Nortel
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.
Extension of stay and Settlement Agreement
As we previously wrote about (Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2008), the Wage Earner Protection Program Act (“WEPPA”) came into force on July 7, 2008 as part of a comprehensive reform package to the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act (“BIA”). WEPPA was designed to protect the wages of employees terminated as a result of a bankruptcy or receivership. Employees could now claim up to $3,000 worth of wages earned in the six months immediately preceding the bankruptcy or receivership, as well as a $2,000 super priority claim on all current assets of their employer.
After years of waiting, significant amendments to the Canadian regime of bankruptcy and insolvency law were declared in force as of September 18, 2009 (Amendments).
The Alberta Court of Appeal recently released its decision with respect to the appeal of Brookfield Bridge Lending Fund Inc. v. Vanquish Oil and Gas Corporation and has rekindled discussion as to the risks associated with an Operator’s right to commingle his own general funds with trust funds held for the benefit of Joint Operators.
Facts
On September 17, 2009 our firm published a summary of recent amendments (the "Amendments") to Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act ("BIA") and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act ("CCAA"). This summary provided a detailed review of the significant legislative changes that were brought into force on September 18, 2009.
In the current recession, some North American businesses facing difficulty in meeting their debt obligations may consider the implications of restructuring their debt in Canada or the US. The rules in the two jurisdictions have some similarities, but also some significant differences that should be examined in any such restructuring.
On September 17, 2009 our firm published a summary of recent amendments (the "Amendments") to Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act ("BIA") and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act ("CCAA"). This summary provided a detailed review of the significant legislative changes that were brought into force on September 18, 2009.
Brookfield Bridge Lending Fund Inc. v. Karl Oil and Gas Ltd., 2009 ABCA 99, 5 Alta. L.R. (5th) 1; on appeal from 2008 ABQB 444, 96 Alta. L.R. (4th) 329.
Vanquish Oil and Gas Corp. (“Vanquish”) operated certain oil wells. Under the 1990 Canadian Association of Petroleum Landman Operating Procedure under which Vanquish operated these wells, Vanquish was to receive well revenues in trust, it could commingle revenues with its other monies, and was to pay the revenues “only to their intended use”.