Canada: The Autorité Des Marchés Financiers Proposes An Alternative Approach To Securities Regulators Intervention In Defensive Tactics

Introduction

On March 14, 2013, the Autorité des marchés financiers ("AMF") published for comments a consultation paper (the "AMF Proposal") I pertaining to defensive tactics in response to take-over bids. This consultation is taking place concurrently with the one launched the same day by the Canadian Securities Administrator ("CSA") with the release of proposed National Instrument 62-105 Security Holder Rights Plans and proposed Companion Policy 62-105CP Security Holder Rights Plans (collectively, "62-105"). Unlike the CSA's 62-105, the AMF Proposal addresses all defensive tactics II, not only security holders rights plans.

The AMF Proposal

By proposing an alternative approach and a broader reflection than 62-105, the AMF is seeking to restore the balance between target boards and bidders. Indeed, according to AMF, the result of the current interpretation of National Policy 62-202 – Take-Over Bids – Defensive Tactics ("NP 62-202") III has led inevitably to « the auction of target corporations, making our take-over bid regime too bidder friendly ».

The AMF notes that major changes in the economic and legal environment regarding unsolicited take-over bids have arisen since the adoption of NP 62-202 in 1986, namely:

• significant improvements in corporate governance standards, brought about by more stringent regulation and better practices;
• important court decisions which redefined directors' fiduciary duties, such as the Supreme Court ruling in BCE Inc. v 1976 Debentureholders ;
• increased involvement by security holders' in the supervision of directors and the use of remedies to challenge board decisions; and
• the ability of hedge funds and other arbitrageurs to exert significant influence during the take-over bid process.

These changes have led the AMF to reconsider the current approach with respect to defensive measures entrenched in NP 62-202.

The AMF Proposal consists of two principal elements:

1.  Changes to NP 62-202

The AMF considers that securities regulators should not view defensive tactics as prejudicial to the public interest and therefore should not intervene, unless (i) security holders are deprived from considering a bona fide offer because the board has inadequately managed its conflicts of interest or those of management or (ii) unusual circumstances demonstrate an abuse of security holders' rights or a negative impact on the efficiency of capital markets;

In determining the reasonableness of a defensive tactic, the AMF proposes to examine, among other things, the following indicators:

• the establishment of a special committee of independent directors with the mandate to consider and review the bid and make a recommendation to the board;
• the appointment of independent financial and legal advisers to assist the special committee in fulfilling its mandate;
• the conclusion of the special committee and the board that, based on their review of the bid and on the advice of legal and financial advisers, it is in the best interests of the corporation to implement a defensive measure; and
• the completeness of the disclosure provided to security holders in the directors' circular, and any other form of communication used by target directors, on the process followed to provide their recommendation and their reasons in support of the defensive measure.

Ultimately, the AMF Proposal would replace NP 62-202 by a new policy that would recognize the fiduciary duty of directors faced with an unsolicited take-over bid and that would limit the securities regulators' intervention on questions of public interest.

2.  Changes to the Take-Over Bid Regime

In order to deal with the issue of structural coercion raised by the current take-over bid regime, the AMF would make mandatory two measures currently found in the "permitted bid" provisions of most security holders' rights plans.

First, the AMF proposes a « voting mechanism » consisting in an irrevocable minimum tender condition « of more than 50% of the outstanding securities owned by persons other than the offeror and those acting in concert with it ». This mechanism would apply to any bid, including a partial bid. Second, the AMF suggests extending the bid period for an additional 10 days after the public announcement of the completion of the irrevocable minimum in order to give time to indecisive or less sophisticated security holders to deposit their shares.

Conclusion

Although the AMF actively participated in the preparation and publication of 62-105 as a member of the CSA, it is of the view that the regulatory framework surrounding all defensive tactics should be reviewed at this time, not only rights plans. The AMF's alternative approach will hopefully generate constructive comments and discussions during the consultation period for both proposals.

Footnotes

^{i AMF Proposal (March 14, 2013)
ii In addition to securities holders' rights plans, target companies may use a variety of defensive tactics against unsolicited takeover bids, namely "white knight" transactions, corporate restructuring or the sale of material assets, to name a few.
iii National Policy 62-202
iv 2008 SCC 69 (CanLII), [2008] 3 SCR 560.}

For more information, visit our Mergers & Acquisitions blog at www.mergersandacquisitionsincanada.com/posts/

About Dentons

Dentons is a global firm driven to provide you with the competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected marketplace. We were formed by the March 2013 combination of international law firm Salans LLP, Canadian law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) and international law firm SNR Denton.

Dentons is built on the solid foundations of three highly regarded law firms. Each built its outstanding reputation and valued clientele by responding to the local, regional and national needs of a broad spectrum of clients of all sizes – individuals; entrepreneurs; small businesses and start-ups; local, regional and national governments and government agencies; and mid-sized and larger private and public corporations, including international and global entities.

Now clients benefit from more than 2,500 lawyers and professionals in 79 locations in 52 countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, the UK and the US who are committed to challenging the status quo to offer creative, actionable business and legal solutions.

Learn more at www.dentons.com

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. Specific Questions relating to this article should be addressed directly to the author.