People Corporation (the “
Company”) (TSX Venture:
PEO) is pleased to announce both Institutional Shareholder Services
Inc. (“
ISS”) and Glass Lewis and Co., LLC
(“
Glass Lewis”) have recommended that holders (the
“
Shareholders”) of common shares (the
“
Shares”) of the Company vote FOR the proposed
plan of arrangement (the “
Arrangement”) with
an entity (the “
Purchaser”) controlled by
certain investment funds managed by the Merchant Banking business
of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. ISS and Glass Lewis are independent
proxy advisory firms who provide voting recommendations to
institutional shareholders.
Under the Arrangement, shareholders will receive
$15.22 in cash per Share, other than certain senior management
shareholders (the “Rollover Shareholders”) who
will receive, in respect of certain of their Shares, consideration
consisting of cash and shares of the direct parent of the
Purchaser.
Favourable ISS and Glass Lewis
Recommendations
In reaching its conclusion ISS noted:
“The all-cash consideration will allow
shareholders to exit their investment at a significant premium to
the company's unaffected share price and a significant premium over
its all-time high. Furthermore, the consideration appears to
represent a significant premium over the company's historical
valuation levels. Finally, it appears the company ran a robust
strategic review and sale process, and terms of the transaction
give the board the ability to respond to superior proposals. In
light of those above reasons and the favourable market reaction,
shareholder approval of this resolution is warranted.”
Glass Lewis’ report states that:
“Overall, given the scope of the sale process
and the number of parties involved, we believe the board has taken
generally reasonable steps to conduct a check of the market prior
to entering into the proposed transaction agreement. In this case,
we see no reason to doubt that the proposed transaction likely
represents the most favorable offer available to People
shareholders at the present time… Accordingly, we recommend that
shareholders vote FOR this proposal.”
The Meeting
The special meeting of Shareholders to vote on
the Arrangement is scheduled to be held in a virtual format only on
February 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (Winnipeg time) via live audio
webcast online at https://web.lumiagm.com/220899676.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT – PLEASE VOTE TODAY |
The proxy voting deadline is 9:00 a.m. (Winnipeg time) on
February 9, 2021 |
The Board of Directors (with Laurie Goldberg, as Executive
Chairman, CEO and a Rollover Shareholder, abstaining) unanimously
recommends that Shareholders vote FOR the Arrangement
Resolution. |
Full details of the Arrangement are described in
the Company’s management information circular dated January 13,
2021 (the “Circular”) and can be found on the
Company’s website at
https://www.peoplecorporation.com/special-meeting. The Circular is
also available under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com.
How to Vote
Your vote is important regardless of the
number of Shares you own.
Voting for Beneficial
Shareholders
- INTERNET: Go to www.proxyvote.com and enter
your 16-digit control number found on your voting instruction form
to vote online.
- TELEPHONE: Call 1-800-474-7493 and enter your
16-digit control number found on your voting instruction form to
vote by telephone.
Voting for Registered
shareholders
- INTERNET: Go to www.voteproxyonline.com. Enter
the 12-digit control number printed on the form of proxy and follow
the instructions on the screen.
- FAX: Complete, date and sign
the proxy and fax it to 1-416-595-9593.
Shareholder Questions and Assistance
If you have questions relating to the
Arrangement, or require voting assistance, please contact People
Corporation’s shareholder communications advisor and proxy
solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, by telephone at
1-877-452-7184 toll-free in Canada (+1-416-304-0211 for
international calls) or by e-mail at assistance@laurelhill.com.
About People Corporation
People Corporation is a leading provider of
group benefits, group retirement and human resource services with
approximately 1,150 talented professionals serving organizations
across Canada. Bringing deep industry and subject matter expertise,
proprietary technology platforms and an innovative suite of
services to each client engagement, we deliver uniquely valuable
insights and solutions to make a positive difference to your people
and your bottom line.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements made in this news release are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable
securities laws. Often but not always, forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “could”,
“should”, “would”, “outlook”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “foresee”,
“continue” or the negative of these terms or variations of them or
similar terminology.
Although the Company believes that the
forward-looking statements in this news release are based on
information and assumptions that are current, reasonable and
complete, these statements are by their nature subject to a number
of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from management’s expectations and plans as set forth in such
forward- looking statements, including, without limitation, the
following factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control
and the effects of which can be difficult to predict: (a) the
possibility that the Arrangement will not be completed on the terms
and conditions, or on the timing, currently contemplated, and that
it may not be completed at all, due to a failure to obtain or
satisfy, in a timely manner or otherwise, required shareholder and
court approvals and other conditions of closing necessary to
complete the transaction or for other reasons; (b) risks related to
tax matters; (c) the possibility of adverse reactions or changes in
business relationships resulting from the announcement or
completion of the transaction; (d) risks relating to the Company’s
ability to retain and attract key personnel during the interim
period; (e) the possibility of litigation relating to the
transaction; (f) credit, market, currency, operational, liquidity
and funding risks generally and relating specifically to the
transaction, including changes in economic conditions, interest
rates or tax rates; (g) business, operational and financial risks
and uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic; (h) risks and
uncertainties relating to information management, technology,
supply chain, product safety, changes in law, competition,
seasonality, commodity price and business; and (i) other risks
inherent to the Company’s business and/or factors beyond its
control which could have a material adverse effect on the Company
or the ability to consummate the transaction.
The Company cautions that the foregoing list of
important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive and other
factors could also adversely affect its results. For more
information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could
cause the Company’s actual results to differ from current
expectations, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the
Company’s Annual Information Form dated January 7, 2021, the
Circular, as well as the Company’s other public filings, available
at www.sedar.com.
The forward-looking statements contained in this
news release describe the Company’s expectations at the date of
this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after
such date. Except as may be required by applicable Canadian
securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this
news release, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
Laurel Hill Advisory GroupNorth America Toll Free:
1-877-452-7184Collect Calls Outside North America:
1-416-304-0211Email: assistance@laurelhill.com
Jonathan Ross, CFAInvestor Relations - People
Corporation (416) 283-0178jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com
Dennis Stewner, CPA, CACFO and COO - People
Corporation (204) 940-3988dennis.stewner@peoplecorporation.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
People (TSXV:PEO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
People (TSXV:PEO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024