) | Inapplicable |
| 312(a) | 5.01
5.02(a) |
| 312(b) | 5.02(c) |
| 312(c) | 5.02(c) |
| 313(a) | 5.04(a) |
| 313(b) | 5.04(b) |
| 313(c) | 5.04(a)
5.04(b) |
| 313(d) | 5.04(c) |
| 314(a) | 5.03
13.12 |
| 314(b) | Inapplicable |
| 314(c) | 13.07(a) |
| 314(d) | Inapplicable |
| 314(e) | 13.07(b) |
| 314(f) | Inapplicable |
| 315(a) | 7.01(a)
7.01(b) |
| 315(b) | 7.14 |
| 315(c) | 7.01 |
| 315(d) | 7.01(b) |
| 315(e) | 6.07 |
| 316(a) | 6.06
8.04 |
| 316(b) | 6.04 |
| 316(c) | 8.01 |
| 317(a) | 6.02 |
| 317(b) | 4.03 |
| 318(a) | 13.09 |
| (1) | This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. |
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Exhibit 5.1
July 7, 2023
Verano Holdings Corp.
415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60654
| Re: | Verano Holdings Corp. – Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as British Columbia counsel to Verano Holdings Corp. (the “Corporation”) in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), relating to the potential issuance and sale by the Corporation of Securities (as defined below) of the Corporation pursuant to one or more prospectus supplements (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”) to the Registration Statement to be filed by the Corporation from time to time. We have examined and relied upon: (a) the Registration Statement; (b) the Corporation’s Certificate of Amalgamation, Notice of Articles and Articles, as currently in effect; and (c) originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and that all facts set forth in official public records and certificates and other documents supplied by public officials or otherwise conveyed to us by public officials are complete, true and accurate as of, and at all material times prior to, the date of this opinion letter. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons. In making our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed that the parties thereto, including the Corporation, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and, the validity and binding effect on all such parties. In our capacity as counsel to the Corporation in connection with the registration of the Registration Statement, we are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by the Corporation in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Securities. For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that such proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all requirements of the Applicable Law (as defined below), in the manner presently proposed. As to questions of fact material to our opinions, we have made no independent investigation of such facts and we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Corporation and of public officials.
The Securities of the Corporation which may be offered under the Registration Statement include the following:
| ● | class A subordinate voting shares in the capital of the Corporation, including class A subordinate voting shares of the Corporation issuable on the conversion or exercise, as applicable, of previously issued Securities (“Subordinate Voting Shares”); | |
| ● | secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt (“Debt Securities”) which will be issued under an indenture (the “Debenture Indenture”) to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, as amended or supplemented from time to time between the Corporation and a trustee to be selected by the Corporation (the “Debenture Trustee”); |
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| ● | warrants to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares in the form of one or more series (“Warrants”); | |
| ● | rights to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares or other Securities (“Rights”); and | |
| ● | units comprised of Subordinate Voting Shares and Warrants in any combination of such securities (“Units” and collectively with the Subordinate Voting Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, and Rights, the “Securities”). |
Our opinion herein is limited to the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein now in effect (the “Applicable Law”). We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should any applicable laws be changed subsequent to the date hereof by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise or if there is a change in any fact or facts after the date hereof. Where our opinion refers to any of the Securities as being “fully paid and non-assessable”, no opinion is expressed as to actual receipt by the Corporation of the consideration for the issuance of such Securities or as to the adequacy of any consideration received. Where our opinion refers to any of the Units as being “validly created and issued securities of the Corporation”, our opinion is limited to the following: any Subordinate Voting Shares comprising such Units as being “validly issued securities of the Corporation” and any Warrants comprising such Units as being “validly created and issued securities of the Corporation”.
