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The Ontario Securities Commission OSC Bulletin March 7, 2019 Volume 42, Issue 10 (2019), 42 OSCB The Ontario Securities Commission administers the Securities Act of Ontario (R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5) and the Commodity Futures Act of Ontario (R.S.O. 1990, c. C.20) The Ontario Securities Commission Published under the authority of the Commission by: Cadillac Fairview Tower Thomson Reuters 22nd Floor, Box 55 One Corporate Plaza 20 Queen Street West 2075 Kennedy Road Toronto, Ontario Toronto, Ontario M5H 3S8 M1T 3V4 416-593-8314 or Toll Free 1-877-785-1555 416-609-3800 or 1-800-387-5164 Contact Centre – Inquiries, Complaints: Fax: 416-593-8122 TTY: 1-866-827-1295 Office of the Secretary: Fax: 416-593-2318
The OSC Bulletin is published weekly by Thomson Reuters Canada, under the authority of the Ontario Securities Commission. Thomson Reuters Canada offers every issue of the Bulletin, from 1994 onwards, fully searchable on SecuritiesSource™, Canada’s pre-eminent web-based securities resource. SecuritiesSource™ also features comprehensive securities legislation, expert analysis, precedents and a weekly Newsletter. For more information on SecuritiesSource™, as well as ordering information, please go to: http://www.westlawecarswell.com/SecuritiesSource/News/default.htm or call Thomson Reuters Canada Customer Support at 1-416-609-3800 (Toronto & International) or 1-800-387-5164 (Toll Free Canada & U.S.). Claims from bona fide subscribers for missing issues will be honoured by Thomson Reuters Canada up to one month from publication date. Space is available in the Ontario Securities Commission Bulletin for advertisements. The publisher will accept advertising aimed at the securities industry or financial community in Canada. Advertisements are limited to tombstone announcements and professional business card announcements by members of, and suppliers to, the financial services industry. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. © Copyright 2019 Ontario Securities Commission ISSN 0226-9325 Except Chapter 7 ©CDS INC. One Corporate Plaza Customer Support 2075 Kennedy Road 1-416-609-3800 (Toronto & International) Toronto, Ontario 1-800-387-5164 (Toll Free Canada & U.S.) M1T 3V4 Fax 1-416-298-5082 (Toronto) Fax 1-877-750-9041 (Toll Free Canada Only) Email CustomerSupport.LegalTaxCanada@TR.com
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Notices ................................................... 1957 Chapter 12 Registrations ......................................... 2151 1.1 Notices .......................................................... 1957 12.1.1 Registrants..................................................... 2151 1.1.1 CSA Staff Notice 11-341 Withdrawal of Staff Notices ............................................... 1957 Chapter 13 SROs, Marketplaces, 1.2 Notices of Hearing......................................... (nil) Clearing Agencies and 1.3 Notices of Hearing with Related Trade Repositories ............................... 2153 Statements of Allegations ............................ (nil) 13.1 SROs ............................................................. 2153 1.4 Notices from the Office 13.1.1 IIROC – Housekeeping Amendments to of the Secretary ............................................ 1959 Form 1 to Adopt IFRS for Leases – 1.4.1 BDO Canada LLP........................................... 1959 Notice of Commission Deemed Approval ...... 2153 1.5 Notices from the Office 13.1.2 IIROC – Housekeeping Amendment to of the Secretary with Related Schedule 7A of Form 1 – Notice of Statements of Allegations ............................ (nil) Commission Deemed Approval ..................... 2154 13.1.3 CIPF – Amendments to CIPF By-Law Chapter 2 Decisions, Orders and Rulings ............ 1961 No. 1 – Notice of Commission Approval ........ 2155 2.1 Decisions ...................................................... 1961 13.2 Marketplaces .................................................. (nil) 2.1.1 Naspers Limited ............................................ 1961 13.3 Clearing Agencies.......................................... (nil) 2.1.2 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated .......... 1964 13.4 Trade Repositories ........................................ (nil) 2.1.3 Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. .................. 1969 2.1.4 Power Corporation of Canada ........................ 1975 Chapter 25 Other Information ................................... (nil) 2.1.5 Power Financial Corporation .......................... 1980 2.2 Orders............................................................ 1985 Index............................................................................ 2157 2.2.1 BDO Canada LLP........................................... 1985 2.2.2 Cortex Business Solutions Inc. ...................... 1985 2.2.3 Yellowhead Mining Inc.................................... 1986 2.2.4 First Capital Realty Inc. – s. 6.1 of NI 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ..................... 1987 2.3 Orders with Related Settlement Agreements.................................................... (nil) 2.4 Rulings ........................................................... (nil) Chapter 3 Reasons: Decisions, Orders and Rulings .................................................... (nil) 3.1 OSC Decisions............................................... (nil) 3.2 Director’s Decisions ...................................... (nil) Chapter 4 Cease Trading Orders ........................... 1991 4.1.1 Temporary, Permanent & Rescinding Issuer Cease Trading Orders ......................... 1991 4.2.1 Temporary, Permanent & Rescinding Management Cease Trading Orders .............. 1991 4.2.2 Outstanding Management & Insider Cease Trading Orders .................................... 1991 Chapter 5 Rules and Policies.................................. (nil) Chapter 6 Request for Comments .......................... (nil) Chapter 7 Insider Reporting................................... 1993 Chapter 9 Legislation .............................................. (nil) Chapter 11 IPOs, New Issues and Secondary Financings ............................................. 2143 March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB
Chapter 1 Notices 1.1 Notices 1.1.1 CSA Staff Notice 11-341 Withdrawal of Staff Notices CSA Staff Notice 11-341 Withdrawal of Staff Notices March 7, 2019 This notice formally withdraws a number of CSA staff notices. In general, the withdrawn material will remain available for historical research purposes on the CSA members’ websites that permit comprehensive access to CSA notices. Staff of the members of the CSA have reviewed a number of CSA staff notices. They have determined that some are outdated, no longer relevant or no longer required. The following CSA staff notices are therefore withdrawn, in the applicable CSA jurisdictions in which they have not already been withdrawn, effective immediately. CSA Staff Notices 11-319 Extension of Consultation Period – Consultation Paper 25-401: Potential Regulation of Proxy Advisory Firms 11-322 Extension of Consultation Period – Proposed Amendments to Multilateral Instrument 62-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids and National Instrument 62-103 Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues; Proposed Changes to National Policy 62-203 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids, Proposed National Instrument 62-105 Security Holder Rights