PUBLIC CT- COMPETITION TRIBUNAL
IN THE MATTER OF the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34, and the Competition Tribunal Rules, SOR/2008-141;
AND IN THE MATTER OF the proposed acquisition by Couche-Tard Inc. and Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. of 293 retail gasoline and vacant sites in the Greater Montréal Area and Ontario from Imperial Oil;
AND IN THE MATTER OF the filing and registration of a consent agreement pursuant to sections 92 and 105 of the Competition Act.
B E T W E E N : THE COMMISSIONER OF COMPETITION Applicant – and – COUCHE-TARD INC. AND MAC’S CONVENIENCE STORES INC. Respondents CONSENT AGREEMENT RECITALS: A. Couche-Tard Inc. (“CTI”) and Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. (“Mac’s”), (collectively, “Couche-Tard”), propose to acquire 279 retail gasoline stations, one site operated by an independent dealer and 13 sites that are either vacant land or undeveloped sites, in the Greater Montréal Area and Ontario from Imperial Oil (the “Transaction”).
B. The Commissioner has concluded that the Transaction is likely to result in a substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition in the retail supply of gasoline in Carleton Place, Ontario, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec, and that the implementation of this Agreement is necessary to ensure that any substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition will not result from the Transaction.
PUBLIC C. Couche-Tard does not admit but will not for the purposes of this Agreement, including execution, registration, enforcement, variation or rescission, contest the Commissioner’s conclusions that (i) the Transaction is likely to result in a substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition in the retail supply of gasoline in Carleton Place, Ontario, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec; and (ii) the implementation of this Agreement is necessary to ensure that any substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition will not result from the Transaction.
D. Nothing in this Agreement affects any investigation, inquiry or proceeding other than under section 92 of the Act in respect of the Transaction.
THEREFORE Couche-Tard and the Commissioner agree as follows: I. DEFINITIONS [1] Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and terms have the meanings set out below:
(a) “Act” means the Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34, as amended; (b) “Affiliate” means, in respect of a Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such first Person, whether directly or indirectly, and “control” means directly or indirectly hold securities or other interests in a Person (i) to which are attached more than 50% of the votes that may be cast to elect directors or persons exercising similar functions or (ii) entitling the holder to receive more than 50% of the profits of the Person or more than 50% of its assets on dissolution;
(c) “Agreement” means this Consent Agreement, including the schedules hereto, and references to a “Part”, “Section”, “Paragraph” or “Schedule” are, unless otherwise indicated, references to a part, section, paragraph or schedule of or to this Agreement;
(d) “Benchmark Stations” shall have the meaning set out in Paragraph 37 of this Agreement;
(e) “Business Day” means a day on which the Competition Bureau’s Gatineau, Québec office is open for business;
(f) “Closing” means the completion of the Transaction under the Transaction Agreement;
(g) “Closing Date” means the date on which Closing occurs; (h) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Competition appointed under the Act and includes his authorized representatives;
PUBLIC (i) “Confidential Information” means competitively sensitive, proprietary and all other information that is not in the public domain, and that is owned by or pertains to a Person or a Person’s business, and includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, operations and financial information, customer lists, price lists, contracts, cost and revenue information, marketing methods, patents, technologies, processes, or other trade secrets;
(j) “Couche-Tard” means CTI and Mac’s, collectively; (k) “Couche-Tard Divested Business” means the business of Couche-Tard in Carleton Place, Ontario listed at Schedule C;
(l) “Couche-Tard’s Continuing Employees” means those employees of Couche-Tard who are not employed in connection with the Hold Separate Assets;
(m) “CTI” means Couche-Tard Inc. and its Affiliates, and their directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns;
(n) “Designated Personnel” means the employees of Couche-Tard listed in Schedule F, as modified from time to time by agreement of Couche-Tard and the Commissioner, who shall have signed a confidentiality agreement in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner;
(o) “Divested Business” means (i) in Carleton Place, Ontario, the business of Couche-Tard, and (ii) in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec, the business of Imperial Oil to be acquired by Couche-Tard; in each case listed at Schedule B;
(p) “Divestiture” means the sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment or other disposal of the Divestiture Assets to a Purchaser or Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement and with the prior approval of the Commissioner, such that Couche-Tard will have no direct or indirect interest in the Divestiture Assets;
(q) “Divestiture Agreement” means a binding and definitive agreement between Couche-Tard and a Purchaser to effect the Divestiture pursuant to this Agreement and subject to the prior approval of the Commissioner;
(r) “Divestiture Applicant” means Couche-Tard during the Initial Sale Period or the Divestiture Trustee during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period;
(s) “Divestiture Assets” means all of the right, title and interest of Couche-Tard, if any, in, to and under, or relating to, the tangible assets (including for greater certainty personal property, real property, equipment and inventory), Intangible Assets, property, contracts (including for greater
PUBLIC certainty leases, sales associate or dealer agreements, as applicable), approvals and authorizations (to the extent assignable), and undertaking owned or used by Couche-Tard or held by Couche-Tard for use in, or relating to, the Divested Business, excluding any Excluded Assets (as that term is defined in the Transaction Agreement), provided that any Purchaser shall have the right to continue to use any trademarks or brands at the site for a period of three (3) months following the Divestiture, to the extent permitted under any applicable license or sub-license agreement;
(t) “Divestiture Process Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 6 of this Agreement;
(u) “Divestiture Trustee” means the Person appointed pursuant to Part III of this Agreement (or any substitute appointed thereto) and any employees, agents or other Persons acting for or on behalf of the Divestiture Trustee;
(v) “Divestiture Trustee Sale” means the Divestiture to be conducted by the Divestiture Trustee pursuant to Part III of this Agreement;
(w) “Divestiture Trustee Sale Period” means the 6 month period commencing upon expiry of the Initial Sale Period;
(x) “First Reference Date” shall have the meaning set out in Paragraph 22(d) of this Agreement;
(y) “Hold Separate Assets” means the assets listed in Schedule D; (z) “Hold Separate Employees” means those employees of Couche-Tard who are employed in connection with the Hold Separate Assets, and “Hold Separate Employee” means any one of them;
(aa) “Hold Separate Manager” means the Person appointed pursuant to Part V of this Agreement (or any substitute appointed thereto) to manage the operation of the Hold Separate Assets, and any employees, agents or other Persons acting for or on behalf of the Hold Separate Manager;
(bb) “Hold Separate Period” means the period that commences at Closing and ends upon the completion of the Divestiture;
(cc) “Imperial Oil” means Imperial Oil, Persons controlled by it, and their directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns;
(dd) “Initial Sale Period” means the period that commences at Closing and ends at the time set out in Confidential Schedule A to this Agreement;
PUBLIC (ee) “Intangible Assets” means intellectual property of any nature and kind used in connection with or relating to the Divestiture Assets or Divested Business, including:
(i) patents, copyrights, trademarks and software; (ii) trade dress, industrial designs, distinguishing guises, trade secrets, know-how, techniques, data, inventions, practices, methods and other confidential or proprietary technical, business, research, development and other information, and all rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof;
(iii) rights to obtain and file for patents and registrations thereof; and (iv) rights to sue and recover damages or obtain injunctive relief for infringement, dilution, misappropriation, violation or breach of any of the foregoing;
(ff) “Mac’s” means Mac’s Convenience Stores Inc. and its Affiliates, and their directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns;
(gg) “Management Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 26 of this Agreement;
(hh) “Monitor” means the Person appointed pursuant to Part XI of this Agreement (or any substitute appointed thereto), and any employees, agents or other Persons acting for or on behalf of the Monitor, provided that if no Monitor is appointed, other than in Part XI of this Agreement Monitor means the Commissioner;
(ii) “Monitor Agreement” means the agreement described in Section 43 of this Agreement;
(jj) “Parties” means the Commissioner, CTI and Mac’s collectively, and “Party” means any one of them;
(kk) “Person” means any individual, corporation or partnership, sole proprietorship, trust or other unincorporated organization capable of conducting business, and any Affiliates thereof;
(ll) “Preservation Assets” means all of the right, title and interest in, to and under, or relating to, the tangible assets, Intangible Assets, property and undertaking owned or used by Couche-Tard or held by Couche-Tard for use in, or relating to, the Couche-Tard Divested Business listed in Schedule C;
PUBLIC (mm) “Purchaser” means a Person that acquires Divestiture Assets pursuant to this Agreement and a Divestiture Agreement;
(nn) “Records” means records within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Act;
(oo) “Second Reference Date” shall have the meaning set out in Paragraph 22(e) of this Agreement;
(pp) “Third Party” means any Person other than the Commissioner, Couche-Tard or a Purchaser;
(qq) “Transaction” means the transaction described in the first recital to this Agreement;
(rr) “Transaction Agreement” means the Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement between Couche-Tard and Imperial Oil dated March 8, 2016, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; and
(ss) “Tribunal” means the Competition Tribunal established by the Competition Tribunal Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.19 (2 nd Supp.). II. OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE DIVESTITURE [2] Couche-Tard shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Divestiture
[3] During the Initial Sale Period, Couche-Tard shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Divestiture in accordance with the provisions of this Part and Confidential Schedule A and subject to Part IV.
