Alcanna Inc. ("
Alcanna" or the
"
Company" or "
CLIQ") (TSX: CLIQ)
is pleased to announce the voting results of the special meeting
(the "
Meeting") of holders
("
Alcanna Shareholders") of
Alcanna's common shares (each, an "
Alcanna Share")
held earlier today. At the Meeting, Alcanna Shareholders voted in
favour of a special resolution (the "
Arrangement
Resolution") to approve the proposed plan of arrangement
(the "
Arrangement") under Section 192 of the
Canada Business Corporations Act (the "
CBCA"),
involving the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding
Alcanna Shares by Sundial Growers Inc.
("
Sundial"), pursuant to the arrangement agreement
dated October 7, 2021, as amended on January 6, 2021 (the
"
Arrangement Agreement"). In
accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, as amended,
Alcanna Shareholders will receive 8.85 common shares of Sundial
(each whole share, a "
Sundial Share") and $1.50 in
cash (the "
Revised Consideration") in exchange for
each Alcanna Share held following closing of the Arrangement.
The Arrangement Resolution required the approval
of: (i) not less than two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes cast by
Alcanna Shareholders present in person (virtually) or represented
by proxy at the Meeting; and (ii) a simple majority (greater than
50%) of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Alcanna
Shareholders present in person (virtually) or represented by proxy
at the Meeting, excluding votes attached to Alcanna Shares required
to be excluded for obtaining majority of the minority approval at
the Meeting (the "Majority of the Minority Vote")
pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101—Protection of Minority
Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI
61-101"). Alcanna Shareholders approved the Arrangement
Resolution with 90.04% of the votes cast at the Meeting in favour
of the Arrangement (89.51% pursuant to the Majority of the Minority
Vote in accordance with MI 61-101).
The Arrangement remains subject to receipt of a
final order (the "Final Order")
of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (the
"Court") with respect to the Arrangement and
certain other customary closing conditions, including certain
approvals required under applicable provincial liquor and cannabis
legislation. Subject to the receipt of the Final Order, all
required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of all closing
conditions, the Arrangement is expected to be completed during the
first quarter of 2022.
"The support from Alcanna shareholders—over 90%
of the votes—clearly demonstrates the value of Sundial’s offer.
Sundial's best-in-class balance sheet with approximately $1.1
billion in cash and investments ($0.55/sh) provides the foundation
for ongoing value creation and growth that Sundial has seen over
the past two years under Zach George's leadership," said James
Burns, Vice Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Alcanna. "The
prospects for our Ace Discount Liquor and Wine and Beyond banners
are even more positive as part of the larger Sundial group."
"Alcanna's regulated product distribution
platform will strengthen Sundial's operations, portfolio, and cash
flow profile. We are humbled by the support of Alcanna shareholders
and look forward to working with the team at Alcanna to create a
best-in-class company focused on delighting consumers and
delivering value to all stakeholders," said Zach George, Chief
Executive Officer of Sundial.
DETAILED VOTING RESULTS
The voting results from the Meeting are as
follows:
Total Alcanna Shares issued and outstanding at record date
(November 9, 2021) |
36,226,143 |
|
Total Alcanna Shares represented at the Meeting in person
(virtually) and by proxy |
23,159,025 |
|
Percentage of Alcanna Shares represented at the Meeting |
63.93 |
% |
|
Votes For |
% of Votes For |
VotesAgainst |
% of Votes Against |
Alcanna Shareholders |
20,851,642 |
90.04 |
2,307,383 |
9.96 |
|
Alcanna Shareholders (Majority of Minority) |
19,692,771 |
89.51 |
2,307,383 |
10.49 |
|
Details of voting results will be filed under
Alcanna's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
FAIRNESS OPINION
Paradigm Capital Inc.
("Paradigm") has provided the special committee of
the Alcanna board of directors with an updated fairness opinion
which states that, in the opinion of Paradigm, as of January 7,
2022, and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications
and other matters set forth in the fairness opinion, the Revised
Consideration to be received by the Alcanna Shareholders pursuant
to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Alcanna Shareholders.
FINAL ORDER
Alcanna will apply to the Court for the Final
Order at 3:00 p.m. (Mountain time) on January 18, 2022. Alcanna
Shareholders or other interested parties have the ability to appear
(virtually) and make submissions in respect of the Final Order upon
proper service upon Alcanna of a notice of appearance
("Notice of Intention to Appear") setting out the
address for service of such Alcanna Shareholder (or an email
address for service by electronic mail) and indicating whether such
Alcanna Shareholder intends to support or oppose or make
submissions (virtually) before the Court at the Final Order and any
evidence or materials which are to be presented to the Court.