Plans and Proposed Companion Policy 62-105CP Security Holder Rights Plans 11-327 Extension of Consultation Period – Draft Notice 25-201 relating to Guidance for Proxy Advisory Firms 21-304 Request for Filing of Form 21-101F5 Initial Operation Report for Information Processor by Interested Information Processors 21-306 Notice of Filing of Forms 21-101F5 Initial Operation Report for Information Processor – Extension of comment period 23-301 Electronic Audit Trails 23-302 Electronic Audit Trail Initiative (TREATS) 23-304 Status of the Transaction Reporting and Electronic Audit Trail System (TREATS) 23-306 Status of the Transaction Reporting and Electronic Audit Trail System (TREATS) 31-339 Omnibus/Blanket Orders Exempting IIROC and MFDA Registrants from Certain Provisions of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations 31-341 Omnibus/Blanket Orders Exempting Registrants from Certain CRM2 Provisions of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations 33-305 Sale of Insurance Products by Dually Employed Salespersons 45-311 Exemptions from Certain Financial Statement-Related Requirements in the Offering Memorandum Exemption to Facilitate Access to Capital by Small Business 45-320 Exemptions for Certain Foreign Issuers from the Requirement to Identify Purchasers as Registrants or Insiders in Reports of Exempt Distribution March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1957
Notices 81-320 Update on International Financial Reporting Standards for Investment Funds 81-325 Status Report on Consultation under CSA Notice 81-324 and Request for Comment on Proposed CSA Mutual Fund Risk Classification Methodology for Use in Fund Facts 81-326 Update on an Alternative Funds Framework for Investment Funds Questions Please refer your questions to any of the following people: Samir Sabharwal Sylvia Pateras Alberta Securities Commission Autorité des marchés financiers Tel: 403 297-7389 Tel: 514 395-0337, extension 2536 samir.sabharwal@asc.ca sylvia.pateras@lautorite.qc.ca Gordon Smith Sonne Udemgba British Columbia Securities Commission Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority Tel: 604 899-6656 of Saskatchewan GSmith@bcsc.bc.ca Tel: 306 787-5879 sonne.udemgba@gov.sk.ca Chris Besko Simon Thompson The Manitoba Securities Commission Ontario Securities Commission Tel: 204 945-2561 Tel: 416 593-8261 Chris.Besko@gov.mb.ca sthompson@osc.gov.on.ca Alicia W. F. Love H. Jane Anderson Financial and Consumer Services Commission Nova Scotia Securities Commission (New Brunswick) Tel: 902 424-0179 Tel: 506 658-2648 Jane.Anderson@novascotia.ca alicia.love@fcnb.ca Steven Dowling Rhonda Horte Securities Division, Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Prince Edward Island Securities Tel: 902 368-4551 Tel: 867 667-5466 sddowling@gov.pe.ca rhonda.horte@gov.yk.ca Jeremy Walsh Jeff Mason Office of the Superintendent of Securities Office of Superintendent of Securities, Northwest Territories Nunavut Tel: 867 767-9260, extension 82205 Tel: 867 767-9260, ext. 82205 Jeremy_Walsh@gov.nt.ca jmason@gov.nu.ca Renee Dyer Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Service NL Tel: 709 729-4909 reneedyer@gov.nl.ca March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1958
Notices 1.4 Notices from the Office of the Secretary 1.4.1 BDO Canada LLP FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2019 BDO CANADA LLP, File No. 2018-59 TORONTO – The Commission issued an Order in the above named matter. A copy of the Order dated February 27, 2019 is available at www.osc.gov.on.ca. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GRACE KNAKOWSKI SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION For media inquiries: media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca For investor inquiries: OSC Contact Centre 416-593-8314 1-877-785-1555 (Toll Free) March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1959
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Chapter 2 Decisions, Orders and Rulings 2.1 Decisions “N” ordinary shares of the Filer (“Filer N Shares” and together with the Filer A Shares, “Filer Shares”) located or 2.1.1 Naspers Limited resident in Canada (“Filer Canadian Shareholders”). Headnote Under the Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions (for a passport application): National Policy 11-203 Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions – relief from prospectus (a) the Ontario Securities Commission is the requirements to allow company to spin off shares of its South principal regulator for this application; and African subsidiary to investors on a pro rata basis and by way of a dividend in specie – distribution not covered by (b) the Filer has provided notice that section legislative exemptions – company is a public company in 4.7(1) of Multilateral Instrument 11-102 South Africa but is not a reporting issuer in Canada – Passport System (“MI 11-102”) is company has a de minimis presence in Canada – following intended to be relied upon in each of the the spin-off, the subsidiary will cease to be a subsidiary of other provinces and territories of Canada. the Filer, it will not be a reporting issuer in Canada – no investment decision required from Canadian shareholders in Interpretation order to receive shares of the subsidiary. Terms defined in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions and Applicable Legislative Provisions MI 11-102 have the same meanings if used in this decision, unless otherwise defined. Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5, as am., ss. 53, 74(1). Representations February 26, 2019 This decision is based on the following facts represented by IN THE MATTER OF the Filer: THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF ONTARIO 1. The Filer is a public company incorporated in South (the “Jurisdiction”) Africa with principal executive offices in Cape Town, South Africa. The Filer is a global internet AND and entertainment group operating in more than 120 countries that runs some of the world’s leading IN THE MATTER OF platforms in internet, video entertainment and THE PROCESS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF media. APPLICATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS 2. The Filer is not a reporting issuer, and currently has AND no intention of becoming a reporting issuer, under the securities laws of any province or territory of IN THE MATTER OF Canada. NASPERS LIMITED (the “Filer”) 3. The authorized capital stock of the Filer consists of 1,250,000 Filer A Shares and 500,000,000 Filer N DECISION Shares. As of September 30, 2018, there were 907,128 Filer A Shares and 438,656,059 Filer N Background Shares issued and outstanding. The principal regulator in the Jurisdiction has received an 4. The Filer N Shares are listed on the Johannesburg application from the Filer for a decision under the securities Stock Exchange (“JSE”) and trade under the legislation of the Jurisdiction (the “Legislation”) for an symbol “NPN”. Other than the foregoing listing on exemption (the “Exemption Sought”) from the prospectus the JSE, no securities of the Filer are listed or requirements contained in the Legislation in connection with posted for trading on any exchange or market in the proposed distribution (the “Spin-Off”) by the Filer of the Canada or outside Canada. The Filer has no ordinary no par value shares (“MultiChoice Shares”) of intention of listing its securities on any Canadian MultiChoice Group Limited (“MultiChoice”), a wholly-owned stock exchange after the completion of the Spin- subsidiary of the Filer, on a pro rata basis and by way of a Off. dividend in specie, to holders (“Filer Share-holders”) of the class “A” ordinary shares (“Filer A Shares”) and the class March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1961