[4] During the Initial Sale Period, Couche-Tard shall provide to the Commissioner and to the Monitor every 30 days a written report describing the progress of its efforts to effect the Divestiture. The report shall include a description of contacts, negotiations, due diligence and offers regarding the Divestiture Assets, the name, address and phone number of all parties contacted and of prospective Purchasers who have come forward. Couche-Tard shall, within 3 Business Days, respond to any request by the Commissioner for additional information regarding the status of Couche-Tard’s efforts to complete the Divestiture. An officer or other duly authorized representative of Couche-Tard shall certify that he or she has examined the information provided in any such response and that such information is, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, correct and complete in all material respects.
PUBLIC III. DIVESTITURE TRUSTEE SALE PROCESS [5] In the event that Couche-Tard fails to complete the Divestiture during the Initial Sale Period, the Commissioner shall appoint a Divestiture Trustee to complete the Divestiture in accordance with this Agreement. Such appointment may be made at any time prior to the expiry of the Initial Sale Period or on such later date as the Commissioner determines.
[6] Within 5 Business Days after the appointment of the Divestiture Trustee, Couche-Tard shall submit to the Commissioner for approval the terms of a proposed Divestiture Process Agreement with the Divestiture Trustee and the Commissioner that confers on the Divestiture Trustee all rights and powers necessary to permit the Divestiture Trustee to effect the Divestiture.
[7] Within 5 Business Days after receipt of the proposed Divestiture Process Agreement referred to in Section 6, the Commissioner shall advise Couche-Tard whether or not he approves the terms of the proposed Divestiture Process Agreement. If the Commissioner does not approve the terms of the proposed Divestiture Process Agreement, he shall prescribe alternative terms that Couche-Tard shall incorporate into a final Divestiture Process Agreement with the Divestiture Trustee and the Commissioner.
[8] Without limiting the Commissioner’s discretion to require additional terms, Couche-Tard consents to the following terms and conditions regarding the Divestiture Trustee’s rights, powers and duties, and shall include such terms in the Divestiture Process Agreement:
(a) The Divestiture Trustee shall complete the Divestiture as expeditiously as possible, and in any event prior to expiry of the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period.
(b) The Divestiture Trustee shall use reasonable efforts to negotiate terms and conditions for the Divestiture that are as favourable to Couche-Tard as are reasonably available at that time; however, the Divestiture shall not be subject to any minimum price. The Divestiture Trustee’s opinion of what constitutes favourable terms and conditions and what constitutes reasonably available terms and conditions, is subject to review and approval by the Commissioner.
(c) Subject to oversight and approval by the Commissioner, the Divestiture Trustee shall have full and exclusive authority during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period:
(i) to complete the Divestiture in accordance with the provisions of this Part;
(ii) to solicit interest in a possible Divestiture by whatever process or procedure the Divestiture Trustee believes is suitable to allow a
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PUBLIC fair opportunity for one or more prospective good faith Purchasers to offer to acquire the Divestiture Assets, and for greater certainty, in determining whether to pursue negotiations with a prospective Purchaser, may have regard to the approval criteria in Section 23;
(iii) to enter into a Divestiture Agreement with a Purchaser that will be legally binding on Couche-Tard;
(iv) to negotiate reasonable commercial covenants, representations, warranties and indemnities to be included in a Divestiture Agreement; and
(v) to employ, at the expense of Couche-Tard, such consultants, accountants, legal counsel, investment bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants as the Divestiture Trustee believes are necessary to carry out the Divestiture Trustee’s duties and responsibilities.
(d) Where any Person makes a good faith inquiry respecting a possible purchase of Divestiture Assets, the Divestiture Trustee shall notify such Person that the Divestiture is being made and shall provide to such Person a copy of this Agreement, with the exception of the provisions hereof that are confidential pursuant to Section 69 of this Agreement.
(e) Where, in the opinion of the Divestiture Trustee, a Person has a good faith interest in purchasing Divestiture Assets and has executed a confidentiality agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner, with the Divestiture Trustee protecting any Confidential Information that such Person may receive in the course of its due diligence review of the Divestiture Assets, the Divestiture Trustee shall:
(i) promptly provide to such Person all information respecting the Divestiture Assets that is determined by the Divestiture Trustee to be relevant and appropriate;
(ii) permit such Person to make reasonable inspection of the Divestiture Assets and of all financial, operational or other non-privileged Records and information, including Confidential Information, that may be relevant to the Divestiture; and
(iii) give such Person as full and complete access as is reasonable in the circumstances to the personnel involved in managing the Divestiture Assets.
(f) The Divestiture Trustee shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the Divestiture Assets.
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PUBLIC (g) The Divestiture Trustee shall provide to the Commissioner and to the Monitor, within 14 days after the later of the Divestiture Trustee’s appointment and the commencement of the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period and thereafter every 21 days, a written report describing the progress of the Divestiture Trustee’s efforts to complete the Divestiture. The report shall include a description of contacts, negotiations, due diligence and offers regarding the Divestiture Assets, the name, address and phone number of all parties contacted and of prospective Purchasers who have come forward. The Divestiture Trustee shall, within 3 Business Days, respond to any request by the Commissioner for additional information regarding the status of the Divestiture Trustee’s efforts to complete the Divestiture.
(h) The Divestiture Trustee shall notify Couche-Tard and the Commissioner immediately upon the signing of any letter of intent or agreement in principle relating to the Divestiture Assets, and shall provide to Couche-Tard a copy of any executed Divestiture Agreement upon receipt of the Commissioner’s approval of the Divestiture contemplated in such Divestiture Agreement.