The interim order of the Court in respect of the
Arrangement (the "Interim Order") set the deadline
to submit a Notice of Intention to Appear as five business days
prior to the Meeting. In light of the Revised Consideration being
offered to Alcanna Shareholders, Alcanna and Sundial do not intend
to rely upon such deadline to oppose the appearance of an Alcanna
Shareholder or other interested party at the hearing of the Final
Order that properly effects service of any Notice of Intention to
Appear on or before 4:00 p.m. (Mountain time) on January 14, 2022
by delivery to Alcanna's solicitors at the address set forth below.
Further information on how to submit a Notice of Intention to
Appear is set forth in Alcanna's information circular and proxy
statement dated November 9, 2021 (the
"Circular").
DISSENT RIGHTS
In light of the Revised Consideration being
offered to Alcanna Shareholders, additionally, Alcanna and Sundial
wish to provide registered Alcanna Shareholders with additional
time to exercise rights to Dissent ("Dissent
Rights"). In making the application for the Final Order
discussed above, Alcanna and Sundial will request that the Court
honour an extension of the deadline to exercise Dissent Rights to
4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on January 14, 2022. The granting of such
an extension will be subject to Court approval.
Registered Alcanna Shareholders who have voted
against the Arrangement Resolution have the right to dissent
("Dissent Rights") with respect
to the Arrangement Resolution as further described in the Plan of
Arrangement (as amended) and the Interim Order, and if the
Arrangement becomes effective, to be paid the fair market value for
their Alcanna Shares as determined by the Court. A registered
Alcanna Shareholder that wishes to exercise its Dissent Rights must
send to Alcanna a written objection to the Arrangement Resolution
referred to in subsection 190(5) of the CBCA, which written
objection must be received by Alcanna c/o Bennett Jones LLP, Suite
4500, 855 – 2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4K7, Attention:
Justin R. Lambert / Jon C. Truswell and must otherwise strictly
comply with Section 190 of the CBCA, as modified by the Interim
Order and the Plan of Arrangement. Subject to approval of the Court
in the Final Order, Alcanna intends to honour any exercise of
Dissent Rights by an Alcanna Shareholders properly received prior
to 4:00 p.m. (Mountain time) on January 14, 2022.
Registered Alcanna Shareholders' Dissent Rights
are more particularly described in the Circular, and a copy of the
Interim Order and the text of Section 190 of the CBCA are set forth
in Appendix "C" and Appendix "G", respectively, to the Circular.
Failure to strictly comply with the requirements set forth in
Section 190 of the CBCA, as modified by the Interim Order and the
Plan of Arrangement, may result in the loss of any Dissent
Right.
NEW LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Due to the Revised Consideration payable to
Alcanna Shareholders, Alcanna intends to provide Alcanna
Shareholders with a new letter of transmittal. The new letter of
transmittal will be made available to Alcanna Shareholders as soon
as practicable following the Meeting, including under Alcanna's
profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Alcanna's website at
https://www.alcanna.com/ALCANNA-Special-Meeting-Materials and will
be mailed to Alcanna Shareholders. Alcanna Shareholders should
disregard the letter of transmittal previously provided to Alcanna
Shareholders with the Circular. Alcanna Shareholders that have
previously deposited a letter of transmittal will be required to
complete a new letter of transmittal and resubmit it to Odyssey
Trust Company, the depositary in respect of the Arrangement. If
Alcanna Shareholders have questions about submitting the new letter
of transmittal, please contact Odyssey Trust Company by email at
corp.actions@odysseytrust.com or at 1-587-885-0960.
ABOUT ALCANNA INC.
Alcanna is one of the largest private sector
retailers of alcohol in North America and the largest in Canada by
number of stores – operating locations in Alberta and British
Columbia. The Company's majority-owned subsidiary, Nova Cannabis
Inc. (TSX: NOVC), also operates 74 cannabis retail stores in
Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Alcanna Shares trade on the TSX
under the symbol "CLIQ". Additional information about Alcanna is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at
www.alcanna.com.
ABOUT SUNDIAL GROWERS INC.
Sundial is a public company with Sundial Shares
traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "SNDL". Its business is reported
and analyzed under three operating segments: Cannabis Operations,
Cannabis Retail and Investments.
As a licensed producer that crafts small-batch
cannabis using state-of-the-art indoor facilities, Sundial's
'craft-at-scale' modular growing approach, award-winning genetics
and experienced growers set us apart. Sundial's brand portfolio
includes Top Leaf, Sundial Cannabis, Palmetto and Grasslands.
