COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
O’Connor A.C.J.O., Blair and Hoy JJ.A.
In the Matter of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.C-36 as amended
And in the Matter of a Plan of Compromise or Arrangement of Crystallex International Corporation
Richard B. Swan, S. Richard Orzy, Derek J. Bell and Emrys Davis, for the appellant Computershare Trust Company of Canada
Andrew J.F. Kent, Markus Koehnen and Jeffrey Levine, for the respondent Crystallex International Corporation
Barbara L. Grossman, for Tenor Capital Management Company, L.P. and Affiliates
Robert Frank, for Forbes & Manhattan Inc. and Aberdeen International Inc.
David Byers, for the Monitor Ernst & Young Inc.
Heard: May 11, 2012
On appeal from the order of Justice Frank J.C. Newbould of the Superior Court of Justice dated January 20, 2012, with reasons reported at 2012 ONSC 538, and from the orders of Justice Frank J.C. Newbould of the Superior Court of Justice dated April 16, 2012, with reasons reported at 2012 ONSC 2125.
I. OVERVIEW
1The primary issue in these appeals is the scope of financing the supervising judge can or should approve, without the sanction of creditors, while a company is under the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, as amended (the “CCAA”).
2The respondent Crystallex International Corporation (“Crystallex”) is a Canadian mining company. Its principal asset was the right to develop Las Cristinas in Venezuela, which is one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world. Crystallex obtained this right through a contract with the Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana (the “CVG”), a state-owned Venezuelan corporation. On February 3, 2011, after Crystallex spent over $500 million on developing Las Cristinas, the CVG sent Crystallex a letter to “unilaterally rescind” the contract for reasons of “expediency and convenience”. There is no suggestion in these proceedings that the rescission was due to any mismanagement by Crystallex.
3As a result of the cancellation of the contract, Crystallex was unable to pay its $100 million in senior 9.375 per cent notes due December 23, 2011 (the “Notes”). It sought and, on December 23, 2011 obtained, protection under the CCAA.
4At present, Crystallex’s only asset of significance is an arbitration claim for US $3.4 billion against the government of Venezuela in relation to the cancellation of the contract. The arbitration claim is the “pot of gold” in the CCAA proceeding.
5The appellant Computershare Trust Company of Canada, in its capacity as Trustee for the holders of the Notes (the “Noteholders”), appeals, with leave, three orders made by the supervising judge in the CCAA proceeding: (i) the January 20, 2012 CCAA Bridge Financing Order (with reasons released January 25, 2012 and reported at 2012 ONSC 538 (the “Bridge Financing Reasons”)) authorizing Crystallex to obtain bridge financing of $3.125 million (the “Bridge Loan”) from the respondent Tenor Special Situations Fund, L.P. (“Tenor L.P.”); (ii) the April 16, 2012 CCAA Financing Order authorizing Crystallex to obtain $36 million of what the supervising judge characterized as Debtor in Possession (“DIP”) financing from Tenor Special Situation Fund I, LLC (“Tenor”) (the “Tenor DIP Loan”); and (iii) the April 16, 2012 Management Incentive Plan Approval Order approving a Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”) designed to ensure the retention of key executives until the arbitration is completed. The supervising judge’s reasons for the CCAA Financing Order and Management Incentive Plan Approval Order are reported at 2012 ONSC 2125 (the “DIP Financing Reasons”).
6Among other conditions, the Tenor DIP Loan, due December 31, 2016, entitles Tenor to 35 per cent of the net proceeds of the arbitration in addition to interest, provides governance rights that may continue after Crystallex exits from CCAA protection, and requires Tenor’s approval to a range of options that might customarily be offered to unsecured creditors in seeking to negotiate a plan of compromise or arrangement.
7Substantially all of the creditors opposed the approval of the Bridge Loan, the Tenor DIP Loan and the MIP. Crystallex represents that it hopes to negotiate a plan of arrangement or compromise with the Noteholders and other creditors before the current stay until July 30, 2012 expires.
8The bulk of the $36 million Tenor DIP Loan comprises financing to pursue the arbitration claim, which may continue after the period of CCAA protection.
II. THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
9The CCAA was amended effective September 18, 2009 to add the following provisions regarding the grant of a charge to secure financing required by the debtor:
Interim financing
11.2 (1) On application by a debtor company and on notice to the secured creditors who are likely to be affected by the security or charge, a court may make an order declaring that all or part of the company’s property is subject to a security or charge – in an amount that the court considers appropriate – in favour of a person specified in the order who agrees to lend to the company an amount approved by the court as being required by the company, having regard to its cash-flow statement. The security or charge may not secure an obligation that exists before the order is made.
Factors to be considered
(4) In deciding whether to make an order, the court is to consider, among other things,
(a) the period during which the company is expected to be subject to proceedings under this Act;
(b) how the company’s business and financial affairs are to be managed during the proceedings;
(c) whether the company’s management has the confidence of its major creditors;
(d) whether the loan would enhance the prospects of a viable compromise or arrangement being made in respect of the company;
(e) the nature and value of the company’s property;
(f) whether any creditor would be materially prejudiced as a result of the security or charge; and
(g) the monitor’s report referred to in paragraph 23(1)(b), if any.1
Prior to the enactment of these provisions, the court relied on its general authority under the CCAA to approve DIP financing: see Lloyd W. Houlden, Geoffey B. Morawetz & Janis P. Sarra, The 2012 Annotated Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Toronto: Carswell, 2011), at p. 1175.
III. THE BACKGROUND
A. Events Prior to the CCAA Filings
10Crystallex has filed a Request for Arbitration pursuant to the Canada-Venezuela Bilateral Investment Treaty, claiming $3.4 billion plus interest for the loss of its investment in Las Cristinas. The hearing of the arbitration is scheduled for November 11, 2013.
11Crystallex’s most significant liability is its debt to the Noteholders. In addition to amounts owed to the Noteholders, Crystallex has other liabilities of approximately CAD $1.2 million and approximately US $8 million.
12The current Noteholders are hedge funds, some of whom purchased Notes after Venezuela announced its intention to expropriate Las Cristinas at prices as low as 25 cents on the dollar.