[9] Except as provided herein, Couche-Tard shall not be involved in the Divestiture process during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period or in any negotiations with prospective Purchasers undertaken by the Divestiture Trustee, nor will Couche-Tard have contact with prospective Purchasers during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period.
[10] Subject to any legally recognized privilege, Couche-Tard and the Hold Separate Manager shall provide to the Divestiture Trustee full and complete access to all personnel, Records, information (including Confidential Information) and facilities relating to the Divestiture Assets, to enable the Divestiture Trustee to conduct its own investigation of the Divestiture Assets and to provide access and information to prospective Purchasers.
[11] Couche-Tard shall take no action that interferes with or impedes, directly or indirectly, the Divestiture Trustee’s efforts to complete the Divestiture.
[12] Couche-Tard and the Hold Separate Manager shall fully and promptly respond to all requests from the Divestiture Trustee and shall provide all information the Divestiture Trustee may request. Couche-Tard shall identify an individual who shall have primary responsibility for fully and promptly responding to such requests from the Divestiture Trustee on behalf of Couche-Tard.
[13] Couche-Tard will do all such acts and execute all such documents, and will cause the doing of all such acts and the execution of all such documents as are within its power to cause the doing or execution of, as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that the Divestiture Assets are divested in the Divestiture Trustee Sale
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PUBLIC Period and that agreements entered into by the Divestiture Trustee are binding upon and enforceable against Couche-Tard.
[14] Couche-Tard shall be responsible for all reasonable fees and expenses properly charged or incurred by the Divestiture Trustee in the course of carrying out the Divestiture Trustee’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. The Divestiture Trustee shall serve without bond or security, and shall account for all fees and expenses incurred. Couche-Tard shall pay all reasonable invoices submitted by the Divestiture Trustee within 30 days after receipt and, without limiting this obligation, Couche-Tard shall comply with any agreement it reaches with the Divestiture Trustee regarding interest on late payments. In the event of any dispute: (i) such invoice shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner; and (ii) Couche-Tard shall promptly pay any invoice approved by the Commissioner. Any outstanding monies owed to the Divestiture Trustee by Couche-Tard shall be paid out of the proceeds of the Divestiture.
[15] Couche-Tard shall indemnify the Divestiture Trustee and hold the Divestiture Trustee harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the Divestiture Trustee’s duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation or defence of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses result from malfeasance, gross negligence or bad faith by the Divestiture Trustee.
[16] Couche-Tard shall indemnify the Commissioner and hold the Commissioner harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the Divestiture Trustee’s duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation or defence of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability.
[17] If the Commissioner determines that the Divestiture Trustee has ceased to act or has failed to act diligently, the Commissioner may remove the Divestiture Trustee and appoint a substitute Divestiture Trustee. The provisions of this Agreement respecting the Divestiture Trustee shall apply in the same manner to any substitute Divestiture Trustee.
[18] Couche-Tard may require the Divestiture Trustee and each of the Divestiture Trustee’s consultants, accountants, legal counsel, investment bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner; provided, however, that such agreement shall not restrict the Divestiture Trustee from providing any information to the Commissioner.
[19] The Commissioner may require the Divestiture Trustee and each of the Divestiture Trustee’s consultants, accountants, legal counsel, investment bankers, business
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PUBLIC brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement relating to materials and information the Divestiture Trustee may receive from the Commissioner in connection with the performance of the Divestiture Trustee’s duties.
[20] Notwithstanding any term of this Agreement, the rights, powers and duties of the Divestiture Trustee under this Agreement shall not expire until the Divestiture is completed.
IV. COMMISSIONER APPROVAL OF DIVESTITURE [21] The Divestiture may proceed only with the prior approval of the Commissioner in accordance with this Part. For greater certainty, if a Divestiture is a notifiable transaction nothing in this Agreement affects the operation of Part IX of the Act.
[22] The Divestiture Applicant shall comply with the following process for seeking and obtaining a decision of the Commissioner regarding his approval of a proposed Divestiture:
(a) The Divestiture Applicant shall promptly: (i) inform the Commissioner of any negotiations with a prospective Purchaser that may lead to a Divestiture; and
(ii) forward to the Commissioner copies of any agreement that is signed with a prospective Purchaser, including non-binding expressions of interest.
(b) The Divestiture Applicant shall immediately notify the Commissioner that it intends to enter a Divestiture Agreement with a prospective Purchaser, or has entered into an agreement that, if approved by the Commissioner, will be a Divestiture Agreement within the meaning of this Agreement. If the Divestiture Applicant has entered into or intends to enter into more than one agreement in respect of the same Divestiture Assets, the Divestiture Applicant shall identify the agreement in respect of which it seeks the Commissioner’s approval and the remainder of this Part shall apply only to that agreement unless the Divestiture Applicant designates a substitute agreement.
(c) The notice described in Paragraph 22(b) shall be in writing and shall include: the identity of the proposed Purchaser; the details of the proposed Divestiture Agreement and any related agreements; and information concerning whether and how the proposed Purchaser would, in the view of the Divestiture Applicant, likely satisfy the terms of this Agreement.
(d) Within 14 days following receipt of the notice described in Paragraph 22(b), the Commissioner may request additional information concerning
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PUBLIC the proposed Divestiture from any or all of Couche-Tard, the Monitor, the Hold Separate Manager, the prospective Purchaser and, in the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period, the Divestiture Trustee. These Persons shall each provide any additional information requested from them. When they have provided a complete response to the Commissioner’s request, these Persons shall comply with the following procedures:
(i) the Divestiture Trustee shall provide written confirmation to the Commissioner that the Divestiture Trustee has provided to the Commissioner all additional information requested from the Divestiture Trustee;
(ii) the Monitor shall Commissioner that the Monitor has provided to the Commissioner all additional information requested from the Monitor;
(iii) an officer or other duly authorized representative of Couche-Tard shall certify that he or she has examined the additional information provided by Couche-Tard in response to the Commissioner’s request and that such information is, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, correct and complete in all material respects;
(iv) an officer or other duly authorized representative of the Hold Separate Manager shall certify that he or she has examined the additional information provided by the Hold Separate Manager in response to the Commissioner’s request and that such information is, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, correct and complete in all material respects; and
(v) an officer or other duly authorized representative of the prospective Purchaser shall certify that he or she has examined the additional information provided by the prospective Purchaser in response to the Commissioner’s request and that such information is, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, correct and complete in all material respects.
The date on which the last of the Divestiture Trustee, Couche-Tard, the Monitor, the Hold Separate Manager and the prospective Purchaser provides to the Commissioner a confirmation or certification required under this Paragraph is the “First Reference Date”.
(e) Within 7 days after the First Reference Date, the Commissioner may request further additional information concerning the proposed Divestiture from any or all of the Persons identified in Paragraph 22(d). These Persons shall each provide any further additional information requested from them. When they have provided a complete response to the Commissioner’s
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provide written confirmation to the
PUBLIC request, if any, these Persons shall comply with the procedures outlined in Paragraph 22(d) in regard to the further additional information provided. The date on which the last of the Divestiture Trustee, Couche-Tard, the Monitor, the Hold Separate Manager and the prospective Purchaser provides to the Commissioner a confirmation or certification required under this Paragraph is the “Second Reference Date”.