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 5. The Filer is subject to, inter alia, the South African no other shares or classes of stock of MultiChoice Companies Act No. 71 of 2008, the Financial are issued and outstanding. It is expected that Filer Markets Act No. 19 of 2012 and the listings Shareholders will receive one MultiChoice Share requirements of the JSE, as amended from time to for every one Filer N Share held and one time, and the rules, regulations and orders MultiChoice Share for every five Filer A Shares promulgated thereunder (the “Relevant Regula- held. tions”). 12. In connection with the Spin-Off, the Filer will 6. Based on a geographic breakdown snapshot of distribute to each Filer Shareholder entitled to registered holders prepared for the Filer by Orient MultiChoice Shares, the number of whole Capital Proprietary Limited (“Orient Capital”), as of MultiChoice Shares to which the Filer Shareholder November 30, 2018, (i) there were 26 regis-tered is entitled in the form of a book-entry authorization. Filer Canadian Shareholders, representing No fractional MultiChoice Shares will be issued to approximately 3.55% of the registered share- holders of Filer N Shares. As the Filer Canadian holders of the Filer worldwide, and (ii) the Shareholders only hold Filer N Shares, no registered Filer Canadian Shareholders were fractional MultiChoice Shares will be issued to Filer holding 4,262,195 Filer N Shares, representing Canadian Shareholders. approximately 0.97% of the outstanding Filer N Shares. Filer Canadian Shareholders hold no Filer 13. Filer Shareholders will not be required to pay any A Shares. The Filer does not expect these numbers consideration for the MultiChoice Shares, or to to have materially changed since that date. surrender or exchange Filer Shares or take any other action to receive their MultiChoice Shares. 7. Based on a geographic analysis of beneficial The Spin-Off will occur automatically and without shareholders prepared for the Filer by Orient any investment decision on the part of Filer Capital, as of November 30, 2018, (i) there were Shareholders. 114 beneficial Filer Canadian Shareholders, representing approximately 3.85% of the beneficial 14. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, it is holders of Filer N Shares worldwide, and (ii) the currently anticipated that the Spin-Off will become beneficial Filer Canadian Shareholders were effective on March 4, 2019. Following the Spin-Off, holding approximately 7,371,252 Filer N Shares, MultiChoice will cease to be a subsidiary of the representing approximately 1.68% of the Filer. outstanding Filer N Shares. The Filer does not expect these numbers to have materially changed 15. MultiChoice received conditional listing approval to since that date. list the MultiChoice Shares to be distributed pursuant to the Spin-Off on the JSE under the 8. Based on the information above, the number of symbol “MCG” on January 22, 2019. registered and beneficial Filer Canadian Shareholders and the proportion of Filer Shares 16. After the completion of the Spin-Off, the Filer N held by such shareholders are de minimis. Shares will continue to be listed and traded on the JSE. 9. The Filer is proposing to spin-off, through a series of transactions, its video entertainment business 17. MultiChoice is not a reporting issuer in any province (the “MultiChoice Business”) into its wholly- or territory in Canada nor are its securities listed on owned subsidiary, MultiChoice. These any stock exchange in Canada. MultiChoice has no transactions, in addition to certain related intention to become a reporting issuer in any transactions, are expected to result in the Spin-Off province or territory of Canada or to list its by the Filer, pro rata to its shareholders, of 100% of securities on any stock exchange in Canada after the MultiChoice Shares outstanding immediately the completion of the Spin-Off. prior to such distribution. 18. The Spin-Off will be effected under the laws of 10. MultiChoice is a public company incorporated in South Africa. South Africa with principal executive offices at 144 Bram Fisher Drive, Randburg, South Africa. It is 19. Because, inter alia, the Spin-Off will be effected by currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Filer way of a dividend of MultiChoice Shares to Filer that, at the time of the Spin-Off, will hold, directly Shareholders and MultiChoice will be a wholly- and through its subsidiaries, the Filer’s MultiChoice owned subsidiary of the Filer until the imple- Business. mentation of the Spin-Off, no shareholder approval of the Spin-Off is required (or being sought) under 11. MultiChoice’s authorized capital stock is South African law. 1,000,000,000 MultiChoice Shares. As of the date hereof, all of the issued and outstanding 20. In connection with the Spin-Off, a pre-listing MultiChoice Shares, being 438,837,468 Multi- statement detailing the proposed Spin-Off (the Choice Shares, are held directly by the Filer, and “Pre-Listing Statement”) has been prepared in March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1962
Decisions, Orders and Rulings accordance with the listings requirements of the Decision JSE and submitted to the JSE. The Pre-Listing Statement was approved by the JSE for publication The principal regulator is satisfied that the decision meets on January 22, 2019. the test contained in the Legislation for the principal regulator to make the decision. 21. Filer Shareholders will receive a notice of internet availability or, where required, a hard copy of the The decision of the principal regulator under the Legislation Pre-Listing Statement. All materials relating to the is that the Exemption Sought is granted provided that the first Spin-Off sent by or on behalf of the Filer and trade in MultiChoice Shares distributed in reliance on this MultiChoice in South Africa (including relating to decision will be deemed to be a distribution that is subject to the Pre-Listing Statement) will be sent concurrently section 2.6 of National Instrument 45-102 Resale of to Filer Canadian Shareholders. Securities. 22. The Pre-Listing Statement contains prospectus “Cecilia Williams” level disclosure about MultiChoice. Commissioner Ontario Securities Commission 23. Filer Canadian Shareholders who receive MultiChoice Shares pursuant to the Spin-Off will “Garnet Fenn” have the benefit of the same rights and remedies in Commissioner respect of the disclosure documentation received in Ontario Securities Commission connection with the Spin-Off that are available to Filer Shareholders resident in South Africa. 24. Following the completion of the Spin-Off, MultiChoice will be subject to the requirements of the Relevant Regulations. MultiChoice will provide concurrently to holders of MultiChoice Shares located or resident in Canada, the same disclosure materials required to be provided under the Relevant Regulations to holders of MultiChoice Shares resident in South Africa. 25. There will be no active trading market for the MultiChoice Shares in Canada following the Spin- Off and none is expected to develop. Consequently, it is expected that any resale of MultiChoice Shares distributed in connection with the Spin-Off will occur through the facilities of the JSE or any other exchange or market outside of Canada on which MultiChoice Shares may be quoted or listed at the time that the trade occurs, or to a person or company outside of Canada. 26. The Spin-Off to Filer Canadian Shareholders would be exempt from the prospectus requirement pursuant to subsection 2.31(2) of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions but for the fact that Multichoice is not a reporting issuer under the securities legislation of any jurisdiction in Canada. 27. Neither the Filer nor MultiChoice is in default of any securities legislation in any jurisdiction of Canada. 2.1.2 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated Headnote National Policy 11-203 Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdiction – relief granted permitting issuer to send proxy-related materials to registered securityholders and beneficial owners using a delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities law. March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1963
