With our ageing population and shift in demographics, there is a growing awareness of elder abuse and in particular elder financial abuse. In many cases such incidents remain unreported and unresolved; however, where the Court does become involved, it can not only provide a remedy but also lay the groundwork for further policy development.
Background
In 2017, a number of insolvency cases were litigated, in various provinces across Canada, which may materially affect the realization and recovery rights of commercial lenders in restructuring and insolvency proceedings. This article summarizes the core issue of importance to lenders in each of these cases and provides an update on their appeal status.
November 2, 2017 September 11, 2017
INTEGRITY OF COURT-ORDERED SALE PROCESS
Squestre de Gestion EGR inc. et Lemieux Nolet inc., syndics de faillite et gestionnaires
On November 9, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada granted the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Orphan Well Association’s request for leave to appeal from the decision in Grant Thornton Ltd. v. Alberta Energy Regulator, 2017 ABCA 124.
Today the Supreme Court of Canada granted the Orphan Well Association and Alberta Energy Regulator leave to appeal the Alberta Court of Appeal’s closely watched decision in Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Limited (2017 ABCA 124), which is also known as Redwater.
Bankruptcy & restructuring
The economies of the United States (U.S.) and Canada are closely intertwined. As operations expand across the border, so too do the complexities associated with carrying on business — particularly the insolvency of a company spanning both jurisdictions. As such, understanding how to navigate the complexities of Canadian insolvency regimes is essential to successfully doing business in the country.
1. Legislation and court system
On September 18, 2017, the iconic US-based retailer Toys “R” Us filed for Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in front of Judge Keith L. Phillips. The company filed twenty-five entities, explaining that its $5.3 billion debt obligations and operational issues had led to the need for reorganization.
On October 17th, MP Marilène Gill of the Bloc Québécois introduced Bill C-372, a private member’s bill which would amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies Creditors’ Arrangement Act (CCAA). The Bill would provide for priority status for claims in respect of underfunded pension plans as well as for claims arising as a result of an employer ceasing its participation in a group insurance plan.
Private member’s bills are bills that are not introduced by a member of the Cabinet. Such bills frequently do not become law.
In a September 19, 2017 decision from the bench in the matter of Bank of Montreal v. Kappeler Masonry Corporation, et. al.1 (“Kappeler Masonry”), Madam Justice Conway of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “Court”) confirmed that commingling of construction project receipts in a receiver’s estate account is fatal to a Construction Lien Act (Ontario) (the “CLA”) trust claim in the face of a debtor’s bankruptcy.
Federal Bill C-63, which received first reading on October 27, 2017, will amend the eligible financial contracts (EFC) stay safe-harbour where a Canadian financial institution is subject to a resolution procedure under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act(CDIC Act). The amendments will clarify that the limits that apply to relying on the safe-harbour based on insolvency or deteriorated financial condition are limited to two business days unless effective resolution actions have been taken.