(f) The Commissioner shall notify the Divestiture Applicant of the approval of, or the objection to, the proposed Divestiture as soon as possible, and in any event within 14 days after the date on which the Commissioner receives the notice described in Paragraph 22(b) or, if he requests any additional information under Paragraph 22(d) or further additional information under Paragraph 22(e), within 14 days after the later of:
(i) the First Reference Date; and (ii) the Second Reference Date, if any. (g) The Commissioner’s determination as to whether to approve a proposed Divestiture shall be in writing.
[23] In exercising his discretion to determine whether to approve a proposed Divestiture, the Commissioner shall take into account the likely impact of the Divestiture on competition, and may consider any other factor he considers relevant. Prior to granting his approval, the Commissioner must also be satisfied that:
(a) the proposed Purchaser is fully independent of and operates at arm’s length from Couche-Tard;
(b) Couche-Tard will have no direct or indirect interest in the Divestiture Assets following the Divestiture;
(c) the proposed Purchaser is committed to carrying on the Divested Business; (d) the proposed Purchaser has the managerial, operational and financial capability to compete effectively in the market for the retail supply of gasoline in Carleton Place, Ontario, and/or Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec, as applicable; and
(e) the proposed Purchaser will (i) if the Commissioner grants his approval during the Initial Sale Period, complete the Divestiture prior to the expiry of the Initial Sale Period; or (ii) if the Commissioner grants his approval during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period, complete the Divestiture during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period.
PUBLIC [24] During the Hold Separate Period, Couche-Tard shall: (a) hold the Hold Separate Assets separate, apart and independent of Couche-Tard and shall confer on the Hold Separate Manager all rights and powers necessary to conduct the business of the Hold Separate Assets;
(b) not exercise direction or control over, or influence directly or indirectly, the Hold Separate Assets or the Hold Separate Manager; and
(c) take no action that interferes with or impedes, directly or indirectly, the Hold Separate Manager’s duties and responsibilities.
[25] Prior to or at Closing, the Commissioner shall appoint a Hold Separate Manager, responsible for managing and operating the Hold Separate Assets independently of Couche-Tard during the Hold Separate Period.
[26] Within 5 Business Days after the appointment of the Hold Separate Manager, Couche-Tard shall submit to the Commissioner for approval the terms of a proposed Management Agreement with the Hold Separate Manager and the Commissioner that confers on the Hold Separate Manager all rights and powers necessary to permit the Hold Separate Manager to manage and operate the Hold Separate Assets independently of Couche-Tard during the Hold Separate Period in accordance with this Agreement.
[27] Within 5 Business Days after receipt of the proposed Management Agreement referred to in Section 26, the Commissioner shall advise Couche-Tard whether or not he approves the terms of the proposed Management Agreement. If the Commissioner does not approve the terms of the proposed Management Agreement, he shall prescribe alternative terms for the Management Agreement that Couche-Tard shall incorporate into a final Management Agreement with the Hold Separate Manager and the Commissioner.
[28] Without limiting the Commissioner’s discretion to require additional terms, Couche-Tard consents to the following terms and conditions regarding the Hold Separate Manager’s rights, powers and duties, and shall include such terms in the Management Agreement:
(a) The Hold Separate Manager shall report solely and exclusively to the Monitor.
(b) The Hold Separate Manager shall not have any involvement with, or receive any Confidential Information respecting, the businesses or assets of Couche-Tard other than in respect of the Hold Separate Assets.
(c) Subject to the oversight of the Monitor, the Hold Separate Manager shall manage and maintain the operation of the Hold Separate Assets independently and separately from Couche-Tard, in the regular and ordinary course of business and in accordance with past practice, and shall
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PUBLIC use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the ongoing economic viability, marketability and competitiveness of the Hold Separate Assets.
(d) Without limiting the generality of Paragraph 28(c) above, the Hold Separate Manager shall:
(i) maintain and hold the Hold Separate Assets in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and to standards at least equal to those that existed prior to the date of this Agreement;
(ii) take all commercially reasonable steps to honour all customer contracts and to maintain quality and service standards for customers of the Hold Separate Assets at least equal to those that existed prior to the date of this Agreement;
(iii) not knowingly take or allow to be taken any action that adversely affects the competitiveness, operations, financial status or value of the Hold Separate Assets;
(iv) not alter or cause to be altered, to any material extent, the management of the Hold Separate Assets as it existed prior to the date of this Agreement, except with the prior approval of the Monitor;
(v) not terminate or alter any employment, salary or benefit agreements, as they existed at the date of this Agreement, for Persons employed in connection with the Hold Separate Assets, except with the prior approval of the Monitor;
(vi) ensure that the Hold Separate Assets are staffed with sufficient employees to ensure their viability and competitiveness, including by replacing any departing employees with other qualified employees subject to the prior approval of the Monitor; and
(vii) maintain inventory levels and payment terms consistent with the practices of Couche-Tard that existed, with respect to the Hold Separate Assets, prior to the date of this Agreement.
(e) Couche-Tard shall provide sufficient financial resources, including general funds, capital funds, working capital and reimbursement for any operating, capital or other losses, to permit the Hold Separate Manager to comply with its obligations under this Section. The Hold Separate Manager, subject to the prior approval of the Monitor, may request funds at any time, and Couche-Tard shall comply with any such request. If the Monitor believes that Couche-Tard has not provided, is not providing or will not provide sufficient financial and other resources under this Paragraph, the Monitor shall forthwith refer the matter to the Commissioner, who shall make a final determination respecting the financial and other resources
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PUBLIC that Couche-Tard must provide. Couche-Tard shall comply with any determination made by the Commissioner on this issue.
(f) The Hold Separate Manager shall have no financial interests affected by Couche-Tard’s revenues, profits or profit margins, except that Couche-Tard shall provide to the Hold Separate Manager reasonable incentives to undertake this position. The Monitor shall determine the type and value of such incentives, which shall include continuation of all employee benefits, and such additional incentives as the Monitor determines may be necessary to assure the continuation and prevent any diminution of the viability, marketability and competitiveness of the Hold Separate Assets.
(g) In addition to those Persons employed in connection with the Hold Separate Assets on the Closing Date, the Hold Separate Manager may employ such other Persons as the Monitor believes are necessary to assist the Hold Separate Manager in managing and operating the Hold Separate Assets.
(h) Subject to any legally recognized privilege, the Hold Separate Manager shall provide to the Monitor full and complete access to all personnel, Records, information (including Confidential Information) and facilities relevant to monitoring Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement.
(i) The Hold Separate Manager shall fully and promptly respond to all requests from the Monitor and shall provide all information the Monitor may request.
[29] Couche-Tard shall be responsible for all reasonable fees and expenses properly charged or incurred by the Hold Separate Manager in the course of carrying out the Hold Separate Manager’s duties under this Agreement. The Hold Separate Manager shall serve without bond or security, and shall account for all fees and expenses incurred. Couche-Tard shall pay all reasonable invoices submitted by the Hold Separate Manager within 30 days after receipt and, without limiting this obligation, Couche-Tard shall comply with any agreement it reaches with the Hold Separate Manager regarding interest on late payments. In the event of any dispute: (i) such invoice shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner; and (ii) Couche-Tard shall promptly pay any invoice approved by the Commissioner.
[30] Couche-Tard shall indemnify the Hold Separate Manager and hold the Hold Separate Manager harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the performance of the Hold Separate Manager's duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation or defence of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses result from malfeasance, gross negligence or bad faith by the Hold Separate Manager.