In rendering our opinions set forth herein, we have also assumed that, at the time of any offer and sale of Securities:
| a) | the Corporation has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing, and has the requisite legal status and legal capacity, under the laws of the Province of British Columbia; |
| b) | the Corporation has complied and will comply with the laws of all relevant jurisdictions, including without limitation with Division 8 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”), in connection with the transactions contemplated by and the performance of its obligations under, the Registration Statement; |
| c) | the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including any post-effective amendments thereto) has become effective under the Act; |
| d) | that an appropriate Prospectus Supplement, and/or term sheet with respect to the Securities offered thereby has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; |
| e) | that any definitive purchase, underwriting, or similar agreement, indenture or instrument, as amended from time to time with respect to any Securities, particularly any agreement pursuant to which Securities are created, issued and/or sold (each such agreement, an “Agreement”, and collectively, the “Agreements”), including without limitation the Debenture Indenture, will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Corporation in conformity with the Corporation’s constating documents and the other parties thereto and will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on a Current Report on Form 8-K or other applicable periodic report in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement or applicable Prospectus Supplement; |
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| f) | all necessary corporate action will have been taken by the Corporation to duly authorize the performance of its obligations under the terms and conditions of each Agreement and appoint the Trustee; |
| g) | the Trustee will be eligible to be appointed as a trustee under the Debenture Indenture in accordance with Applicable Laws; |
| h) | each party to each Agreement will have the capacity to duly authorize, execute and deliver such Agreement; |
| i) | each Agreement will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of all parties thereto and will be enforceable in accordance with its terms against all parties thereto; |
| j) | each Agreement will be governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia; |
| k) | the execution and delivery of any Agreement and the performance by the Corporation of its obligations under the terms and conditions thereunder do not and will not conflict with and do not and will not result in a breach of or default under, and do not and will not create a state of facts which, after notice or lapse of time or both, will conflict with or result in a breach of or default under any of the terms or conditions of the notice of articles or articles of the Corporation, any resolutions of the board of directors or shareholders of the Corporation, any agreement or obligation of the Corporation, or Applicable Law; |
| l) | that the Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement and at all times in compliance with the rules and regulations of the stock exchanges on which the securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted for trading; |
| m) | that any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise; |
| n) | with respect to our opinion as to the Subordinate Voting Shares, we have assumed that, at the time of issuance and sale, a sufficient number of Subordinate Voting Shares in the capital of the Corporation are authorized and available for issuance under the maximum number of Subordinate Voting Shares the Corporation is authorized to issue and that the consideration for the issuance and sale of the Subordinate Voting Shares is in an amount that is not less than the par value of the Subordinate Voting Shares, if any; |
| o) | all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Corporation to duly authorize, create, authenticate, sell, deliver and validly issue the Securities and to perform its obligations under the terms and conditions of the Securities, and all of the terms and conditions relevant to the execution, delivery and issuance of the Securities in the applicable Agreement have been complied with; |
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| p) | the authorization, creation, authentication, sale, delivery and issuance of the Securities and the Corporation’s performance of its obligations under the terms and conditions of the Securities do not and will not conflict with and do not and will not result in a breach of or default under, and do not and will not create a state of facts which, after notice or lapse of time or both, will conflict with or result in a breach of or default under any of the terms or conditions of the notice of articles or articles of the Corporation, any resolutions of the board of directors or shareholders of the Corporation, any agreement or obligation of the Corporation, or Applicable Law, and, at the time of any distribution of, or trade in, Securities, no order ruling or decision is in effect that restricts any trade in such Securities or that affects anyone who engages in such trade; and |
| q) | the terms of the offering of the Securities and related matters do not and will not conflict with and do not and will not result in a breach of or default under, and do not and will not create a state of facts which, after notice or lapse of time or both, will conflict with or result in a breach of or default under any of the terms or conditions of the notice of articles or articles of the Corporation, any resolutions of the board of directors or shareholders of the Corporation, any agreement or obligation of the Corporation, or Applicable Law. |
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:
| a) | with respect to the issuance of any Subordinate Voting Shares which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, when: (i) the issuance of the Subordinate Voting Shares as fully-paid and non-assessable Class A subordinate voting shares of the Corporation, the sale of Subordinate Voting Shares, and, if certificated, the certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the constating documents (as then in effect), and Applicable Law (as then in effect), and do not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body of Canada or British Columbia having jurisdiction over the Corporation; (ii) the full consideration, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s board of directors, which is at least equal to the issue price of the such Subordinate Voting Shares, has been received by the Corporation; (iii) if certificated, the terms of the certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares are in conformity with the Corporation’s constating documents (as then in effect) and Applicable Law (including the BCBCA, as then in effect), so as not to violate any Applicable Law or such constating documents, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation; (iv) if certificated, the certificates representing the Subordinate Voting Shares have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized directors or officers of the Corporation to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement (provided that such consideration is not less than the par value of the Subordinate Voting Shares), or, if not certificated, valid book-entry notations therefor having been made in the share register of the Corporation, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Agreement; and (v) if issuable upon exercise or conversion of any other Security, the terms of the certificates representing such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such exercise or conversion: (I) have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the constating documents (as then in effect), and Applicable Law (as then in effect), and do not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body of Canada or British Columbia having jurisdiction over the Corporation; and (II) are in conformity with the Corporation’s constating documents (as then in effect) and Applicable Law (including the BCBCA, as then in effect), so as not to violate any Applicable Law or such constating documents, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation, then the Subordinate Voting Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable; and |
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| b) | with respect to the issuance of any Warrants, Rights and Units which may be offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, when: (i) the issuance of the Warrants, Rights and Units, the sale of Warrants, Rights and Units, and, if certificated, the certificates representing the Warrants, Rights and Units have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the constating documents (as then in effect), and Applicable Law (as then in effect), and do not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body of Canada or British Columbia having jurisdiction over the Corporation; (ii) the full consideration, determined to be adequate by the Corporation’s board of directors, which is at least equal to the issue price of the such Warrants, Rights and Units, has been received by the Corporation; (iii) if certificated, the terms of the certificates representing the Warrants, Rights and Units are in conformity with the Corporation’s constating documents (as then in effect) and Applicable Law (including the BCBCA, as then in effect), so as not to violate any Applicable Law or such constating documents, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation; (iv) if certificated, the certificates representing the Warrants, Rights and Units have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized directors or officers of the Corporation to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement; and (v) if issuable upon exercise or conversion of any other Security, the terms of the certificates representing such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such exercise or conversion (I) have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the constating documents (as then in effect), and Applicable Law (as then in effect), and do not violate any Applicable Law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body of Canada or British Columbia having jurisdiction over the Corporation; and (II) are in conformity with the Corporation’s constating documents (as then in effect) and Applicable Law (including the BCBCA, as then in effect), so as not to violate any Applicable Law or such constating documents, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Corporation, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Corporation, then the Warrants, Rights and Units will be validly created and issued securities of the Corporation. |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Act or the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission or that this is required by Section 7 of the Act. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in Applicable Law.