Decisions, Orders and Rulings Applicable Legislative Provisions National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations, ss. 9.1, 9.1.5, 13.1. National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer, ss. 2.7, 9.1.1, 9.2. February 14, 2019 IN THE MATTER OF THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ONTARIO (the Jurisdictions) AND IN THE MATTER OF THE PROCESS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF APPLICATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS AND IN THE MATTER OF RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED (the Filer) DECISION Background 1 The securities regulatory authority or regulator in each of the Jurisdictions (the Decision Maker) has received an application from the Filer for a decision under the securities legislation of the Jurisdictions (the Legislation) for relief from the requirements in National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102) and National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer (NI 54-101) to permit the Filer to: (a) send proxy-related materials to registered holders (Registered Holders) of common shares (the Common Shares) using a notice-and-access delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities laws (the Registered Holder Notice-and-Access Relief); and (b) send proxy-related materials to beneficial holders (Beneficial Holders) of Common Shares using a notice-and-access delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities laws (the Beneficial Holder Notice-and-Access Relief, and together with the Registered Holder Notice-and-Access Relief, the Requested Relief). Under the Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions: (a) the British Columbia Securities Commission is the principal regulator for this application; (b) the Filer has provided notice that section 4.7(1) of Multilateral Instrument 11-102 Passport System (MI 11-102) is intended to be relied upon in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut; and (c) this decision is the decision of the principal regulator and evidences the decision of the securities regulatory authority or regulator in Ontario. Interpretation 2 Terms defined in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions, MI 11-102, NI 51-102 and NI 54-101 have the same meaning if used in this decision, unless otherwise defined. Representations 3 This decision is based on the following facts represented by the Filer: March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1964
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 1. the Filer is a corporation amalgamated under the Canada Business Corporations Act on December 12, 1997; 2. the Filer’s head office is located at 9500 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, British Columbia; 3. the Filer is in the business of asset management and disposition of used industrial equipment and other durable assets; the Filer operates globally with locations in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands, and employs more than 2,100 full-time employees worldwide; 4. the Filer is a reporting issuer or the equivalent under the securities legislation of each of the provinces and territories in Canada and is currently not in default of any applicable requirements under the securities legislation in any jurisdiction of Canada; 5. as at December 31, 2018, the Filer had 108,686,217 Common Shares issued and outstanding; 6. the Common Shares are listed and posted for trading on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RBA”; 7. the Filer is an “SEC issuer” as defined in NI 51-102 and is required to comply with applicable U.S. securities laws in all respects; 8. the Filer has determined that it currently does not qualify as a “foreign private issuer” under Rule 3b-4 of the 1934 Act and is required to comply with the U.S. proxy rules applicable to U.S. domestic registrants; 9. NI 51-102 requires the Filer to deliver proxy-related materials to Registered Holders entitled to vote at a meeting of securityholders of the Filer and NI 54-101 requires the Filer to deliver proxy-related materials to intermediaries for delivery to Beneficial Holders entitled to vote at a meeting of securityholders of the Filer that have requested materials for the meetings of the Filer; 10. the Filer is unable to use the Canadian notice-and-access procedures in section 9.1.1 of NI 51-102 and section 2.7.1 of NI 54-101 because the Canadian notice-and-access procedures and U.S. proxy rules relating to notice- and-access applicable to the Filer have irreconcilable requirements regarding proxy-related materials to be provided to securityholders; 11. section 9.1.5 of NI 51-102 and section 9.1.1(1) of NI 54-101 allow an issuer that is an SEC issuer, if certain applicable requirements are met, to send proxy-related materials to registered holders and beneficial holders of securities, respectively, using a delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities law; 12. in accordance with section 9.1.5 of NI 51-102, a reporting issuer that is an SEC issuer can send proxy-related materials to registered holders under section 9.1 of NI 51-102 using a delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities law, if both of the following apply: (a) the SEC issuer is subject to, and complies with Rule 14a-16 (the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules) under the 1934 Act; and (b) residents of Canada do not own, directly or indirectly, outstanding voting securities carrying more than 50% of the votes for the election of directors, and none of the following apply: (i) the majority of the executive officers or directors of the issuer are residents of Canada; (ii) more than 50% of the consolidated assets of the issuer are located in Canada; and (iii) the business of the issuer is administered principally in Canada (the Automatic Registered Holder Exemption); 13. in accordance with section 9.1.1(1) of NI 54-101, a reporting issuer that is an SEC issuer can send proxy-related materials to beneficial holders using a delivery method permitted under U.S. federal securities law if all of the following apply: (a) the SEC issuer is subject to and complies with the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules; (b) the SEC issuer has arranged with each intermediary through whom the beneficial holder holds its interest in the reporting issuer’s securities to have each intermediary send the proxy-related materials March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1965