13The relationship between Crystallex and the current Noteholders is hostile. Crystallex and the Noteholders have been in litigation since 2008. Prior to the maturity date of the Notes, the Noteholders twice, unsuccessfully, brought court proceedings against Crystallex alleging that an event had occurred which accelerated Crystallex’s obligation to pay the Notes. Those proceedings were also heard by the supervising judge: see Computershare Trust Co. of Canada v. Crystallex International Corp. (2009), 65 B.L.R. (4th) 281 (S.C.), aff’d 2010 ONCA 364, 263 O.A.C. 137; and Computershare v. Crystallex, 2011 ONSC 5748.
B. Commencement of Proceedings under the CCAA and Chapter 15
14On December 22, 2011, one day prior to the maturity of the Notes, Crystallex and the Noteholders filed competing CCAA applications. The Noteholders’ application contemplated that all existing common shares would be cancelled, an equity offering would be undertaken, and if, or to the extent, the equity proceeds were insufficient to pay out the Noteholders, the Notes would be converted to equity.
15Crystallex sought authority to file a plan of compromise and arrangement, the authority to continue to pursue the arbitration in Venezuela, and the authority to pursue all avenues of interim financing or a refinancing of its business and to conduct an auction to raise financing. In his supporting affidavit sworn December 22, 2011, Robert Fung, Crystallex’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, indicated that Crystallex wished to have all claims stayed against it until the arbitration settled or Crystallex realized the arbitration award. Crystallex had already received an unsolicited offer of financing from Tenor Capital Management.
16It was (and is) expected that, if the arbitration is successful and the award is collected, there will be more than enough to pay the creditors and a significant amount will be available to shareholders.
17On December 23, 2011, the supervising judge made an order granting Crystallex’s CCAA application (the “Initial Order”). In his reasons released December 28, 2011, he explained that the Noteholders’ proposal was not a fair balancing of the interests of all stakeholders: Re Crystallex International Corporation, 2011 ONSC 7701, at para. 26. The Noteholders did not appeal the Initial Order.
18Crystallex obtained an order under chapter 15 of the United States Bankruptcy Code from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, among other things giving effect to the Initial Order in the United States as the main proceeding.
C. Crystallex Develops a DIP Auction Process
19Paragraph 12 of the Initial Order authorized Crystallex to pursue all avenues of interim financing or a refinancing of its business or property, subject to the requirements of the CCAA and court approval,to permit it to proceed with an orderly restructuring. It further provided:
Without limiting the foregoing, the Applicant may conduct an auction to raise interim or DIP financing pursuant to procedures approved by the Monitor and using such professional assistance as the Applicant may determine with the consent of the Monitor. If such approved procedures are followed to the satisfaction of the Monitor then the best offer as determined by the Applicant pursuant to the approved procedures shall be afforded the protection of the Soundair principles so that it will be too late to make topping offers thereafter and such offers will not be considered by this Court.
20Crystallex hired an independent financial advisory firm, Skatoff & Company, LLC, and developed a set of procedures to govern the solicitation of bids to provide financing to Crystallex. The Monitor, Ernst & Young Inc., approved the bid procedures. The bid procedures indicated that Crystallex’s objective was to obtain financing of not less than $35 million, net of costs, that, on completion of the CCAA and U.S. Chapter 15 reorganization proceedings, would roll into financing maturing not sooner than December 31, 2014. The bid deadline was February 1, 2012.
D. The Bridge Loan
21On January 20, 2012, the supervising judge considered competing proposals from Tenor L.P. and the Noteholders to provide bridge financing. Tenor L.P. offered $3.125 million with interest at 10 per cent per annum. The Noteholders offered $3 million with interest at 1 per cent per annum.
22The board of Crystallex, taking into account advice received from Mr. Skatoff, recommended the Tenor L.P. offer. Mr. Skatoff was concerned that the Noteholders’ objective may have been to defeat the larger DIP financing process so that they could ultimately impose financing terms on Crystallex. It was also his view that Crystallex should avoid entering into an important financial relationship with a hostile party.
23The supervising judge approved Tenor L.P.’s offer.
E. The Noteholders Object to the DIP Auction Process
24On January 20, 2012, the Noteholders brought a cross-motion to modify the DIP auction process then underway, which they severely criticized. They objected to the amount sought, the term, and the lender back-end entitlement a successful DIP lender could acquire. In their view, Crystallex was inappropriately seeking financing in excess of amounts required until a compromise or plan of arrangement could be arrived at between Crystallex and its creditors. Given their existing position in Crystallex, the Noteholders also objected to being required to sign a non-disclosure agreement containing a standstill provision in order to be a qualified bidder.
25The supervising judge held that if the Noteholders wished to be considered as a qualified bidder, they would have to sign a non-disclosure agreement: Bridge Financing Reasons, at para. 27. As to their other concerns, he wrote, at para. 29:
In my view these objections are premature and it is not necessary for me to consider their strength at this stage. The time for filing bids from qualified bidders has not yet expired and what bids will be received is unknown. It is when a successful bidder has been chosen and the DIP facility is before the court for approval that these issues raised by the Noteholders would be more appropriately dealt with. Until then, there is no factual foundation for judgment to be passed on the bid procedures for the DIP facility for which Crystallex will seek approval.
F. Competing DIP Financing Offers: The Tenor DIP Loan and the Noteholders’ Offer
26The bidders who responded to the request for DIP financing included three hedge funds that hold approximately 77 per cent of the Notes and Tenor.
27Those hedgefund Noteholders proposed a loan of $10 million with a simple interest rate of 1 per cent repayable on October 15, 2012.
28The supervising judge described Tenor’s proposed terms in the DIP Financing Reasons:
23The Tenor DIP facility contains the following material financial terms:
(a) Tenor will advance $36 million to Crystallex due and payable on December 31, 2016. This period for the loan is based on Crystallex’s arbitration counsel’s assessment of the likely timing of a decision from the arbitral tribunal and collection of the award.
(b) The advances will be in four tranches, being $9 million upon execution of the loan documentation and approval of the facility by court order in Ontario, the second being $12 million upon any appeal of the Ontario court order approving the facility being dismissed and upon a U.S court order approving the facility, the third being $10 million when Crystallex has less than $2.5 million in cash and the fourth being $5 million when Crystallex again has less than $2.5 million in cash.
