Catalyst Paper Corporation (TSX:CTL) has taken the unusual step of publicly announcing that, although it is not in bankruptcy, the company is seeking court protection under Chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code.

The Richmond, BC-based company reported earlier that it had received an initial court order under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) to begin a consensual restructuring process with its noteholders. It made the new announcement to correct allegations of bankruptcy that appeared in some media reports following its initial statement.

A liquidator has been appointed to supervise the winding up and sale of the assets of Union of Canada Life, one of Canada's oldest life insurance companies, by order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Union of Canada applied under the Winding Up and Restructuring Act (WURA) for a Winding Up Order and the appointment of Grant Thornton as liquidator to take possession and control of the company and conduct the sale under the protection of a stay of proceedings.

Oilsands Quest Inc. (AMEX: BQI) has been granted protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act until December 21,2011, allowing the insolvent company to continue operating normally as it attempts to reorganize its financial affairs.

“We made the difficult decision to seek creditor protection because we believe this step to be in the best interest of all our stakeholders,” Garth Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Oilsands Quest, said in a news release.

The Renin Group of companies has been granted protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, "to preserve the company as a viable operation and preserve 300 jobs" Ontario Superior Court Justice Mesbur noted in her endorsement of its application for “immediate relief.”

The Renin Group is the parent corporation of Renin Corp., Renin Corp. US and Kingstar Products (Western Inc.) based in Brampton, Ontario. All three companies are named in the court’s order.

A Toronto-based clothing retailer that operates more than 100 locations in shopping malls across Canada has received court protection to support its restructuring and eventual sale.

Clothing for Modern Times Ltd. (“CMT”) designs and markets men's and women's clothing and accessories through its Urban Behaviour (“UB”), Costa Blanca (“CB”) and Costa Blanca X (“CBX”) branded stores.

Cellfor, a privately held company that bills itself as the world's first and largest commercial supplier of conifer varietal seedlings to the forest industry, has obtained a court order granting it protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act.

The initial order of Mr. Justice Harris of the Supreme Court of British Columbia grants a stay of proceedings against all actions and creditors until January 16, 2012, when a further hearing is scheduled to consider a possible extension of the stay period.

Timminco Limited (TSX:TIM) has been granted creditor protection under theCompanies' Creditors Arrangement Act until February 2, 2012 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Timminco produces silicon metal for the chemical, aluminum and electronics/solar industries through its 51%-owned production partnership with Dow Corning, known as Québec Silicon. Timminco is also a producer of solar grade silicon for the solar photovoltaic energy industry, through Timminco Solar, a division of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bécancour Silicon.

Norgate Metals, a Québec-based company specializing in the engineering, manufacturing and installation of steel-based metal products, has received court protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to continue operations and develop a restructuring plan.

Are the directors of a corporation which has been placed into receivership entitled to retain counsel on behalf of the corporation without prior approval of the Receiver or the court?

According to a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, the answer is “Yes”.

The December issue of our e-communiqué considered Justice Pepall’s October 13, 2009 decision to grant CCAA protection to Canwest Global Communications Corporation and a number of related entities. As noted, the decision functions as an excellent guide to the recent legislative amendments affecting the grant of an initial order.