Although the global “credit crisis” phenomenon has been dominating the headlines for some time, the implications of it in Canada may just be beginning in the form of increased distressed M&A activity. The past decade of unprecedented growth and the abundance of liquidity has been replaced in the past few months by a more conservative lending environment. Around the country, bank loan officers are busy reviewing financial statements and covenant compliance certificates, and assessing loan renewals of corporate clientele.

On March 29, 2007 the Federal Government introduced Bill C-52: An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007 (Bill C-52). Bill C-52 amends the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (the BIA), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (the CCAA), the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the CDICA) and the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act with respect to eligible financial contracts (EFCs).

Ontario has introduced a series of significant amendments to the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) (the PPSA). The last major amendments to the PPSA occurred in 1989. This Osler Update highlights amendments to the PPSA that are of particular interest to court officers of insolvent enterprises and others taking or enforcing security.