(c) The loans are to be used to (i) repay an interim bridge loan of $3.25 million advanced by Tenor with court approval of January 20, 2012 and payable on April 16, 2012, (ii) fees and expenses in connection with the facility, (iii) general corporate expenses of Crystallex including expenses of the restructuring proceedings and of the arbitration in accordance with cash flow statements and budgets of Crystallex approved by Tenor from time to time.
(d) Crystallex will pay Tenor a $1 million commitment fee.
(e) $35 million of the loan amount will bear PIK interest (payment in kind, meaning it is capitalized and payable only upon maturity of the loan or upon receipt of the proceeds of the arbitration) at the rate of 10% per annum compounded semi-annually.
(f) Tenor will receive additional compensation equal to 35% of the net proceeds of any arbitral award or settlement, conditional upon the second tranche of the loan being advanced. Net proceeds of the award or settlement is defined as the amount remaining after payment of principal and interest on the DIP loan, taxes and proven and allowed unsecured claims against Crystallex, including the noteholders, the latter of which will have a special charge for the unsecured amounts owing. Alternatively, Tenor can convert the right to additional compensation to 35% of the common shares of Crystallex. This conversion right is apparently driven by tax considerations.
24The Tenor DIP facility also provides for the governance of Crystallex to be changed to give Tenor a substantial say in the governance of Crystallex. More particularly:
(a) Crystallex shall have a reduced five person board of directors, being two current Crystallex directors, two nominees of Tenor and an independent director selected by agreement of Crystallex and Tenor.
(b) The independent director shall be chair of the board of directors and shall not have a second-casting or tie-breaking vote.
(c) The independent director shall be appointed a special managing director and shall have all the powers of the board of directors to (i) the conduct of the reorganization proceedings in Canada and in the U.S. and the efforts of Crystallex to reorganize the pre-filing claims of the unsecured creditors, (ii) any matters relating to the rights of Crystallex and Tenor as against the other under the facility, (iii) the administration of the MIP to the extent not otherwise delegated to the bonus pool committee under the MIP, and (iv) to retain any advisor in respect of these matters. The special manager shall first consult with a non-board advisory panel, consisting of the three Crystallex directors who will step down from the board, and consider in good faith their recommendations.
(d) With respect to matters that may not at law be delegable to the special managing director, he will be required to obtain board approval. If the Tenor nominees use their votes to block that approval, Tenor will forfeit its 35% additional compensation.
25The Tenor DIP facility contains proscribed rights of Tenor in the event of default. Tenor may seize and sell assets other than the arbitration proceeding (i.e. any cash and unsold mining equipment). It may not sell the arbitration claim. If there is a default before any arbitration award, Tenor would have the right to apply to court to have the Monitor or a Canadian receiver and manager appointed to take control of the arbitration proceedings. If such application were not granted, Tenor would be entitled to exercise the rights and remedies of a secured creditor pursuant to an order, the loan documentation or otherwise at law.
29Mr. Skatoff recommended, and the board of Crystallex agreed, to accept the Tenor DIP Loan. Mr. Skatoff indicated, in an affidavit sworn March 20, 2012, that he had recommended that the board reject the Noteholders’ offer of a $10 million loan for 6 months because Crystallex could not be assured that it could borrow the balance of the required funds at the expiry of that period on the same terms as the Tenor DIP Loan.
G. The Noteholders’ Further, Competing Offer to Allay Mr. Skatoff’s Concerns
30In his affidavit on behalf of the Noteholders, sworn March 27, 2012, Mr. Mattoni responded to Mr. Skatoff’s concern by committing that the Noteholders would be prepared to,
… provide financing to Crystallex on the same terms as the [Tenor DIP Loan], in the event that prior to October 1, 2012, the Court orders that such long-term financing is appropriate and necessary. The Noteholders would reserve their complete and unfettered ability as creditors to continue to oppose stay extensions or attempts to secure such long-term financing outside of a Plan of compromise (including, specifically, financing to the extent contemplated by the Proposed Loan), but they will provide it if it is ordered by the Court on the same basis as currently proposed with Tenor...
H. The Noteholders’ Proposed Plan
31Prior to the April 5, 2012 hearing, the Noteholders proposed a plan to indicate a good faith intention to bargain. They did not seek approval of this proposed plan at the April 5, 2012 hearing.
32The plan’s terms included that the Noteholders would provide a $10 million loan on the terms described above; exchange their debt for approximately 58 per cent of the equity; provide $35 million to Crystallex in exchange for 22.9 per cent of the equity; and provide incentives to management at a lesser level than the MIP. Their proposed plan left approximately 14 per cent of the equity for the existing shareholders.
I. The Management Incentive Plan
33The Noteholders had criticized the independent directors of Crystallex as not being sufficiently independent. As a result, the independent directors of Crystallex comprising the compensation committee retained Jay Swartz, a partner of Davies Phillips Vineberg, to determine, from the perspective of an independent director, what an appropriate MIP would be. He in turn retained an independent national executive compensation consulting firm to provide expert advice. Mr. Swartz opined that the overall compensation proposal for the establishment of the bonus pool for the benefit of Crystallex’s management was reasonable in the circumstances. The independent directors of Crystallex comprising the compensation committee approved the MIP.
34At para. 102 of the DIP Financing Reasons, the supervising judge described the MIP:
In sum, a pool of money, consisting of up to 10% of the net proceeds of the arbitration up to $700 million and 2% of any further net proceeds, after all costs and charges, including the amounts owing to noteholders, is to be set aside and money in this pool may be paid to the beneficiaries of the MIP, depending on the determination of an independent committee. The amounts to be allocated to participants by the compensation committee are discretionary and could be nil. No one will be entitled to any particular amount. Members of the compensation committee will not be eligible for any payments.
35The MIP sets out a number of factors to be considered by the compensation committee in exercising its discretion. They include the amount and speed of recovery, the amount of time and energy expended by the individual, and the opportunity cost to the individual in staying with Crystallex.
36In the view of the Noteholders, the MIP is too generous. They proposed that management receive 5 per cent through an equity participation in any after tax award. They also took issue with the range of persons eligible under the MIP.
J. The April 5, 2012 motion
37On April 5, 2012, Crystallex sought orders approving, among other things, the Tenor DIP Loan and the MIP. The Noteholders as well as Forbes & Manhattan Inc. and Aberdeen International Inc., creditors owed approximately $2.5 million by Crystallex, opposed both the Tenor DIP Loan and the MIP. The one shareholder who attended opposed the MIP.