Decisions, Orders and Rulings to the beneficial owner by implementing the procedures under Rule 14b-1 or Rule 14b-2 under the 1934 Act that relate to the procedures in the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules; and (c) residents of Canada do not own, directly or indirectly, outstanding voting securities of the issuer carrying more than 50% of the votes for the election of directors, and none of the following apply: (i) the majority of the executive officers or directors of the issuer are residents of Canada; (ii) more than 50% of the consolidated assets of the issuer are located in Canada; and (iii) the business of the issuer is administered principally in Canada (the Automatic Beneficial Holder Exemption and, together with the Automatic Registered Holder Exemption, the Automatic Exemptions); 14. the Filer is unable to rely on the Automatic Exemptions as its business is administered principally in Canada; despite this: (a) over 75% of the Filer’s outstanding voting securities carrying the right to vote for the election of the Filer’s directors are held, directly or indirectly, by persons that are not residents of Canada; (b) the majority of the executive officers and directors of the Filer are not residents of Canada (five out of nine directors and four out of eight executive officers are not residents of Canada); (c) as of December 31, 2018, approximately 75% of the consolidated property, plant and equipment assets of the Filer are located outside of Canada; (d) the majority of the trading volume of the Common Shares occurs on the New York Stock Exchange; and (e) the Filer’s business has a global reach, with the majority of the Filer’s employees located outside of Canada and 75% of the Filer’s revenues in 2018 generated outside of Canada; 15. for any meeting of holders of Common Shares of the Filer for which the Filer elects to deliver proxy-related materials by using notice-and-access (each, a Notice-and-Access Meeting), the Filer will send proxy-related materials to holders of Common Shares in compliance with the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules; 16. the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules allow the Filer to furnish proxy-related materials by sending Registered Holders a notice of internet availability of proxy materials (the Notice) 40 calendar days or more prior to the date of the applicable Notice-and-Access Meeting and sending the record holder, broker or respondent bank the Notice in sufficient time for the record holder, broker or respondent bank to prepare, print and send the Notice to Beneficial Holders at least 40 calendar days before the date of the Notice-and-Access Meeting, and making all proxy-related materials identified in the Notice, including the management proxy circular (Circular), publicly accessible, free of charge, at a website address specified in the Notice; 17. the Notice will comply with the requirements of the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules and include instructions regarding how a securityholder entitled to vote at the applicable Notice-and-Access Meeting may request a paper or e-mail copy of the proxy-related materials at no charge; the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules permit the Filer and, in turn, the record holder, broker, or respondent bank, to send only the Notice to Beneficial Holders, provided that all applicable requirements of the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules have been satisfied; 18. in lieu of delivering to each Registered Holder the proxy-related materials required under NI 51-102, for each Notice-and-Access Meeting the Filer will deliver by mail or electronically (if permitted by applicable law) the Notice to each Registered Holder; 19. in lieu of delivering to each Beneficial Holder the proxy-related materials required under NI 54-101, for each Notice-and-Access Meeting the Filer will deliver to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., its affiliates, successor or an equivalent provider of proxy services (collectively, Broadridge), the Notice for delivery to each Beneficial Holder; Broadridge will deliver the English only Notice to all Beneficial Holders by postage-paid mail or electronically (if permitted by applicable law); Broadridge will act as the Filer’s agent for delivery purposes and the Filer will pay all of the expenses involved in printing and delivering the Notice to all requesting Beneficial Holders; March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1966
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 20. the Notice sent by the Filer to securityholders entitled to vote at a Notice-and-Access Meeting will include the following information: (a) the date, time and location of the Notice-and-Access Meeting as well as information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the Notice-and-Access Meeting and vote in person or to designate another person to attend, vote and act on the securityholder’s behalf; (b) a description of each matter to be voted on at the Notice-and-Access Meeting, including the recommendations of the board of directors of the Filer regarding those matters; (c) a plain language explanation of the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules, including that the Circular, form of proxy and voting instruction form for the Notice-and-Access Meeting have been made available online and that securityholders may request a physical copy at no charge; (d) an explanation of how to obtain a physical copy of the Circular, form of proxy and voting instruction form for the Notice-and-Access Meeting; (e) the website addresses for SEDAR, EDGAR and the Filer’s website where the proxy-related materials are posted; (f) a reminder to review the Circular for the Notice-and-Access Meeting before voting; (g) an explanation of the methods available for securityholders to vote at the Notice-and-Access Meeting; and (h) the date by which a validly completed form of proxy or voting instruction form must be deposited in order for the securities represented by the form of proxy or voting instruction form to be voted at the Notice-and-Access Meeting or any adjournment; 21. Registered Holders and Beneficial Holders requesting the proxy-related materials will receive the same materials required to be sent to securityholders under the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules; 22. in accordance with the U.S. proxy rules applicable to the Filer, a Beneficial Holder who wants to attend a Notice- and-Access Meeting in person will be required to obtain a proxy from their applicable intermediary; 23. for each Notice-and-Access Meeting, Broadridge will notify all Canadian intermediaries on whose behalf it or a related company acts as agent under NI 54-101 to advise them of the Filer’s reliance on the U.S. Notice-and- Access Rules and this decision; 24. for each Notice-and-Access Meeting, the Filer will retain Broadridge to respond to requests for the proxy-related materials from all Beneficial Holders and retain its registrar and transfer agent (Transfer Agent, and together with Broadridge, the Agents) to respond to requests for proxy-related materials from all Registered Holders; the Notice from the Filer will direct Registered Holders and Beneficial Holders to contact the applicable Agent at a specified toll-free telephone number, by e-mail or via the internet to request a printed copy of the proxy-related materials for the Notice-and-Access Meeting; the Agents will give notice to the Filer of the receipt of requests for printed copies and the Filer will provide English-only materials to the Agents in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules; 25. to comply with the U.S. Notice-and-Access Rules, the Filer will not receive any information about the Registered Holders and Beneficial Holders that contact the Agents other than the aggregate number of proxy-related material packages requested by the Registered Holders and Beneficial Holders and will reimburse the Agents for delivery requests; and 26. the Filer has consulted with the Agents in developing the mailing and voting procedures for Registered Holders and Beneficial Holders described in this decision. March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1967
