In a CCAA proceeding, Synaptive Medical Inc. underwent a reverse vesting transaction where its unwanted assets and liabilities, including the employment contracts of 48 terminated employees, were transferred to ResidualCo.
Synaptive and ResidualCo sought a declaration that ResidualCo is a 'former employer' under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act (WEPPA) so the terminated employees could access WEPPA benefits.
The Attorney General opposed, arguing the employees never provided services to ResidualCo.
The court granted the declaration, finding that under the common employer doctrine and the purpose of WEPPA, ResidualCo qualifies as a former employer, and the court has jurisdiction to make this determination for both CCAA and bankruptcy purposes.