38The supervising judge approved the Tenor DIP Loan and the MIP.2 He also extended the stay until July 30, 2012.
K. Events since April 5, 2012
39Tenor made the first, $9 million advance under the Tenor DIP Loan. The Bridge Loan was repaid out of the first advance.
40At the hearing of this appeal, the Monitor advised that Crystallex would require further funds before the anticipated release of this court’s decision. Crystallex accepted Tenor’s offer to advance a further $4 million to Crystallex, on the same terms as the first, $9 million tranche of the Tenor DIP Loan. Accordingly, this further advance does not entitle Tenor to participate in any arbitration proceeds, or trigger any change in the governance of Crystallex. If the Noteholders’ appeal succeeds, the additional amounts advanced by Tenor are, like the first tranche, to be immediately repaid with interest at the rate of 1 per cent per annum, and the Noteholders shall fund the repayment. No commitment fee is payable in respect of this additional advance.
IV. THE supervising JUDGE’S REASONS
A. The Bridge Loan
41The supervising judge noted, at para. 5 of the Bridge Financing Reasons, that Tenor L.P.’s bridge financing proposal was “really short-term DIP financing”. With respect to the boards’ recommendation – based on Mr. Skatoff’s advice – that Tenor L.P.’s proposal be approved, he wrote, at para. 12:
This was a business judgment protected by the business judgment rule so long as it was a considered and informed judgment made honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Crystallex. See Re Stelco Inc. (200[5]), 2005 8671 (ON CA), 9 C.B.R. (5th) 135 (Ont. C.A.) regarding the rule and its application to CCAA proceedings. I see no grounds for concluding that the decision of Crystallex to prefer the Tenor bridge financing proposal is not protected by the business judgment rule or that I should not give it appropriate deference. [Citation corrected.]
42The supervising judge noted, at para. 13, that “the Monitor has no basis to say that the business judgment exercised by the Crystallex board of directors was unreasonable”. The supervising judge accordingly approved the Bridge Loan.
43Mr. Skatoff expressed concern that the Noteholders’ objective in offering bridge financing on such advantageous terms (interest at the rate of 1 per cent, as opposed to the 10 per cent in the Tenor L.P. offer) was to undermine the DIP auction process. The supervising judge observed, at para. 14:
Whether Mr. Skatoff is correct in his concerns, it seems to me that the relatively minor extra cost involving the Tenor proposed bridge financing for at most a few months must be weighed against the risk of harm to the longer-term DIP financing auction process, and that for the sake of that process, it is preferable not to run the risks that Mr. Skatoff is concerned about.
B. The Tenor DIP Loan
44The substance of the supervising judge’s reasons for approving the Tenor DIP Loan – as set out in the DIP Financing Reasons – may be summarized as follows.
i. The exercise of business judgment by the board of directors of Crystallex in approving the Tenor DIP Loan is a factor that can be taken into account by the court in considering whether to make an order under s. 11.2(1) of the CCAA (at para. 35).
ii. The Tenor DIP Loan did not amount to a plan of arrangement or compromise. Notably, it did not take away the rights of the Noteholders as unsecured creditors to apply for a bankruptcy order or to vote on a plan of compromise or arrangement. A vote of the creditors was therefore not required (at para. 50). In coming to this conclusion, the supervising judge relied on Re Calpine Canada Energy Limited,2007 ABQB 504, 415 A.R. 196, leave to appeal refused, 2007 ABCA 266, 417 A.R. 25.
iii. Crystallex intended to negotiate a plan of compromise or arrangement with the Noteholders during the stay extension until July 30, 2012 (paras. 48, 126). The Tenor DIP Loan is therefore distinguishable from the financing rejected by the court in Cliffs Over Maple Bay Investments Ltd. v. Fisgard Capital Corp., 2008 BCCA 327, 296 D.L.R. (4th) 577, because in that case the debtor did not have an intention to propose an arrangement or compromise to its creditors.
iv. Because the Tenor DIP Loan involves the grant of a financial interest in part of the assets of Crystallex, it is appropriate to consider the Soundair factors in deciding whether to approve it (at para. 59). Crystallex conducted a robust competitive bidding process (at para. 39).
v. Mr. Skatoff’s evidence was that the Noteholders’ proposed six month facility “would seriously erode the chances of Crystallex obtaining third party financing in October” (at para. 90). Counsel for Computershare had said during argument on the motion that the Noteholders “were not prepared to agree to such a $35 million facility at this time but only at some future time as the $10 million facility they now proposed became due” (at para. 27). While it would have been preferable if the Noteholders had been willing to lend on the basis of the terms of the Tenor DIP facility, “it was made clear during argument that the noteholders were not prepared at this time to do so” (at para. 91).
vi. As to the enumerated factors in s. 11.2(4):
(a) Given that Crystallex intends, if possible, to negotiate an acceptable plan of arrangement or compromise, the length of time during which Crystallex is expected to be subject to the CCAA proceedings is not a determinative factor. The financing will be required to pursue the arbitration (at para. 62) and, as the supervising judge noted, “the only way any of the creditors will receive any substantial cash payment is from the proceeds of the arbitration” (at para. 47);
(b) The management of the business and affairs of Crystallex “are a reasonable compromise between Crystallex and Tenor designed to protect the interests of the stakeholders, including the noteholders” (at para. 73). The fact that Tenor is given substantial governance rights does not in itself mean that the DIP Tenor Loan should not be approved. Tenor does not have the right to conduct the reorganization proceedings or the arbitration proceeding. Moreover, under s. 11.5(1) of the CCAA, the court may remove a director whom it is satisfied is unreasonably impairing or is likely to unreasonably impair the possibility of a viable compromise or arrangement being made. Arguably, a court could remove a Tenor nominee under this section without triggering an event of default under the Tenor DIP Loan (at paras. 63-71);
(c) While the Noteholders expressed “extreme displeasure” at Crystallex’s management’s delay in commencing arbitration proceedings, they do not oppose management having a continuing role in the arbitration (at para. 72);
(d) The Noteholders’ argument that the terms of the Tenor DIP Loan – in particular, the fact that the refusal of the court to grant a stay or a bankruptcy are events of default, the grant of a 35 per cent interest in the arbitration proceeds, and the limits on the type of restructuring that can be concluded without the approval of Tenor – will effectively prevent any plan of arrangement was rejected (at paras. 74-82). While, as the Monitor points out, the introduction of a third party, Tenor, with consent rights to certain actions will add complexity to the negotiation of a CCAA plan (at para. 93), the Tenor DIP Loan would enhance the prospects of a viable compromise or arrangement (at para. 83):
... Crystallex requires additional financing to pay its expenses and continue the arbitration. A DIP loan allows the company to have the arbitration financed, which if it were not at this stage would impair the arbitration and perhaps the attitude of Venezuela towards the arbitration claim, and as such enhances the viability of a CCAA plan. I have not accepted the argument of the noteholders that the loan would prevent a plan of arrangement.