Decisions, Orders and Rulings Decision 4 Each of the Decision Makers is satisfied that the decision meets the test set out in the Legislation for the Decision Makers to make the decision. The decision of the Decision Makers under the Legislation is that the Requested Relief is granted, provided that, in respect of a Notice-and-Access Meeting, at the time the Filer sends the notification of meeting and record dates for such meeting in accordance with section 2.2 of NI 54-101, the Filer meets all of the applicable requirements of the Automatic Exemptions other than those set out in: (a) section 9.1.5(b)(iii) of NI 51-102, in the case of the Automatic Registered Holder Exemption, and (b) section 9.1.1(1)(c)(iii) of NI 54-101, in the case of the Automatic Beneficial Holder Exemption. “Nigel Cave” Vice Chair British Columbia Securities Commission March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1968
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 2.1.3 Canaccord Genuity Growth Corp. Headnote National Policy 11-203 Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions – Issuer granted relief from certain restricted security requirements under National Instrument 41-101 Prospectus Requirements, National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions and National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations – relief granted subject to conditions. OSC Rule 56-501 Restricted Shares – Issuer granted relief from certain restricted share requirements under OSC Rule 56-501 – relief granted subject to conditions. Applicable Legislative Provisions National Instrument 44-101 General Prospectus Requirements, ss. 12.2, 12.3, 19.1. Form 41-101F1 Information Required in a Prospectus, ss. 1.13, 10.6. National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions, s. 8.1. Form 44-101F1 Short Form Prospectus, ss. 1.12, 7.7. National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations, Part 10 and s. 13.1. OSC Rule 56-501 Restricted Shares, Parts 2 and 3 and s. 4.2. March 1, 2019 IN THE MATTER OF THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF ONTARIO (the Jurisdiction) AND IN THE MATTER OF THE PROCESS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF APPLICATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS AND IN THE MATTER OF CANACCORD GENUITY GROWTH CORP. (the Filer) DECISION Background The principal regulator in the Jurisdiction has received an application (the Application) from the Filer for a decision under the securities legislation of the Jurisdiction of the principal regulator (the Legislation) that the requirements under: a) section 12.2 of National Instrument 41-101 General Prospectus Requirements (NI 41-101), relating to the use of restricted security terms, and sections 1.13 and 10.6 of Form 41-101F1 Information Required in a Prospectus (Form 41-101F1) and sections 1.12 and 7.7 of Form 44-101F1 Short Form Prospectus (Form 44-101F1) relating to restricted security disclosure shall not apply to the common shares in the capital of the Filer (the Common Shares) (the Prospectus Disclosure Exemption) in connection with (i) the prospectus the Filer is required to file pursuant to the NEO Exchange Listing Manual (the NEO Rules) containing disclosure regarding the Filer’s proposed qualifying transaction (the Filer’s Prospectus) and (ii) other prospectuses (together with the Filer’s Prospectus, Prospectuses) that may be filed by the Filer under National Instrument 44-101 Short Form Prospectus Distributions (NI 44-101), including a prospectus filed under National Instrument 44-102 Shelf Distributions; b) section 12.3 of NI 41-101 relating to prospectus filing eligibility for distributions of restricted securities shall not apply to distributions of Common Shares (the Prospectus Eligibility Exemption) in connection with Prospectuses; March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1969
Decisions, Orders and Rulings c) Part 2 of OSC Rule 56-501 Restricted Shares (OSC Rule 56-501) relating to the use of restricted share terms and restricted share disclosure shall not apply to the Common Shares (the OSC Rule 56-501 Disclosure Exemption) in connection with dealer and adviser documentation, rights offering circulars and offering memoranda (OSC Rule 56-501 Documents) of the Filer; d) Part 3 of OSC Rule 56-501 relating to the withdrawal of prospectus exemptions for distributions of restricted shares shall not apply to the distribution of the Common Shares (the OSC Rule 56-501 Withdrawal Exemption) in connection with stock distributions (as defined in OSC Rule 56-501) of the Filer; and e) Part 10 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102) relating to the use of restricted security terms and restricted security disclosure shall not apply to the Common Shares (the CD Disclosure Exemption) in connection with continuous disclosure documents (the CD Documents) that may be filed by the Filer under NI 51-102. The aforementioned requirements are collectively referred to as the Restricted Security Rules. The Prospectus Disclosure Exemption, the Prospectus Eligibility Exemption, the OSC Rule 56-501 Disclosure Exemption, the OSC Rule 56-501 Withdrawal Exemption and the CD Disclosure Exemption are collectively referred to as the Exemption Sought. Under the Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions (for a passport application): a) the Ontario Securities Commission is the principal regulator for this Application; and b) the Filer has provided notice that subsection 4.7(1) of Multilateral Instrument 11-102 Passport System (MI 11- 102) is intended to be relied upon in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon (other than with respect to the OSC Rule 56-501 Disclosure Exemption and the OSC Rule 56-501 Withdrawal Exemption), which, pursuant to subsection 8.2(2) of National Policy 11-202 Process for Prospectus Reviews in Multiple Jurisdictions (NP 11-202) and subsection 5.2(6) of National Policy 11-203 Process for Exemptive Relief Applications in Multiple Jurisdictions (NP 11-203), also satisfies the notice requirement of Section 4.7(1)(c) of MI 11-102. Interpretation Terms defined in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions, MI 11-102, NP 11-202, NP 11-203, NI 41-101, NI 44-101, NI 51-102 and OSC Rule 56-501 have the same meaning if used in this decision, unless otherwise defined. Representations This decision is based on the following facts represented by the Filer: 1. The Filer is a corporation incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the OBCA) and is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon. 2. The registered and head office of the Filer is located in Toronto, Ontario. 3. The Filer is a special purpose acquisition corporation incorporated for the purpose of effecting a qualifying transaction pursuant to the rules of the Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. (the NEO). 4. The Filer has entered into a transaction agreement with Columbia Care LLC (Columbia Care) dated November 21, 2018, pursuant to which the Filer shall acquire all of the membership interests of Columbia Care by way of a merger between Columbia Care and a newly-formed Delaware subsidiary of the Filer (the Proposed Transaction). 5. The Proposed Transaction is intended to constitute a “qualifying transaction” (as such term is defined in the NEO Rules) of the Filer. 6. The authorized capital of the Filer consists of an unlimited number of class A restricted voting shares (Class A Shares), class B shares (Class B Shares) and Common Shares. 7. The Filer’s class A restricted voting units (consisting of one Class A Share and one warrant) are currently listed on the NEO under the symbol “CGGC.UN”. March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1970