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PUBLIC [31] If the Commissioner determines that the Hold Separate Manager has ceased to act or has failed to act diligently, the Commissioner may remove the Hold Separate Manager and appoint a substitute Hold Separate Manager. The provisions of this Agreement respecting the Hold Separate Manager shall apply in the same manner to any substitute Hold Separate Manager.
[32] Couche-Tard and the Hold Separate Manager shall jointly implement, and at all times during the Hold Separate Period maintain in operation, a system, as approved by the Monitor in consultation with the Commissioner of access and data controls to prevent unauthorized access to or dissemination of Confidential Information. The system shall include the following protocols:
(a) Couche-Tard’s Continuing Employees shall not receive, have access to or use any Confidential Information respecting the Hold Separate Assets. If any of Couche-Tard’s Continuing Employees possesses Confidential Information respecting the Hold Separate Assets as of the date of this Agreement, such Person shall, within 5 Business Days following appointment of the Hold Separate Manager, (i) deliver any Records containing such Confidential Information to the Hold Separate Manager (or, at the Hold Separate Manager’s option, destroy such Records) and a signed statement confirming that he or she is no longer in possession of any Records containing Confidential Information respecting the Hold Separate Assets; and (ii) submit to the Monitor a signed statement confirming that he or she undertakes not to share any Confidential Information respecting the Hold Separate Assets with any of Couche-Tard’s Continuing Employees.
(b) Notwithstanding Paragraph 32(a), Designated Personnel of Couche-Tard may receive aggregate financial and operational information relating to the Hold Separate Assets only to the extent necessary to comply with securities laws, prepare financial and regulatory reports, tax returns, administer employee benefits, defend litigation and comply with this Agreement. Any such information shall be: (i) reviewed by the Monitor prior to its receipt by any Designated Personnel; (ii) maintained in a separate confidential file that is accessible only to the Designated Personnel; and (iii) used only for the purposes set forth in this Section.
(c) Neither the Hold Separate Manager nor any Hold Separate Employee shall receive, have access to or use any Confidential Information relating to Couche-Tard’s businesses other than the Hold Separate Assets.
VI. PRESERVATION OF THE PRESERVATION ASSETS [33] In order to preserve the Preservation Assets pending completion of the Divestiture, Couche-Tard shall maintain the economic viability, marketability and competitiveness of the Preservation Assets and the Couche-Tard Divested Business, and shall comply with any decision of or direction given by the Monitor
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PUBLIC that relates to preservation of the Preservation Assets. Until Closing, Couche-Tard shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that Imperial Oil preserves the Hold Separate Assets in a manner consistent with this Part VI of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Couche-Tard shall:
(a) maintain and hold the Preservation Assets in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted, and to standards that are, in the view of the Monitor, at least equal to those that existed at Closing;
(b) ensure that the management and operation of the Preservation Assets continues in the ordinary course of business and in a manner that is, in the view of the Monitor, reasonably consistent in nature, scope and magnitude with past practices and generally accepted industry practices, and in compliance with all applicable laws;
(c) not knowingly take or allow to be taken any action that, in the view of the Monitor, adversely affects the competitiveness, operations, financial status or value, viability and saleability of the Preservation Assets;
(d) ensure that the Preservation Assets are not engaged in any type of business other than the type of business conducted as of the date of this Agreement, except with the prior approval of the Monitor and the Commissioner;
(e) maintain all approvals, registrations, consents, licences, permits, waivers, and other authorizations that are, in Monitor’s view subject to consultation with Couche-Tard, advisable for the operation of the Preservation Assets and the Couche-Tard Divested Business;
(f) take commercially reasonable steps to honour all customer contracts and to maintain quality and service standards for customers of the Preservation Assets that are, in the view of the Monitor, at least equal to the standards that existed during the fiscal year prior to this Agreement;
(g) not curtail marketing, sales, promotional or other activities of the Preservation Assets or the Couche-Tard Divested Business, except with the prior approval of the Monitor;
(h) establish all prices, deductions, credit and allowances in accordance with policies which are consistent with Couche-Tard’s retail fuel businesses in Ontario and Québec that are not Preservation Assets;
(i) not alter, or cause to be altered, the management of the Preservation Assets as it existed during the fiscal year prior to the date of this Agreement, except with the prior approval of the Monitor;
(j) not terminate or alter any employment, salary or benefit agreements, as they existed at the date of this Agreement, for Persons employed in
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PUBLIC connection with the Preservation Assets, without the prior approval of the Monitor;
(k) ensure that the Preservation Assets are staffed with sufficient employees to ensure their viability and competitiveness, including by replacing any departing employees with other qualified employees provided that the Monitor has approved both the qualifications and the need for such replacement employees;
(l) maintain inventory levels and payment terms consistent with the practices of Couche-Tard that existed, with respect to the Preservation Assets, during the fiscal year prior to the date of this Agreement; and
(m) maintain in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, separate and adequate financial ledger books and records of material financial information with respect to the Preservation Assets and the Couche-Tard Divested Business.
[34] Pending completion of the Divestiture, Couche-Tard shall not, without the Commissioner's prior written approval:
(a) create any new encumbrances on the Preservation Assets or the Couche-Tard Divested Business, other than ordinary course obligations that are not due or delinquent;
(b) enter into, withdraw from, amend or otherwise take steps to alter any obligations in material contracts relating to the Preservation Assets or the Couche-Tard Divested Business, except as necessary to comply with this Agreement; or
(c) make any material changes to the Preservation Assets or the Couche-Tard Divested Business, except as required to comply with this Agreement.
[35] Couche-Tard shall provide sufficient financial resources, including general funds, capital funds, working capital and reimbursement for any operating, capital or other losses, to maintain the Preservation Assets in accordance with this Part. If the Monitor believes that Couche-Tard has not provided, is not providing or will not provide sufficient financial and other resources under this Part, the Monitor shall forthwith refer the matter to the Commissioner, who shall make a final determination respecting the financial and other resources that Couche-Tard must provide. Couche-Tard shall comply with any determination made by the Commissioner on this issue.
PUBLIC [36] It shall be a condition in any Divestiture Agreement (whether negotiated by Couche-Tard or by the Divestiture Trustee) that Couche-Tard shall, as a condition of closing, obtain any consents and waivers from Third Parties that are necessary to permit the assignment to, and assumption by, a Purchaser of all material contracts, approvals and authorizations relating to the Divestiture Assets; provided, however, that Couche-Tard may satisfy this requirement by certifying that the Purchaser has executed agreements directly with one or more Third Parties which make such assignment and assumption unnecessary.
VIII. INTERIM SUPPLY COMMITMENTS [37] Pending the completion of the Divestiture in accordance with this Agreement, Couche-Tard shall supply the Divestiture Assets with gasoline and/or diesel in amounts consistent with the annual period prior to the date of this Agreement and on terms (including terms related to pricing, such as pricing formulæ) that are:
(a) in respect of the Preservation Assets, no less favourable than those applicable to the Couche-Tard Divested Business at the time of registration of this Agreement; and
(b) in respect of the Hold Separate Assets that are Divestiture Assets, no less favourable than those applicable to Couche-Tard retail gasoline stations that are supplied gasoline and diesel and that are of similar size (by throughput volume during the fiscal year prior to the date of this Agreement) and in the same or similar region as the Hold Separate Assets that are Divestiture Assets (the “Benchmark Stations”), which Benchmark Stations shall be selected by the Hold Separate Manager in consultation with Couche-Tard. The Benchmark Stations may be modified from time to time at the sole discretion of the Hold Separate Manager.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, Couche-Tard is not required to continue with respect to the supply of gasoline or diesel to any of the Divestiture Assets following the Divestiture. No supply contract relating to the supply of any of the Divestiture Assets shall be transferred to any Purchaser following the Divestiture and any Purchaser shall make its own arrangements for the supply of the Divestiture Assets after closing, whether with Imperial Oil or any other fuel supplier.