(e) The supervising judge noted that Crystallex’s principal asset is its US $3.4 billion arbitration claim against Venezuela (at para. 12); and
(f) In considering the Noteholders’ complaints of prejudice in the context of what the market is demanding for a DIP loan and in all the circumstances, the creditors have not been materially prejudiced by the Tenor DIP Loan (at para. 84).
C. The Management Incentive Plan
45The supervising judge considered the Noteholders’ objections to the quantum and method for providing an incentive to management, the inclusion of certain persons in the MIP, and the approval of the MIP before the negotiation of a plan.
46In the DIP Financing Reasons, the supervising judge observed, at para. 109, that whether employee retention provisions should be ordered in a CCAA proceeding was a matter of discretion. He noted that the provisions of the MIP had been approved by an independent committee of the board of directors with impressive qualifications, relying on the opinion of Mr. Swartz. In providing that opinion, Mr. Swartz indicated that the absolute amount of the bonus pool could be very substantial and, in allocating it, the compensation committee “may have to carefully consider the absolute amounts to be paid to each member of the Management Group in order to satisfy its fiduciary duties”: see DIP Financing Reasons, at para. 108. The supervising judge also noted that Mr. Swartz had retained an independent national executive compensation consulting firm to provide expert advice.
47Citing Grant Forest Products Inc. (Re) (2009), 2009 42046 (ON SC), 57 C.B.R. (5th) 128 (Ont. S.C.) and Timminco Ltd. (Re), 2012 ONSC 948, the supervising judge wrote, at para. 112 of the DIP Financing Reasons, “I see no reason why the business judgment rule is not applicable, particularly when the provisions of the MIP have been approved by an independent committee of the board.” He further noted, at para. 115, what appears to be the practice of approving employee retention plans before any plan has been negotiated and, at para.105, that the Tenor DIP Loan was conditional on the approval of a MIP acceptable to Crystallex and Tenor.
48As to who should be eligible to participate in the MIP, at para. 117, the supervising judge noted that the independent committee had exercised its business judgment on the matter and that the participants were known to Mr. Swartz . Having reviewed the evidence, the supervising judge could not “say that any of the persons included in the MIP should not be there”.
V. THE partieS’ SUBMISSIONS
A. The Noteholders’ Submissions
49The Noteholders frame their opposition to the Tenor DIP Loan on a number of bases.
50They argue that s. 11.2, titled “Interim financing”, only permits a supervising judge to approve financing to meet the debtor’s needs while it is developing a plan to present to its creditors.
51The Noteholders also argue that the supervising judge’s finding that the Tenor DIP Loan would enhance the prospects of a viable compromise or arrangement was unreasonable because it resulted from an error of principle, namely an improper focus on the fact that it provided financing for the arbitration.
52The Noteholders submit that the supervising judge misapprehended the evidence in finding that the Noteholders were not willing to match the Tenor DIP Loan, and this error affected the outcome of the motion.
53They argue that the supervising judge erred in deferring to the business judgment of the directors of Crystallex in approving both the Bridge Loan and the Tenor DIP Loan. They argue that directors always make a recommendation and, if Parliament had thought this was a relevant factor, it would have specifically enumerated it in s. 11.2(4) of the CCAA.
54They argue that the supervising judge erred in principle in focusing on what was the most expedient way to fund the arbitration (as opposed to Crystallex’s needs while negotiating a plan with the Noteholders) and, in doing so, committed the same error as the motion judge in Cliffs Over Maple Bay.
55The Noteholders’ position is that the Tenor DIP Loan is effectively an arrangement, in the guise of a financing, and Crystallex is misusing the CCAA to impose a restructuring without the requisite creditor approval.
56The Noteholders submit that this court should order Crystallex to accept the Noteholders’ “matching” DIP loan offer.
57They also renew their objections to the MIP.
B. Crystallex’s Submissions
58Crystallex argues that the Noteholders’ appeal with respect to the Bridge Loan is moot because the loan has been advanced, spent and repaid.
59As to the Tenor DIP Loan, it argues that approving it was within the discretion of the supervising judge, the supervising judge exercised his discretion on a wide variety of findings of fact, capable of evidentiary support in the record, and there is no basis for this court to intervene. It relies on Century Services Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), 2010 SCC 60, [2010] 3 S.C.R. 379, which recently addressed the broad discretionary jurisdiction of a supervising judge under the CCAA. Crystallex also points to Air Canada (Re) (2004), 2004 11700 (ON SC), 47 C.B.R. (4th) 169 (Ont. S.C.), as an instance where exit financing was approved before a plan had been approved by creditors.
C. Tenor’s Submissions
60Tenor argues that “interim financing” in the heading to s. 11.2 of the CCAA does not mean “short term”, but rather refers to the interval between two points or events, and s. 11.2 does not contain anything that would fetter the discretion of the supervising judge to select an “end point” beyond the expected conclusion of a plan. It argues that the duration of the Tenor DIP Loan is tailored to Crystallex’s unique circumstance: all stakeholders acknowledge that the arbitration must be pursued in order for there to be meaningful recovery. In any event, it argues, marginal notes, such as the heading “interim financing” in s. 11.2, are not part of the statute, and their value is limited when a court must address a serious problem of statutory interpretation, citing the Interpretation Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-21, s. 14, and Imperial Oil Ltd. v. Canada; Inco Ltd. v. Canada, 2006 SCC 46, [2006] 2 S.C.R. 447, at para. 57.