Sundial also operates the Spiritleaf retail banner. Spiritleaf aims
to be the most knowledgeable and trusted source of recreational
cannabis by offering a premium consumer experience and quality
curated cannabis products.
Sundial's investment operations seek to deploy
strategic capital through direct and indirect investments and
partnerships throughout the global cannabis industry.
Sundial is proudly Albertan, headquartered in
Calgary, Alberta, with operations in Olds and Rocky View County,
Alberta, Canada. For more information on Sundial, please go to
www.sndlgroup.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking
statements or information (collectively "forward-looking
statements") within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation, relating to, among other things, the completion and
timing of the Arrangement; the ability of the parties to satisfy
all of the closing conditions and the anticipated timing for
closing of the Arrangement; the receipt of the Final Order of the
Court in connection with the Arrangement and the anticipated timing
thereof, including the approval by the Court of any Dissent Rights
and Notice of Intention to Appear received prior to the
above-stated deadline. Forward-looking statements are typically
identified by words such as "continue", "anticipate", "will",
"should", "plan", "intend", and similar words suggesting future
events or future performance. All statements and information other
than statements of historical fact contained in this news release
are forward-looking statements.
The risk factors and uncertainties related to
the Arrangement include, among other things: risks related to the
completion and the timing of the Arrangement; the ability to
complete the Arrangement on the terms and timeline contemplated by
the Arrangement Agreement, or at all; the ability and expectation
that following completion of the Arrangement, Sundial will continue
to experience enhanced market liquidity and growth; that Alcanna's
cash flow and retail operations expertise will accelerate Sundial's
growth; the ability of the consolidated entity to focus more
management effort on its investment arm; the ability of the
consolidated entity to realize the anticipated benefits from the
Arrangement and the timing thereof; the inability of the parties to
fulfill or waive any conditions precedent to the completion of the
Arrangement Agreement, including obtaining required regulatory and
Court approvals; interloper or other stakeholder risk; risks
related to the operations of Alcanna's liquor retail business upon
completion of the Arrangement; risks related to new issuances of
Sundial Shares that could affect the Alcanna Shareholders' pro
forma ownership of Sundial; the risks and uncertainties related to
the ability of the consolidated entity to successfully integrate
the respective businesses, execute on the strategic opportunity, as
well as the ability to ensure continued performance or market
growth of its products; the duration and severity of the COVID-19
pandemic on the business, operations and financial condition of the
consolidated entity; the risk that the consolidated entity will be
unable to execute its strategic plan and growth strategy, including
the capital allocation and retail cannabis strategy, as planned or
at all; dependence on suppliers; potential delays or changes in
plans with respect to capital expenditures and the availability of
capital on acceptable terms; risks inherent in the liquor retail
and cannabis industries; competition for, among other things,
customers, supply, capital and skilled personnel; changes in labour
costs and markets; inaccurate assessments of the value of
acquisitions; general economic and provincial and national
political conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions,
including changes in government regulations; fluctuations in
foreign exchange or interest rates; unanticipated operating events;
failure to obtain regulatory and third‐party consents and approvals
when required; changes in tax and other laws that affect us and our
security holders; the potential failure of counterparties to honour
their contractual obligations; stock market volatility; and risks
associated with existing and potential future lawsuits, shareholder
proposals and regulatory actions.
Readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements included in this news release.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to change and do
not guarantee future performance and actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause actual performance and results to differ materially from
any estimates, forecasts or projections, or could cause our current
objectives, strategies and intentions to change.
In addition, if the Arrangement is not
completed, and each of the parties continues as an independent
entity, there are risks that the announcement of the Arrangement
and the dedication of substantial resources of each party to the
completion of the Arrangement could have an impact on such party's
business relationships, and could have a material adverse effect on
the current and future operations, financial conditions and
prospects of such party. Readers should refer to the discussion of
risks set forth in Alcanna's management information circular and
proxy statement dated November 9, 2021 under the heading "Risk
Factors". A comprehensive discussion of other risks relating to
Alcanna's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors"
in Alcanna's annual information form for the financial year ended
December 31, 2020 dated March 25, 2021 which is available on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Additional information regarding risks and
uncertainties relating to Sundial's business are contained under
"Item 3D Risk Factors" in Sundial's Annual Report on Form 20-F,
which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 17, 2021 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and
EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk
factors should not be construed as exhaustive.
The forward-looking statements contained in this
news release are made as of the date hereof. Except as expressly
required by applicable securities legislation, Alcanna does not
undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement.
CONTACT INFORMATION
James BurnsVice Chair & Chief Executive
Officer Alcanna Inc. (587) 460-1026
Alcanna (TSX:CLIQ)
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