IX. EMPLOYEES [38] Couche-Tard (during the Initial Sale Period), the Divestiture Trustee (during the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period) and the Hold Separate Manager (for the Hold Separate Employees) shall provide to any prospective Purchaser, the
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PUBLIC Commissioner and the Monitor information relating to the employees whose responsibilities involve the operation of the Divestiture Assets (including the Hold Separate Assets), to enable such Purchaser to make decisions regarding offers of employment to such employees. The Monitor shall review the information provided to ensure that it is sufficient to enable the Purchaser to make such decisions.
[39] Couche-Tard shall: (a) not interfere, directly or indirectly, with any negotiations by a Purchaser to employ any employees whose responsibilities involve the operation of the Divestiture Assets;
(b) not offer any incentive to such employees to decline employment with the Purchaser or to accept other employment with Couche-Tard;
(c) remove any impediment that may deter such employees from accepting employment with the Purchaser;
(d) waive any non-compete or confidentiality provisions of employment or other contracts that could impair the ability of such employees to be employed by the Purchaser; and
(e) pay or transfer to, or maintain for, the employees subsequently employed by the Purchaser all current and accrued bonuses, pensions and other current and accrued benefits to which such employees would otherwise have been entitled had they remained in the employment of Couche-Tard.
[40] For a period of one year following completion of the Divestiture, Couche-Tard shall not, without the prior written consent of the Commissioner, directly or indirectly solicit or employ any Persons employed in connection with the Divestiture Assets who has accepted an offer of employment with the Purchaser unless such Person’s employment has been terminated by the Purchaser.
X. FAILURE OF DIVESTITURE TRUSTEE SALE [41] If, by the end of the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period, the Divestiture has not been completed, or if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the Divestiture likely will not be completed prior to the end of the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period, the Commissioner may apply to the Tribunal, at his election, for either (i) such order as is necessary to complete the Divestiture; or (ii) such order as is necessary to ensure that the Transaction is not likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially.
PUBLIC XI. MONITOR [42] The Commissioner shall appoint a Monitor, responsible for monitoring compliance by Couche-Tard with this Agreement. Such appointment may occur at any time following registration of this Agreement. A reference in this Agreement to specific monitoring functions or tasks that are to be undertaken by the Monitor shall in no way detract from the Monitor’s general right, power and duty to monitor all aspects of Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement.
[43] Within 5 Business Days after the appointment of the Monitor, Couche-Tard shall submit to the Commissioner for approval the terms of a proposed Monitor Agreement with the Monitor and the Commissioner that confers on the Monitor all rights and powers necessary to permit the Monitor to monitor compliance by Couche-Tard with this Agreement.
[44] Within 5 Business Days after receipt of the proposed Monitor Agreement referred to in Section 43, the Commissioner shall advise Couche-Tard whether or not he approves the terms of the proposed Monitor Agreement. If the Commissioner does not approve the terms of the proposed Monitor Agreement, he shall prescribe alternative terms for the Monitor Agreement that Couche-Tard shall incorporate into a final Monitor Agreement with the Monitor and the Commissioner.
[45] Couche-Tard consents to the following terms and conditions regarding the Monitor’s rights, powers and duties, and shall include such terms in the Monitor Agreement:
(a) The Monitor shall have the power and authority to monitor Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement, and shall exercise such power and authority and carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Monitor in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Agreement and in consultation with the Commissioner.
(b) The Monitor shall have the authority to employ, at the expense of Couche-Tard, such consultants, representatives and assistants as the Monitor believes are necessary to carry out the Monitor’s duties and responsibilities.
(c) The Monitor shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the Divestiture Assets or Hold Separate Assets.
(d) The Monitor shall act for the sole benefit of the Commissioner, maintain all confidences and avoid any conflict of interest.
(e) The Monitor shall have no duties of good faith, of a fiduciary nature, or otherwise, to Couche-Tard.
accountants, legal counsel and other
PUBLIC (f) The Monitor shall provide to the Commissioner every 30 days after the date of the Monitor’s appointment until the Divestiture is complete and every six months thereafter, a written report concerning performance by Couche-Tard of its obligations under this Agreement. The Monitor shall, within 3 Business Days, respond to any request by the Commissioner for additional information regarding Couche-Tard’s compliance.
[46] Subject to any legally recognized privilege, Couche-Tard shall provide to the Monitor full and complete access to all personnel, Records, information (including Confidential Information) and facilities relevant to monitoring Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement.
[47] Couche-Tard shall take no action that interferes with or impedes, directly or indirectly, the Monitor’s efforts to monitor Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement.
[48] Couche-Tard shall fully and promptly respond to all requests from the Monitor and shall provide all information the Monitor may request. Couche-Tard shall identify an individual who shall have primary responsibility for fully and promptly responding to such requests from the Monitor on behalf of Couche-Tard.
[49] Couche-Tard may require the Monitor and each of the Monitor’s consultants, accountants, legal counsel and other representatives and assistants to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner; provided, however, that such agreement shall not restrict the Monitor from providing any information to the Commissioner.
[50] The Commissioner may require the Monitor and each of the Monitor’s consultants, accountants, legal counsel and other representatives and assistants to sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement relating to materials and information the Monitor may receive from the Commissioner in connection with the performance of the Monitor’s duties.
[51] Couche-Tard shall be responsible for all reasonable fees and expenses properly charged or incurred by the Monitor in the course of carrying out the Monitor’s duties under this Agreement. The Monitor shall serve without bond or security, and shall account for all fees and expenses incurred. Couche-Tard shall pay all reasonable invoices submitted by the Monitor within 30 days after receipt and, without limiting this obligation, Couche-Tard shall comply with any agreement it reaches with the Monitor regarding interest on late payments. In the event of any dispute: (i) such invoice shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner; and (ii) Couche-Tard shall promptly pay any invoice approved by the Commissioner. Any outstanding monies owed to the Monitor by Couche-Tard shall be paid out of the proceeds of the Divestiture.
[52] Couche-Tard shall indemnify the Monitor and hold the Monitor harmless against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arising out of, or in connection
PUBLIC with, the performance of the Monitor’s duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation or defence of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses result from malfeasance, gross negligence or bad faith by the Monitor.
[53] If the Commissioner determines that the Monitor has ceased to act or has failed to act diligently, the Commissioner may remove the Monitor and appoint a substitute Monitor. The provisions of this Agreement respecting the Monitor shall apply in the same manner to any substitute Monitor.
[54] The Monitor shall serve for such time as is necessary to monitor Couche-Tard’s compliance with this Agreement.
XII. COMPLIANCE [55] Within 5 Business Days after the Closing Date, Couche-Tard shall provide written confirmation to the Commissioner of the date on which the Transaction was completed.