61Moreover, Tenor submits, the supervising judge was in the best position to perform the careful balancing of interests required to facilitate a successful restructuring.
VI. ANALYSIS
A. The Appeal from the Bridge Financing Order
62The Noteholders did not strongly pursue their appeal of the Bridge Financing Order. The relief sought at the conclusion of the hearing related to the Tenor DIP Loan and not the Bridge Loan. The Bridge Loan was disbursed, spent and repaid. I agree with the respondents that the Noteholders’ appeal with respect to the Bridge Loan is moot. I will therefore confine my analysis to the Tenor DIP Loan and the MIP.
B. The Appeal from the Tenor DIP Financing Order
(1) Century Services Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General)
63The Supreme Court of Canada had occasion to interpret the CCAA for the first time in Century Services. It used that opportunity to make clear that the CCAA gives the courts broad discretionary powers. Those powers must, however, be exercised in furtherance of the CCAA’s purposes: para. 59. Section 11, in particular, was drafted in broad language which provides that a supervising judge “may, subject to the restrictions set out in this Act … make any order that it considers appropriate in the circumstances”.3 For the majority in Century Services, Deschamps J. wrote:
69The CCAA also explicitly provides for certain orders…
70The general language of the CCAA should not be read as being restricted by the availability of more specific orders. However, the requirements of appropriateness, good faith, and due diligence are baseline considerations that a court should always bear in mind when exercising CCAA authority. Appropriateness under the CCAA is assessed by inquiring whether the order sought advances the policy objectives underlying the CCAA. The question is whether the order will usefully further efforts to achieve the remedial purpose of the CCAA – avoiding the social and economic losses resulting from liquidation of an insolvent company. I would add that appropriateness extends not only to the purpose of the order, but also to the means it employs. Courts should be mindful that chances for successful reorganizations are enhanced where participants achieve common ground and all stakeholders are treated as advantageously and fairly as the circumstances permit.
64It is with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the scope of judicial discretion under the CCAA in mind that I turn to s. 11.2 and the question of whether it permits a supervising judge to approve financing that may continue for a significant period after CCAA protection ends, without the approval of creditors.
(2) Section 11.2 of the CCAA
65Section 11.2 is headed “Interim Financing”. Headings may be used as an aid in interpreting the meaning of a statute: R. Sullivan, Sullivan on the Construction of Statutes, 5th ed. (Markham: LexisNexis Canada Inc., 2008), at p. 394, “Interim” generally means temporary or provisional: Canadian Oxford Dictionary, 2d ed. The weight to be given to a heading depends on the circumstances.
66I agree with the Noteholders that s. 11.2 contemplates the grant of a charge, the primary purpose of which is to secure financing required by the debtor while it is expected to be subject to proceedings under the CCAA. A further purpose, however, is to enhance the prospects of a plan of compromise or arrangement that will lead to a continuation of the company, albeit in restructured form, after plan approval.
67Section 11.2(4)(a) directs the court to consider the period during which the debtor is expected to be subject to proceedings under the CCAA. It stops short of confining the financing to the period that the debtor is subject to the CCAA. Section 11.2(4)(d) directs the court to consider if the financing would enhance the prospects of a viable compromise or arrangement.
68Having regard to the broad remedial purpose of the CCAA and the broad residual authority of a supervising judge described in Century Services, in my view section 11.2 does not restrict the ability of the supervising judge, where appropriate, to approve the grant of a charge securing financing before a plan is approved that may continue after the company emerges from CCAA protection. Indeed, although in very different circumstances, financing to be available on the debtor’s emergence from CCAA protection (sometimes called “exit financing”) was approved before a plan was approved in Air Canada.4 Both Century Services and section 11.2, however, in my view, signal that it would be unusual for a court to approve exit financing where opposed by substantially all of the creditors. Exit or post-plan financing is often a key element, or a pre-requisite, of the plan voted on by creditors.
69The question becomes whether the unique facts of this case permitted the supervising judge to approve “interim financing” that was of such duration and structure that it could well outlast the CCAA protection period. This court should not substitute its decision for that of the supervising judge. I must ask this question through the lens of the applicable standard of review.
(3) Standard of review
70Appellate review of a discretionary order under the CCAA is limited. Intervention is justified only for an error in principle or the unreasonable exercise of discretion: Ivaco Inc. (Re) (2006), 2006 34551 (ON CA), 83 O.R. (3d) 108 (C.A.), at para. 71. An appellate court should not interfere with an exercise of discretion “where the question is one of the weight or degree of importance to be given to particular factors, rather than a failure to consider such factors or the correctness, in the legal sense, of the conclusion”: New Skeena Forest Products Inc., Re, 2005 BCCA 192, 39 B.C.L.R. (4th) 338, at para. 26.
(4) The supervising judge did not err in principle or unreasonably exercise his discretion
71As detailed below, I conclude that there is no basis for interfering with the supervising judge’s exercise of discretion in approving the Tenor DIP Loan.
72Most significantly, in this case, the supervising judge found there could be no meaningful recovery, and therefore no successful restructuring, without the financing of the arbitration. Although the Noteholders characterized the Tenor DIP Loan as “exit financing”, it furthered the remedial purpose of the CCAA. To that extent, it is appropriate in the first sense used by Deschamps J. in Century Services, even though it may well outlast the period of CCAA protection. The supervising judge’s focus on the fact that the Tenor DIP Loan provided financing for the arbitration was not, in the circumstances, an error of principle.
73In my view, the Noteholders’ real argument is that the means by which the Tenor DIP Loan was approved were not appropriate. Ideally, a CCAA supervising judge is able to assist creditors and debtors in coming to a compromise. The creditors and Crystallex have not “achieved common ground” on a very significant matter. Effectively, the Noteholders argue that the creditors have not been treated as advantageously and fairly as the circumstances permit. They are the senior creditors and their offer to provide DIP financing on terms they argue matched those of the Tenor DIP Loan was not accepted. With sufficient financing in place to fund the arbitration, their leverage in negotiating a share of the arbitration proceeds has been reduced. Moreover, the Noteholders argue, the supervising judge erred in applying the business judgment rule, and, contrary to Cliffs Over Maple Bay, involuntarily stayed their rights during what they characterize as a restructuring. I consider each of these arguments below.
a. The Noteholders’ competing DIP loan offer
74The Noteholders point to their affidavit on the April motion indicating they would submit to an order to advance funds on the same terms as the Tenor DIP Loan “in the event that prior to October 1, 2012, the Court orders that such long-term financing is appropriate and necessary”. The supervising judge wrote that it would have been a preferable outcome if the Noteholders had been prepared to lend at the time of the April motion on the terms of the Tenor DIP facility: DIP Financing Reasons, at para. 91. The Noteholders argue that: they were prepared to advance funds on the terms of the Tenor DIP Loan, if so ordered; the supervising judge misapprehended the evidence; and, given the supervising judge’s comment that it would have been preferable if the Noteholders had been prepared to lend, that misapprehension affected the outcome of the motion.