Yours truly,
FASKEN MARTINEAU DuMOULIN LLP
/s/Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Exhibit 5.2
July 7, 2023
Verano Holdings Corp.
415 North Dearborn Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60654
Re: Form S-3 Registration Statement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Verano Holdings Corp., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on or about the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)).
The Registration Statement relates to the proposed offer, issuance and sale from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as set forth in the Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein and any supplement to the prospectus, of one or more series of the following securities of the Company:
| (a) | class A subordinate voting shares of the Company, no par value (the “Subordinate Voting Shares”), to be offered, issued and sold by the Company; | |
| (b) | debt securities of the Company, in one or more series (the “Debt Securities”), which will be issued under an Indenture, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by and between the Company and a bank or trust company as trustee (the “Trustee”) (as the same may be amended, supplemented, modified, restated or replaced, the “Indenture”); | |
| (c) | warrants to purchase Subordinate Voting Shares (the “Warrants”), which will be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement, which will be filed at a later date by amendment or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, to be entered into by and between the Company and a bank or trust company as warrant agent; | |
| (d) | rights to purchase shares of Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities (the “Rights”), which will be issued pursuant to a rights agreement, which will be filed at a later date by amendment or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, to be entered into by and between the Company and a bank or trust company as rights agent; and |
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| (e) | units consisting of Subordinate Voting Shares and warrants in any combination (the “Units” and, together with the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Rights, the “Securities”), which will be issued pursuant to a unit agreement, which will be filed at a later date by amendment or as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, to be entered into by and between the Company and a bank or trust company as unit agent. |
It is understood that the opinion set forth below is to be used only in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities while the Registration Statement is in effect. The Registration Statement provides that the Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more prospectus supplements or free writing prospectuses.
This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinion set forth below, we examined and relied upon such certificates, corporate records, agreements, instruments and other documents, and examined such matters of law, that we considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion. In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (a) the Registration Statement, (b) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to, among other matters, the filing of the Registration Statement and (c) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below. In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents, that all parties to such documents had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and all such documents have been duly authorized by all requisite action, corporate or other, and duly executed and delivered by all parties thereto. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.
On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to (a) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto being effective under the Securities Act, (b) the Indenture having been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto, (c) the Trustee being qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (d) a prospectus supplement having been filed with the Commission describing the Securities being offered thereby, (e) all Securities being issued and sold in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement and in accordance with a duly executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to the Securities and (f) all other assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | With respect to the Debt Securities, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the final terms of the issuance and sale of the Debt Securities, (b) the terms of the Debt Securities have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture and do not violate any applicable law or result in a default under, or breach of, an agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, (c) such Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture and (d) the Company has received the consideration therefor, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. |
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For the purposes of our opinion set forth above, we have further assumed that (a) the Company is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of British Columbia; (b) the Subordinate Voting Shares, the Debt Securities, the Indenture, the Warrants, the Rights, and the Units will have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company; (c) the Debt Securities and the Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company under the laws of British Columbia and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the Indenture; and (d) the execution, delivery, performance and compliance with the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities and the Indenture by the Company will not violate or conflict with the laws of British Columbia, the provisions of the Company’s organizational documents, or any rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment, instrument or agreement binding upon or applicable to the Company or its investments.
The opinion expressed herein is based upon and limited to the laws of the State of New York, as currently in effect. We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, regulations or ordinances. The opinion expressed herein based on the laws of the State of New York is limited to the laws generally applicable in transactions of the type covered by the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission or that this is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Winston & Strawn LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Verano Holdings Corp.
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Verano Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) of our report dated March 30, 2023, relating to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended of December 31, 2022 and 2020, which report appears in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We further consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP
San Jose, California
July 7, 2023
Exhibit 23.2
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Verano Holdings Corp.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Verano Holdings Corp. of our report dated April 26, 2022 (except for the effect of the restatement disclosed in Note 2(e), as to which the date is August 19, 2022), relating to the consolidated financial statements of Verano Holdings Corp., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Verano Holdings Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ Baker Tilly US, LLP
Irvine, California
July 7, 2023
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