[56] Couche-Tard shall provide a copy of this Agreement to each of its own and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents having managerial responsibility for any obligations under this Agreement, within 3 Business Days after the date of registration of this Agreement. Couche-Tard shall ensure that its directors, officers, employees and agents with responsibility for any obligations under this Agreement receive sufficient training respecting Couche-Tard’s responsibilities and duties under this Agreement, and the steps that such individuals must take in order to comply with this Agreement.
[57] Couche-Tard shall not, for a period of 10 years after the date when the Divestiture is completed, directly or indirectly acquire any interest in the Divestiture Assets, without the prior written approval of the Commissioner.
[58] For a period of two years after the date when the Divestiture is completed, Couche-Tard shall not, without providing advance written notification to the Commissioner in the manner described in this Section, directly or indirectly:
(a) acquire any assets or shares of, or any other interest in, any retail gasoline business in Carleton Place, Ontario, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec; or
(b) consummate any merger or other combination relating to the wholesale or retail supply of gasoline in Carleton Place, Ontario, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec.
If a transaction described in (a) or (b) is one for which notice is not required under section 114 of the Act, Couche-Tard shall supply to the Commissioner the
PUBLIC information described in section 16 of the Notifiable Transactions Regulations at least 30 days before completing such transaction. Couche-Tard shall certify such information in the same manner as would be required if section 118 of the Act applied. The Commissioner may accept a competitive impact brief from Couche-Tard instead of such information. The Commissioner may, within 30 days after receiving the information described in this Section, request that Couche-Tard supply additional information that is relevant to the Commissioner’s assessment of the transaction. In the event that the Commissioner issues such a request for additional information, Couche-Tard shall supply information to the Commissioner in the form specified by the Commissioner and shall not complete such transaction until at least 30 days after Couche-Tard has supplied all such requested information in the form specified by the Commissioner.
[59] Six months after the date of registration of this Agreement and annually thereafter on the six month anniversary of the date of registration, and at such other times as the Commissioner may require, Couche-Tard shall file an affidavit or certificate, substantially in the form of Schedule E to this Agreement, certifying its compliance with Parts VIII, IX and XII of this Agreement and setting out the following information in detail:
(a) the steps taken to ensure compliance; (b) the controls in place to verify compliance; and (c) the names and titles of employees who have oversight of compliance. [60] If any of Couche-Tard, the Hold Separate Manager, the Divestiture Trustee or the Monitor becomes aware that there has been a breach or possible breach of any of the terms of this Agreement, such Person shall, within 5 Business Days after becoming aware of the breach or possible breach, notify the Commissioner thereof, and shall provide details sufficient to describe the nature, date and effect (actual and anticipated) of the breach or possible breach, provided that notification of a possible breach is not required if such Person determines within those 5 Business Days that it could not reasonably be considered a breach of any of the terms of this Agreement. Couche-Tard shall provide confirmation of its compliance with this provision in all affidavits and certificates of compliance filed with the Commissioner pursuant to Section 59 of this Agreement.
[61] Couche-Tard shall notify the Commissioner at least 30 days prior to: (a) any proposed dissolution of Couche-Tard; or (b) any other change in Couche-Tard if such change may affect compliance obligations arising out of this Agreement including, but not limited to, a reorganization, material acquisition, disposition or transfer of assets, or any fundamental change for purposes of Couche-Tard’s incorporating statute.
PUBLIC [62] For the period commencing when this Agreement is registered and ending 10 years after the Divestiture is completed, for purposes of determining or securing compliance with this Agreement, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, Couche-Tard shall, upon written request given at least 5 Business Days in advance to Couche-Tard, permit any authorized representative(s) of the Commissioner, without restraint or interference:
(a) to access, during regular office hours of Couche-Tard on any Business Day(s), all facilities and to inspect and copy all Records in the possession or control of Couche-Tard related to compliance with this Agreement, which copying services shall be provided by Couche-Tard at its expense; and
(b) to interview such officers, directors or employees of Couche-Tard as the Commissioner requests regarding such matters.
XIII. DURATION [63] This Agreement shall become effective on the date when it is registered, and shall remain in effect for 10 years following the Divestiture, except that:
(a) Parts II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement shall be effective only until the Divestiture is completed;
XIV. NOTICES [64] A notice or other communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement is valid if it is:
(a) in writing and delivered by personal delivery, registered mail, courier service, facsimile or electronic mail; and
(b) addressed to the receiving party at the address(es) listed below, or to any other address designated by the receiving party in accordance with this Section.
if to the Commissioner: Commissioner of Competition Competition Bureau Canada Place du Portage, 21st Floor 50 Victoria Street, Phase I Gatineau, Québec K1A 0C9
Attention: Commissioner of Competition Fax: (819) 953-5013 Email address: ic.avisdefusionmergernotification.ic@canada.ca
PUBLIC with copies to: Executive Director and Senior General Counsel Competition Bureau Legal Services Department of Justice Place du Portage, 22nd Floor 50 Victoria Street, Phase I Gatineau, Québec K1A 0C9 Fax: (819) 953-9267 Email address: jonathan.chaplan@canada.ca
if to Couche-Tard: Couche-Tard Inc. 4204 Boulevard Industriel Laval, Québec, H7L 0E3 Attention: Corporate Secretary Fax: (450) 662-6633 Email address: sylvain.aubry@couche-tard.com
with a copy to: Adam Fanaki Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP 155 Wellington Street West Toronto, Ontario M5V 3J7 Fax: (416) 863-0871 Email address: AFanaki@dwpv.com
[65] A notice or other communication under this Agreement is effective on the day that it is received by the receiving party and is deemed to have been received as follows:
(a) if it is delivered in person, by registered mail or by courier, upon receipt as indicated by the date on the signed receipt;
(b) if it is delivered by facsimile, upon receipt as indicated by the time and date on the facsimile confirmation slip; or
(c) if it is delivered by electronic mail, when the recipient, by an email sent to the email address for the sender stated in this Section or by a notice delivered by another method in accordance with this Section, acknowledges having received that email, with an automatic “read receipt” not constituting acknowledgment of an email for purposes of this Section.
PUBLIC If a notice or other communication is received after 5:00 p.m. local time, or on a day that is not a Business Day, it shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day.
[66] Notwithstanding Sections 64 and 65, a notice or other communication that is not communicated in accordance with Sections 64 and 65 is valid if a representative of the party to this Agreement that is the recipient of such communication confirms the receipt of such communication and does not, at the time of such confirmation, request that it be delivered differently.
XV. GENERAL [67] In this Agreement: (a) Number and Gender – Unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing gender include all genders.
(b) Time Periods – Computation of time periods shall be in accordance with the Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, and the definition of “holiday” in the Interpretation Act shall include Saturday.
[68] The Commissioner shall file this Agreement with the Tribunal for registration in accordance with section 105 of the Act. Couche-Tard hereby consents to such registration. Following the filing of this Agreement, the Commissioner shall promptly issue a letter to Couche-Tard indicating that, subject to the implementation of this Agreement, the Commissioner does not intend to make an application under section 92 of the Act in respect of the Transaction.
[69] Information in Confidential Schedule A shall be made public upon the expiry of the Initial Sale Period.
[70] The Commissioner may, after informing Couche-Tard, extend any of the time periods contemplated by this Agreement other than Sections 54, 57, 58 and 63. If any time period is extended, the Commissioner shall promptly notify Couche-Tard of the revised time period.