75The supervising judge’s comment at para. 91 of the DIP Financing Reasons makes his real concern clear. There, he stated that “at this time” the Noteholders were not prepared to lend on the terms of the Tenor DIP Loan. The Noteholders’ view as of April 5, 2012 was that such long-term financing was not necessary, as the $10 million they offered to advance at that time met Crystallex’s then cash requirements. The Noteholders reserved their rights to continue to oppose the approval of long term financing before they had come to an agreement with Crystallex about their entitlement, as creditors. Further hearings, and further arguments, were required. The supervising judge found, at para. 83 of the DIP Financing Reasons, that not putting sufficient financing in place to finance the arbitration “at this stage” would impair the arbitration. There was no suggestion from counsel for the Noteholders that on April 5, 2012 the Noteholders were prepared to waive the condition permitting them to continue to oppose the approval of long term financing. I am not satisfied that the supervising judge clearly misapprehended the evidence.
b. Loss of leverage
76In Crystallex’s view, a reduction of the Noteholders’ leverage was desirable. It points to the Noteholders’ competing CCAA application, seeking to cancel all of the shareholders’ equity, which the supervising judge rejected as not fairly balancing the interests of all stakeholders. The Noteholders’ plan, subsequently proposed, would entitle them to 46 per cent of the equity in return for giving up their Notes, which Crystallex also views as excessive.5
77Crystallex argues that the Noteholders are not contractually entitled to convert their Notes to equity, and should therefore not be entitled to do so. Moreover, they argue, in the event of bankruptcy, the Noteholders would only be entitled to recover their principal and interest at the statutory rate of 5 per cent under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. B-3, and, if the arbitration is realized, they will be entitled to the higher rate of interest they are contractually entitled to under the Notes. As Deschamps J. noted at para. 77 of Century Services, participants in a reorganization “measure the impact of a reorganization against the position they would enjoy in liquidation”.
78The Noteholders counter that, contractually, they were entitled to be repaid on December 23, 2011 and, since they were not, and Crystallex proposes to defer repayment for several years and repay the Notes only if the arbitration is successful, the long delay entitles them to some equity participation. Moreover, contractually, Crystallex is restricted from incurring the Tenor DIP Loan, which will be senior to the Notes.
79Crystallex points to the terms of the Initial Order, affording the “best offer” the protection of the Soundair principles, and providing that “topping offers” would not be considered by the court. Crystallex points out that the Noteholders did not appeal the Initial Order and argues that accepting the Noteholders’ matching offer would offend the Soundair principles. In Crystallex’s view, the Noteholders were treated fairly.
80In turn, the Noteholders argue that the Initial Order authorized Crystallex to conduct an auction to raise interim or DIP financing pursuant to procedures approved by the Monitor. Since the outset, the Noteholders maintained their objection that the auction process sought more than interim or true DIP financing. The supervising judge deferred consideration of their objections until the DIP facility was before the court for approval.
81The Noteholders are sophisticated parties. They pursued a strategy. It ultimately proved less successful than hoped. It appears that the supervising judge would have been prepared to approve the advance of funds to Crystallex by the Noteholders, on the terms of the Tenor DIP Loan, notwithstanding the Soundair principles, had the Noteholders agreed to do so, without condition, on April 5, 2012.
82The facts of this case are unusual: there is a single “pot of gold” asset which, if realized, will provide significantly more than required to repay the creditors. The supervising judge was in the best position to balance the interests of all stakeholders. I am of the view that the supervising judge’s exercise of discretion in approving the Tenor DIP Loan was reasonable and appropriate, despite having the effect of constraining the negotiating position of the creditors.
c. The business judgment rule
83The supervising judge held that in addition to the factors in s. 11.2(4) of the CCAA, he could take into account the exercise or lack thereof of business judgment by the board of directors of a debtor corporation in considering DIP financing: DIP Financing Reasons, at paras. 32-35. He cited Stelco Inc. (Re) (2005), 2005 8671 (ON CA), 75 O.R. (3d) 5 (C.A.), as authority for this proposition.6
84The fact that a debtor’s board of directors recommends interim financing is not a determinative factor, and in some cases may not be a material factor, in considering whether to make an order under s. 11.2. It would be unusual if the board did not recommend the financing for which the debtor seeks approval.
85Stelco should not be read as authority for the principle that the recommendation of the directors of a debtor under CCAA protection is entitled to deference in evaluating whether financing should be approved under s. 11.2 of the CCAA where the factors outlined in s. 11.2(4) have not been complied with. In Stelco, the debtor did not seek court approval of a recommendation of the board. In the case of interim financing, the court must make an independent determination, and arrive at an appropriate order, having regard to the factors in s. 11.2(4). It may consider, but not defer to, and is not fettered by, the recommendation of the board.
86The weight given by the supervising judge to the business judgment of the board of directors of Crystallex in recommending the Tenor DIP Loan is not, however, a basis for this court to interfere with his decision: New Skeena Forest Products,atpara. 26.
d. Cliffs Over Maple Bay is distinguishable
87In Cliffs Over Maple Bay, the debtor was the developer of a 300 acre site intended to include residential units, a golf course and a hotel. The debtor obtained protection under the CCAA and sought approval of financing that would permit it to complete material parts of the development. It believed that the proceeds generated from the sale of units thus completed would be sufficient to fund the remaining portions of the development and that, if the development were completed, there would be sufficient sale proceeds to satisfy all of the debtor’s obligations.