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 8. It is currently contemplated that as part of the Proposed Transaction the articles of the Filer will be amended to, among other things, remove the Class A Shares and the Class B Shares, amend the terms of the Common Shares and authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of proportionate voting shares (PV Shares) (together with the Common Shares, the Shares) and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series (Preferred Shares). 9. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, the PV Shares will constitute subject securities (as defined in NI 41-101, NI 51-102 and OSC Rule 56-501) and the Filer’s only issued and outstanding subject securities will be the PV Shares. 10. Immediately upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Filer’s authorized share capital will consist of (i) an unlimited number of Common Shares; (ii) an unlimited number of PV Shares; and (iii) an unlimited number of Preferred Shares. 11. Following the Proposed Transaction: a) The Common Shares may at any time, at the option of the holder thereof and with the consent of the Filer, be converted into PV Shares on the basis of one (1) Common Share for one one-hundredth (0.01) of a PV Share. b) The PV Shares may at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, be converted into Common Shares on the basis of one hundred (100) Common Shares for one (1) PV Share, with fractional PV Shares convertible into Common Shares on the same ratio. If the board of directors of the Filer determines that it is no longer advisable to maintain the PV Shares as a separate class of shares, then the PV Shares shall be converted into Common Shares on the basis of one hundred (100) Common Shares for one (1) PV Share, with fractional PV Shares convertible into Common Shares on the same ratio. c) Subject to the preferences accorded to the holders of the Preferred Shares, each PV Share is entitled to dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by the board of directors, with each PV Share being entitled to one hundred (100) times the amount paid or distributed per Common Share (or, if a stock dividend is declared, each PV Share shall be entitled to receive the same number of PV Shares per PV Share as the number of Common Shares entitled to be received per Common Share), and fractional PV Shares will be entitled to the applicable fraction thereof, and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares. d) Subject to the preferences accorded to the holders of the Preferred Shares, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Filer, the holders of Shares are entitled to participate in the distribution of the remaining property and assets of the Filer, with each PV Share being entitled to one hundred (100) times the amount distributed per Common Share and fractional PV Shares will be entitled to the applicable fraction thereof, and otherwise without preference or distinction among or between the Shares. e) The holders of the Shares are entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Filer, except those meetings at which holders of a specific class of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class under the OBCA. f) The Common Shares will carry one (1) vote per share and the PV Shares will carry one hundred (100) votes per share. Fractional PV Shares will be entitled to the number of votes calculated by multiplying the fraction by one hundred (100). 12. The rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Shares may be modified if the amendment is authorized by not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at a meeting of holders of the Shares duly held for that purpose. However, if the holders of PV Shares, as a class, or the holders of Common Shares, as a class, are to be affected in a manner materially different from such other class of Shares, the amendment must, in addition, be authorized by not less than 66⅔% of the votes cast at a meeting of the holders of the class of shares which is affected differently. 13. No subdivision or consolidation of the Common Shares or PV Shares may be carried out unless, at the same time, the shares of the other class are subdivided or consolidated in the same manner and on the same basis, so as to preserve the relative rights of the holders of each such class of Shares. 14. In addition to the conversion rights described above, if an offer (Offer) is made for PV Shares where: (a) by reason of applicable securities legislation or stock exchange requirements, the offer must be made to all holders of the class of PV Shares; and (b) no equivalent offer is made for the Common Shares, the holders of Common Shares shall have the right, at their option, to convert their Common Shares into PV Shares for the purposes of allowing the holders of the Common Shares to tender to the Offer. 15. In the event that holders of Common Shares are entitled to convert their Common Shares into PV Shares in connection with an Offer, holders of an aggregate of Common Shares of less than one hundred (100) (an Odd Lot) will be entitled March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1971
Decisions, Orders and Rulings to convert all but not less than all of such Odd Lot of Common Shares into an applicable fraction of one PV Share, provided that such conversion into a fractional PV Share will be solely for the purpose of tendering the fractional PV Share to the Offer in question and that any fraction of a PV Share that is tendered to the Offer but that is not, for any reason, taken up and paid for by the offeror will automatically be reconverted into the Common Shares that existed prior to such conversion. 16. The Preferred Shares will be issuable in series at the discretion of the board of directors of the Filer and each such series will have the terms and conditions determined by the Filer’s board of directors. No Preferred Shares will be issued and outstanding immediately following completion of the Proposed Transaction. 17. The Filer is seeking the Exemption Sought in respect of, among other things, references to the Common Shares in Prospectuses and CD Documents. 18. Section 12.2 of NI 41-101 requires that an issuer must not refer to a security in a prospectus by a term or a defined term that includes the word “common” unless the security is an equity security to which are attached voting rights exercisable in all circumstances, irrespective of the number or percentage of securities owned, that are not less, per security, than the voting rights attached to any other outstanding security of the issuer. 