[71] Nothing in this Agreement precludes Couche-Tard or the Commissioner from bringing an application under section 106 of the Act. Couche-Tard will not, for the purposes of this Agreement, including execution, registration, enforcement, variation or rescission, contest the Commissioner’s conclusions that: (i) the Transaction is likely to result in a substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition in the retail supply of gasoline in Carleton Place, Ontario, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville/Saint-Basile-le-Grand, Québec; and (ii) the implementation of this Agreement is necessary to ensure that any substantial lessening and/or prevention of competition will not result from the Transaction.
PUBLIC [72] Couche-Tard attorns to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal for the purposes of this Agreement and any proceeding initiated by the Commissioner relating to this Agreement.
[73] This Agreement, together with the Monitor Agreement and the Management Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Commissioner and Couche-Tard, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
[74] This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein, without applying any otherwise applicable conflict of law rules.
[75] In the event of a dispute regarding compliance with or the interpretation, implementation or application of this Agreement, the Commissioner or Couche-Tard may apply to the Tribunal for directions or an order. In the event of any discrepancy between the English language version of this Agreement and the French language version of this Agreement, the English language version of this Agreement shall prevail. In no event shall any dispute suspend the Initial Sale Period or the Divestiture Trustee Sale Period.
[76] This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original instrument, but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
PUBLIC The undersigned hereby agree to the filing of this Agreement with the Tribunal for registration.
DATED this 6 th day of September, 2016 COMMISSIONER OF COMPETITION
________________(Original signed by John Pecman)__________ Name: John Pecman Title: Commissioner of Competition COUCHE-TARD INC. ____(Original signed by Francis Lapointe)_____________________________ I/We have authority to bind the corporation
Name: Francis Lapointe Title: Vice President Operations, Quebec West MAC’S CONVENIENCE STORES INC. _____(Original signed by Steve Pitts)______________________________ I/We have authority to bind the corporation
Name: Steve Pitts Title: Vice President Operations, Central 30
PUBLIC CONFIDENTIAL SCHEDULE A INITIAL SALE PERIOD (CONFIDENTIAL)
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SCHEDULE B DIVESTITURE ASSETS Location Station ID Saint-Bruno-de- Esso no. 302411 Montarville/Saint- Basile-le-Grand Carleton Place Mac’s no. 01760
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PUBLIC Address Controlling Entity 2210 Boulevard Sir- Imperial Oil Wilfred-Laurier, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, J3V 4P6 324 Coleman Street, Couche-Tard Carleton Place, ON, K7C 0B5
SCHEDULE C PRESERVATION ASSETS Location Station ID Carleton Place Mac’s no. 01760
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PUBLIC Address Controlling Entity 324 Coleman Street, Couche-Tard Carleton Place, ON, K7C 0B5
SCHEDULE D HOLD SEPARATE ASSETS Location Station ID Saint-Bruno-de- Esso no.302411 Montarville/Saint- Basile-le-Grand Carleton Place Esso no. 302547
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PUBLIC Address Controlling Entity 2210 Boulevard Sir- Imperial Oil Wilfred-Laurier, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, J3V 4P6 10483 Highway 7, Imperial Oil Carleton Place, ON, K7C 3P2
PUBLIC SCHEDULE E FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION/AFFIDAVIT I, [name], of [place], hereby certify in accordance with the terms of the Registered Consent Agreement dated ● between [Couche-Tard Inc. and Mac’s Convenience Stores, Inc.,] and the Commissioner of Competition, that:
1. I am the [title] of [Couche-Tard Inc.] and [title] of [Mac’s Convenience Stores, Inc.] (collectively “Couche-Tard)”, and have personal knowledge of the matters deposed to herein, unless they are stated to be on information and belief, in which cases I state the source of such information and believe it to be true.
2. On [date], [Couche-Tard] entered into a Consent Agreement (the “Consent Agreement”) with the Commissioner of Competition (the “Commissioner”) in connection with the proposed acquisition of 293 retail gasoline sites and vacant sites in Ontario and the Greater Montréal Area from Imperial Oil (the “Transaction”).
3. The Transaction closed on [date] (the “Closing Date”). 1 4. The Divestiture (as defined in the Consent Agreement) to [Purchaser] was completed on [date].
5. Pursuant to Section 59 of the Consent Agreement, Couche-Tard is required to file annual reports certifying its compliance with Parts VIII, IX and XII of the Consent Agreement.
Oversight of Compliance 6. [Names/titles] have primary responsibility for overseeing compliance with this Agreement.
Closing Date 7. Pursuant to Section 55 of the Consent Agreement, Couche-Tard is required to provide written confirmation to the Commissioner of the date on which the Transaction was completed. Such notice was provided on [date].
Circulation of Consent Agreement 8. Pursuant to Section 56 of the Consent Agreement, Couche-Tard is required to provide a copy of the Consent Agreement to each of its own and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents having managerial responsibility for any obligations under the Consent Agreement, within 3 Business Days after the date
1 Paragraphs 3, 4, 7 and 8 need only be included in the first certification/affidavit. 35
PUBLIC of registration of the Consent Agreement. The Consent Agreement was circulated by [whom] to [provide list] on [dates].
9. Pursuant to Section 56 of the Consent Agreement, Couche-Tard is required to ensure that its directors, officers, employees and agents with responsibility for any obligations under the Consent Agreement receive sufficient training respecting Couche-Tard’s responsibilities and duties under the Consent Agreement. The following training has been provided: [provide list of who was trained and by whom as well as a general statement of the content of the training]
Interim Supply Commitment 10. Pursuant to Section 37 of the Consent Agreement, Couche-Tard [is providing/has provided] an interim supply of gasoline and diesel fuel for the Divestiture Assets.
Employees 11. Sections 38 and 39 of the Consent Agreement require Couche-Tard to take various steps in regard to its employees whose responsibilities involved the operation of the Divestiture Assets. Couche-Tard has fully complied with the terms of those Sections and, more particularly:
[Note: Describe steps taken to facilitate employee transfer to Purchaser, having regard to the terms of Sections 38 and 39; provide data on the # of employees who have transferred to the Purchaser.]
Notification of Breach 12. Based on my personal knowledge and my inquiries of [provide names], I am not aware of any breach or possible breach of any of the terms of the Consent Agreement within the meaning of Section 60 of the Consent Agreement.
DATED . Commissioner of Oaths Name and Title of Certifying Officer 36
PUBLIC SCHEDULE F DESIGNATED PERSONNEL
1. Sylvain Aubry, Senior Director, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary; 2. Robert Mathieu, Finance Director; 3. Leah Snow, Accounting Manager; 4. Sheri MacIssac, Senior Manager of Retail and Financial Systems; 5. Cindy Feldman, Gas Accounting Supervisor; 6. Rick Zeni, Manager Retail Accounting; 7. Lisa Kelly, Financial Analyst; 8. Luc Langevin, Real Estate; 9. Francois Franc, Affiliated Director; 10. Brigitte Duval, Coordinator, Accounting; 11. Susie Gonthier, Supervisor, Accounting - Finance; 12. Hélène Longpré, Supervisor, Suppliers Account - Finance; 13. Pamela Contreras, Manager, Accounting - Finance; 14. Alisia Roque, Supervisor, Store Reconciliation - Finance; 15. Ilham Raji, Supervisor, Fuel Accounting - Finance; 16. Jacqueline Hamelin, Supervisor, Store Accounting - Finance; 17. Annie Charbonneau, Financial Analyst, PDI Project - Finance. 37