88The motion judge approved the financing; the mortgagees of the development appealed. The British Columbia Court of Appeal noted, at para. 35, that it was not suggested that the debtor intended to propose an arrangement or compromise to its creditors before embarking on its restructuring plan. The court allowed the appeal, writing:
37… DIP financing should not be authorized to permit the debtor company to pursue a restructuring plan that does not involve an arrangement or compromise with its creditors ...
38... What the Debtor Company was endeavouring to accomplish in this case was to freeze the rights of all of its creditors while it undertook its restructuring plan without giving the creditors an opportunity to vote on the plan. The CCAA was not intended, in my view, to accommodate a non-consensual stay of creditors’ rights while a debtor company attempts to carry out a restructuring plan that does not involve an arrangement or compromise upon which the creditors may vote.
89I agree with the supervising judge that this case can be distinguished from Cliffs Over Maple Bay, which turned on the court’s finding that the debtor did not intend to negotiate a plan with its creditors.
90While Mr. Fung initially indicated that Crystallex’s plan was to stay creditors’ claims until the arbitration was settled or realized, his more recent evidence was that approval of the Tenor DIP Loan does not preclude further discussions about a plan with the creditors. In submissions before the supervising judge, and again before this court, counsel for Crystallex reiterated that Crystallex intended to exit from CCAA protection as soon as a plan was negotiated with the creditors and approved, and that Crystallex intended to negotiate a plan by the expiry of the stay on July 30, 2012. The supervising judge found that Crystallex intended to negotiate a plan with its creditors. There is some basis in the record for such a conclusion.
(5) The Tenor DIP Loan is not an arrangement
91An arrangement or compromise cannot be imposed on creditors unless it has been approved by a majority in number representing two thirds in value of the creditors: see s. 6(1) of the CCAA.
92The supervising judge rejected the argument that the Tenor DIP Loan was a plan of arrangement or compromise and therefore required the approval of the creditors. He held, at para. 50 of the DIP Financing Reasons:
A "plan of arrangement" or a "compromise" is not defined in the CCAA. It is, however, to be an arrangement or compromise between a debtor and its creditors. The Tenor DIP facility is not on its face such an arrangement or compromise between Crystallex and its creditors. Importantly the rights of the noteholders are not taken away from them by the Tenor DIP facility. The noteholders are unsecured creditors. Their rights are to sue to judgment and enforce the judgment. If not paid, they have a right to apply for a bankruptcy order under the BIA. Under the CCAA, they have the right to vote on a plan of arrangement or compromise. None of these rights are taken away by the Tenor DIP.
93I agree. While the approval of the Tenor DIP Loan affected the Noteholders’ leverage in negotiating a plan, and has made the negotiation of a plan more complex, it did not compromise the terms of their indebtedness or take away any of their legal rights. It is accordingly not an arrangement, and a creditor vote was not required. In this case it was within the discretion of the supervising judge to approve the Tenor DIP Loan.
C. The Appeal from the Management Incentive Plan Approval Order
94In my view, the supervising judge did not err in principle or unreasonably exercise his discretion in approving the MIP. I see no basis for this court to intervene.
95As the supervising judge noted, employee retention provisions are frequently authorized before a plan is negotiated. The supervising judge was alive to the exceptionally large amounts that might be paid to beneficiaries of the MIP (including Mr. Fung) in this case. The supervising judge took specific note of the issues that the Noteholders had raised in the past regarding the extent to which the independent committee of the board that recommended the MIP was truly independent, and the steps taken by that committee to address those concerns.
96The recommendation of an independent committee of the board that has obtained expert advice is entitled to more weight in the consideration of a MIP than is the recommendation of the board in the consideration of whether financing should be approved under s. 11.2 of the CCAA. The CCAA does not list specific factors to be considered by the court in the case of a MIP. Moreover, the board would have the best sense of which employees were essential to the success of its restructuring efforts.
97In addition to considering the recommendation of the independent committee of the board and Mr. Swartz, the supervising judge also reviewed the evidence to consider whether any persons had been included in the MIP who should not have been. He did not rely solely on the board’s recommendation.
VII. DISPOSITION
98Accordingly, I would dismiss the appeals of the CCAA Bridge Financing Order, the CCAA Financing Order, and the Management Incentive Plan Approval Order.
VIII. COSTS
99If the parties cannot agree, I would order that Crystallex and Tenor provide their submissions on the issue of costs within 14 days, and that the Noteholders, if so advised, provide their submissions in response within 10 days thereafter. No reply submissions are to be provided without leave.
Released: June 13, 2012 “Alexandra Hoy J.A.”
“DOC” “I agree D. O’Connor A.C.J.O.”
“I agree R.A. Blair J.A.”
- Despite anything in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or the Winding-up and Restructuring Act, if an application is made under this Act in respect of a debtor company, the court, on the application of any person interested in the matter, may, subject to the restrictions set out in this Act, on notice to any other person or without notice as it may see fit, make any order that it considers appropriate in the circumstances.
Footnotes
- Paragraph 23(1)(b) provides that the monitor shall “review the company’s cash-flow statement as to its reasonableness and file a report with the court on the monitor’s findings”.
- The MIP was approved subject to an amendment (agreed to by Crystallex) to provide that the value of any stock options ultimately realized by participants of the MIP would be deducted from the amount of any bonus awarded under the MIP on a tax neutral basis.
- The full text of section 11 is as follows:
- In Air Canada, Farley J. approved a “global restructuring agreement” which included a commitment of an existing creditor to provide exit financing of approximately US $585 million on the company’s emergence from CCAA. DIP financing was in place; the financing at issue was clearly recognized as exit financing. The restructuring agreement was not opposed by substantially all of the creditors. Nor was it argued that it adversely affected the ability of the creditors and the debtor to negotiate a compromise or arrangement.
- The Noteholders proposed that they receive 22.9 per cent of the equity for the $36 million needed for the arbitration and 58 per cent of the equity in return for giving up their Notes, for a total of approximately 81 per cent of the equity. Assuming that the Noteholders sought a maximum total entitlement of 81 per cent, if they advanced the $36 million on the terms of the Tenor DIP Loan, as they now seek to do, the amount of equity on conversion of their notes would be 46 per cent. See the DIP Financing Reasons, at para. 77.
- An incorrect citation for Stelco was given in the DIP Financing Reasons, at para. 33.