19. Section 12.3 of NI 41-101 requires that an issuer must not file a prospectus under which restricted securities, subject securities or securities that are, directly or indirectly, convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, restricted securities or subject securities, are distributed unless: a) the distribution has received prior majority approval of the securityholders of the issuer in accordance with applicable law, including approval on a class basis if required and excluding any votes attaching at the time to securities held, directly or indirectly, by affiliates of the issuer or control persons of the issuer, or b) at the time of any restricted security reorganization related to the securities to be distributed: i) the restricted security reorganization received prior majority approval of the securityholders of the issuer in accordance with applicable law, including approval on a class basis if required and excluding any votes attaching at the time to securities held, directly or indirectly, by affiliates of the issuer or control persons of the issuer, ii) the issuer was a reporting issuer in at least one jurisdiction, and iii) no purposes or business reasons for the creation of restricted securities were disclosed that are inconsistent with the purpose of the distribution. 20. Sections 1.13 and 10.6 of Form 41-101F1 and sections 1.12 and 7.7 of Form 44-101F1 require that an issuer provide certain restricted security disclosure. 21. Section 2.2 of OSC Rule 56-501 requires dealer and adviser documentation to include the appropriate restricted share term if restricted shares and the appropriate restricted share term or a code reference to restricted shares or the appropriate restricted share term are included in a trading record published by the NEO or other exchange listed in OSC Rule 56-501. 22. Section 2.3 of OSC Rule 56-501 requires that a rights offering circular or offering memorandum for a stock distribution prepared for a reporting issuer comply with certain requirements including, among others, that restricted shares may not be referred to by a term or a defined term that includes “common”, “preference” or “preferred” and that such shares shall be referred to using a term or a defined term that includes the appropriate restricted share term. 23. Section 3.2 of OSC Rule 56-501 provides that the prospectus exemptions under Ontario securities law are not available for a stock distribution of securities of a reporting issuer unless either the stock distribution received minority approval of shareholders or all the conditions set out in subsection 3.2(2) are satisfied and the information circular relating to the shareholders’ meeting held to obtain such minority approval for the stock distribution included prescribed disclosure. 24. Section 10.1 of NI 51-102 requires a reporting issuer that has outstanding restricted securities, or securities that are directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for restricted securities or securities that will, when issued, result in an existing class of outstanding securities being considered restricted securities, to provide specific disclosure with respect to such securities in its information circular, a document required by NI 51-102 to be delivered upon request by a reporting issuer to any of its securityholders, an annual information form prepared by the reporting issuer as well as any other documents that it sends to its securityholders. March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1972
Decisions, Orders and Rulings 25. Section 10.2 of NI 51-102 sets out the procedure to be followed with respect to the dissemination of disclosure documents to holders of restricted securities. 26. Pursuant to the Restricted Security Rules, a “restricted security” means an equity security of a reporting issuer if any of the following apply: a) there is another class of securities of the reporting issuer that, to a reasonable person, appears to carry a greater number of votes per security relative to the equity security, b) the conditions of the class of equity securities, the conditions attached to another class of securities of the reporting issuer, or the reporting issuer’s constating documents have provisions that nullify or, to a reasonable person appear to significantly restrict the voting rights of the equity securities, or c) the reporting issuer has issued another class of equity securities that, to a reasonable person, appears to entitle the owners of securities of that other class to participate in the earnings or assets of the reporting issuer to a greater extent, on a per security basis, than the owners of the first class of equity securities. 27. As the PV Shares will entitle the holders thereof to multiple votes per PV Share held, it will technically represent a class of securities to which multiple votes are attached. The multiple votes attaching to the PV Shares would, absent the Exemption Sought, have the following consequences in respect of the technical status of the Common Shares: a) pursuant to NI 41-101 and NI 44-101, the Filer would be unable to use the word “common” to refer to the Common Shares in the Prospectuses and the Filer would be required to provide the specific disclosure required by NI 41-101 and NI 44-101 because the PV Shares would represent a security to which are attached voting rights exercisable in all circumstances, irrespective of the number or percentage of securities owned, that are more, per security, than the voting rights attached to the Common Shares, b) the Common Shares would be considered “restricted shares” pursuant to OSC Rule 56-501 and the Filer would be subject to the dealer and advisor documentary disclosure obligations and distribution restrictions in OSC Rule 56-501 because the PV Shares would represent a security to which is attached voting rights exercisable in all circumstances, irrespective of the number of percentage of shares owned, that are more, on a per share basis, than the voting rights attaching to the Common Shares of the Filer and the Filer would be unable to use the word “common” to refer to the Common Shares in a rights offering circular or offering memorandum for a stock distribution, and c) the Common Shares could be considered “restricted securities” pursuant to paragraph (a) of the definition of the term in NI 51-102 and the Filer would be required to provide the specific disclosure required by NI 51-102 in respect of the Common Shares because the PV Shares would represent another class of securities of the Filer that, to a reasonable person, appears to carry a greater number of votes per security relative to the Common Shares. 28. The NEO advised the Filer that it will permit the Filer to designate the Common Shares as common shares, provided that the Exemption Sought is granted. Decision The principal regulator is satisfied that the decision meets the test set out in the Legislation for the principal regulator to make the decision. The decision of the principal regulator under the Legislation is that the Exemption Sought is granted provided that: a) in connection with the Prospectus Disclosure Exemption and the Prospectus Eligibility Exemption as they apply to Prospectuses, at the time the Filer relies on the Exemption Sought: i) the representations in paragraphs 9-16, above, continue to apply; ii) the Filer has no restricted securities (as defined in section 1.1 of NI 41-101) issued and outstanding other than the Common Shares; and iii) the Prospectuses include disclosure consistent with the representations in paragraphs 9-16 above; March 7, 2019 (2019), 42 OSCB 1973
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